BCA's mission project during the Atlanta workshop is the Refugee Sewing Society, a ministry in Clarkston, Ga., that serves women who have survived genocide around the world. Cathy Palmer, award-winning author of more than 40 Christian fiction books, now serves with her husband, Tim, as a Mission Service Corps volunteer in Clarkston, a United Nations designated refugee resettlement area. Tim Palmer is a former Word&Way managing editor in Missouri and a former BCA member.

The Palmers launched the Refugee Sewing Society in 2008 after hearing God's call to start a micro-enterprise refugee program. Cathy, who grew up as a missionary kid in Bangladesh and Kenya, started a small sewing class at the Clarkston Community Center, and it has grown to about 100 women who make all kinds of handcrafted items, such as tote bags, doll clothing, jewelry, scarves and baby blankets.

The women are from a variety of nations, including Sudan, Somalia, Bhutan, Iraq and Burundi. Their religious backgrounds and cultures may be different, but their stories of survival of unthinkable atrocities are similar--as are their challenges in adjusting to life in America. The Refugee Sewing Society offers them not only an opportunity to earn an income for their families, but also an opportunity to heal from trauma and rebuild their lives.

BCA members are invited to participate in this mission project in one of two ways:

1. Shop the ladies' market. Cathy and some of the refugee ladies will join us Friday morning through lunch during the workshop. Eighty percent of every sale goes to the refugee women, and twenty percent purchases materials and takes care of other expenses.
2. Give directly to the mission. Donations will be taken on Friday.

Read more about this ministry or browse their online market at http://refugeesewingsociety.webs.com.