At her local church building, Charlotte organizes what is called a Creative Atelier (creative workshops) for female asylum seekers in the area. Coming from places such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Kurdistan, the women often have no community and limited language skills. In an effort to provide something for these women, the OM team started hosting a yearly gathering with activities, games, a meal, and tea. They also take time to pray for the countries the women represented. The response to these gatherings was tremendous, with many women coming to enjoy the fellowship and community. As a result, the team decided to start smaller, bi-monthly gatherings in between the big parties. These, too, have seen great success. At these gatherings, the team always offered a creative activity, and they were amazed by how many women gathered at this station. Charlotte participated in a training at which a therapist shared about the connection between working with your hands and reducing stress and anxiety. It made sense to her that the women gravitated towards these types of activities, and it gave her the idea to hold gatherings specifically for creative activities once a month.
Charlotte hosts the women, beginning each gathering with tea and snacks. Then, she introduces a Bible story she has chosen for the time and a creative activity to go with it. Anywhere from nine to thirteen women come at a time, and Charlotte shares that it is a safe place for them to build community as well as exercise practical skills, like their German language learning. She ends each time with a blessing over the women.
The creative activities they have done are varied, and Charlotte always connects it to a Biblical idea or verse. Connected to the idea of being precious in the Lord’s sight found in Isaiah 43, they decorated oyster shells with tissue paper and paint to make a jewelry holder. A different time, focusing on God’s care for the flowers and birds in Matthew 6, the women drew themselves as flowers to remember God’s care for them. For Christmas, they talked about how many lights are used for decorations in the Christmas season and how Jesus is the light of the world. To connect with this, they made papers with star cutouts to hang in their windows. Other activities have included using acrylic paints, making collages, and painting abstract paintings.
Charlotte shares that the women often offer feedback about how encouraging the time is to them. Some have told her that, in the setting, they feel their soul can find rest. One participant from the Middle East has been very worried about the situation in her home country, and she has not been able to connect with her family still there. She shared that the creative afternoons have helped her to gain new hope and to carry on. The women also express appreciation for the Bible passages, very open to discussing the ideas they contain. Eventually, she would love to start a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) with the women to discuss Scripture more with them.
Would you join us in praying for Charlotte and her work in Switzerland? It is beautiful to see how art and creativity can open the doors for healing, curiosity, and deepened relationships. We look forward to seeing how this continues to take place in Charlotte’s ministry.
