Some time back, I noticed my good blog friend Susan‘s links to a friend of hers, Jungle Mom, who was a missionary then to Venezuela, and clicked over from time to time. One day as I was reading Jungle Mom, I noticed her husband’s name, and then it clicked — our church supported missionaries in Venezuela, and these were they (them?)! Jungle Mom/Rita’s name was right there on her side bar but somehow I had never noticed it. So it has been fun over the last several months getting to know her through her blog.
She and her family are on furlough now, transitioning to a ministry in Paraguay. They were due to be at our church last weekend, and I was so looking forward to meeting Rita! The last time they were in the States on furlough, only Clint and oldest daughter Jackie came to our church. I enjoyed meeting them, very much, and hoped to meet the rest of the family this time.
But it was not to be. Rita has been having back problems and couldn’t come. I did enjoy renewing acquaintance with Clint and meeting their middle daughter Jewel.
Rita sent me, via Clint, this basket, which is woven from a vine that grows in Venezuela, if I understood correctly.
Here is a close-up detail:
Clint said the top row shows monkeys, the second row birds, the third row frogs. He said each family has certain distinctives as to what it weaves in its design.
Here is a close-up of the inside:
I think it is fascinating that every culture has its artisans and crafts that are unique.
Thank you, Rita! Maybe we’ll catch you next time!
Kelli at There’s No Place Like Home hosts “Show and Tell Friday” asking “Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there’s a story behind your special something, that’s even better! If you would like to join in, all you have to do is post your “Show and Tell” on your blog, copy the post link, come over here and add it to Mr. Linky. Guidelines are here.
Stray Thoughts 
Oh what a beautiful basket Barbara. Too bad you didn’t get to meet Rita. I would love to!!
Susan
Isn’t the blog world a small world?! How neat that you found one of your church’s missionaries in this way.
Excellent…I truly love the colors. It’s a great way to have met a missionary too.
Happy Show n Telling —
Happy Friday.
I love the basket. I watch the ladies weave them in Charleston. They are so patient doing them in the extreme heat of summer.
I guess you can understand the price tag after watching how many hours it takes.
I loved that! I am always amazed at the creativity, abilities and artistry of other cultures! That’s a keeper!
Connie
That basket is beautiful! We have a shop here that sells that artisan work from all sorts of countries. I love going in there to see all the unique items.
What a beautiful basket! Isn’t life full of those “God-moments”?
Have a blessed weekend.
I am so glad you like it! I also regret not being able to travel to S.C. to visit your church.
Maybe I should do a basket give away at my blog? Hmmm….
What a neat story! I’m sorry you weren’t able to meet Rita, but the basket she gave you is wonderful! I know you will treasure it!
~Kelli
You must have been so disappointed to not get to meet her, Barbara, but how very sweet of her to send this gift to you. That basket is amazing.
What a lovely basket. Thanks for sharing it. Have a wonderful weekend.
What beautiful workmanship. there must be something about those colors. I’ve seen that combination before.
Nancy
its lovely
Really nice!! Love and hugs Grams
What a wonderful discovery, and too bad you didn’t get to meet Rita. I know she was sad, too. But what a wonderful gift – the basket is so great!
I’ve been the president of our mission organization in our church for many years and have received so many wonderful gifts from visiting missionaries.
The baskets are beautiful!
What a unique basket. I bet you treasure it! Thanks for dropping by my blog for a visit!
I love this basket! It would look good in my
livingroom. It like the black and red together.
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
What a great story & a beautiful basket!
Stop by & see the new addition to our family: http://anapronaday.blogspot.com/search/label/KITTENS
hello
my son’s name is Clint too!!! and he is in Bolivia right now at a place called guayaramerin in a remote jungle place doing missionary volunteer work.
God bless
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