Yau’s arthritic fingers carefully wove the thin strips of wood back and forth as the basket slowly took shape. My in-laws were visiting, and they had asked her to make a special two-part basket that could be used to collect the missionary offering at their home church. One side was to be used to pick up offering for the Pnong Project and the other side for GC Missions. The offering basket was to be made from two short baskets woven together with a handle over the top.

It took some time for Yau to figure out what they wanted. “What are you making?” the curious villagers asked her.

“I don’t know,” she would reply, “I’ve never made anything like it before.”

When Cara and her parents went to pick up the basket, Yau asked what they were going to use it for. They told her they were going to take it to Chief God’s house to collect money to help the Pnong. Yau was overjoyed. The strange basket took on a whole new meaning for her.

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