Weaving Friendship

When I was thinking of what my blog posts will be focusing on this season, I wanted to share something about two Greek friends of mine, Apostolia and Korina, for a number of reasons which I will share in other posts. But this one is dedicated to them as I look at their courage, faith and perseverance as they step into a new season of their lives. They are my friends that I have known now for a few years.

Korina

It was around July-August 2022 when I met Korina as she was going to serve as my translator while discussing the terms and conditions of renting the ground floor of her parents’ building which houses Creative Hands. Korina was very happy when I shared with her parents about Creative Hands and why we were trying to help displaced women. She has a heart to help the marginalized and so we had something in common and then I learned that she also makes jewelery with her hands and is very creative. So started my journey of friendship with Korina. I regard her as a friend because she has opened her home and heart to me and we have shared some of our struggles and challenges and she allows me to be myself and in turn I allow her to be herself. I do believe that one of the things that has strengthened my relationship with her is that she has accepted me as I am and has been a source of encouragement to me.

Apostolia

I met Apostolia through Korina and I have spent time with her and have shared my life story with her and am thankful that she has allowed me to be me and allows me to speak into her life, share my life’s journey, struggles and victories. Apostolia knows how to use a hand drill and she has come to my rescue several times to help me and when I moved to my new location, she dropped everything to come help me pack and move.

Why this post?

One of our shared interests is that we all like creating things with our hands. Korina makes jewelery, Apostolia candles and home décor items, I weave textiles and I find that to be very strengthening because we are all women and we love working with our hands. I am writing this post because these two friends took steps of faith, stepped out in courage and confidence and rented a place, renovated it and this week, Wednesday the 13^th of May 2026, they are opening their doors to the public. This is courage for me especially knowing where they have started. I have watched both these women decide they were going to do this, and we have spent time talking and I have prayed with them and pray for them and I have friends who are praying for them because I do believe in them. I have watched them  be what the Bible calls, (two are better than one) In this case it is three and what strength they have brought into my life and the life of Creative Hands. There is a quote I read which says, “There are friends, there is family, and then there are friends that become family” I like to think of these as part of my tribe. I have other friends in this tribe that I will share about in other posts but today my focus is on these two because they are going to be running their business not very far from me and I do believe that this is what God has ordained for us.

“There are friends, there is family, and then there are friends that become family”

Last week on Friday I passed by their store just to say hello and I expressed my joy at seeing them in this space doing what they are setting out to do and here is what Korina’s response was- a response that I was not expecting but it did speak deep into my heart. “What can I say about Cecilia? To me, she is like the mother who gently gives her children a little push on the bum so they can climb the wall and into the playground. That is how her support feels to us” I am grateful that I have played a small part in their lives and they too have played a part in mine.

Please make sure you follow them on Social Media and visit their websites.

• Korina:: www.orihaproject.com

• Apostolia:  www.abigalphablue.com

I have shared about these women to honor them as they have demonstrated the heart of a mother especially because recently we celebrated Mother’s Day.

Thank you for taking time to read and pray and share.

Cecilia