My team and I had only been in Lesotho for 12 hours before being introduced to our new best friend. We hadn’t showered in four days due to travel and we were still adjusting to the eight-hour time difference from home. We had finally arrived to our new home, yet presented ourselves to our first host looking homeless.
We are spoiled here in Lesotho. Though it is FRIGID, we have beds, an oven, clean running water- this is not what I was expecting for my first month on the race.
We woke up from our full night of rest, skipped the shower and headed straight outside to explore more of our new home and meet our host. Keneuoe walked out of her office in a red coat, heels and bright red lipstick. Homegirl was DONE UP beautiful. She introduced herself and noticed we were not prepared for a Lesotho winter, so she piled us up in the van to take us shopping for clothes and groceries.
It’s been a week here in Lesotho, and Keneuoe has brought light to each of our lives. We have been blessed to spend quite a bit of time with her. She has taught us to cook, negotiate and warned us of eating too many fatty cakes (A literal thing. They’re delicious.) Yesterday she stopped by the house to say “hi” and check on us. What was intended to be a quick hello turned into an hour long conversation of her sharing the many stories of the children here at Lesotho Save the Children, as well as a bit of her own.
Keneuoe is the office administrator here at the orphanage. At Lesotho Save the Children there are currently 26 children, some of which are HIV positive. In the office there are many workers who do investigations on the children to find relatives and safe places for these children to call home. They have heartbreaking stories, yet every day they wake up with a smile.
Each story matters, allow me to tell you the story of one little boy who has touched my heart. He is about four, we can’t be sure of their exact age when they are found with no parents. His mother was HIV positive, and therefore he was born with the infection. Days after they had arrived home after his birth, people had found them in their home. His mother had passed some time ago yet he was still breastfeeding from her lifeless body. Four years later he attends preschool at Lesotho Save the Children, and I have had the pleasure to meet this beautiful treasure of a child. I have faith that God has big plans.
Keneuoe continued to share with us the great impact we have had on this organization in just the few days we have spent here. She began to get emotional and tell us that it’s as if we have known each other for years. Time is weird like that. It seems like an eternity and one second all at the same time. She has continued to express her love for us time and time again, and we return all the feels.
Keneuoe’s full name is Keneuoe Letlotlo. Her name means “I have been given treasure.” Though she has mentioned we are a blessing to her, I have a feeling she is the real treasure that has been given to us.
Lesotho, a year ago I didn’t even know you were on the map. But now, it’s safe to say you have my heart.
“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”
Deuteronomy 7:6
