Hello family and friends!
I am now in Lesotho, Africa. It’s freezing!!! No, but really, the temperature is below freezing. Lesotho is just now entering into their winter season. They usually get snow starting in June or July. Soooo I kind of want the snow and at the same time I don’t! I want to see these beautiful mountains all white with snow. At the same time I don’t because I am really cold, all the time. Lesotho is a beautiful country in the mountains of Africa. When the settlers first came to South Africa they pushed the Lesotho people into the mountains where they have remained. Lesotho is a monarchy country and is a very poor country. About 80% of the people rely on the World Food Program to feed them. We are living in a pretty good size city (compared to the rest of Lesotho) but are surrounded by small villages that contain little rock huts with no electricity or running water.
We are partnering with Harvester’s Bible Church and staying at their mission house. The pastors and staff here are amazing. They are warm and welcoming and have such big hearts to serve and reach their people. The pastors are very dedicated and put their people first. They serve without a salary and are the happiest and relaxed people I have ever met.
Our main focus here is manual labor. We are building an orphanage boarding house that will be next to the church (the church duals as a school during the week as well). So far we have dug ditches, filled in land with rock and dirt to make the ground level for flooring. Next week we will be mixing concrete and starting to create the foundation of the orphanage. It’s really hard work. We are all tired and sore and it has only been less than a week here! But it is so fun to do because we know who we are doing it for and that inspires us to work hard and with positive attitudes. We are also doing prison ministry once a week (preach worship, and prayer), hospital ministry twice a week (feeding the patience and praying for them), a feeding program every Friday and women’s fellowship meeting every Friday as well. We are also preaching at two different churches every Sunday and Tuesday for the high school church as well. So we are veryyyy busy this month, as usual! This month is another all squad month. It’s nice because we are able to split up the work between three different teams and taking turns covering each of these areas of ministry.
This month is a little different for me. Sara and I are completely on our own now for leading the squad. Our alum squad leaders left us at the end of last month. Sara and I are starting to realize what our new roles as squad leaders will look like. It has not been easy but it has been very rewarding. It’s busy and at times lonely (because Sara and I are not put on teams anymore) but I am enjoying my new role.
Below are some photos from Swaziland. Enjoy!
This is one of my buddies Sakhile. He is 8 years old, loves to read, and wants to climb trees!
Tutoring time with Sakhile.
The beauty of Swaziland yoga style! (Grace Poon this one is for you!)
Hike to a beautiful waterfall!
