An attitude of gratitude, not just for Thanksgiving month
Happy New Year Family and Friends!
I am in Mokhotlong, Lesotho. We arrived here on January 1st.
We left Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia on December 30th. Then we flew to Singapore, then Ethiopia, then finally South Africa. We were picked up at the airport by Erica. She and her family hosted all 37 of the squad plus our 2 squad leaders for the night.
We were welcomed with hot showers, bunk beds, and a true South African dinner. It was so good! We ended the night by worshiping together and then yelling Happy New Year at 10pm before going to bed. Some stayed up until Midnight to bring in the New Year, but my body said otherwise. I was sound asleep by 10:30.
The next morning on New Year’s morning, we loaded up the bus again and drove 5 hours to the South Africa/Lesotho border. There, the teams split up to go to their different ministries.
My current team, Team Tigress, is spending this month with 2 other teams – The Way and Tercules. Once we crossed the border into Lesotho, our hosts had sent to small vans to pick us up. To be honest, that part of Lesotho by the border reminded me of a harsh part of the Bronx in New York. If I didn’t look too closely, I could imagine I was in the Bronx where people were out and about and just wanted to sell their goods to us foreigners.
Once we loaded up the van, we drove 5 hours to Mokhotlong. The views the whole way were fabulous. Lesotho is a country completely in the mountains and surrounded by the mountains. North, South, East, West, no matter where you look when you are outside, you can see mountains.
When we got to our ministry house, it was after 11 pm. Our hosts were so kind and had left a fresh home cooked meal on the stove for all of us. It was rice and a chicken stew/veggies. It was delicious.
Our ministry for this month is serving Harvesters Hillock Bible Church. Each day we rotate:
-going to the hospital with a translator to give a message of encouragement and pray with the patients
- going to the hospital to give out rice and stew and to pray with the patients
- Pulling weeds at the church garden
- Prayer-walking around the neighborhood- praying for God’s favor and for people to want to know Jesus
- Cleaning inside and outside the church
- Going to the prison to share the Gospel and encourage them to seek God
- And other miscellaneous tasks to serve the Pastors of the church
For the first 2 days, we had running water, but after that, the water ran out and we have been taking bucket showers. It’s a good thing I learned how to take bucket showers at Training Camp in August. Thank you World Race for teaching us well and preparing us for these scenarios.
For those of you that don’t know what’s a bucket shower:
Basically you fill up a bucket with some water from the tank. Then you carry it to the showers. Next, you undress, pour water with a cup, lather with soap, then rinse, repeat the process. It’s not as bad as it sounds, but I no longer take comforts of home for granted. I’m thankful for constant and clean running water back at home. In New York, we can even drink from the tap without fear of parasites. Next time you enjoy a hot shower or bath, be thankful for that opportunity!
Another thing I took for granted at home was constant access to a car, Uber/Lyft, or even just asking someone for a ride. Our 3 months in Asia, we had these comforts as well.
Now in Africa, we don’t have this. We walk up and down the rough terrain every day. Even the 5 minutes walk to the store is down a rocky hill. With the altitude, it feels even longer and more rough than it actually is.
At one point, we were told they would love for us to go to one of the partner churches in another town which is a 2.5 hour walk. Some places are not drivable because of the rough terrain. There are paved roads sometimes, but they do not always go where you need. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be here and serve where needed. I’m thankful for a reasonable amount of health and that I am able to walk!
And last but not least, my international phone does not work here in Lesotho. It worked at the border, but not here 5 hours away. There is an internet shop 5 minutes walk away, but it costs money. 20 minutes for 5 rand. Not much, but it adds up. I’m trying to be frugal this month, so please forgive me for not posting a blog last week.
Not having WiFi and no access to constant world news is actually freeing. At first, I struggled, but now I try to be more present where I am. My mind is free-er to pursue the Lord.
In conclusion,
Thank you to all of you all for your support towards the World Race!
I’m currently at 94.31% funded. If you have not had a chance to give yet, please prayerfully consider a donation this month. I need to be fully funded by the end of this month in order to continue with the squad for all 11 months.
Thank you in advance.
In courageous faith and for His glory alone,
Sharon
