Dear family and friends,
First, thank you so much for your support!
It’s hard to believe that I’m already fully funded for all 11 months, and even 2 weeks before the deadline. Praise God!
Second, I want to apologize for not keeping my word to post a new blog every week to keep you updated on what’s going on. Here in Mokhotlong, we are in a small town literally in the mountains of Lesotho. Internet access has been limited, but that’s no excuse. The real reason is I’ve just had no words to describe this country or what we’ve been doing, but today I will try, so bear with me and keep reading for my reflections on Lesotho.
Third, I post a few photos to Instagram.com/sharonruns, so check it out periodically.
We leave Mokhotlong (tomorrow) Saturday at 5am. We will drive 5 hours to Maseru and spend the day/night there. On Sunday, we will head to Nelspruit (South Africa) with the whole squad and meet up with our leadership. We will spend 5 days, 6 nights for debrief, rest, and praying for the months of ministry coming up.
Afterwards, we will head to Swaziland (which has been recently renamed eSwazi) for Month 5. We are almost to the halfway point of the Race and also my birthday is coming up! Time goes by really fast when you are constantly moving from place to place.
One of my most memorable moments here in Lesotho was prison ministry. Every Wednesday morning, we went to the local prison. Men are imprisoned there for mostly stealing money or animals, some for murder, and other crimes in between.
At the prison, we would sing songs, then 3 of us would give testimonies and 1 person would preach, then prayer, and more singing. We were not allowed to take photos there, so let me use my words to try to describe.
Imagine a large courtyard with benches around the perimeter and no ceiling, just the open sky and a dirt floor and brick walls on the outside. Men of all ages sitting on the benches at the perimeter. Towards 1 side were a few prison workers/security. In the middle were about 20-25 black and white plastic chairs set up in 4 rows. This is where we sit.
When we entered, we are told to sit in the chairs. One of the Pastors speak, and then we are asked for the first testimony.
The first week, I was fighting a cold, so it was hard to sit through in the sun and pay attention, plus I was nervous being surrounded by the inmates, but my squad mates did a great job sharing the love of Jesus with them.
The second week, I was sick with a stomach bug, so I wasn’t able to go.
This week, I went and I was chosen to share my testimony! I shared from Mark chapter 5 about Jesus healing the woman with a blood disease and Jairus’ daughter. I encouraged the inmates to pray and seek Jesus for themselves and on behalf of their friends and family back home. Pray and keep on praying. I encouraged them that even in prison, they can experience joy and the love of Jesus.
It was scary to stand up in the middle of the inmates with no barrier between me and them, but I prayed that they would have open hearts to hear the scriptures. I felt at peace standing up and talking through our translator, Elijah. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to share. God is merciful and so faithful. Years ago, I could not have imagined that I’d be standing in Africa in a prison sharing my testimony. But there I was, and here I am!
In courageous faith and for His glory alone,
Sharon
