I can’t wrap my mind around the fact that month one is already over. What a whirlwind it has been – but it’s been SO INCREDIBLY GOOD! I have the best team (Shalom) – they are each such good listeners, care for me personally, love Jesus, and we definitely are sharpening one another.
I am incredibly blessed that this month has been out in the middle of God’s creation in Malealea, Lesotho. We are serving along side of Africa for Jesus. The site host family (Pieter, his wife, and two sons) have been wonderful and I am going to miss them when we leave this place. The mountains are gorgeous, the wind takes my breath away, the sunset & sunrises stop me in my path. The church is alive, thriving, and doing well. The scenery is something I’ll never forget. But in all honesty, I will admit the first few days were rough in the way I felt God had taken away a lot in just a moments notice. This included Wi-Fi, electricity, running water, flushing toilets, heat, and comfort foods (foods I miss most- Wendy’s, Chili with sour cream, brownies, and pizza)!
After a tough day at ministry, in our evening debriefing I spent some time with my squad leader and he mentioned to us that “God gives and takes away!” It then dawned on me that I need to go to Him and accept what He is trying to give me! I was so intently focused on what He had taken away from me! I asked the Lord what I needed to do in order to receive. It’s hard to admit this publicly, but I’ve been one who has always struggled with self confidence and especially when it comes to reading and recalling what I read. I glanced around to see Bibles open, written in, and showed much use. I thought there was no better time than now to accept that this is a huge growth area for me. Therefore, I have chosen to read the Word every day. My team is keeping me accountable and just the other day I finished reading a whole book in the Bible. I felt led to read through Job – and soon I realized that Job suffered too, as do/did I, with what God gives and takes away. The fact I finished it was such a reward I made it a ‘high’ to share with my team that night. I’m thankful that I am obeying Him & am already seeing the growth as I am just one month in.
Maybe God is prompting you to be in His Word daily! Do it!!
This is our life here in Lesotho:
Each morning we roll out of bed to go on a 30 minute walk to wake up our mind, body, and souls before quiet time and breakfast. At 9 am, my team begins our hour walk into the village. This is where I have witnessed His presence, His love, and what He has given me as well as the locals. — He has given me joy that I want to share with others, no matter if we speak the same language. — He has given me comfort as I try not to worry about the things occurring on back in the States. — He has given me the constant reminder that everything is His. — He has given the reassurance that the World Race is for me and I am to discover new passions, new family in Christ, a new perspective on what is life and what is love. — I exclaim with excitement that God is already moving in, for, and through me.
Then we spend 10-12:30 in the village showing Christ’s love: washing dishes, fetching water, hearing their stories, and praying for or over them. We then walk back to base to make and eat our sandwiches with an apple and biscuit (cookie)! It is then we do chores around the base until 5 pm. Our chores have included fetching water, picking up rocks in the field, painting the preschool, & shoveling dirt from the river & burn pile. Seeing physical changes around base makes me happy. The rocks we collected for 5 days & the sand we shoveled has turned into a pathway to our ministry host’s front door & a half court for basketball. After that, we can shower (we only shower every 4 days due to water shortage) and eat a delicious meal at 6 pm. It’s typical that we have some sort of soup and bread or stew with potatoes. On Sundays we get dessert!! 🙂 After dinner we clean our dishes, we have team time and get ready for bed. If you know me at all, you know I love sleep!! More nights than not, I am asleep by 8:30pm- it’s a beautiful thing! Then……the day repeats.
As my Wi-Fi has been limited, my wonderful mother (and father) have posted this for me. I put together brief video so you will be able get a glimpse of my time in Malealea Valley in Lesotho, but since the Wi-Fi is limited and unreliable, I’ll post it in a few days!! Also, it isn’t the easiest to post pictures here, so for now, please see photos on Facebook and you can go to A4J Lesotho and A4J Lesotho2 to see some pictures of our site here in Lesotho.
Prayer requests: Our team will be heading to Durban, South Africa on Tuesday, the 6th to meet up with the 56 members of the “J” squad for a debriefing and refreshing time. Please pray for safety in travel as we have a long ride across the mountains. Also, because we walk so much and were sandals much of the time, my feet have been cracking and are very sore. Please pray they will heal soon! And, pray for us as we begin month two in Swaziland and what God has in store for us there.
Love you all! Thanks for your prayers, I can certainly feel them as I am here. Our God is so good! ~ Mariah
UPDATE CHECK OUT THE VIDEO!
