My first country on the World Race is Lesotho, a country completely surrounded by South Africa. Being the only independent state in the world lying exactly 3,281 above sea level, the country’s landscape offers breathtaking views and I consider us pretty blessed to be visiting during their winter season for some cool weather.
We first arrived on August 12th late in the evening and our ministry hosts greeted us at Pioneer Mall, one of two malls in the capital city of Maseru (Ma-Se-Roo). Due to weather, three other teams needed a place to stay for the night (if you can believe it, the roads were too icy for their ministry hosts to pick them up!). Luckily, our ministry hosts opened their doors and we managed to fit 28 World Racers in their home for night one in Africa.
The next morning the other teams headed out to their ministry site and my team and I got our first real look at Maseru, Lesotho. As we stood in awe of the country (and the fact that we were finally in Africa) we took a moment to give thanks for the blessings we’ve already received – loving ministry hosts, heated blankets, real beds, indoor toilets and hot showers.
To start our Lesotho adventure, Madie, Jill, Kimmy and I volunteered for grocery shopping early on our first full day. It was quite the experience! The grocery stores are located in the malls here and at first, my heart skipped a beat because a loaf of bread cost about R 26 (26 rand). Thank goodness that converts to just under $2 USD with the conversion being $1 USD to about R 14.
After our successful grocery shopping excursion, we made our way back home and began learning more about our ministry for the month. We are working with Beautiful Dream Society (BDS), specifically with their kids house in Maseru. Here, “BDS is strongly committed to placing children in a safe family environment rather than a large institutional orphanage. They become part of the family unit for life in the BDS community.” (beautifuldream.tv). This is something that we’ve been able to see up close, but more on that later!
We started our orientation by walking the 30 minutes to the kids house, meeting “Me” (pronounced “Mae”, meaning ma’am or mother) the house mother, seeing the kids in class and getting a feel for the house. We walked home and spent time learning more about the organization, Skype-ing the CEO and founder of Beautiful Dream Society and getting a printed calendar of our schedule for the month (insert heart-eye emoji).
So what will we be doing this month? We get to spend time with the kids through daily devotions, tutoring and play. We also get to help the organization by painting a few rooms/hallways in the house, holding devotions with the two house mothers and helping with other miscellaneous tasks like clothing inventory for the kids.
It has been AMAZING so far. These kids are funny, loving, clever and so much more. There are not enough words to describe them and what a joy it is to spend time with them. Each day has been absolutely fulfilling and I wake up eager for our 40 degree, dirt trekking, 30 minute walk to see local kids waking to school and to give each of our kids a big hug!
In addition to working with BDS, Matt and Lorna (our ministry hosts) have friends in the area who we have the opportunity to help. Their organization, Sepheo, works with at risk boys and we are spending time working on English with them in preparation for their primary exams. The young boys/men have been wonderful to work with and it is inspiring to see them actively and passionately pursing an education.
The last organization we have the opportunity to work with this month is Beautiful Gate – An orphanage in the area that houses 70+ children, most under the age of 5. We’re looking forward to the week that we get to spend loving on the little ones!
In all aspects, this month has already been such a blessing and I continue to pray that in return, we can be a blessing to these organizations, their leaders and the children. For all of you who have prayed over my team and supported me, thank you. This journey has already changed my life and I hope that as I continue to share my journey, He touches yours.
Much love to you,
Morgan
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If you’d like to learn more about these partnering organizations, please check out their websites and please, add them to your prayers! These are beautiful organizations led by beautiful people with a passion for Christ and the youth of Lesotho.
Beautiful Dream Society: beautifuldream.tv
Sepheo: www.sepheo.org
Beautiful Gate: www.beautifulgatelesotho.org
