03/06/09

I have been enjoying some amazing sights, people, and connections over the last few days.  I had the pleasure of being on a two day safari where we saw some amazing wildlife.  There were elephants, zebras, hippos, giraffes, many different species of antelope, crocodiles, etc.  We had a visitor at our tent one night who was very large and had very long, white tusks!!  When we peeked through our tent window screen, there was a huge gray elephant staring right at us!!  I was a little concerned that he might decide to attack our tent, but Jana assured me that as long as we stayed inside, we would be fine. I guess she knew what she was talking about, because I am writing this note to you.

On Wednesday, we came to Lesotho where we met a missionary by the name of Dr. Knight, and toured her facility where she has a school, church and hospital.  They also have a mission in the mountains which we drove to and it was very sad to see the people living without electricity or running water.  We take so many things for granted.  The people of Lesotho have many resources but don’t seem to know how to put them to work.  They have fertile land, cattle, water, diamond mines, etc., but they don’t have the mentality of making life better for themselves.  There are a lot of orphans, AIDS victims, and hopelessness.  The children walk one to two hours to school every day, because there is no transportation. 

Today, we went to visit an orphanage where they currently house 36 babies, and they have around 50 children up to the age of 5 in their preschool.  It was a very loving facility and it is called Beautiful Gate.  Their website is www.beautifulgatelesotho.org .  They are an amazing husband and wife team who love these children and are facilitating adoptions for the babies and children.  Our hearts are forever changed as we look into the eyes of these beautiful children who have been rescued from being born in toilets, left to die in ditches, plastic bags, etc. 

We also spoke to a group of ladies today who have been faithfully praying for their country three times a week on their lunch break for many years.  They were moved to tears when Jennifer shared her testimony about the dream God gave her about Lesotho.  It confirmed to them that God has heard their cries and that He has a plan to save the country of Lesotho.  I am so thankful that I have been given the opportunity to reach outside of my own world and just do a little bit to help someone who is in need.  We should all be doing something for someone.  Sometimes we think that our little bit can’t possibly change the world, but it might change someone’s world.