Oh the exciting times of life in Lesotho! Sorry for the delay in updates, the internet has been out here the past few days, being even dodgier than usual. So Wednesday morning I headed out the farm with Justin at 5am, and I actually quite enjoyed myself. We spent the first part of the morning laying out pipe for the irrigation system; which, I might add, we spent a good hour fixing... and Justin nearly pushed me into the river, though he denies that fact to this day. And there I was just trying to help him. Oh well. Anyhow, once we started the watering process, I helped to weed some of the vegetables, and I learned that I am pretty rubbish with a hoe. Justin was an excellent teacher (I believe he has the patience of Job) and he took me around the farm, telling me all sorts of important information about the crops and introducing me to the Lesotho people that he spends his days teaching how to farm. It was a great way to change up my own daily routine, as well as giving me an opportunity to experience his ministry here in Lesotho firsthand.
On Wednesday night I experienced my first gunshot outside of our complex. I do not know why, but I have felt very safe here, although I have been learning that it can be quite a dangerous area (but don't worry mom, I am being very, very careful ;o)). I suppose that a lot of my sense of safety comes from the fact that we live on a gated complex with two guard dogs and 5 or 6 local men who work as security and live in two houses down by the entrance... But even so, I feel at peace here, and I do feel like God is watching out for us. Plus, there are the six brothers who live in the house closest to the gate, and I don't know that anyone in their right mind would mess with them. One of them is particularly formidable. So all that is to say that I feel very, blessed to have been kept very safe these past couple of weeks.
Naturally, after hearing a scuffle and a gunshot, we decided that it was time to decorate our common room for Christmas in Lesotho. We blared Christmas music, put up a tree, and hung tinsel from every available surface. I must say that I have never decorated a Christmas tree in shorts and flip flops before, with windows and doors wide open. A Christmas without cold or snow- what a novel concept! We had loads of fun with the decorating, and I am actually quite sad to not be able to celebrate with this new little multi-cultural family that I have found here.
Thursday was another day of kiddos and meetings for me. I met with M'e Hlompo, the woman in charge of the MIS orphanage over lunch, and we had a very good chat. I will meet with her at least once more before I go. I also met with the staff and volunteers, which went well. I really hope that I was able to help them in some way during my time here, because I know that they have all impacted me in these past weeks.
Yesterday I went on safari, no big deal... Ha. Just kidding- it was fabulous! They just let you drive through the safari park here (which meant that SJ and I may or may not have gotten out of the car on several occasions to try and get a closer look at the animals...) We saw white rhino, wildebeests, gazelles, pheasants, the biggest ostriches EVER, and a little family of giraffes. Yes, that's right- a momma giraffe and her baby walked right in front of our car and they even let us get out and get some great photos of them. We then found papa giraffe a little ways down the road. Unreal. (For those of you who don't know, giraffes are quite possibly my favorite zoo animal. Yesterday pretty much made my year.)
Today was another gorgeous day here in Lesotho. SJ headed to the preschool graduation, but I opted to stay behind and get some work done by the pool. Rough life, I know. But I did actually get some work done- this morning I completed a 10 page 'Quick Reference Handbook for Counseling and Art Therapy' as well as a six session curriculum for the teen girls group that SJ will be running when I am gone. Great success. So now I am off to make dinner and hang out with the others that live in our complex. Please keep praying for continued wisdom and peace as I prepare to speak to the staff at 'the Link' Monday afternoon (I cannot for the life of me understand why God keeps putting me in situations where I have to speak in front of people- I really don't like it, it stresses me out) and as I meet with M'e Hlompo again this week. God Jul. (You Swedes out there know what that means ;o))
"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."
~Psalm 23:4
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