Over the past week or so, the need for trained mental health professionals here in Lesotho has become more and more clear. I was pretty aware of it after my first trip here, and once again requests for counseling services and training's are mounting! It all serves as an affirmation that I am serving where God wants me, and I am so excited to be able to help.
This week's adventure involves the CGPU (Child and Gender Protection Unit), which is a part of Lesotho's law enforcement. I met with them this morning; apparently they have 4 minors in their custody that are victims of trauma and/or sexual abuse. They would like me to work with these children, to assess them, counsel them, and testify on their behalf when their cases go to trial. I never thought that part of my job description here would involve helping the police investigate child abuse cases! While I am a little apprehensive about taking the stand, I just have to trust that my education, training, and experience has prepared me for this. I also keep reminding myself that my testimony might be able to give these precious children a voice and help them see justice done. Well worth a little fear and discomfort on my end!
I will see the first two children tomorrow morning, and the others on Saturday. Please pray that I am able to cross cultural and language barriers (I will have a translator present) and build trust with these little lambs. Also, pray that I am able to quickly get licensed here. Because I am already licensed in the U.S., I should only have to fill out a form and pay a fee. However, my new license did not arrive before I left, so I do not have any original documentation. Please pray that they will accept either a faxed copy or an internet license look-up.
Other than those things, please continue to pray for my beloved residents here; there is some spiritual warfare going on with my 16 year old. Also, several cases go to trial in the next two weeks, so pray for justice!
"However, as it is written: 'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived'- the things that God has prepared for those who love Him."
~1 Corinthians 2:9
So proud of you. Keep up all the work you are doing. God has gone before you and made your path straight. He is working through you to care for these vulnerable children!
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.