Monday in Mpharang

Mother's Day was delightful! They celebrate Mother's Day in Lesotho as well, so the preacher (from Sri Lanka this week) spoke on Proverbs 31. I can't say Paul was thrilled about sitting in church - he gave us the "Seriously? THIS is the big adventure" look, but he did a fabulous job during the hour-and-a-half service, helped in part by the ipod. A little Lecrae "Hallelujah" with which to worship!

Paul was such a joy all day on Sunday! Really, my only Mother's Day requirement is for my children not to make me cry. (Ask Sam why I have that rule.) No tears today. He had me laughing all day long. He was nonstop giggles and playing and oohing and aahing. We bought bubbles at the grocery store. BEST PARENTS EVER! He is a bubbles pro - they must have had some bubble parties at MIS - and he takes super good care of the bottle. I figured it would spill after two minutes - but he still has half a bottle left AND he knows how to make more with the bubble bath. (Forty-five minute bath/swim/hide in the bubbles time.) He really is so fastidious about his clothes and toys and hygiene. I'm sure that will change as he gets more comfortable, but I'm enjoying how eager he is to help with chores and clean up after himself!


blowing bubbles



playing in the "yard" after helping wring laundry.

Monday, Julius from World Vision picked us up at 8:30. He has been working for World Vision for 13 years, after having participated in a WV program as a child. He is one of the country coordinators, so gets to visit all the Lesotho programs.

Before I describe our day, I must first say that if you aren't already sponsoring a child, do it right now! And if you ever have the opportunity to visit your sponsored child, grab it! It's truly an overwhelming and life changing experience. Tukiso's family is now my family, and my prayers for and letter to her will be as for my own child.

Julius drove us to Mpharane district, about three hours south. As we left Maseru, the city gave way to field of corn and grass, surrounded by mountains, rocks, streams and crevices. Shepherds in traditional Basotho blankets grazed their cows in the fields, herding them through the villages' grazing lands. Small houses and traditional rondavals of stone dotted the hillsides. So beautiful. You'd have thought we were on a safari the way Paul oohed and aahed over every cow, dog, sheep, horse and donkey.

We turned off the main, two-lane highway onto an unpaved road which turned and jostled and climbed for a long time before it turned into what Trent described as a donkey trail. But we didn't much notice the jouncing because children riding donkeys raced toward us, surrounded the truck, and accompanied us toward the school.


Soon dozens then hundreds of children greeted us. This program has never had a visit from a sponsor, so EVERYONE from the surrounding village came for the celebration!


The principal of the school greeted us and told us about the school and community. Then we went into a classroom of about 40 children, grades 4 and 5, and I had to pick out Tukiso, the girl we sponsor! (I only have one picture of her and didn't want to embarrass her by getting it wrong!) But I found her. She was so shy and excited to be the center of attention.

The children and the teachers put on a show for us with traditional dances and songs. I even joined in one of the women's songs, which had everyone rolling with laughter. I decided to take the laughter as a compliment! (Paul seemed content during all of this, but firmly settled in Trent's arms and not budging.)

After the celebration at the school, we walked to Tukiso's house for a feast! ALL the neighbors were there as well as all her family - grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents. There are five children in the family. They have a very small house that has one bed, a table, and a small area for cooking, (I have NO idea how they produced so much food from such a small cooking area - no electricity, either!) and a small, probably 12 foot in diameter, rondaval where the children sleep. World Vision provided the family with chickens, which they have since passed on chicks to another family, safe drinking water, blankets, agricultural training, schooling and Christian discipleship.

They served us chicken (really delicious. We MUST get the recipe), pumpkin, carrots, rice, a sorghum/bean mixture, and joala, which is a traditional drink made from sorghum and corn, I think. It was so good, and such an honor to share with the family. Palamang ate the chicken, but wouldn't eat or drink anything else. He wanted the peanut butter sandwich we'd packed!

After eating with the family a storm rolled in with huge cracks of lightning. The family viewed the rain as a good omen because this area of the country is dry. Pula - rain - is a blessing. But I suddenly remembered reading about deaths by lightning strikes in Lesotho! Julius made us say hasty farewells and we jostled away from the village just as it began to rain. We survived the rainy dip and climb back to the main road and were rewarded with a huge, beautiful double rainbow. (Sam got it on her camera.)

Our family with our Lesotho family in Christ.


Blessings,

Kristi, Trent, Sam and Paul

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