We have finally settled in our new home in the village of
Ha Shepeseli in Butha-Buthe, Lesotho. We have been here for nearly two weeks
now and boy is it COLD! Though it is
only the beginning of June, we know that the temperatures will get well below
zero before too long. We are currently on a waiting list for a house with a few
more amenities than the one we are in now.
This week, we are easing ourselves into the ministry with
LXP Lesotho. We helped with the Saturday youth program this past Saturday and
are anticipating a full week of house visits and the like. The Saturday program
continues to run outdoors which is difficult during Winter. As a team, we are
trusting God for funds to build a community hall to run not only the program,
but camps as well. One of the goals of the ministry is to create house
churches/Bible study groups in the community, so it is our hope to minister to
a certain corner of the village of Nkoeng and hopefully plant a house church.
We will continue to minister into the lives of the kids and youth and start
one-on-one discipleship before long.
We are learning about God’s heart for Lesotho and
specifically what he wants to do in the lives of the kids that are part of the
weekly program and those in that village. God’s heart is for His lost sheep.
“I myself will search and find my sheep.
“I myself will search and find my sheep.
I will be
like a shepherd looking for his
scattered
flock. I will find my sheep and
rescue them
from all the places where
they were
scattered…” Ezekiel 34:11-12
About two weeks before our big move we
received some very exciting news! The Lord has blessed us and we have a baby on
the way, due in January! We are thrilled and know that are lives are going to
change for the better.
We will be the first to admit that leaving
our home, our church, our job, and our friends in Johannesburg wasn’t an easy
thing. We were comfortable where we were and it would have been easy to remain
there. Before we left, the church (The Barn) sent us off like they did in Acts
with Paul and Barnabas. As we were saying our goodbyes and as the church prayed
over us, Piet said something very significant . God doesn’t always call us to
the comfortable places. In fact, most times he doesn’t . But if it hasn’t cost
us anything, perhaps we should question His calling. So, here we are! We have
given our lives for Christ and for the people of Lesotho!
We have received so many encouraging emails and facebook
messages as we transition into this new life.
Thanks to each of you! We also want to take this time to thank each and
every person who gave monetary gifts as well. Every donation has really helped
during this time. We have been truly blessed and we know that it is so WE can
be a
blessing!
blessing!
Truly Loving Africa,
The Bakers