Our time in Lesotho has been great and everyday we learn something new about the culture and norms of the village we serve. Leah has been picking up a few Sesotho words and actually using the words; the people love it when she tries to speak the language! This has made Leah to connect with the people and especially the mamas. They have invited us over to harvest maize (corn) to make maize meal (pap) and some have cooked us a meal with the little they have, it's truly humbling. I know it's not about the state of living, but whenever someone who lives on $2 or R12 a day provides a meal, my ego and pride crumbles to humility and humbleness. The scripture in Matthew 6 not only makes sense but becomes real.
When we visited in April, we prayed for an elderly lady in her house for healing. Her one leg was swollen and she couldn't walk. Bearing in mind that people here live on farming and many of them need to walk to the fields to harvest, plant and take care of the crops. When we left the end of April she had already been healed and was telling all her friends about the power of prayer in Jesus name. Whenever we walk through the village everyone stops us to ask when are we coming to visit them in their homes. In my mind, I wonder how can 4 people disciple a village of 1000-2000 people? One of our team members suggested that we start preparing people for simple church, so in a few months we will be starting with simple fellowship/home gatherings. You can pray with us for wisdom in that area.
So while we pray for people and disciple young men and women in the village of Nkoeng, we have identified the need for skill development e.g. computer, business training, etc but we also want to be realistic with the fact that we don't have a shelter to effectively teach these skill. However, I started computer class with a fews boy who are out of school or have dropped out. LXP has a land where we are developing a base. So far there are no complete buildings. We are currently working on a volunteer/visitor's accommodation and I want to invite all our readers to join us in this mission in either prayer, help to fundraise, or bringing a team to help dig or build.
Every week in our village there has been a funeral. The younger generation is dying with HIV/AIDS or TB.
Often people don't take medication as they still believe in traditional healers or they are ashamed to be seen sick. If they do take medication it is often too late and their bodies cannot handle to high dosage. In 29 days, a team of 80 people from South Africa and America will be joining us to help with an abstinence outreach called "Beat The Drum" in the high schools. Both Leah and I have ran Beat the Drum before, so you may be familiar with the program. The first week will be training for the teams and the second week will be the outreach in the schools; it's a powerful outreach. The last day there is an opportunity for the students to volunteer to know their status by taking a HIV/AIDS test and commit to abstinence, I also want to invite you to pray with us for this program.
This weekend we had our youth leaders training retreat and it was a success! The theme was "Don't Go with the Flow." We addressed a few points including, be different, knowing their identity in Christ, going against the flow and the last one was go shine! These young people are contagious to their spheres of influence in the village. They lead with confidence, character and even a bit of humor.
As you all know we are expecting a little one. Leah is now 10 weeks pregnant. My wife got an infection two weeks ago and has been in pain. We think it's because of the very different living conditions and lack of running water. We have crossed the border on three different occasions to see a doctor in South Africa and she was given medication. Please pray for her that it is totally gone and doesn't come back.
I want to thank you for you support and prayers, may you be blessed.
Prayer Points
1. Beat The Drum
2. Simple Churches
3. Leah's health and Baby Bakers
4. Base Development
Truly Loving Africa,
The Bakers
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