New Experience

Today, I wasn't just a mom or a teacher and an "aunt" playing with the Beautiful Gate kids. Instead, I got to put on my co-director's hat and head to a meeting at the American Ambassador's house. The topic of discussion was international adoption, so there were representatives from 2 orphanages, the 4 reps for adoption (US, Canada, Netherlands, and Sweden), the police, lawyers, UNICEF rep,the Chief Legal Officer (DSW), the Senior Child Welfare Officer, a High Court Judge, and the American Ambassador. There was many other groups represented as well of which I did not catch the organizations, but it was unlike any meeting I have ever attended before.

There were about 30 of us and we had several speakers discussing the roles of each group that is involved in adoptions. We discussed the things that are going well, the things that are not going well, and a recent Child Protection and Welfare Act which is now in effect in Lesotho. The discussions were open and honest and helpful which is a good thing if there is to be unity among these departments. I did find it very difficult to jump in to discussions as there were many people who were raising points and by the time I got to ask my question, we were on a whole different subject :) I know that change does not come easily, painlessly, or quickly, but I do feel like Lesotho is going to sort this adoption process out and God will be glorified.

Days like this are when my life feels a bit surreal. I am just an ordinary person. I have no gifts or talents that make me great and I have absolutely no skills or abilities to speak with people of political power or create change. Yet, through my "normalness" God is still able to use me. I think that is the theme that keeps coming back to me over and over in Lesotho. Without God, I am nothing or no one special, but with God, all things really are possible. I am but a lump of clay in His mighty hand.