July and August were very busy months for Beautiful Gate with international volunteers. We had two individual volunteers on campus and we still have another with us until November.
The first to arrive was Cassi from the USA on July 4. After many long flights to get here, she arrived safely, but her main luggage was a day behind. After resolving that issue on July 5, she was assigned to help in Pula 2. She helped to prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner there, along with feeding the children and spending some quality time with all the children in play group during the times between. Cassi returned home on July 30.
The second to arrive was Paige from the USA on July 12. After arriving late in Joberg, she missed her connection and was able to arrive at Beautiful Gate one flight later than originally planned. And all of her luggage arrived with her. Yeah! Paige spent the first day or two recovering from jet lag and has been assigned to Khotso 2. She helps the staff at meal times, along with feeding the children and spending quality time with many of the children in play group. She is also assisting our nurse with specific duties for children that have extra dietary needs. Paige is scheduled to be with us for 4 months.
The last to arrive was Andrew from Belgium on July 13. He is a British man who resides in Belgium and has supported Beautiful Gate for quite some time now. Upon arrival in Africa, Andrew and I had a wonderful two hour drive from Bloemfontein through many construction zones. Andrew spent most of his days with the children in the play group and also assisted our nurse with taking height and weight measurements for reporting purposes. He also assisted Khotso 1 during lunch and dinner times. He returned home to his family on July 26.
Beautiful Gate also encourages our volunteers to explore this wonderful country and culture, so we decided to take one of the coldest days to travel into the mountains. As you can see, there was a very nice amount of snow in the mountains and we even had to turn around for safety reasons shortly after the place in this picture.
I know that when they all decided to come to Africa that they did not have a picture of a snowy mountain in their minds!
The very next day we decided to hike a mountain near Beautiful Gate after church. It was not snowy there, but the temperatures were still very cold. This hike provided a wonderful view of part of Maseru as well as the beautiful snow capped mountains of Lesotho in the distance.
It was/is a pleasure to have all three of them here with us and we look forward to how they have and will bless the children of Beautiful Gate!
On July 27, Beautiful Gate was also privileged to host 10 young women and 5 chaperones from Holland Christian High School's basketball team. They were able to pet a lion, go horseback riding, play netball against the local high school team, lead worship time, paint a baby house and (most importantly) spend time with the children of Beautiful Gate. Being athletic, play group time was definitely a highlight for many of them. And, they also gave the overnight staff a well deserved rest for one night, as they took over the duties of that staff. It was great to witness God working in their lives as they were able to see a third world country for the first time (for many of them). The team returned home to Michigan, USA on August 6.
Lastly, we were blessed to entertain a team of 12 from England from August 7 - 15. They were able to go to the Lesotho museum in Morija, drive to Mohale Dam, paint a mural in the playgroup area and (most importantly) spend some time with the children of Beautiful Gate! Jenny Dobson, a supporter of Beautiful Gate Lesotho, led this team of various age groups during their time here and was able to show them what she was able to experience the last time she was at Beautiful Gate.
Each team brought their gifts and talents to help Beautiful Gate and I cannot express my appreciation for each volunteer that came. Thank you for serving the "least of these"! If you are interested in volunteering at Beautiful Gate, please feel free to contact me. You will never be the same again! You will be blessed forever!
Bryan
P.S. Sorry about the formatting.
The first to arrive was Cassi from the USA on July 4. After many long flights to get here, she arrived safely, but her main luggage was a day behind. After resolving that issue on July 5, she was assigned to help in Pula 2. She helped to prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner there, along with feeding the children and spending some quality time with all the children in play group during the times between. Cassi returned home on July 30.
- Cassi in Malleable
The second to arrive was Paige from the USA on July 12. After arriving late in Joberg, she missed her connection and was able to arrive at Beautiful Gate one flight later than originally planned. And all of her luggage arrived with her. Yeah! Paige spent the first day or two recovering from jet lag and has been assigned to Khotso 2. She helps the staff at meal times, along with feeding the children and spending quality time with many of the children in play group. She is also assisting our nurse with specific duties for children that have extra dietary needs. Paige is scheduled to be with us for 4 months.
- Paige arriving at Moshoeshoe Airport
The last to arrive was Andrew from Belgium on July 13. He is a British man who resides in Belgium and has supported Beautiful Gate for quite some time now. Upon arrival in Africa, Andrew and I had a wonderful two hour drive from Bloemfontein through many construction zones. Andrew spent most of his days with the children in the play group and also assisted our nurse with taking height and weight measurements for reporting purposes. He also assisted Khotso 1 during lunch and dinner times. He returned home to his family on July 26.
- Andrew lives very close to Brussels
Beautiful Gate also encourages our volunteers to explore this wonderful country and culture, so we decided to take one of the coldest days to travel into the mountains. As you can see, there was a very nice amount of snow in the mountains and we even had to turn around for safety reasons shortly after the place in this picture.
- Paige, Andrew and Cassi freezing in Lesotho! :)
The very next day we decided to hike a mountain near Beautiful Gate after church. It was not snowy there, but the temperatures were still very cold. This hike provided a wonderful view of part of Maseru as well as the beautiful snow capped mountains of Lesotho in the distance.
- At the top of the hike
- Beautiful Lesotho!
On July 27, Beautiful Gate was also privileged to host 10 young women and 5 chaperones from Holland Christian High School's basketball team. They were able to pet a lion, go horseback riding, play netball against the local high school team, lead worship time, paint a baby house and (most importantly) spend time with the children of Beautiful Gate. Being athletic, play group time was definitely a highlight for many of them. And, they also gave the overnight staff a well deserved rest for one night, as they took over the duties of that staff. It was great to witness God working in their lives as they were able to see a third world country for the first time (for many of them). The team returned home to Michigan, USA on August 6.
- Horse riding at Malealea
- Painting the Baby House
- More painting!
- Leading worship at chapel time!
- The Team!
Lastly, we were blessed to entertain a team of 12 from England from August 7 - 15. They were able to go to the Lesotho museum in Morija, drive to Mohale Dam, paint a mural in the playgroup area and (most importantly) spend some time with the children of Beautiful Gate! Jenny Dobson, a supporter of Beautiful Gate Lesotho, led this team of various age groups during their time here and was able to show them what she was able to experience the last time she was at Beautiful Gate.
- In Morija at the Museum
- Painting the mural in the Play Group area
- Messy Church banner - 1/2 is from their church and 1/2 is from Beautiful Gate
- The UK Team in front of the completed mural
Bryan
P.S. Sorry about the formatting.
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