Unforeseen Blessings

I titled my post today as unforeseen blessings because I have been reflecting on God's surprises in our life over the last 6 years. I can't even begin to count the new friends I have made through teams, volunteers, staff, neighbors and missionary families in Lesotho. I can honestly say that I had never known nearly this many people when I was living my quiet life in Zeeland, MI. I have grown in my confidence and in my ability to talk to people (I am still shy in large groups, but I can talk when I need to which is new for me). I have learned how to manage conflict better, and how to be a peace maker, all skills that have come from our move to Lesotho. These skills and blessing could be somewhat expected though, so I am not really talking about those.

This is me giving a speech at a funeral and being translated by Ntate Moribe. I never thought I would have the strength to do something like this, but with God all things really are possible.

I have already shared 2 unforeseen blessings that NEVER would have happened if we did not choose to follow God's path to Lesotho, and those blessings are my youngest daughters. I would not have seen the plight of orphans firsthand, and I don't really know if Bryan and I ever would have adopted. Yes, we talked about it a little, but we were not committed to it like we were after moving here. We would have missed the blessing of a larger and more fun family life. We would have missed the chance to daily love little girls who didn't get enough love and attention for many years of their lives. But we didn't miss a thing because God showered us with His blessings.

Polita and Nthabeleng on our long car ride to Port Elizabeth last August. They are really good sports, even when we threw a 9 hour car ride on them. They decided that the ocean and elephants were worth the long ride, I agree!

Now I want to share another COMPLETELY unforeseen blessing. I never thought my brother would come and see me in Lesotho because of the cost and his busy work schedule. I wanted him to come so badly and my friends, Terp and Tyler decided to surprise me and pay his way to visit me last April. We had a great time together and enjoyed traveling, and he got to know his new nieces, but God had an even bigger plan. During my brother's visit, he met a wonderful young woman who works at Beautiful Gate, and my shy little brother shocked me because he began to pursue this young lady. They only met 4 days before he left Lesotho, but kept in contact over the last 7 months, and she has just returned from a trip to America as his fiancé!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My brother Robert (or Bob or Rob depending on who you are) and his future bride, Tsili, during her 2 weeks in October. 

Yes, you read that right. my brother is getting married to one of my co-workers (I am technically her boss which is super weird now, hahaha) Motselisi (Tsili as we call her) works in the finance department at Beautiful Gate and she is such a great woman. She loves the Lord, is super fun, serves in her church, tells the best stories, loves my brother with her whole heart, and she is going to be my sister. I have been praying for years that God would help my brother find a godly wife, but NEVER did I expect it would be due to his trip to visit us in Lesotho. What a blessing! What a gift! God is amazing at weaving lives together, and I am so glad we followed Him to Africa because He had some pretty huge blessings to pour out on my whole family!!!!