Urgent Prayer Request

I almost did not post this because I don't want to alarm our friends and family, but prayer is very needed right now, so please know that we are being safe and cautious (and NOT leaving our house until it is over). There was a march and a stay-away protest/strike scheduled today in Maseru. The taxis (main and almost only transportation for most Masotho) are raising their rates and may even more than double the current rate which has caused fear and panic for the local population. They then planned this march/strike in order to let the factory owners know that they need more money so they can afford to travel to work each day.

We were told that while this is a planned and supposed to be a peaceful demonstration, it would be wise of us to stay home and not travel during the next few days. So yesterday, we bought enough groceries for a week or more. Today was the first day of the strike and it did not remain peaceful. Three people were shot and one was fatal. There were rocks flying and tires burning and they even created a road block at the end of our road to prevent either people or police from traveling by the factories (protesters made the road block, not the police). A few of our staff spent the night here so they would not have to travel through the dangerous crowds who had gathered to protest. Several others are pulling a double shift so that our drivers are not required to drive by the factories to pick up our staff. All this is happening in Ha Thetsane and that is where we are living so we ask for prayer that the strike will end soon and that no one else will be shot or injured in the next few days. I understand their desperation as they already make such little money and the taxi prices being raised is going to really hurt those who are already poor and barely making it. God is in control and I know He will care for these scared and desperate people, but pray for peace and calm as they make their statement to the factory owners and the government officials.

Here is the email from the American Embassy that we received;

As anticipated in last week’s security notice, crowds are gathering throughout the city, such as in Thetsane near the traffic circles of the industrial area and near the stadium in preparation for a march. The march is scheduled for today between 1000 and 1400 hours, and the proposed route is from the sports stadium to Main North 1, down Mpilo Road to the Moshoeshoe Statue.


The Embassy reminds you to take proper precautions when traveling, such as avoiding areas of potential intimidation, route of marches, and ongoing demonstrations. Avoid any large crowds/gatherings of people. Ensure you have alternate and tertiary travel routes. Carry your cellular telephone, and report all security concerns to the Embassy immediately.

Protesters have blocked Kofi Annan Road (Pioneer Road) near Maseru Private Hospital with burning tires, rocks, wire, and other improvised obstacles. This route should be avoided until further notice.

Thanks for your prayers as Lesotho needs them right now.
Anita

Super Bo M'e

Today we had the funeral service for Nthatua, a 5 1/2 month old girl that went to be with Jesus. It was truly an honor to be a part of the service. We began the service with a couple songs as we followed the hearse down the gravel road to the cemetery. The men had already dug up the grave site and the casket was taken from the hearse and near the grave site. Three people were asked to recall moments from Nthatua's life. It was a beautiful time to reflect and see the love that she received from the staff at Beautiful Gate. Then the House Mother of Nthatua was asked to give her memories from their time together. At this point, the House Mother broke into sobbing and it spread through the crowd gathered around the site. She was not able to give testimony at this time, so another House Mother was able to speak on her behalf.

That was when I realized how much these House Mothers love these children. This is not a job for them. Each and every one of these children are just as important to them as their own children. These House Mothers are amazing women! I cannot imagine the "scars" that these ladies have. All the heart ache and pain from all the funerals of "their kids". Even the adoptions to "forever families" leaves a "scar". Even though the adoptions give each child a bright hope and future, it is also another goodbye for the House Mother. Today I was wondering how they do it.
And then I read the Bible in Ephesians 3: 17-19, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Nthatua was able to see a glimpse of God's love through their House Mothers. This is their calling. They are here to love every child that comes into their home. And they love each child so much, that they are willing to "give them up" to adoptive parents so that the children can be blessed even more. I cannot even imagine giving up my own kids to another person, and here they do it with the grace and understanding that reflects Jesus.

I thank God for that moment of seeing His love for us, through the work of the House Mothers here at Beautiful Gate. You never know where you will "see" God, but keep your eyes upon Him and you will be blessed at the most unexpected times.

Bryan

A Mother's Love

Today I was reminded that I am in Lesotho, a 3rd world country where poverty destroys families. There is a little girl here whom I have loved on and worked hard to help her learn to walk. Over a month ago, she was reunited with her mother who had abandoned her when she was a baby. Today, her mother brought her back. She just couldn't afford to feed her and keep her warm. Seeing them together and the mother's anguish that she could not care for her child was heartbreaking. The mother wrote her daughter the most beautiful letter I have ever read and told her how much she loves her (I was tempted to post it but thought I should respect the mother who wrote it and the future family who will adopt this beautiful girl). She is not giving her up out of hatred or lack of love, she is giving her up so she can have enough to eat and a family who can provide for her. The letter is so heartfelt and the most wonderful gift she could give her daughter so she will always know that her mother cared so much that she gave her up.
Beautiful, heartbreaking Lesotho.
There have been times where I have wanted to hate these mothers who just abandon their children and leave them out in the cold where they can die or be hurt by wild animals, or leave them in trash bags or in a pit toilet. I want to yell at them about the way they are neglecting and abusing their precious gifts from God, and yet I feel the Holy Spirit pricking my heart to love them and to pray for them. I have tried to do that even before we came here to live. To try to put myself in their shoes knowing that the mother could be dying of AIDS, or she may have run out of food and can't bear to watch her child die of starvation. Today, God showed me one of those mothers whose love is pure and true. She may have done it wrong the first time when she abandoned her daughter, but this time she knew Beautiful Gate was here and she brought her to us and did the last loving thing she could do, give her to a family who can take care of her basic needs and so much more because she knew she could not and had to walk away in tears. This is a kind of love I cannot even begin to explain or feel because loving your child so much that you have to let go is unimaginable to me and I respect her and I love her and will pray God's peace for her.

Several updates

I just wanted to share a few updates with you. Mercy had her bandage removed and redressed yesterday and I am happy to report that there were no signs of infection. She has been so tough and brave and I am happy that her hand is healing up nicely. After 2 days of it being tender, she just got back to her regular old self and acted as though it never happened ;)

The staff member who inventories our donations was out sick for over a week and did not come to work to unpack all the boxes. He is back and so he and the 'Me' who is in charge of the baby houses have begun to unpack the boxes and inventory all the donations we have received. I asked Bryan to get a few pictures of them so he will hopefully have pictures of the mounds of donations soon.

Bryan and I received some really cool T-shirts that the Holland Christian girl's basketball team had made to support Beautiful Gate. They have done several fundraisers for Beautiful Gate as well and we wanted to say thanks. Also we received 2 donations this past school year from students at Zeeland Christian. One time, students did a pop can drive for us and collected cans from around Zeeland. If you know any students who are on the basketball team or at Zeeland Christian who have been involved in supporting us and/or Beautiful Gate, tell them thanks from us! It is so amazing when young students understand how important it is to help others and to care for orphans. Their love and service toward God are such an amazing testimony and example to all of us.

My last update is on the little baby girl who passed away. Family was located according to the police, but the family is either unsure the baby is theirs or may not be able to pay for the burial and service so may release her back to us. We do not know when she will be buried nor by whom at this point so we will keep you posted when we know more. The police are going to get back to us soon.
Anita

Mercy 0..... Cactus 1

So, some of you have asked us what we do on our Saturdays off. I am here to tell you that we like to spend them at the local hospital. Not volunteering, but giving them more work to do (and some of our money :) ). Today started out like most Saturdays. And after a short trip to town this morning, Anita and I decided that a nice family hike up a local mountain would be nice. Anita packed the lunch stuff and water. After parking near the local chief's house, we proceeded up the mountain. The first part was only moderately steep and the kids did a great job. So, Anita and I decided to keep going to see if we all could make it to the top. About 90% of the way to the top of the mountain, I had to help the kids go over a large rock. Mercy decided to start leading the way up from there (which was okay by me, as it started to level off again). Then Anita and I heard a blood curdling scream from Mercy. About 20 feet up from us, she had slipped and put her hands out in front of her to catch her fall. Unfortunately there was a cactus where her left hand had landed to stop her fall (she properly fell face forward toward the mountain to stop her slide).
When Anita and I arrived at the scene, we noticed blood on Mercy's hands and some thorn-like objects coming from her hand. So, I started picking out some of the easy ones. And that was when Anita and I noticed that there were two very deep thorns in Mercy's palms and one that went all the way through Mercy's ring finger! It was at that moment that I knew we were in for a long day. So, I gave my backpack to Elijah and picked up Mercy in my arms. The family then had a long decent down the mountain (remember, we were 90% to the top). I hurried as fast as I could (without falling myself with Mercy in my arms) to get back to the truck. Once there, we headed straight for the private hospital near Beautiful Gate. Mercy proceeded to get x-rays and then had minor surgery to take the thorns out of her left hand. All went well at the hospital and we are now back home at Beautiful Gate. Mercy is still a little groggy from the anesthetic (they had to put her out for the surgery). The first thing that Mercy said when she woke up was, "I feel weird!" She immediately went back to sleep.
Please pray that Mercy does not get any infections in her hand from the deep thorns. We did receive antibiotics for that and also some pain medicine. She is such a trooper and now I owe her a large candy bar for being so brave. The cute part is that she is intent on sharing her candy bar with friends and family.
So there you have it. Just another Saturday in Lesotho! :)

God Moment

Yesterday, as I was preparing to go for a walk with my friend Donna, I grabbed some change and put it in my pocket. I NEVER grab change and put in it my pocket before a walk because I like to tell the truth when people ask for money and I say I do not have any. I just felt like I needed to have some money today. We went on our walk and nothing unusual happened and no one asked for some change. On my way home I went past a tuck shop (small store) and thought about getting some fruit for the kids but we did not really need any so I kept walking home.

Once I was home, I hurried outside to take my laundry off the line. As I was busy doing that, Luky (the orphan boy we have hired to pick up litter) told me he would like to talk to me. He waited patiently for me to finish with my laundry and then told me that he is unable to cook the papa I gave him on Monday because he is out of propane and paraffin (something like kerocine I think). I began to be worried because I know we can not go out and buy him a tank of propane (don't have a car, etc). So I asked him how much it would be for paraffin and it sounded like he said R50 but when I asked again he was saying R15. I prayed that God would guide me wisdom and then I remembered the money it my pocket. I prayed there would be R15 in my pocket and so then I would know that I was suppose to help him more than just the food I have been providing each week. I pulled out my coins and sure enough I had R15 exactly. I just had to smile as I put it in his pocket. God guided me as I asked for His wisdom to know how much to help Luky and I really feel peace that our family is here to take care of him. God brought him to us for a reason and I love how obvious God's answers can be sometimes.
Anita

Our first Good-bye

Back in 2009, I came to Beautiful Gate with a mission team and one of the main jobs of our team was having the men build a memorial wall for children who have passed away while being cared for at Beautiful Gate. I never thought at the time it was being built that I'd be back here and the moment that Bryan and I have feared for the past 7 1/2 months has happened. We will be adding a new name to the wall.

A little baby girl who was sick from the time we got her a few months ago and has been in and out of the hospital with pneumonia, possibly TB and complications with HIV has lost her battle and has gone on to be held in Jesus' arms. She will be missed and I am glad that the Bo 'Me' were able to hold, feed, and love on her for the brief time we had her here. I did not get to hold her much as she was sick a lot, but my family and I have been blessed for being able to be a part of her brief stay here at Beautiful Gate (she was not placed for adoption yet for those of you who are adopting from BG and follow our blog).

I don't know when we will have her funeral or what role Bryan will have to play in that ceremony. I don't know the words yet to explain this loss and the causes of it to our children, but do plan to allow them to be a part of the funeral if they choose. I know God will comfort the Bo'Me' who cared for her and He will give us the wisdom and grace to handle this very sad loss of such a precious little daughter of God. So I will write more later but want to leave you with this poem from the memorial wall at Beautiful Gate...

Only a baby's grave-
A foot or Two at most,
Of tear-soaked earth, But a loving God
knows what the little grave cost.

Only a baby's life-
Brief as a perfumed kiss,
So quickly it goes,
But our Father knows
We are nearer to Him for this.