Beautiful Gate 2023

 No Internet for the past 24 hours. I got a stomach bug Tuesday night and was off all day Wednesday. Yesterday I went back to my new loves and just let them love on me and vice versa. Last night our youngest member of the team went down with the stomach bug and was unable to recover so we stopped at a clinic on the way to the border. Nurse Maetaki has a lot of connections!! They gave us supplies and I started her iv. We’ve had iv fluids running in the bus for the past 3 hours. Departing was emotional!! As much as these children are challenging, they also give you all your love. It was so hard to leave. Half way to Joburg now, flight is at 1015 local time. Another long trek awaits!!

 Everything is status quo. Working at the orphanage in our established routines. Loving on the children and being given so much love back. Tonight we had a beautiful sunset over beautiful gate so I’ll share those pictures but likely I’ll wait til I’m on my way out on Friday to make anymore posts…

 This morning we got up to go to church for the 9 am service at Victory Church in Maseru. Some of it was spoken in Sesotu, but mostly in English with familiar songs. After we went to the Pioneer Mall for lunch at Barcelos and a bit of souvenir and grocery shopping. A second more relaxing day. My back is quite sore so I was happy for a second day off. Tomorrow we’re back to exhausting child care.

 We drove into the mountains for beautiful views and lunch out. Roads in Lesotho leave a lot to be desired. Potholes galore slow you down every few feet it seems. Half way through the day another thunderstorm struck so we decided not to get soaked and the cultural center and came “home”.

 It is wonderful but exhausting here. There are 75 children all vying for attention and love. We have all been quickly accepted and they are just aching for hugs and attention. But it can be overwhelming. Our first week is done. Tomorrow is our site seeing adventure. Sunday we go to church and then the mall for lunch. Two nights of restaurant food for dinner. The team has come together well and seems to understand each others strengths and weaknesses. Yesterday and today we were given tours of clinics and the major hospital in Maseru with the Beautiful Gate nurse who is well connected here.  The thunder and lightning storms the past couple of days have been epic. Hours long with torrential downpours. This looks like it’ll continue through to the end of the trip.

 Here’s a couple photos…I’m not allowed to share their faces on social media so please keep them to yourself