Rex

Today was Ascension Day in Lesotho. We all had the day off from our responsibilities and we were headed into South Africa for a day of family fun.  However, when we reached the boarder it became increasingly clear we would not be going on our outing today. The line at the boarder was backed up to a point where we knew it would be hours before it was our turn to get our six passports stamped.

If there is anything I have learned since moving to Africa, it has been to rely on the Holy Spirit’s prompting in my life. I was not disappointed. I knew God wanted us home today, for whatever reason. The four boys and I hailed a taxi home and left Richard stuck in the long line at the Maseru Bridge border crossing.

We weren’t home for long before I knew exactly why God had sent us back. Our beloved, dear friend Rex needed us today. We’ve been praying for his mother for several months now. I’ve been at her bedside, gotten her medical care in her home, and have taken their family meals, because she has been ill. We’ve been praying for a miracle. Today, through sobs, Rex told us the miracle we had been asking for would not happen.  His mother is dead. We prayed for one miracle, but God has been composing a completely different phenomenon.

I will never forget this divine moment in our lives; Rex and I were broken…but we were completely together. I wiped away the sweet tears from his soft, beautiful face. I held his head in my hands as he wept. I was speechless and so was he, but we were bound to one another in a way I cannot describe. God was weaving our hearts together. 

I remember when we were being commissioned to come to Lesotho at our home church in North Carolina. Pastor Jimmy prayed there would be a moment when we each knew beyond a shadow of a doubt this was why God had brought us to Lesotho. Today, I found my moment. With Rex’s small brown hand clingingly tightly to my pale one, I knew beyond all question why I had been asked to leave my home, my family, my friends, and my future in America. I am here for Rex. Through the tears I was able share this exact sentiment with Rex.

In Lesotho at the age of 13, he is now considered a man. I know better. He needs a mother, and I promised him I am not going anywhere. He looked at me as though he did not believe me, but I held his face in my hands and forced him to look into my eyes and promised him I, with Jesus’s help, am going to be here for him. I told him what I have told others, but have never shared with him. “Rex, you are my 5^th son and I never knew how much I needed you in my life. I love you like you are my own, and I never knew I was capable of such a thing.” It is a miracle God brought us together.

Today, Rex became another statistic in a nation the rest of the world knows or cares little about. I, for one, refuse to allow him to slide down the slope of despair and destruction, which often lays claim to so many of Lesotho’s motherless sons. As I write he is in my living room playing with my sons.  The innocence of childhood reclaiming its rightful place one giggle at a time!

Us a few weeks ago, on a happier day.

Our 5th Son

Since moving to Lesotho our entire family has been very aware of how drastically different the American culture is from the Basotho culture. However, there are times when this dichotomy still takes our breath away.

Our friend Rex reminded us once again today just how drastically different his reality is from ours and how truly blessed we are to know him. Rex spends most of his life with our family.  He lives directly behind us in a tiny one-bedroom apartment, where he shares a bedroom with his parents. His father works at the prison and his mother is a teacher in another village. She is gone for a month at a time and comes home only for one weekend at the end of each month. He is a typical Basotho child, left to his own for much of the day...everyday. 

Rex turns 13-years-old this Friday, and up until today nobody was planning a party for him. In fact, his mother will not even be home and his father will be busy all day as well. I don't think he has ever had a birthday party, but this year, as he becomes a teenager he will celebrate! 

Our boys were devastated when they heard nobody was planning to make their friend's birthday special, so they started planning. We are going to throw Rex's first EVER birthday party! He will have presents, cake, ice cream, and games. We asked him if he'd like to invite his parents. He just looked down and said, "They would not come." 

I told Rex that we love him and will do all we can to make his day special. His beautiful, dark eyes danced, he flashed his handsome smile, bowed his head and quietly replied, "Thank You." 

We did not think we were in need of another young boy to care for, and it requires effort to be part of Rex's life. There is risk involved in loving Rex, but it is a risk we have decided as a family we are willing to take. In human terms we do a great deal for this little boy, but little did we know how desperately we needed him in our lives. He is a living, breathing reminder of the simplest joys in life, and a constant conviction of all we took for granted. Oh, how we praise GOD for bringing Rex to our gate everyday, and for allowing us to love him like the 5th son we never knew we needed!

A Man of God

There are people in life you connect with immediately. You seem to be able to understand one another before you finish your sentences, and when you come across these individuals the relationships grow deep quickly. Before Christmas we met and made such a connection with Michelle and Chris Gennaro. Today, we attended a celebration service remembering Chris' life. Last Friday Chris was called home to heaven, leaving Michelle and their six children here on earth.

Chris felt the pull to come to Africa when he was a teen, but it wasn't until 2011 that he first arrived in Lesotho. He, Michelle and their kids set up home in one of the most remote villages in Lesotho named, "Mutamong." They lived without running water, a working bathroom, and had solar powered electricity. We had the distinct honor of being their guests in this home, and our lives have been transformed because of our time with their family.

We will never forget sitting around their table, Michelle, with her Bible open encouraging us in our calling to reach out to the people of Lesotho. Chris's humor was both disarming and engaging at the same time, yet there was a depth of character about him that flowed from a gigantic heart. He shared his vision for the village with us. His vision was refreshing and inspiring. Richard and I sensed an urgency to soak up all the wisdom he offered, and we are so fortunate that we did.

Several times during our short stay with the Gennaros we witnessed them loving on the Basotho. Chris would be called out at all hours of the night to collect friends from the surrounding area in his Land Rover. The terrain was nearly impassable, but he would navigate it, in the dark, to help a friend in need.  His cell phone was like a 9-1-1 call center, and it was amazing to see him field the constant onslaught of needs from the villagers. He loved the Basotho big, and he loved them well.

Our boys with the three youngest Gennaro kids in Mutamong. 

Today, those who have grown to know and love the Gennaros in Africa gathered to remember Chris' life. It was a highly emotional day filled with tears, memories, and some laughter.  Some of the Basotho he loved so well from the village sang a song of praise a cappalla, leaving little doubt of the impact Chris and Christ have made in their lives.

It was a hard day in many ways and on the two-hour ride home Richard helped me to put it all into perspective. He told me that he does not believe Chris died because he came to Africa, but that his days, like all our days, were numbered from the very beginning. My husband went on to say that he believes with all his heart that Chris was doing what God asked him, and because of his obedience he was happy and fulfilled like many close to him had never before seen. His sister testified today that he was so free living in Lesotho. We believe if he had not come to Africa Chris would have died last Friday with regret, but he did not. He was ushered into eternity with his dear wife and colleagues singing praises and loving on him.

Chris had said he would die in Africa. Nobody expected it to be this soon, but the fact he lived his life so well here has secured the fact that his story will be told for generations in the remote mountain village of Mutamong. It is a culture which thrives on story telling. Chris came to tell the story of the ultimate Savior. When the stories of his life are relayed around open fires in the village it will be impossible to separate this man from his GOD!

Pure Love

Last night we hosted a Bible study from our church. We were studying what it looks like practically to truly love God, and to love others likewise. Our group was very small, but I learned so much from those who shared their perceptions of love.

Two Basotho sisters in their early twenties came all the way across town to attend our study. These girls touched me deeply simply because they came. It had to have been very intimidating for them to come into our home, but they came nonetheless. These girls showed up with huge smiles and an openness I had not expected.

The elder sister shared with us how she has seen true love lived out in her own life. She has three sisters and a brother, who their mother took in. She told about how her mother had to work two jobs to provide for their family. The mom was a teacher by day and a store clerk by evening. Her mother would always come home very late at night, and and her daughter would wonder where she had been. She knew the store her mother worked at closed much earlier in the evening. Years later, the daughter discovered after closing up shop, her mother would go to the homes of children in her class, who had no parents. This mom would cook them papa, a Basotho staple, and settle them in for the night. After caring for the parentless she would return to her own children, exhausted.  

I was so touched by this girl’s sweet story of love being lived out in the Basotho culture. She went on to say what a great example her mother has been to them and how she taught them to put others above their own needs or desires. Three of the girls from this family are studying at university and have dreams for their futures. I cannot help but draw the correlation between the mothering they received and their counter cultural mindsets.

I woke up this Valentine’s Day morning reflecting on last night’s story. I could not help but be thankful to God for this fresh reminder of what true love looks like in a very practical way. This woman cared for others, hoping nobody else would notice. She did not do it for accolades or expecting a return on her investment. She just purely loved. 

Our Stay in the Magnificent Mountains

This week our family had the opportunity to step back in time. MAF flew us out to one of the remote landing strips it flies into and from there we took a bumpy trek out to an even more remote village. There were only 5 miles between the two villages, but it took us over an hour by Land Rover to reach what would be our home for a few days.

National Geographic photographers and reporters have tried their best to record civilizations such as this, but we were immediately impressed with the realization nobody could capture this experience for another individual. It was an honor to experience one of the untouched parts of this world. One in which we knew we’d cherish for the rest of our lives.

The ways of deep Basotho are rugged, harsh, unforgiving, and laced with satanic rituals. While at the same time their ways are just, timeless, and sweetly Biblical.  For us the latter was the most precious part of our visit to the isolated Basotho people. We felt as though we had the distinct honor of walking in Biblical days, and the stories of the Bible came alive to our family in ways they had never before.

Sure, you can go and visit the Holy Land in Israel, we’ve been there, but it is so commercialized and modernized that one has to press hard to visualize what it must have been like in Jesus’ day. Here, in one of the most untouched places in Africa we literally could see the Word of God come alive. From the stunning rising of the sun, to its awe-inspiring decline behind the majestic mountains, we saw Is. 45:6, “That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me.”

The farmers laboring from the break of dawn until dusk with tools from the Stone Age brought to life, 2 Tim. 2:6, “The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.”

The tenacious plants growing in some of the most unforgiving land in the world, caused us to recall Gen. 1:29 “God said, "Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.”

The filthy orphaned children, the hunger, the loss, the pain, and the discomfort reminded us of Deut. 10:8, “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing."

We saw oxen yolked together, pulling, and working strenuously to tame the mountain fields. Prov. 14:4, “Here there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.”

The shepherds and the lambs were the personification of the sacrificial lamb in John 1:29, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

The list of the Biblical truths we saw illustrated in the quiet, stillness of the mountains of Lesotho goes on and on. The realization that so many of the Basotho people are completely blinded to them is heart wrenching. With all the ways in which God has shown himself to them, they continue to be in bondage to their ancestors and the wicked ways of their fore fathers. 

We woke in the morning to a beating drum, which was intended to ward off evil spirits. Several of the rondovals were left vacant because somebody had died inside, and the Basotho hold firm to the belief the dwelling is now inhabited by demons. The fear is palatable in the village. The ravaging effects of sexual immorality, HIV/AIDS, and death are all encompassing. The integrity and spirit of the Basotho man has been crushed by alcoholism.

However, while there are still people willing to sacrifice it ALL to live among these people there is hope. We left behind dear friends and African Inland Missionaries, Chris and Michelle Gennaro, who’ve made it their lives’ work to build relationship, and trust with these Basotho. They, and their children live without electricity, running water, and all modern conveniences in order that these villagers will one day see Jesus not as just the, “White man’s God,” but as a Savior of their very own.

 This is the prayer we prayed as we stood as a family on top of a mountain over looking the village, and it is one we hope you pray along with us.

Dear God we see you in all that surrounds us in these magnificent mountains. Please God allow your ancient story become known to these people time has not touched, and in doing so…please set them free!

Momma Said There'd Be Days Like This

Yesterday I woke up with a stomach bug. I dropped three crying boys off at school, thwarted one son's escape attempt from said school, and killed a spider the size of my hand in my house. The power and water were out most of the day. I re-skinned my skinned knee, fixed my stove after the power came back on, picked up the shattered glass from our family photo that blew off the wall in the storm, and got into the passenger side of the car instead of the driver's side 3 times, .... Oh, and I stubbed my toe really badly!

It was a hard day, the kind that makes you just want to give up. But I SURVIVED! Even better, I felt extremely blessed as I fell asleep very early last night because ... Yesterday I also...

Fed a starving young boy a sandwich and gave him a little pocket change.
Was given three pages of handwritten English/Sesotho translation pages from my new little Basotho friends.
Safely drove my boys around town in our manual car, on the opposite side of the road, on the opposite side of the car... successfully.
Was able to help my boys complete their homework, make them dinner, bathe them, read to them, pray with them and put them into bed.

If I recognize all that can go wrong in one day, I must also acknowledge what has gone right!

Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

Can I Get a Witness?

So far the boys have completed three full days of school here in Lesotho. The days have been filled with anxiety, tears, uncertainty, and sudden moments of absolute terror for both the boys and myself. The decision to enroll our boys in school has been one in which we have prayed over for years, we've anguished over daily, and we continue to seek wisdom concerning. It is our own personal Mt. Moriah.

Last night while I was lying with Alex and Aden before bed we were discussing why we had made the decision to enroll them in school. The boys have absolutely no control over the issues at play here, so we were talking through the factors contributing to our decision to send them to school.  Once again our boys shocked us with wisdom far beyond their years.

Aden told me how he likes it that I put a small note in his lunch each day, and how everyday the entire class asks him to read it to them. Yesterday the note was on a MAF sticky pad paper. Aden said he read the note to the 11 other kids in his class, then asked them if they knew about MAF.

Aden relayed the moment.

"I told my teacher that MAF is the mission organization my dad works for and that he helps people and tells them about Jesus. I said to my teacher that I am not sure if Jesus is your god or not, but he is our God and then two other kids in the class said that Jesus is their God too. So that makes me feel better about going to school."

After Aden finished talking, Alex then went on to tell about how he had raised his hand in class and confronted his teacher on what she was teaching the class about the origins of man. Alex had posed very logical, very insightful questions to his teacher of only one day. Her answers were completely absurd, and Alex said the rest of the class started questioning her faulty science.

My sons have both taken stands that I would never have been able to take at their ages. As a parent, I am proud.

While the boys fell asleep last night, I, for the first time in months had a glimmer of peace about sending them into this very unknown, very foreign environment. For whatever reasons, God is asking this of our family for this particular season. After talking to my boys last night I realized they had already begun to cling to a promise from an ancient story, which I had not.

After Abraham sacrificed Isaac on Mt. Moriah the place was renamed, "The Lord Will Provide." Last night I needed this reminder, and I would do well to recall it everyday. I do not know what the next few weeks and months hold for my precious boys. So, I fall back on the only truth there is and it is all in His Word. I pray I have as much courage as my sons, and that I seek my answers there.

Genesis 22:15-17

"I swear by myself declares the Lord that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son. I will surely bless you ... and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed because you obeyed me."