Hey friends, I want to share a few of the lessons the Lord taught me while we were in Lesotho today. Lesotho is a small country completely surrounded by South Africa. It is the most dreamy place, with green rolling hills, clear skies, and shepherds at every turn. This was one of my favorite places I have been in my life, and I truly think it will hold that title forever. I didn’t just love it because of the beauty this land held, but I also loved the people, and our ministry so much! There was a whole lot for me to learn here, and I’m so glad God sent us!
1.) Being Sustained: The Lord taught me in so many ways I need to rely on him. This looked like everything from not having enough water, if any, to relying on him to sustain my joy in the midst of the business. We so often run to fix the problems we see in our own strength, but what happens when we can’t? This month taught me how to rely on the Lord when I have no way out myself. It also taught me how to have joy in the midst of lack. When we lack, we get to live in his abundance!
2.) Teaching is Something I Deeply Love: I had the opportunity to teach preschool, which is what I did in the states before the race. When they first asked me to teach, I selfishly didn’t want to miss out on time with my team. But, shortly after I began teaching, the Lord began to show me how much joy he can cultivate from such small little humans. I deeply loved my class and my teacher so much!
3.) God Provides Humor in Everything: From my doctors visit where my team lead compared me to a farm animal multiple times, as the doctors looked at us both with confusion.To the late night conversations that made your stomach hurt because you just laughed to hard, mostly at something that wouldn’t be funny the next day. And the many walks each day, where we unintentionally got a marriage proposal or two. The Lord truly has joy to be found everywhere! Just laugh a little more, the Lord is taking us on a wonderful journey!
4.) He Gives and Takes Away, Then He Gives Again: Like I said above, I loved teaching and then I was sick in my bed. This was a sad pants day for me! I was truly so frustrated that we were on our last week of ministry and I was missing it all.He had given me something I deeply loved, and then he asked me to step back and trust him with it. As I slayed in my bed, I remember sobbing asking God why, and being so frustrated at my body. But, as I sat there, the Lord again reminded me that this was an opportunity for surrender and trust. My one plea with the Lord was that I would get to see my kiddos one more time. Then, just like the Lord in all of his goodness, he made me well enough to go the last day. This day was not just any day, but this was the day the kids were putting on an assembly for us. We all cried like babies as we watched the kids we had poured into dancing to the songs we had been working so hard to teach them. It truly was such a moment of redemption, one where Gods kindness and intentionality just shown right through.
5.) Love Comes Fast & Hits Hard: Lesotho became a place of family for me, even though we were only there for three short weeks. As we left the school, every one of us sobbed as we hugged the necks of these babies we had fallen in love with. It defiantly didn’t stop the tears as the kids began to cry as well. There was no doubt, we had created a little family through the power of Abba’s great love. Then we went home and had to yet again say goodby to our hosts, the pastor and his family, and the family that was staying with us. These were all some of the hardest goodbyes. But, as we said goodbye with our tear filled eyes, I couldn’t help but thank the actual Lord for allowing us to dive in so deep, so quickly.
Wow, the Lord is so kind! I have loved watching him gently teach me throughout the race. I could probably come up with 20 more lessons to share, but this is a start! Thank you all so much for your love and support!
Love, Ken
