"moved into the neighborhood"

I have family in the United States. I have family in Lesotho. 

For a few brief moments each year they come together and everything feels right. 

This past week a team from my home church in Michigan (Haven Church) came to serve, but more than serve, they came to be. Each member came with their own struggle. Some struggles were deep grief, some were confusion, some were surrender. No matter what the struggle I know they God in Lesotho, exactly where they needed to be met. 

All week we sat down and looked at John 1. One night as we sat and watched God's faithful sunset from the side of the mountain, we dwelled with Him. The Message says, "The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood." This week Haven Church moved into Lesotho. In their arms they held children and loved them. They served the staff through encouragement and a willingness to do whatever needed to be done. They talked with teen mothers who choose two keep their children. They handed out audio Bibles in multiple places and as they pushed play and the Basotho heard God's Word in their language, the faces of those receiving it where overwhelmed with such a priceless gift. They walked through a village and learned about mountain life. They spent time dwelling in God's presence. 

My heart was overjoyed and moved throughout the week just watching them use the gifts God gave them to bring hope to the Basotho people. The amazing thing was as the week went on and they served those around them, they experienced the same hope they were giving to others and the wounds from their hurts, even though they still remain, became less. 

As the week flew by, in them I saw...

care...focus...gentleness...listener...wisdom...love...determination...respect...bold meekness...courageous faithfulness...mercy...power...obedience.

Team: Thank you! Thank you for coming and serving. Thank you for bringing your hearts and allowing God to use the things in your life to bring His glory. Thank you for being such a great encouragement to me. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He shine His face upon you and give you His Khotso (peace).