Update

Thank you to those who have been praying and sending encouragement the past few days.  No matter where we are in the world, we are all connected in the same body through Christ and hearing from family is comforting.

Last week started out great for me.  I was transitioning well in to life in Lesotho and enjoying my time with the staff, children and other volunteers.  We had 3 children in the hospital.  We knew 2 of them were in very serious condition.  Through it all, life was going well. Friday afternoon tragedy stuck Beautiful Gate's campus and we lost a beautiful baby girl, who ws not in the hospital.  No matter how hard we tried to save her, it was her time to meet Jesus.  Grief affected the staff and volunteers as we tried to wrap our minds around what happened.  Bryan and I, as well as another staff member, took the house mother who was caring for the child home, so she could have so time to grieve.  While driving through the pumpy roads of Lesotho I just reached out and held her hand.  There were no words that needed to be exchanged, only love.  I was then reminded how amazing the staff members are here.

The staff members are not just care workers, they are family.  This staff member was not grieving the life of a child that just happened to be in her house, she was grieving her daughter.  She was not a care giver, but a mother.  The office staff and care staff didn't complain about having to work late on a Friday afternoon or come in on Saturday to cover help covering the care of the children, they just did it, because that is what family does. 

On Sunday one of the children that was in the hospital also met Jesus.  This child was there for the majority of his life.  As family we came together and continued to grieve.  Monday morning we were told another child that was in the hospital had also met Jesus.  Loosing three children in four days effects you in many ways.  We also have had more children that have had to been taken to the hospital.  Currently there are 3 children still in the hospital.  We are tired.  We are grieving.  We are weak, but we are claiming the promises that come from our Heavenly Father.  Philippians 4:7 says "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  We are seeking that peace to answer our questions and fears.

Through every emotion I have faced the past few days, I feel a huge amount of responsibility to the staff/volunteers and children here.  To the children I want them to be just that...children.  The Lord only knows how long each of us have here on earth.  These children have stories that can break anyone's heart, but while they are under our care, they need to be children.  They need to laugh, to run, to learn and to grow and I will strive to help them do that through caring, playing and raising the funds to allow the proper resources to be provided.  To the staff and volunteers, I will strive to bring hope, through a hug, a listening ear and laughter.

This morning there was a university student that came to help out.  The social worker at BG was introducting her to everyone in the office.  When she came to me she introduced me as the light of BG.  She told her I was not a volunteer, but a part of BG's family.  I pray that I can continue to be a light to my family here.

Please continue to pray and send your encouraging words.  We are family and we will get through this grief and strive to live in the hope of Christ.