Lost Sheep

Since coming to Africa, I have learned a number of different things. One thing that I have learned is sheep and goats although they travel together are different. I now know how to tell a sheep from a goat.  Since I live on a large wooded area, the animals roam around all day long. It does not take much for one of them especially the little ones to get lost. They are bleating all day for the mother who has gone about her business. When night comes, they all head back to their respective homes but one of them seems not to make it. I was assured not to worry that someone would come looking for the lost ones.  They will leave the other sheep just to find the one lost one. (Luke 15:3-7). I was asked to read that passage in church last Sunday but I did not make the connection until God made it perfectly clear to me.

God reminded me last night as I listened to the sound of bleating that I should be concerned about the lost sheep because that is why I am here in Africa. This is not a vacation or time to rest. He has sent me here to work.  Thank you God for the clear message.

 

Time to Go to Sierra Leone

I am excited to announce that on Monday, June 1, 2015 I will be leaving Lesotho and headed to the mission field in Sierra Leone. I have enjoyed my time in Butha Buthe but I knew that this was just a stopover until I could get clearance to go to Sierra Leone.  I do not believe that my time here was not wasted but a great learning experience.  I have met a lot of good people, The AFM Church here is working everyday to let the community  and other villages know the Good News about Christ. I pray that God will continue to bless Pastor James and the church.

My travel to Freetown will not be easy.  It is a strange airplane connection. I have to get to Maseru, Lesotho and fly to Johannesburg, South Africa and then on to Dubai and from Dubai to Accra, Ghana where I will switch to another airline to fly to Freetown.  This has been a long time coming but I know that The Holy Spirit has been preparing the way for me.

 I thank you for your prayers and support. There is so much work that needs to be done in Mokanji, Sierra Leone and  Istill need your support for several  Christian ministries that will be needed there from feeding programs, evangelism, education, grief counseling and church planting.  Please send any 100% tax deductible monetary donations to my ministry account( Brenda Walker) Global Outreach Mission, P. O. Box 2010 , Buffalo, New York 14231-2010.

 Please continue to pray that God will continue to strengthen me and use me for His work.

Luke 1:38a,” I am the Lord’s servant.”

Visit to Foster Home

Yesterday I was excited to finally get to serve at one of the two foster homes in this area operated by the AFM Church. It was not far from where I live but the road was treacherous.  I had prepared by selecting what Bible stories I would read to the children but after arriving there my plans changed. There were four new arrivals. Their parents had died and the young girl had been raising the younger children alone.  It broke my heart and I was unable to focus on anything but the pain of the situation.
 The home was built by Habitat for Humanity and it houses children who have lost their parents due to AIDS, They have a piggery which brings income to support the local homes.
Please join me in praying for the children and the staff.

Finding The Shortcut

Since I have been in Butha Buthe or Botha Buthe ( as some spell it), I have been walking a long distance each day. I usually are hauling large bags of groceries coming back and feel like I will never make it home. Well, today God sent an angel to show me a shortcut. It took at least an half an hour off my walk. I have seen the path but I never met anyone I could ask. Even though this is an English speaking country, it is hard to find someone who speaks English.   This path  curved

in many directions so I guess you know I got lost coming back but it was not so bad. I had to walk pass cows, bulls and a drainage ditch. My fear of all three was very obvious and it gave the shepherd a good laugh.

 I was remembering as I walked a verse from Psalm 121, “He will not let you stumble,” (NLT) I thank you Lord it was very tricky in some spots but You brought me through.

 Cows are everywhere. The shepherd move them from field to field all day so it is impossible to go anywhere and not see a cow, bull or sheep. I see little children walking by without as much as a nod. I just have to get use to this agricultural town. The graze close to side walks and streets and usually just one shepherd is watching them. If he wants them to move or not move, he throws a rock and hits them. The question I have is why is there no fresh meat in any of the grocery stores within walking distance. You would think that someone would occasionally slaughter one of these great beast.  I have not changed I am always thinking of food.

 This is such a safe town You can walk anywhere and no one will bother you. During the day , this strange man has stared knocking on my door. He does not speak English so I do not know what he wants. If it is food or money , he is out of luck.

Rain , Rain and More Rain

Yesterday was the first sunny day in a week. The rains have been torrential. Winter is coming here soon. I am not use to such wet weather and since I have to walk everywhere I was in the house for several days. I did not go to church this past Sunday because I had lost tracks of the days and did not know it was Sunday. Yesterday the sun came out and I immediately decided to do my wash. I have to do my wash early while the children are in school. It must be the job of the teen girls and when they see my wash on the line they swish it together and put their laundry where I had mine.

 I do not have a scale but with all the walking and no fast food, I should have shed some pounds. The stores here do not sell fresh meat only 3 selections of canned meat, corned beef, canned fish and tuna.  The only canned vegetables are peas. They have canned peaches and some mixed fruit. Milk is not refrigerated and neither are eggs. They do sell frozen chicken. A large pack of chicken wings are 39.99 rand or 3.99 U S dollars. What a bargain! Since I am on a budget I have to watch what I spent carefully. I have learned to be inventive with Ramien noodles. I mix them with vegetables and Voila! A great meal.

 Life as a missionary is tough but worth every minute when you hear someone say that they want to give their life to Christ.  I spent a lot of time alone studying my Bible and preparing for my ministry. The pastor has taken a 1 month vacation so everything is on hold but we are planning another trek to the mountains this month. So I will not be able to get emails or get on Facebook. I am not sure how long I will be gone this time but there is so much work to do there. I understand that I may not have to walk the six hours because the pastor’s car will be ready.  The life there is rough but my greatest obstacle was mice in our hut. I hope we can borrow a cat.

 I miss my family and church but I am trying to stay busy.  I have learned many new lessons, like how to cook pappas and just being thankful for the little things. I go to a grocery store and get so excited when I see something I have not seen before like crackers or peanuts. I am doing well and want to thank you all for your prayers and support.

 Lesotho is an English speaking country but many choose not to speak English so everyday is an adventure for me. At church the service is in English and Sesotho except for the songs and I have trouble understanding what they are saying. teens here speak perfect English so I am happy that I may start teaching the teen class. It will be easier that trying to find a translator.

On the Road to Salone

I finally feel that I have recovered from the one week mission trip to Salone, Lesotho. I know that it is now time for me to get back to work.
 On the road to Salone, I had a six hour walk and that was plenty of time to pray and talk to God. I imagined that I was walking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus.  It was on that road that the people realized that  what was foretold had come true. The Son of God had risen  . He had conquered the grave. This gave me strength when I did not think I come not walk another step.
 Once I got to Salone, it was clear why God had sent me there. So many people there have not heard the Good News. The children with an outdoor school sitting on the rocks in their tattered clothing are the lucky ones who are receiving an education. School only goes to the 7th grade. Many boys do not get to go at all but are preparing for a life as a shepherd. It was heartbreaking to see so many boys dressed in the traditional garb. Most have never been out of Salone. There is no running water and many of the villages do not have outdoor latrines.
  We held Bible study and church each night in the same pit that we cooked all our meals. The good news is that people accepted Christ while we were there.  I pray that when we return we will be able to offer Bibles to the new converts. I also pray that  there will be a church built there soon . We need missionaries and pastors to make the long trek on a more regular basis.
  I could hear Jesus telling me that I too had been blind. There is such a need in this village alone. It has given me courage to continue the much needed work.

In Butta Buthe

I have finally made it back to Africa or the Motherland as we call it. I can clearly feel this is where I belong.  It seems like home to me. I can feel the presence of God in this place. I am not here by accident and I know god has placed me here for a purpose. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to serve in Butha Butte, Lesotho.
 Butha Butte is not what I had imagined. It is a small town but very progressive.  I am walking everywhere but pray that I will be able to afford a car soon. The people have been friendly and  welcoming. I am settled in an apartment complex but do not know my neighbors. They are very quiet people.  The complex has a watchdog which I have just learned not to fear. When I arrived at the complex yesterday , the dog immediately growled at me but I was so tired I stood my ground and she ran. Today she saw me and acted very friendly. I thank God for the little blessings also.
 I have been meeting people as I walk and it have given me the opportunity to pray for those who are hurting and in despair. I will start working in the church this week and have been assigned to work with the singles. There are many young widows in the church who need to know that God has not forgotten them.
 Please pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen me as I serve in this new place.