Africa 2013 Presentation

We made it home! We arrived back in Grand Rapids last week Monday around 2 pm. We are so grateful for this experience and all of the love, support, and prayers we received over the past several months! We have tons of stories and pictures that we can't wait to share with all of you. This coming Sunday, the 20th we will be talking about our experience at Beautiful Gate and the memories we have made there. Please join us at Graafschap CRC in the sanctuary at 7:30pm (after the evening service) for our presentation and cake to follow. We would love to see you there! Thanks again for all you have done for us!

Graafschap CRC address: 5973 Church St Holland, MI 49423

Jesse and Shelby

Last Week/Prayer Requests

It is hard to believe that in a week from today we will be packing up our things here in Africa and heading back home. It is amazing how fast time goes. Everyday for the last two months have been packed full of countless blessings and unforgettable memories. It is amazing to see God at work when you intentionally watch for him and in a sense "see these children through his eyes." We have fallen in love with all of the children at Beautiful Gate. Each child is so perfect in their own way as they seek love, attention, hugs and someone to share stories with and climb on. It will be hard to say goodbye as we have been together just about everyday we have been here. It is tough knowing how much they have impacted us already knowing we will realize it even more after we are gone. We pray that this will not be goodbye forever but simply goodbye until we get to see them again one day.

Our Prayer Requests-  

-For health this last week so that we can spend as much time with the kids as possible.

-For the children who have been matched and will be leaving Beautiful Gate within the next few months.

-For the children who have not been matched and are waiting for a forever family to come along.

-Prayers for rain in Lesotho as water supply is becoming an issue.

-For us when it comes time to say goodbye to the children and staff.

-To help it be a smooth transition back home after everything we have experienced here.

-Safety for our travels back home.

-For guidance in terms of where God is leading us in the future.

Our House Moms/New Sesotho Names

Shelb's House Mom

My house mom is Mme Mamatela! I have been helping her out in Khosto 2 for the past two months. She is such a joy to work with and so full of love! I have learned so much from her about Lesotho and her culture. My favorite memory with her is the night we got all the kids tucked into bed, sat down to talk, and prayed together. It was an amazing experience and so good to know that the women taking care of these precious children seek wisdom from our incredible Lord and Savior. She has been such an encouragement to me! Mme Mamatela is out of town for a week, so once we have permission we will be sure to post a picture.

In Lesotho it is considered a privilege to receive a Sesotho name from a native. The name is only given after the native Basotho gets to know you well enough and notices a special God given characteristic that they notice in you daily. We were both blessed with that privilege over the last 2 months. The house moms and children now call us by our Sesotho names on a regular basis.  

Shelby's Sesotho Name: Ausi Lerato

Meaning: Love

Given by: Mme Mamatela

Date Given: August 20, 2013

Jesse's Sesotho Name: Abuti Thabang 

Meaning: Happy

Given by: Mme Maryam

Date Given: August 28, 2013

This is my house mom Mme Maryam

I have been helping Mme Maryam for the last two months in Khotso 1. Mme spends 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, caring for 15 incredible little children who she loves unconditionally and considers each one her own. After spending time with her and getting to know her, I have taken away so much about life and the things that are most important. I have seen patience beyond belief, dedication beyond compare and love that knows no end. She has a great sense of humor and is such a blessing to Beautiful Gate and more specifically to the 15 little ones who call her Mom in Khotso 1.      

Trip To Malealea

Our weekend trip to Malealea- At the Gates of Paradise

Jesse's Hut for the weekend

Jesse and Chester our new Donkey friend

Shelb and Heavy-her fuzzier than normal Horse

Saturday evening a group of us went pony trekking through the mountains exploring what Lesotho really looks like outside the city.

It was a great weekend away full of new sights, sounds and experiences!

Update

Hey everyone! Just want to let you all know that things are going great here! Sorry for the lack of updates the last week or so we have been out of town and then under the weather but we are doing much better and will be updating the blog with multiple posts tomorrow. Thank you for your continued support and prayers! Hope you all have a great day!

Beautiful Gardens

Beautiful Gardens is a rental house project that will help sustain the everyday funds of Beautiful Gate. There will be nine houses on the property available for rent.

The first unfurnished house that has been built.

Each house will be complete with plumbing and running water. Even the guardhouse ;)

As funds are raised the rest of the houses will be built.

Black Rhino Safari

After spending some time at Beautiful Gate with Dad and Ken we headed North to Pilanesberg, South Africa. We stayed at Black Rhino lodge for two days and went on a sunset and sunrise safari.

Sunset Safari

Jesse's favorite find!

Shelby's favorite!!

Coffee/Hot Chocolate break on the Sunrise Safari

The New Volunteer Building

The new volunteer building on Beautiful Gate campus donated by Holland Christian.

8/30/2013

9/06/2013

The current status of the building.

Comments and Questions

Hey guys!!

Yesterday we got back from an amazing safari, and an update is coming soon! :) So you can look forward to some sweet pictures!

As we blog, we would love to hear your comments and/or questions about what is going on here! Hope you all are doing great back home!!

Love you all,
     Jesse and Shelby

We Have Visitors!!!!

Steve and Ken arrived in Lesotho Friday morning around 7:30. It was so great to see them and welcome them with our hugs!

Steve and Ken checking up on our blog ;)

After a great morning of worship at Victory church we went out for lunch at Maseru Sun.

Baylor Clinic Trip

This past Wednesday we had the opportunity to take two children to Baylor clinic with their house moms for a regular check up. We had a great time with the kids and even made some new friends after bringing out the coloring books that we had packed.  

This is Baylor Clinic. A very modern medical facility in Lesotho that attracts hundreds of mothers and their children everyday.

Mountain Hike

Throughout this trip we have experienced many incredible experiences. On a Sunday afternoon a week or so back Benno and Wendy (the current directors filling in) invited us to go on a hike up a nearby mountain with two of the oldest boys at the orphanage. 

Picture at the top of the mountain.

Child's Eyes

        There is something about a child’s eyes that finds a way of getting to your heart. While some are happy and some are sad at times, there is a story that makes each one who they are. Looking into the eyes of the children at Beautiful Gate one thing is clear, there are many stories represented through each child. Some eyes are bright, full of curiosity and energy, while others are tear filled and seeking love. Over the past two and a half weeks so many children have found a direct route to our hearts. Some of whom we have been told their stories while others simply raise their arms looking for a hug and someone to play with.

        Last Sunday the pastor here talked about striving to have a heart after God’s own heart. After hearing the message and just thinking about how much God cares for each of his children it hit me to think about how God looks at each of his children here. How at times his heart may break after seeing what his child is going through and yet other times how he smiles when He gives a child a new life and new hope for the future. He is molding each one and seeking out their hearts so that one day they may know Him and rest in the assurance of His plan from their past and all that has made it to their future and all that He will make it. It is my prayer that we strive each day to have a heart after God’s own heart as we are here at Beautiful Gate and also after we travel back home.    

Photos

Playgroup Activity: Making Footprints

Beautiful Gate Campus this time of year

Playing with the parachute during Playgroup

Week One - Getting Settled In

Dumela Everyone!

We are finally getting all settled in with our daily routines. We both were assigned to a baby house watching over about 15 children. We start at 7 in the morning serving breakfast to the kiddos. At 8 the older children go to an English Medium preschool and primary school right near campus. Then Jesse and I hang out with the infants, feeding, playing, and putting them down for a nap in each of our houses. Once lunch is done, all the kids rest up and then head out to playgroup. During playgroup the kids run around outside playing on the toys, showing off their soccer skills, and soaking up all the hugs they can get. After about an hour and a half the kids go back to their houses for baths, dinner, and playtime. Bedtime is usually around 6 or 7 and then we say goodnight to the housemoms. By the end of the night Jesse and I are pretty tired. We have so much respect for the housemoms. They do a wonderful job and love the kids very much! One of my favorite parts of the day is to watch the children say their prayers before they eat. It just reminds me that God is the one who created these precious children and he provides for every one of their needs.

We Made It!

We made it to Beautiful Gate! After roughly 2 full days of travel we made it safely to Lesotho, Africa.  We were able to spend a few hours in London during our layover there and the traveling went altogether very smooth. We arrived at the orphanage around 11 Tuesday morning. Many smiling faces, hugs, and handshakes greeted us as we entered the campus. While it was a long trip there are no words to describe how worthwhile it is to be with these kids and see the smiles on their faces. After now having spent a full day here it has been an incredible experience getting to know the children and some of their stories. It is a blessing to see how perfectly God made each one of them and to see the plan for a brighter hope and future He has for each of them come to life everyday.