Dear fellow followers of Christ and friends, Before I recap the past three months, YES, we are also in lock down. And locked in. All the borders to South Africa are closed. We are undoubtedly in far better circumstances here in Malealea than many of you. Lesotho as to date has no confirmed cases. We are praying for your safety and that your faith may be strengthened in this time. Thank you to St.John's for the funds towards the elderly. We could buy this grandmother cement and a new door frame. It certainly is strange times we are living in. We are navigating uncharted waters. God is indeed shaking all that can be shaken. Hebrews 12v 26 b ...He makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” v27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. God is certainly in control, He is not taken by surprise about this pandemic. He surely is not idly watching us suffering. May His grace help us to wait quietly for His salvation. Let us praise Him continually. Habakkuk 3 v 17-18 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. JanuaryWe were grateful to be able to host two World Race teams during January. They were a great encouragement to us and the people of the valley. Thank you for continuing the survey on the elderly, for stomping clay with Jon, for being His light. The A4J Lesotho team had their year planning meeting at Thaba Bosiu. This mountain is the centre of the Basotho culture and our team were excited to be able to visit. Thaba Bosiu was used as a hideout by Moshoeshoe 1 in 1824. This elevated plateau formed a natural fortress which protected the Basotho in times of war. From here the Basotho nation was birthed. FebruaryWe were fortunate to be able to sow maize, harvest peaches and Pieter recruited the church ladies to make peach jam. Our valley has not been this green in years. We have had an abundance of rain and are so thankful to Abba Father for this. Children 44 Children needed support in our Vulnerable Children Support Program. Thank you for each of you that opened your hearts and purses to support these children. We are currently supporting even more , a total of 49 children. Thank you Ds Andre and Moruti Geelbooi for your visit and teachings. We have much to learn about ancestor worship and sangomas, thank you for your willingness to teach. Our friends, the De Villiers family, visited. Over the years they have visited us a few times. Look at the old photo's. Jon, Amy and Jaime were so small. Thank you for loving us Mark, Gen, Amy and Zac. MarchArt Entrepreneurship As some of you might recall, we taught at the local secondary school last year. This year we said we will rather equip more teachers, as the business economic teachers who are suppose to teach the new 'Art and entrepreneurship' program needs guidance with all things relating in art. Thus our friend, teacher M'e Matobo organised a workshop in Mafeteng. It was a great day and the teachers appreciated all the input extremely. Shortly before all the talk of lock downs became real, Bishop Jones from Emit, Johannesburg, visited the base. He encouraged our leadership and us as family. other newsSewing group We managed to meet twice before the lockdown. The ladies always enjoy the fellowship and are eager to learn new skills Mobile Solar unit Pieter had this idea... thank you Pusetso for making it a reality. He used an old wheelbarrow to mount a battery, solar panel and inverter. Now it can be used instead of the generator when power tools need to be used somewhere of base. Pieter and Jaime make quite good carpenters. They build an outside table. Pieter has been experimenting with natural paints ( clay, lime etc.) and the guesthouse is coming along. Jaime's knife making has been reached a new level, thanks to Oom Benna for the belt sander. He still enjoys teaching the children on Sundays (though we are not allowed to have church meetings now until after the lockdown) We celebrated Jon's 18th bitrhtday, his idea of fun was a hot sauce challenge ;-) He has a renewed interest in and passion for photography. Jon was sad that the Kingdom Enduro race that he was to attend in Roma at the end of March was cancelled due to lockdown. Fortunately he could go and ride the trails before Lesotho lockdown started on Sunday 29 March. He and Jaime camped for three days and enjoyed riding with some of the local riders. May our Lord keep you and guard you, love from the Mierkes and our team!
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