Foosball, Soccer and everything in between!

We started our first full day here on Tuesday as we walked into downtown Hlotse.  We went into some of the local stores and then went off the beaten track on a dirt trail into more of a “farmer’s market” where many of the people there enjoyed engaging us in conversation. Cory and I joined in on a game of foosball with the local youth that was taking place right in the middle of the marketplace.  We drew a crowd to a great match and had a blast doing it.  From there we visited the “Sweet Dreams bakery and met the owner Gladys, who is only 22. This is one of the business start-ups that Bracelet of Hope is involved with and it was great to encourage her and see her work in action.  She has a team that she works with and they sell their baked goods to many of the professional offices in Hlotse. After a quick turnaround back at Anne-Marie’s bungalow, also affectionally  known as “Grace House”, we were off to Butha Buthe to meet with Pastor James, Mme Matsepo and the AFM ladies.  We had lunch together and Pastor James shared the vision of their plans to develop the church building including a kitchen, offices and rooms for overnight accommodation for future conferences that they hope to hold.  They had a great prayer room area and it is part of his vision to see this room be used for prayer 24/7!

Later in the afternoon we took a drive across some rough terrain to a remote area in the hills to visit the Tihakuli foster home. We got to see where the children sleep and their very neat rooms including the bunk beds that Addi raised funds for last year. It was here that we were so blessed to hear the children sing, share their love for Jesus and get the opportunity to play soccer with them as we brought gifts from home including High Power soccer camp balls.  The soccer ball was used for a variation of games and many local children joined in our gathering.  One of the boys was very proud to show us a generator that he made and he went and hooked it up to the solar panel they had there and  It is evident that they are cared and loved for.  I had the opportunity to pray here for the home and continue to keep praying for one of the children, Hauta, as she struggles with her HIV treatments.

Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.  Matthew 18:4.5

We learn so much from the simple joy and the way that the children here embrace us, trust us and the way that they love their heavenly Father,  While we seek to be welcoming to them, they teach us so much about a welcoming spirit!