Our Friends in Lesotho

Tonight, I was reminded of why I'm doing what I'm doing.

Crossroads has so many layers. Starting as just a small family wanting to make a difference, it has blossomed over the past years into a family of more than 70, each of us hailing from different countries around the world and all sharing the same call to work with this organization. It has really only been through the Father's guidance and blessings that this place functions the way it does, and as well as it does without making any revenue or hiring any workers. We're all volunteer and all our costs are covered through the generosity of others. We are able to serve the needy and the poor on a global scale because of the simple call this family followed over ten years ago to collect used goods in Hong Kong and send them to those in need across the nations.

So back to tonight. Each Wednesday night, our team meets together for dinner, singing, 'chatting', and study of the Word. This evening was special because a couple working in Lesotho that we have been able to send goods to was present and asked to share with us.

The man (whose name I can't remember!) got up, and spent several minutes just giving thanks for what we have done to help him and his wife. I was so moved. He is a doctor and his wife, Rohini, is a dentist. They are both from Sri Lanka, but after getting their degrees decided to move to the U.S. and try to become prosperous there. As this man said, he's never even heard of Lesotho. But, as the Father does, He called this man to start a clinic in Lesotho, using his and his wife's gifts to serve the underpriveleged there.

They have been there now for over 20 years, and through the goods they have received from Crossroads, they now have desks, exam tables, beds and bed linens, and many other items for their clinic. They have also started a primary school and high school in the area, and again, furnished these places through donations from Hong Kong.

It was powerful to hear their testimony. And I was overwhelmed at how the Father has used our team to pour encouragement and life into what He has led this couple to do in Lesotho. The Father certainly has some very mighty plans! And this is just one of so many we serve. What a privelege to hear direct from this couple!

His stories were amazing. And he and his wife were so kindhearted and funny that I can see how well they must connect with their patients, and all in His name. This man told us of how he is trained in surgery, and will perform all kinds of surgeries depending on who walks in the doors. He also told us that those in Lesotho who seek the medical profession practice in South Africa, leaving Lesotho with poor medical care. The hospital nearby often calls him in because they can only perform part of a surgery and need him to come in and finish. This haphazard way of treating people often leads to fatalities. He also spoke of the fear of HIV. Many abandon the medical field in Lesotho for fear of contracting the disease from their patients.

This couple went on to explain that the majority of the population they work with is women and children as husbands go to South Africa to work in the mines. Even when the men come back into the country, they refuse to see a doctor like this man because of his love for the Father. Instead, these men will visit witch doctors or look for cures elsewhere, and will only see this doctor if they are dying. They may even restrict their wives and children from seeing this doctor as well.

This couple finished by telling how the community they are in is becoming more and more receptive to the Message they bring, and they are amazed by the work the Father is doing in this place.

I have lots of food for thought tonight as I remember those on the very front lines, and the ways that the Father takes care of all His children in so many, many different ways.