The Simple Life

Picture this.

I look to the left. Mountains.
I look to the right. Mountains.
I look in front of me. Mountains.
I look behind me. Mountains.
I look up at night and see the most beautiful stars I have ever seen.

We are currently in Malealea village in Lesotho.
Lesotho is a kingdom which lies in South Africa.

We take bucket showers, have electricity two hours a day, and usually cannot tell if our skin is dirty or just tan from being out side all the time.

In the morning we wake up to the sounds of barking dogs or obnoxious donkeys passing by.
We walk 40 minutes to the village we are doing ministry in for the month.
In the afternoon we are greeted by 40+ toddlers leaving preschool as they walk by themselves.
Mama Faith cooks porridge, lentils, poppa and all the other traditional foods for us.

For some these things might seem difficult but let me tell you its been thrilling.
I have no one to answer to besides the people I am spending this month with.
This life is simple but beautiful.
Having no comforts such as air conditioning, wifi, hot water, or a coffee shop 10 minutes away is freeing.

People live based off the suns schedule. They know what quality time is and take care of one another.

This month our ministry is to build relationships within our village. We go there for four hours in the morning and just talk to people. We have cooked porridge, cleaned for others and started doing yard work.

Our second day in the village I saw a lady walking up to the village store (its nothing like you are picturing) and I was drawn to talk to her. I first complimented her on her shoes because they were real cute. Typical brit move, I know. She told us her english name is Florina. My team and I then asked if the ladies surrounding the store would give us Lesotho names.

She gave me the name Kea Leboha. Pronounced Cali-Bow-Ah which means thank you.
In all honesty I did not love it. My english name means From Britain and then my Lesotho name I just got is “Thank You”.
My team laughed and so did I because there really was nothing else to do. I then asked the translator to ask Florina why she chose “Thank You” for me.
Talya joked it is because I need to just be thankful for a Lesotho name.
Florina responded saying it is because she is thankful that I came up to her to talk and she is thankful we came to this village.
Wow my heart.
All I did was notice her and go up to talk to her and she was overjoyed and thankful.
I was ungrateful for my name but it meant so much to Florina.
Later that afternoon we went to Camila’s home. Her ankle was swollen from hurting it in the fields the day before. We prayed over her and made plans to bake a traditional bread with her another day while we are here.
Yesterday we were by her home and I saw her outside. The translator, Heather and myself went to say hello. She explained that her ankle was healed and she was beyond thankful. She asked to give me a second Lesotho name.
She said “Semano.” Pronounced See-Ma-No. It means God answers.
Which He really does.
It is interesting how important name are to the people of Lesotho.
That day God told me that in reality, my name does not truly matter. I am a daughter of the Most High King and my identity is in nothing but Him.
He continues to teach me new things but more specifically how to be thankful for where I am right now. To take in these moments. Appreciate the little things and fully embrace life in the village.

Updates:
I am here until the 26th of February and then go back to South Africa for Month 8 . My dad and step mom will be joining me for Parent Vision Trip for a week and I could not be more excited for them to meet my squad and see what life on the field looks like!!

Asking for all the prayers as God continues to reveal what life looks like after the World Race.