Update on Lahti!

Lahti and her team made it to Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday morning (night time there). Lahti has battled motion sickness her whole life, and unfortunately was sick on the plane. Through a very tired and weak voice, she said, "But I'm in Africa!" For those of you who know Lahti, it has been her life long dream to be a missionary in Africa. After going through customs easily at the airport, her team was ready for their 5 hour adventure to Losotho, South Africa. They soon found out that their transportation was something like a "good-time" van with a hog cage trailer hitched behind for their luggage! The driver was an African who only spoke Sesotho. Inside the van, were disco lights that the driver kept on the whole time! He also played American R&B and love songs really loud and knew every American word!!! She said the driver drove about 110mph the entire drive on rustic roads, which contained huge potholes! She said she had the thought that she should have called home and told us by-because she wasn't sure they would make the drive alive! When they arrived in Lesotho, they had to go through border patrol which was very scary. The guards were hollering in their native tongue, and the team was nervous as they pulled out their passports and documents. They arrived in Masero, Losotho in the middle of the night and were put in a room the size of our entry way-which is quite small. There are 10 in Lahti's group-so I can't imagine how they all fit! They were told that rats and snakes come out at night in the room! Not only did that not help the team sleep, but Lahti's sinuses were acting up and she couldn't breathe through her nose for a couple of days. She is feeling better, but still has the sniffles. The next day the team went to a market to purchase food items that they would need for the next 10 days. The leaders of the base there cooked the team a meal and she loved it! She said it was spicy and so good! The men in the town would shout at them, "I love you, will you marry me?" They were the only white people there, so it was obvious they were visitors! Lahti said the land is so beautiful and the stars have never been prettier than in Africa! The following morning her team took a 2 hour trip to Mohaleshoek, in the mountains. It has been very cold there! Lahti is wearing 5 shirts at a time just to keep warm. She said she's quite a sight! She must wear a skirt-but she wears pants too for warmth! While in Mohaleshoek, the team is staying in an orphanage. It's the nicest building in the whole town. They use an outhouse to go to the restroom. There are 3 stores, that are like a warehouse, but not like one in the states. Cats and chickens run wild through the stores. There is one main paved road, but the rest are all dirt. The homes are mostly built with mud and sticks, but some are made with tarps. She said it's just like the slums that you see on t.v. There are rats everywhere. The people there are musically talented. They sing and dance all the time. Lahti has learned a couple dances and is trying to learn the language. It's quite challenging! The children are drawn to Lahti and love to hug and kiss her. They love her skin and her hair. It's difficult to tell the boys from the girls because they all shave their heads. Lahti kept saying that they are beautiful people. She has been the team photographer, and the people love having their picture taken and will pose willingly! Due to the language barrier, it's sometimes hard to get them to understand to smile!! The ladies make all of their clothing and Lahti loves it! They are colorful and beautiful! She hopes to bring home a dress! Lahti said that they pray a lot throughout the day for many reasons. One is that it's so sad to see such poverty. The children are malnourished. Sickness is everywhere. Many of the girls ages 14-16 are pregnant. Many of these young women abandon their children because they have no way to take care of them. The team has to pray constantly to stay strong. They must also pray for God's protection because of all of the sickness and disease. The team prayed for people in a hospital there. She said it was so sad because the people are put 10 to a room, and the doctors don't know how to diagnose their illnesses. The people with HIV/Aids were in a room that looked like a jail cell. The team has not only been doing skits, and loving on people, and telling them about Jesus, they have been working! Lahti helped dig a trench to try to put plumbing in a home. She also learned how to replace glass in windows at the orphanage. They built a bridge over a ditch to help a disabled man. Wherever there is a need, the team is trying to meet it. The team was able to go to a school where there were 600 boys in one classroom. The team ministered to them, but got a huge blessing when the boys sang for them! Lahti said the boys sang in perfect harmony and was the most beautiful singing ever! She played soccer with the boys and realized she stinks at soccer! Despite the fact that the team is buying water, they have all had diarrhea. She took her first shower in 6 days. She was so thankful! She said camping prepared her, because the water was like a trickle coming out! The people dress according to the tribe they belong in. Some wear bright red or blue etc... The people put huge, heavy baskets on their heads to carry stuff! Shepherds take care of sheep. Some of the people are scary, as they carry huge guns out in the open. It's a whole other world-but one she's so blessed to be a part of. Please continue to pray for Lahti and her team. They will be in Mohaleshoek for another 6 days and then will travel back to Masero. She's not sure what they will be doing there yet. At the end of April, Lahti will travel to Budapest, Hungary for a month. After that, she will go back to Australia and live with an indigenous group of Aborigines. Lahti always knew that she would be a missionary one day. Proverbs 23:7a "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" I some this up as-Be careful what you think-because you become what you think!! Our family is so proud of Lahti. We have missed her more than you can imagine! Please continue to pray for her safety! Pray for a strong anointing and discernment. Lahti is in charge of intercession in her group! She said, "Mom, I'll pray anywhere, anytime, and with anyone!" She has confidence that our Lord can and will do anything! The team prayed with a lady yesterday and saw God heal her before their eyes! So, what's your need? The Lord is able to meet it here, just like in Africa! God Bless you all!