Lesotho

We had a wonderful trip for two days to Lesotho. This is a small country in the south of Africa. It is a tiny country ruled by Parliament and sovereignty. The purpose of out trip was to be part of a humanitarian effort where they were giving away 500 wheelchairs from the Church. We drove with Elder and Sister newby and we had a great time.
The drive took us about nine hours going because we were having a great time going a beautiful way to see the sights. ...and see sights we did. Truly, South Africa and Lesotho are beautiful countries with many beauties of nature. We went into a National Park by mistake and it was glorious. All four of us in the car were gazing at a beautiful golf course and missed the turn until we were all the way through the park and were we ever glad we had made a wrong turn. We were in the most beautiful mountains with glorious rock formations that were very reminiscent of Bryce and Zions. It was not quite the same but we saw similarities. However it was very lush and green from the rain the past few days, so it SW quite a sight with the rock formations and green hills and mountains and waterfalls. There we saw cattle being led by typically dressed Leshoto cowboys with pants and boots and beautiful blankets around them or over one shoulder. They had all sorts of hats from cowboy hats to baseball hats. It was fun to see. It was so wonderful that we got on the wrong road because on the way back through the park we saw rare mountain zebras that were beautiful and strange and they were by some cattle. Also on the way back through the park we saw many baboons climbing on the rocks and boulders. It was great.
We went with Elder and Sister Newby and they are great fun. He is the Executive Secretary and she is at the desk downstairs all day everyday so we see them every day several times and have gotten to know them very well.
There was a detour for about 30 minutes that took us through fields of corn and on narrow dirt roads that were full of holes and bumps and it was awful driving. At one point a huge truck was stopped because he was stuck in the mud and so cars were stopped in both directions and many people were standing trying to help and just milling around. It was a little unsettling for a while as we were pinned in between cars and ditches and mud on either side. We were glad our prayers had been specific that morning and we trusted and exercised faith. We were the only white people for miles and miles around and we'll just say we were thrilled to get moving.
We really felt quite safe, but your mind goes a little crazy knowing what can go on, but we arrived safe and sound and barely before dark which is good. Black people are very hard to see in the dark and there are few street lights and many people walking everywhere.
The next day was the highlight as we went to the palace for the ceremony. Your Dad presented the wheelchairs to the queen in a very sweet way and she accepted them formally and then the wheelchairs were brought out to 20 handicapped people. Many, many more were to be given the next two days in different areas. During the speeches the handicapped children and adults sat by their families who were struggling to hold them up and keep them comfortable. We could see the caregivers were really going to benefit as most were very disabled and had to be carried everywhere. During the middle of the ceremony we heard a person making tremendous noises.....very loud and almost like a warrior noise that you have heard in the movies. I thought it was one of the handicapped people in the back that couldn't control themselves. As it turned out it was a mother whose child was handicapped who was making these noises out of joy. She did it off and on through every speech and then when her child received his chair she went crazy with that noise and tears were streaming down her face. It was really touching. We found out it was a Zulu response of joy. It was so touching to see all of them receive their chairs. One wife was had feeding her husband and they were thrilled. One child was about 4 years old and had never been off his mother's back except to sleep at night. She has carried him all these years because he couldn't sit or stand. We all had tears of joy for them and are so grateful for a church who believes in giving and sharing. It was also very touching to see the members of the branch come in with their "helping hand aprons" with hands on the front and the name of the church on the back. They had put the wheelchairs together and were passing them out and then helping the people into the trucks to go home. It was fun to see some being wheeled home as we left. They waved and laughed and smiled as we passed them. What a thrill to see such joy and to see what a difference one chair will make in their lifetime. Many spare parts were sent also in case repairs are needed. It was quite an event. It is really hard to put into words the emotions feelings we had.
We had a great drive home....it didn't take quite as long, but it was beautiful every step of the way. There were acres and acres of sunflowers blooming. They were breath taking and the blossoms were huge...the size of dinner plates. They are harvested to make sunflower oil.We loved every minute of our two days. We stopped for meals and shopped a little and laughed a little and cried a little. We feel so blessed to be part of this. I must give credit for the wheelchair give away. It was arranged by Karl and Donna Snow who are over humanitarian services here. They are one of those wonderful couples who are serving away from them families and comfort zones and are having the time of their lives. This was another great adventure.