Kari's Journey in Uganda

Lumela (Hello) From Lesotho

Dear Friends,

 

Thank you for your prayers and financial support on my recent trip to Lesotho (pronounced Le-sue-too), Africa.  It was an amazing experience that I can not begin to share with you in this letter.  But I will attempt to share some of the highlights. 

• For three days I volunteered at Queen Elizabeth II government hospital in Maseru, the capital city of Lesotho.  I worked in the maternity ward, emergency room, and pediatric surgical ward.  Sterility was something to be desired at this hospital.  Women were giving birth with no pain medicine as roaches crawled the walls of the 95 degree delivery room that was shared by two patients.  Although I could not speak their language, I was able to hold the women’s hand as I counted their contractions offering some encouragement.  The women were alone during the birth process and we practically had to deliver a baby before the midwife came.  I wish every woman in America see this, they would not be as quick to complain during childbirth!   The emergency room was glad to have my assistance, as I gave injections, started IV’s, and took many blood pressures.  The pediatric ward was full of children who had been burned from open flames at their homes in the villages.  I passed medicines along with the Lesotho student nurses, without supervision from a nurse, and consoled the children with the only word I knew, “phepi” meaning I’m sorry in their lanuage, Sesotho.

•  I awoke on my 22^nd birthday in the mountain village of Nohana.  We had flown there the day before on a small six passenger airplane to care for patients at the clinic, most whom were HIV positive and suffered from tuberculosis.  Our plane was expected to return later that afternoon, however, clouds and rain did not allow flying, and I along with another girl on our team had to stay the night.  Our accomodations were far greater than those living in the mountain huts without water or electricity.  We stayed with the government nurse who worked in the village full time in a small brick house.  We had warm beds and food to fill our stomachs.  It was here God reminded me that He alone is my provider.

 

 

• At Beautiful Gate Orphanage, we were able to show the love of Jesus to abandoned children who had been affected by HIV.  Lesotho is the fourth leading country in the world for AIDS with one in three people suffering from the disease.  We were able to teach the workers at Beautiful Gate about childhood issues such as choking and dehydration.  I became friends with a secretary there at the Orphanage my age, Mots’elisi. She is Seventh-day Adventist, but is truly striving to learn more about God. Pray that she will know the One true God.

 

• Our biggest outreach effort was the women’s health conference we held at a village church.  Over 40 women came to learn about how to better care for their bodies through nutrition and hygiene.  We also took blood pressures and performed urinalysis testing.  But most importantly the gospel was shared and women were taught to honor God with their bodies.  The women were so appreciative and prepared us an authentic Lesotho meal…Papa, a cornmeal mush, and  moroho (cabbage).  They eat Papa every meal of the day.  Wow, aren’t we blessed in America!

God really taught me a lot about His character and I grew in new ways on this trip.  God also furthered my desire to help those in need and show them the truth of the gospel.  I feel I can bring God glory and am most satisfied when I am spreading His name to the nations.  Continue to pray for me as I complete the journeyman application for a two year service overseas after graduation this May.  I will keep you informed of how the Lord leads in the coming months.

 I want to thank each one of you for making this experience possible for me.  God has truly blessed me with supportive friends and family.  Please continue to pray for the missionary effort in Lesotho that the Basotho people would come know the Lord.  Thank you again for your prayers and support. 

Serving Him, 

<>< Kari Noblett       

 

“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world.  Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” Psalm 90:1-2