We are now on our second full day in Legho Village. This place has an outwardly lively spirit. We arrived by bus passing women and men carrying their water on their heads up the red dirt road to their homes at the top of the mountain. There are no paved roads or paths here, only hard red clay cut outs. People live in mud shanties and some in concrete square homes. Papa Dao and his family have been so kind to invite us to sleep on the floors of their homes. There are no modern amenities here; electricity is lacking, no plumbing, not even ovens or stove tops. All the cooking is done at the back of the house over a fire! Legho Village rarely sees visitors, much less white people. On our first day here, I was playing with some local children who did not speak English. At one point I held out my hands in front of them, and one child began feeling my skin. All of the other children joined in, pinching, rubbing, and feeling my skin. They would look in wonder and awe first, then they would burst out in laughter! I was the first white person that they had touched. It was an incredible experience!
Papa Dao is someone you meet and know that he has great, wise perspective. When he speaks you listen. He has been talking to us about the Sermon on the Mount. "Blessed (happy) are those whose desire is the will of God, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6 I have been spending time here thinking about what desires are in my heart and how they compare to God's desire for me. It is my prayer for myself and our group here that the Holy Spirit would continue to draw us nearer to God and to change our hearts to desire what God desires for us.
More to come later, once I am not typing on a black berry.
Love,
Elizabeth
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Dear Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteEveryone's descriptions of Legho Village are fascinating, especially the children's reaction to seeing a Caucasian for the first time.
You sound great...and it is clear that the Lord has drawn you to his desires.
Love,
Daddy
What a journey you are on! I cannot imagine what life must be like in Legho Village. Please give Papa Dao our thanks for sharing his home and his message with you. Julia and Jessica take LOTS of pictures!! And remember everything so you can tell us every detail when you get home. We love you and miss you so much. XOXO, Lou, Pete and Oconee.
ReplyDeleteI am so moved by your sweet descriptions of the people and places. My prayer is that all of you continue to grow in God's grace while in Africa and bring back the fire that you are feeling now to change lives in the U.S...tell my son Stephen hello for me and that I am praying for him daily. Best, Stephen Schoen
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