Following - One Step at a Time

Somewhat more than a year ago my wife, Wendy, and I each began to experience separately a stirring in our spirits. The times previously when we had experienced this sense it presaged significant relocation in our lives–God moving us to different places to experience new things and learn lessons he had for us. Whereas past stirring had led us to different places in Alberta, God had something bigger planned this time.

For me, the bigger plan began to take shape from a chance (or not so chance) encounter with a young father. He briefly shared that he and his spouse were planning to let go of the ‘security’ of job, home, and family, and with their young children, follow God. The challenge to my heart in that moment was, "If this young father is willing to let go and let God, what is holding me back?" Meanwhile, a long-standing desire of Wendy’s heart was to follow God in a cross-cultural context, not necessarily traditional ‘missionary’ work, but going with a servant attitude to wherever God was directing. Thus began a journey, as we sought to understand God’s purpose and plan for us and to follow where he led.

In the months that followed, God invited us to take one step at a time. Each invitation challenged our faith and required a step – an action – taken in faith. As we have sought to hear and obey God’s direction for us, we have seen God lead, direct, and encourage our faith. In July the first phase of a journey we started over a year ago will conclude, and the next phase will begin. On July 17th, we will be leaving for the small mountain kingdom of Lesotho, a tiny African nation totally enclosed within the Republic of South Africa.

In Lesotho I will be volunteering with Beautiful Gate, a small NGO. Beautiful Gate provides care for abandoned and orphaned children in Maseru, the capital city of Lesotho. Care is provided until foster or adoptive homes can be found. Many children are being reunited with extended family, but caring for additional children is a significant undertaking for caregivers in this poor country. My role with Beautiful Gate will be to work with and support caregivers and leaders in outlying villages as they develop community and economic resources to assist these caregivers.

Wendy, too, will be stepping into a new opportunity. She is looking forward to the challenge of teaching in a cross cultural context. She has accepted a position with Machabeng College, an international private school in Maseru. Her context will be with the children of expatriate and more well off families in Lesotho. While I will be volunteering, Wendy's position is a paid one so we will have a sufficient source of income to meet our needs while in Lesotho. We are humbled by God’s goodness and provision.

Our initial commitment will be for just under two years and we are looking forward to the task ahead, though I am anxious. In this extremely poor country with an HIV/AIDS infection rate of nearly 28% what can a stranger from an affluent western nation really offer? While I don’t know the answer to that question, what Wendy and I are both learning is that if we just take one step at a time with God, we will see him at work and our faith will be increased.

~ Benno ~