Sian and Palesa (mama)
While planning my trip to volunteer at Beautiful Gate , Lesotho in 2005, I had a strong sense that my association with Beautiful Gate would be ongoing long after I had been there and volunteered. Little did I realize just how strong an association I would have with Beautiful Gate and Lesotho.
I had worked in childcare and as a nanny, locally and overseas, and had been planning on going to Africa to work with babies. However the bible verse in Proverbs 19:21 ‘ Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails’ was about to become very real to me! When I arrived in Lesotho in February 2006, I was told I would be working with the preschoolers, which I struggled with for a little bit, but trusted that God had me there for a purpose and I needed to trust Him for that. The same week I arrived, I was able to visit Beautiful Gate and meet the children and staff that I would be working with. The reality of the situation in Lesotho, was really brought home when that same week, a little girl, Mama, about 18 months old was brought to Beautiful Gate after being found by a local man. They had been unable to find any family or anyone who knew where she came from. She had been staying with a village Chief until she was brought to Beautiful Gate.
As I started my role teaching with the preschoolers my friendships with the children became very strong and it was such a joy to be spending the majority of my time with these precious children. For some reason Mama attached herself to me and because I was concerned about how overwhelming the situation must be for her, I kept an eye on her and endeavored to make sure she felt secure and as safe as possible.
I was still struggling with how the Lord was going to use me during my time at Beautiful Gate, however by April, I felt very strongly that the Lord was calling me to look into adopting Mama. Being a single mum would be a challenge , and even the thought of adopting as a single person made me really delve deep into the scriptures and seek Godly counsel to make sure that it was what was the Lord wanted for myself and Mama. My family were extremely supportive and friends near and far were praying for the two of us, that above all else the Lord’s will would be done in our lives.
Each day I spent with Mama was always bitter sweet during the adoption process, never knowing whether she would be my daughter. The last thing I wanted was for her to feel abandoned again, so with each day that passed, I would pray for wisdom and that Mama’s heart and mine would be guarded and protected from whatever lay ahead. I was willing to trust God that whatever His answer was to be, it would be the right one. Though the thought of leaving Lesotho without Mama was a tough one, I knew the Lord had our best interests at heart and He knew what was best for both of us.
The support I received from Ray and Sue was such a blessing , and knowing that people who knew both Mama and I were praying for us to be together was really special. On the 28th August, I received the call from the Lawyer, that Mama was now officially my daughter! Lots of phone calls were made and tears of joy and relief were wept! It was just such an amazing time of seeing the Lord do “immeasurably more” than I could have ever imagined.
Every time I look at my precious daughter I am just so thankful for the privilege of being her mother, and reminded of just how important and life changing Beautiful Gate is to so many children. I was reminded of this when talking with my daughter about how her uncle and aunty were working at Beautiful Gate. She looked at me in disbelief and said “no you don’t work at Beautiful Gate, you sing songs!”
Mama (now called Palesa) and I talk about Lesotho all the time and look forward to visiting Beautiful Gate in the hopefully not too distant future, to see the new site finished, and all the children that are now there, along with the staff that are like family to us. Through Beautiful Gate, Lesotho, God has done amazing things and I know without a doubt He’s not finished yet!
