Greetings from Lesotho… where spring is just around the corner!

This past month has taken us around the world and back. Or so it seemed. On July 26, the Melvins, who are always on the move, took a two week whirlwind trip to Virginia to check on family and college shop with Zachary.

We were also blessed at this time to attend our home church when the 2008 Summer Mission Team to Lesotho gave its report during both Sunday morning services. We praise God for how He used these volunteer missionaries to touch the hearts of many Basotho and for a wonderful presentation that brought our two “homes” close together.

As we return to serve Basotho, we are thankful for the opportunities the International Mission Board allows for our own continued spiritual growth and renewal. The Southeast Africa Cluster consisting of ten IMB missionary teams from South Africa, Swaziland, and Lesotho, will join together for an annual spiritual/prayer retreat August 22-25. The youth and children will be led by a volunteer team from the U.S. while the adults are fed through worship, Bible study, and special times of prayer. We look forward to this time of refreshment.

Praises:

1. Safe travel for the Melvins to and from the U.S.

2. Blessed vacation time spent with family and friends.

3. Good health and safety in Lesotho

4. New team members, Larry and Sally Pepper to arrive in Lesotho in 2009 to minister in mountain clinics.

Prayer requests:

1. Pray for a young man named Tsepo who feels God may be calling him to be a church leader in a new church

2. Continued language learning

3. Provision of new interpreters available for mid week teaching

4. Effective village Bible studies

5. A good school year for Zachary who will be a senior and Eli a freshman

6. Safety and health