Where has the year gone??

I can't believe that it's almost the end of 2013! What a whirlwind of a year! Being in the states working 3 jobs, saving every dime, to be able to return to the country I love so much. The country that has become home. Lesotho.

So much has happened in the very short 3 months I've been back in the KOL (Kingdom of Lesotho)!. We hosted a team from Victory Church in OKC for our 2nd annual advocacy tour. In 2012 we visited 7 of the 10 districts in Lesotho, spreading awareness on human trafficking and the dangers associated with it. This year we completed the 10 district tour by visiting the remaining 3 districts. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. We had amazing turnouts at every event we did. In fact, the amount of people we were able to educate on the dangers of trafficking doubled this year! It seemed everyone we came in contact with had been affected in some way by trafficking. Everyday we would hear "Oh yes, my neighbor left to take a job promised to them, and we've never heard from them again" or "My daughter was taken 13 years ago and I haven't seen or spoken to her since." This is a normal occurrence here in this country and a symptom of a much bigger problem plaguing Lesotho. With 45% of the entire country unemployed and 49% of people living below the poverty line, people become desperate to provide for themselves and their families. Below is a pic from one of the school events we did while on tour.

I met this precious 85 year old man in the district of Thaba Tseka. The average life expectancy in Lesotho is 47. I'd say he's doing pretty well!

We are also very excited to be opening the Beautiful Dream Children's Village!! We will take our first 12 orphans in on December 15th and could not be more thrilled. We will be modeling our village after the Watoto Children's Village model in Uganda http://www.watoto.com/home. As you can imagine there is much to do to prepare for these precious children and make the home ready. I'm in awe of the grace God has placed on our little team of 5 US missionaries to accomplish everything that has to happen. It can only be him and him alone! He is so good!!

We are also excited to have a team from Victory Church OKC arrive tomorrow, as well as some local Victory Maseru volunteers that will be helping us to prepare the home, the children will be living in. We are so grateful for all the people God sends our way!

With all of that said, we would love your prayers as we walk into this new exciting season! A few different ways you can pray:

1. Pray for our American team (finances -all of us volunteer to be here, health, loneliness during the holidays, unity amongst us, grace to accomplish everything) Below is a list of our names so you can pray for each one specifically if you'd like. 

Bryan Nix

Lori Ely

Dee Dee Huey

Emily Moore

Melissa Holcombe

2. Children - the children we are initially getting and the children we will receive in the future.

3. Local Volunteers  - God would bring the right people to fill the needs we have

4. Victory Maseru - This is our local church. (Pastors Wilson & Monddy Mohoanyane) http://www.victorychurch.tv/maseru

Also, I now have a PO box and can receive mail!! If you would like to send a card, you can send it to:

Melissa Holcombe

PO Box 1267

Ladybrand, SA 9745

There is just something about getting a piece of mail that is so wonderful. Hint, hint :) :)

Lastly, I so covet your prayers and support. I can only be here doing what I'm doing, with the help of faithful people like you!! If you are interested in financially supporting me you can do so the following ways:

1. Visit http://www.beautifuldream.tv/give  - It will give you the option for a one time donation or to set up a monthly donation. Just be sure to put my name in the "notes" section.

2. Mail a check to:

Beautiful Dream Society

P.O. Box 32554

Oklahoma City, OK  73123

**(Be sure to put my name in the memo line)**

We have so much to be thankful for and thank God for! He's been so good and I just look back in awe of everything he has done so far. The future for Lesotho is so bright and I couldn't be more excited to play a small part in that!