Associate Senior Pastor Glen Barnes of Lodi First Baptist talks to people about sponsoring children in Africa after services last Sunday. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)

Local churches pledge to help struggling African nation

The tiny south African country of Lesotho — smaller than Maryland — has about two million people in immense poverty. One-third of them has either AIDS or the HIV virus. And some children actually run their households because both their parents have died of AIDS.

Church pastors and members from Lodi and Galt are determined to do something about it. And the city of Galt is establishing a sister-city relationship with Malumeng, a city in the northern part of the country.

"It was eye opening," said Horizon member John Grindrod, who attends Horizon. "Any time you see poverty, it makes you stop and evaluate your own life and the good things that we have."

Last year, seven pastors representing four Galt churches visited Lesotho — pronounced lay-SOO-too — and conducted a joint service involving nine churches in the Galt High gymnasium. The joint service started a campaign to sponsor individual children in Lesotho. Sponsors committed themselves to a $30 monthly contribution for three years.

Sixty-five people from First Baptist had sponsored children in the past year. The number was bound to increase with a sign-up table in the church lobby after the two services on Sunday.

Galt will have another joint service, probably in October, Grindrod said.

The Galt group that went to Lesotho early in 2005 were Senior Pastors Rob Patterson of Galt First Baptist, Mary Sanders of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and Frank Mack of Family Life Christian Church, plus Associate Pastors Kevin Brown and Randy Holtz from Horizon and Rick Keiser from Family Life.

Other Galt churches that became involved last year included Galt United Methodist, River of Life Celebration Center, New Hope Assembly of God, St. Luke's Episcopal and Iglesia Rosa de Sharon Assembly of God.

This year, Tim Stevenson and Associate Senior Pastor Glen Barnes from Lodi First Baptist led the area contingent to Lesotho.

"It was like a two-seek standing ovation," Brian Whatley said at last week's service at First Baptist.

The weather in Lesotho, elevation about 5,000 feet, seemed like a typical October in Lodi and Galt. Mornings were cool with frost, but it was mild later the day. The landscape was a lot like New Mexico — rocky and rugged, Grindrod said in a phone interview this week. The local contingent stayed in huts with thatched roofs.

Lesotho residents are very social because they aren't distracted by TV, video games and Little League, said Wayne West, an elder at First Baptist and Barnes' father-in-law.

"It gave them occasion for them to come together," Grindrod said of the Lesotho residents. By the looks on their faces. They weren't downcast. They were constantly singing. It was almost a form of communication. And they would dance, too."

West added, "Their joy comes from one another. I think they came out of the womb singing in harmony."

Mandy Whatley of Lodi, a former dancer for the Sacramento Kings, said she and her husband visited Lesotho to meet the three children they are sponsoring. They had written letters, sent gifts and photographs over the past year.

The First Baptist group did some training for local pastors in Lesotho and helped them broach the topic of dealing with AIDS, including prevention and care for the sick, Barnes said after last Sunday's 11 a.m. service.

In addition to Barnes West and the Whatleys, participants from First Baptist were Belinda Witte, Rebecca Stark and Sharon Brown. Horizon was represented by Stevenson, his wife, Gwen, Grindrod, Debbie Weber and Bobby Stone.

"It really helped to go out and see, not only the conditions and the plight of the people, but the work of World Vision, Grindrod said.

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their potential by tackling the causes of poverty.

Stark said she was impressed with an 8-year-old child learning that Jesus Christ loves him.

"You can see why our hearts are so full," West said.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a child from Lesotho may contact Lodi First Baptist Church at 334-1332 or Horizon at 745-0700.

Contact Religion Editor Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

First published: Saturday, June 17, 2006