Diamonds in the Mountain Kingdom

“What is the only country in the world surrounded completely by another country?” This was a recent question on the TV game show Jeopardy. Do you have a guess? If you answered, “Lesotho,” perhaps you should take a shot at Jeopardy! Most people in the world have never heard of this small country completely surrounded by South Africa. Just a few weeks ago the news cast light upon this small country as a 910- carat diamond was discovered in the Lesotho Mountains! This diamond-one of the biggest every found. It is the size of two golf balls and estimated at $40 million!

This unknown tiny country, one of the poorest in the world, abused by other nations because of a cheap work force, and plagued by HIV-aids leaving a country filled with a high percentage of orphans, is finally getting some press. I am currently in this beautiful country for a combined Oceans’ Conference and Vision Trip. One of the goals of our time here in Lesotho is to divulge with the group the many diamonds found in this beautiful Mountain Kingdom that far exceed $40 million.

Ray & Sue Haakonsen, the first presenters of the conference, were a couple my stepdad Pastor Bill Bierling and I unexpectedly discovered 15 plus years ago. God revealed the heart of these beautiful diamonds that took it upon themselves to begin caring for abandoned babies. Many years of trials and suffering purified and molded Sue and Ray, which enabled to be the ones chosen to begin Beautiful Gate-a care center for abandoned babies. Such unconditional love and incredible faith led to action-truly, reflecting the heart of our Father God.

These loved babies became radiant diamonds in their own right and people came from around the world to gaze and experience their beauty. As travelers and volunteers picked up these precious jewels their hearts would be forever changed as they fixated on the face of Jesus. Many of these precious stones have been adopted and are now wowing other parts of the world.

The crazy thing about these Kingdom Diamonds is the multiplying effect. Their discovery has led to finding other Diamonds in the country, such as Bountiful Hope which gives orphaned high school students a chance of receiving an education, the Good Shepherd Center which cares for teen moms, Semonkong Children’s Center an orphanage off the beaten path in the mountains, the Christian Revival Church which presents the gospel and seeks to assist street kids and countless other precious stones behind bars in prison.

One of the most important truths the Kingdom Diamonds of Lesotho have taught me is that God has Precious Diamonds all around us just waiting to be unearthed by the powerful love of Jesus. He works in the most amazing ways through what the world discards as useless dirt and worthless rubbish to demonstrate His glory!

I can’t thank my Savior enough for digging deep within my soul and polishing me up so in some way I can shine for His praise. I love the Scripture found in I Corinthians 1:27-31. It tells us how Kingdom Diamonds are found:

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things and the things that are not to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God, that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.