Beautiful Dream Society | A CGPU Adventure

A CGPU Adventure - By Karin Sandstrom

Thursday. Feb 2nd. 2012

Over the past week or so, the need for trained mental health professionals here in Lesotho has become more and more clear. I was pretty aware of it after my first trip here, and once again requests for counseling services and training's are mounting! It all serves as an affirmation that I am serving where God wants me, and I am so excited to be able to help.

This week's adventure involves the CGPU (Child and Gender Protection Unit), which is a part of Lesotho's law enforcement. I met with them this morning; apparently they have 4 minors in their custody that are victims of trauma and/or sexual abuse. They would like me to work with these children, to assess them, counsel them, and testify on their behalf when their cases go to trial. I never thought that part of my job description here would involve helping the police investigate child abuse cases! While I am a little apprehensive about taking the stand, I just have to trust that my education, training, and experience has prepared me for this. I also keep reminding myself that my testimony might be able to give these precious children a voice and help them see justice done. Well worth a little fear and discomfort on my end!

I will see the first two children tomorrow morning, and the others on Saturday. Please pray that I am able to cross cultural and language barriers (I will have a translator present) and build trust with these little lambs. Also, pray that I am able to quickly get licensed here. Because I am already licensed in the U.S., I should only have to fill out a form and pay a fee. However, my new license did not arrive before I left, so I do not have any original documentation. Please pray that they will accept either a faxed copy or an internet license look-up.

Other than those things, please continue to pray for my beloved residents here; there is some spiritual warfare going on with my 16 year old. Also, several cases go to trial in the next two weeks, so pray for justice!

"However, as it is written: 'What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived'- the things that God has prepared for those who love Him."

~1 Corinthians 2:9

-Karin Sandstrom

Karin is a Social Worker for the BDS Crisis Care Shelter who works with all of the survivors of human trafficking.

Posted on Thu, February 2, 2012 by Karin Sandstrom filed under

Karin Sandstrom,

11 comments (Add your own)

1. Gaye Jacob wrote:: We are so blessed to have you with us, Karin! We are excited by what God is going to do through you and the Beautiful Dream Care Centre this year.
Fri, February 10, 2012 @ 7:44 AM
2. Arlene Anderson wrote:: Hi, Kari, I'm here at the library at your blog...love you dearly and praying for you. Also, a great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY hug for March 12--happy 28.
Tue, February 28, 2012 @ 10:54 AM
3. Arlene Anderson wrote:: Hi, Lovely Lady, I'm here at the Oak Lawn Public Library and keeping updated at your blog--just saying Hi and praying for all of you. Love and hugs, Arlene
Tue, March 6, 2012 @ 10:49 AM
4. Duangjan wrote:: Hi Ralph, I am so delighted the wild goose has irvared home. This is God's Mighty Hand spreading the message to all these homes and churches by the passion of women. No better way! Who could have guessed. Thank God for calmness and health. You look wonderful. (Still eating Avacado?I want to buy you one each time I shop.Ha! ) Lots of love Nancy Mom.
Wed, April 4, 2012 @ 4:57 AM
5. Shereen wrote:: Hi, I absolutely love your orhtogpaphy style! You emailed my husband Bob Martinez (He's the DJ), so I went to your website and I am in awe of your photos. We have two boys, 8 and 5 years and I have been looking to have some professional photos taken of them (it has been 4 years since they were last done professionally bad Mom!) I was wondering how you set up the times, location, what your prices are, or if you even do family (kid) photos? Maybe I will see you at Hope Community Church I go to the 0900 service. It was so much fun looking at your website very well done. Anyway, Bob will contact you soon, he is out of town until next week.Deb Martinez
Thu, April 5, 2012 @ 3:31 AM
6. Christina wrote:: Hi, I absolutely love your photography style! You emailed my husband Bob Martinez (He s the DJ), so I went to your website and I am in awe of your photos. We have two boys, 8 and 5 years and I have been looking to have some professional photos taken of them (it has been 4 years since they were last done professionally bad Mom!) I was wondering how you set up the times, location, what your prices are, or if you even do family (kid) photos? Maybe I will see you at Hope Community Church I go to the 0900 service. It was so much fun looking at your website very well done. Anyway, Bob will contact you soon, he is out of town until next week.Deb Martinez
Sat, April 21, 2012 @ 11:32 PM
7. Destry wrote:: It is amazing actually, my wife and I sat down last night and were reviewing what we still needed to get as far as gifts go for Christmas and all that jazz and we stumbled upon an interesting fact. As of last night, we have all of our Christmas shopping done. We decided about 2 months ago where we were going for each holiday and who was coming over when, but we have always struggled with getting gifts. I hate long lines and all the rubbish that goes with people being mean and fighting over stuff after Thanksgiving. Well, we don t have to this year. We are all done. I think the only things we have left to get are the kid s stocking stuff. I am stoked!
Mon, April 23, 2012 @ 10:32 PM
8. Marge wrote:: Sal I am very, very jealous. I have not even started my Christmas shopping. Heck, I haven t even bought anything for my husband for our first anniversary which is this Thursday. And then his birthday on the 24th. I am seriously behind the 8 ball. But I m not freakin . I refuse to freak. But I am jealous!
Thu, April 26, 2012 @ 9:24 PM
9. Dotty wrote:: It should be fine. You will have to set up your internet connection on the X-box anyways in order to get your x-box online. Once that is set up is finished you should be able to unplug the cat5 cable coming from your modem and plug it either into your computer or your x-box. There also should also be no problem when switching it back and forth. Of course you will have to decide what you want more the computer to be online or your x-box. I would suggest just buying a router and another cat5 cable. There relatively cheap.
Mon, April 30, 2012 @ 12:40 AM
10. Leidy wrote:: Hi Taransula, this is krima, 1 what you think about the Makhaira of the Sandstorm?2 -Can you use 2 tear of skoth? i got one tear of usurian, but i dont think is worth using, + 9 Wounds+ 26 Initiative and 1.9 speed. no crits no strenght no mele power, i dont even now why they created this dagger.
Mon, April 30, 2012 @ 10:44 PM
11. Kaydence wrote:: Hey, Deborah!It's an Australian chef, maybe that's why it got a bit confused. The cookbook is full of recipes but there's no food photos - something that disappointed me a little.Anh, I'd love to live in Australia, sweetie! I wanted to go there when I was 17 or so but my dad couldn't afford it. But moving go Australia would not be enough now - I want to be your neighbor. :)Amy, the salmon was good, you're right!Lydia, I agree - I like experimenting.Susan, I like the idea of having the bitter greens with cheese! It sounds so good.Amanda, I think the leeks would be wonderful here.Kelly-Jane, your idea of using leek is fantastic!xoxoNora, do you like baked endives? I like them raw.Mari, this witlof thing was a mess! lolI could try that next time. :)Veron, I like it raw and will stick to it next time.Rose, I had a laugh with you - I like sardines! :)Celine, I made a salad for my husband with the remaining endive and he loved it - he didn't like it until that moment! Same as you! :)Valentina, I like papillote a lot, too, sweetie. :)Karin, next time I buy salmon I'll buy it to make your recipe.Lis, now I want to try it grilled, too! :)xxAri, I like the name "rocket" better, too. :)T.W., your suggestions sound divine!Kristen, thank you!!Freya, I once made it with tomatoes, onions and black olives, with a bit of olive oil, it turned out so delicious!Jeff, I'd love to try that. :)
Wed, May 2, 2012 @ 11:18 PM

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