Lesotho was many things- it was beautiful, it was cold, it was inspiring, and it was clearly evident that God was there. I was in the gorgeous country for only a week, but it felt like months when I reflect on all that I’ve learned. It feels cheesy to say that the experience was “beautiful” and “inspirational,” and I honestly struggle to find words to describe my time there. This I will say:
God is not small, and His work is never tame.
We went to Lesotho on a weeklong missions trip with a local church in East London called First City Baptist Church. In all, we were a group of 14 (7 from the church and 7 of us). We went to the Malealea Valley and stayed with a beautiful missionary couple named Pieter and Keila Mierke. They embodied humbleness, generosity, obedience to God, and love for others. Honestly, they were an inspiration and were an amazing encouragement to us throughout the too-short week.
As I have been reflecting on my time in Lesotho, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for the life experience. I am thankful for:
- Learning to expect the unexpected. It’s never an easy way to live, but it holds true to any situation where God is at work. Though we knew that the weather would be cold, we did not know that the missionary family in Lesotho would be so warm and motivating. Though we knew that we would be holding a holiday club (or VBS) for the local kids, we did not know that over 120 kids on average would show up. Though we knew that we would be praying for many of the people there, we didn’t realize that we would ultimately feel like the most blessed ones.
- Christian family all over the world. Not only were Pieter and Keila amazing, but so were the other members of our team. All of the South Africans who came with us brought a new and exciting element to the atmosphere, and I loved seeing Christ shine through them. Also, a French-man named Louis joined our group (in a random but God-ordained happy accident of him being on holiday from working in a nearby orphanage), and his joy and love for others was touching and super uplifting. Also, the local team who worked in “Africa 4 Jesus” (Pieter and Keila’s ministry) was phenomenal. Not only am I thankful for the community in Lesotho, but also our entire time in East London has been met with warm welcome after warm welcome, and I have loved having family everywhere I go.
- Limited access to mirrors. While I’m partly joking, I’m actually not- I only showered once in Lesotho, and it was not even a worry because I couldn’t see what I looked like. It was fabulous- there are so many better things to worry about than my appearance. Since coming on the World Race, I rarely apply makeup and, since I left so many of my usual cosmetics behind (doesn’t really fit under “necessities” when it’s between that and a warm sleeping bag), I’ve loved for the most part abandoning my desires to appear “put together” and “done up.” Sure, I still want to feel pretty every once in a while, but it is not a consistent or consuming concern that distracts me from what’s really important.
- Gorgeous mountains and beautiful waterfalls. All around us in Lesotho were majestic mountains (which were especially awesome with snow on them as we were leaving Lesotho on the last day). We also visited a waterfall, which we took a fun and very cold dip in to wash our hair. All around us during Lesotho were views to take my breath away.
- Constant contact with God. Since starting on the World Race, I have quickly realized that there is little free time (or at least alone time). Even when you’re “alone,” you’re not really. Though at times I feel “disconnected” to God because I haven’t been reading my Bible in complete silence or praying in my bedroom by myself, it turns out that He’s always with me. No matter what. And I am slowly learning to utilize that and to take full advantage of it- prayer is not only for the convenient times, but it’s for those small moments when you need to take a deep breath and exhale “Abba.” We walked around the villages in Lesotho and prayed for many of the older ladies there, and I felt so blessed when I talked to God- it was a petition for them, and He heard me. He heard all of us. He always does, no matter if I feel like it or not.
I am challenging myself to always be thankful, even in the small things. Joy is not derived from situations of content; rather, it’s a product of a heart overwhelmed with gratitude and gracious acceptance of current circumstances. As I have two more weeks in East London before heading to debrief in Nelsprite (in South Africa) before leaving for Swaziland, I want to continue to choose thankfulness. Joy is coveted because it is rare; and joy is rare because thankfulness is often neglected.
“For the joy of the Lord is our strength.” –Nehemiah 8:10
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
–Philippians 4:6-8
Prayer requests: continued bonding of my team, the health of my team (as many of us were sick in Lesotho), the kids at Hope School in East London (where I will be working the next 2 months), the Mierke family in Lesotho and the “Africa 4 Jesus” ministry (you should look it up!), and that I will grow more and more in thankfulness.
