While my team and two other teams were living and serving in Lesotho, we had opportunities to meet so many people. So many wonderful people, most of which have hearts for Jesus and hearts for serving Him and His people. These people will forever be family to me. I hope that someday I’m able see them again. Anyway, without any further ado and with a lack of pictures for most, here are some of the friends that I was blessed to be able to meet and live around during my month in Mokhotlong.
Oliver and Tebo
These were the first two people we met in Mokhotlong. Oliver is a pastor at Harvesters Bible Church. His wife, Tebo, has her own shop where she sews and creates lots of clothing and other beautiful things. These two have such an incredible love for each other and for the people around them. And they are so darn funny, which I love! They love to joke with us. The first day we arrived, Oliver told us with a straight face that we were going to spend the whole night in prayer and that we would start ministry very early the next morning. Then, after waiting a bit (as he does), he told us he was kidding. What a funny guy. And both of them are so wise, too. They always had good things to say to us and useful advice to share. Also, their baby is PRECIOUS.
Obed and Matsolo
Oh my. These two are absolutely incredible. I know my words are not going to do justice in describing their characters, but I’m gonna try. Obed is the main pastor at Harvesters Bible Church and his wife’s name is Matsolo. They are both so incredibly wise, kind, and giving. They didn’t hesitate to ask us to have dinner at their house, where they served 20+ people a delicious meal. And by the look in their eyes, it’s easy to see that when they approach you, they come with love and a genuine care for your well-being. Matsolo is one of the kindest women I have ever met. She always greeted people with hugs and smiles – such a beautiful smile. This couple also loves spreading their love to the world! When we arrived in Mokhotlong, they were still in South Korea. They’ve been to other countries to spread the love Jesus too.
Tsolo
Tsolo is one of Obed and Matsolo’s children. He is a very kind guy with a kind smile and a kind demeanor. He’s also one of the most hardworking people that I’ve met. Although I didn’t get to know him that well when I was in Mokhotlong, I can say without a doubt that he cares about what he does and the people that he encounters. Christ is in him for sure.
Tsepo
Tsepo was a huge part of our journey in Lesotho. He’s a big part of the church too. He was there a lot to give us rides places, translate for us, and talk to us. He genuinely cared for all of us – it was evident in the way he spoke with us. He also made me feel beautiful whenever I talked to him because he said that us girls looked so. Such a kind guy who did things out of the goodness of his heart and not to get anything in return. He has a wife and a cute little 2-year-old named Joshua. I know he loves them well too.
It’s difficult to see, but here is Tsepo driving his truck while his son is hanging out the window.
Lebopo and Madike
Lebopo is another pastor at the church. He and his wife, Madike, live at a girls’ boarding school, where they feed them, wash their clothes for them, and love them. They both have such beautiful smiles. Lebopo was always surprised that I remembered his name, which was funny to me (he never remembered mine, but that’s just fine). Madike had a beauty that radiated from her. Her laugh is so sweet, and so is she.
Mamupeti
This woman is awesome. She was not only an usher at the church, but she owned and ran her own bakery. Her cookies, cupcakes, and pizza were always so delicious. I honestly couldn’t tell you how many cookies I bought from her, but I can assure you that the number is high. She always has such a kind smile and kind eyes that never fail to make me smile too.
Usman
Whenever I hear anyone say “fish and chips” for the rest of my life, I’m sure I will always think of Usman. He owns a restaurant in Mokhotlong called Tulip Fish and Chips. He has fat cakes (which are my favorite), ice cream, fish and chips (obviously), and more. He loved it when we came in – he would talk to us a lot and sometimes give us free fat cakes. And a few times, he made a couple girls and me tea. He would sit down with us and have “tea time” and talk to us about life. After meeting him, I thought that he might be a Christian because nearly everybody in the town was (and because he’s so kind), but I soon found out that he is not. I believe that that will someday change though. I can see characteristics of Christ in him, and it’s only a matter of time before the Holy Spirit gets to him.
Kitchen ladies
“Kitchen ladies” is so weird to say because they were so much more than that, but since I don’t know all of their names, this is what I’m settling for. When we lived in Mokhotlong, we had women that made all of our meals for us. They did it out of the kindness of their hearts. They didn’t get any money for cooking for us (other than the money to buy the food). All of them would come in very early to prepare breakfast and they wouldn’t leave until after dinner. Every day. Dang, they have such servant hearts. I hope that throughout my life I can learn to serve as freely as they did for us.
Selloane
Selloane was a friend that we made at Shoprite. Shoprite was a very regular stop for us Americans – we love food and snacks quite a bit. But I’m glad that we went as much as we did because otherwise, we may not have met and gotten to know our new friend. She works there nearly every day, all day. I’m amazed at how hardworking she is. She is so kind, so beautiful, and so loved. I’m so thankful for the friendship that we have in her. It was so easy to be friends with her. I hope to see her again someday soon.
Elizabeth and Esther
Unfortunately, some of us girls met Elizabeth only days before we left Lesotho. But the days that we did have with her were wonderful. She’s only 17 years old, but she is so wise. The love that she has for the Lord is so immense and so real. The way she worships is raw and vulnerable, and beautiful. A couple of us had the opportunity to go into her home, where we met her mother and her younger sister, Esther. Elizabeth didn’t hesitate to go get us gifts. She gave me a choker necklace, a pearl bracelet, hoop earrings, and a picture of her and her sister as young children. Many times, I asked her, “Are you sure you want to give us these?” She was sure, and she didn’t hesitate to say so. She is a very energetic and humorous girl. She gets excited about things that people wouldn’t normally get excited about, and she doesn’t care if you aren’t as excited as she is. She cracks me up too. On one occasion, a squadmate and I were at her house, and Elizabeth and Esther were talking to us about boys. Being younger than us, we were surprised to hear the wise things they had to tell us. Such wonderful humans, those two.
The St. Clair family
I don’t even know where to start when it comes to this family. Literally, I wrote everything up until them in one sitting, and when I got to them, I had to stop because I had no idea how to write this. I still don’t, but I’m gonna try. Saying that they were a blessing to our half-squad in Lesotho would be an understatement. They’re the type of family that does not hesitate to welcome you with open arms. They are so incredibly generous, too. They had every one of us (in small groups) over for dinner. They made us delicious meals and asked us about ourselves because they genuinely care for us. They would also make frequent trips over to the mission house just to hang out with us. The kids would come over all the time, and it was amazing – easily some of my favorite kids on the planet. And I’d say that they are the best movie night hosts ever. They opened up their home, provided us with a movie, and made/bought us delicious snacks. One of the most memorable things that they did for us didn’t even happen in Lesotho. After our squad left Mokhotlong and made it to Johannesburg, South Africa, their whole family drove many hours to be with us to comfort us after a dreadful experience on our way out of Mokhotlong. They wanted to be physically present with us because they were the closest thing that we had to a family at that point. How incredible is that? (Very.) They have such huge hearts and I’m so thankful for that. From the way they have conversations to the way they go about living their lives and raising their kids, and even to the way they look at you, it’s easy to see that there’s something different about them (that difference is JESUS). The St. Clair family has been and continues to be such a blessing to me (and the rest of the Lesotho group). I have experienced so much love and acceptance from them. Praise Jesus for giving me a family in them. Thank you, St. Clair family, for all that you have done for us and for all that you are. I love you guys so much.
