Where the pavement turned to dirt and potholes.
Colors of brown earth created surrounding beauty.
Mountains were high with clouds resting at its peaks.
Each step through the valley laid a new extravagant view.
Snuggled tight in our sleeping bags Mother Nature sang to us.
Lined up mattresses on a dirt floor, brick walls, and tin roof.
Little friends would awaken us from our sleep.
They took on the names of Stuart Little, Mickey Mouse, and Gus Gus.
Wintertime in Lesotho meant wind…lots and lots of wind.
Accompanying the deep howl was changes of precipitation.
Piercing rain, big drop rain, hail, sunshine, and the last night fluttering white stuff.
4am cozied up in my mummy bag I began to feel dustings of wet fall on my face.
Shining my handy dandy headlamp to the ceiling to discover snowflakes.
How they snuck in only the leaks for rain, and force of wind would know.
Pieter and his family prime examples of obedience to Gods call.
Built up Gods home, church, and bunking in the boonies of Malealea Valley.
Open doors for the village people anxious to dance, sing, and worship Jesus.
Sutu language filled the place with praise and worship.
Not understanding a word, yet feeling an invitation into their joyful freedom.
They never wanted service to come to a close at Africa 4 Jesus.
Eventually it did and was followed by a meal for all.
Holiday Club (aka VBS) came to full swing Monday through Wednesday.
Children walking miles in cold weather with ripped clothing, dry faces, and smiles.
A language barrier meant use of body language (thumbs up, smiles, dancing).
Mpoh, a young woman planted in this team offered enthusiastic translation.
The kids fed off her energy, and respected her position.
Approximately 4 hours filled with story, crafts, song, sport, a meal, and playing.
OH Don’t forget the “sweets”…kids love a good candy!
Walking trails to little mud huts, and homes set in a state of nostalgia for me.
Going back to when my cousins and I built forts in the ditch at home.
Families actually lived in these incredible little homes.
Bellowing smoke seeped out the one door of the homes.
There wasn’t a chimney, but the cooking and heat had its place in the dirt floor.
A team of girls followed our translator into these village homes.
We were on a mission during a mission to minister/pray for these beautiful people.
So eager to invite us in and receive what God was lying on our hearts.
Praying over people with generational disturbance, diabetes, arthritis, bed ridden, vision problems, and family abandonment.
But the joy that radiated was still alive.
This walk into the village was like nothing I have ever experienced.
I was terrified, but God used us as salt of the earth to share more hope and light.
The men hiked the hills and mountains to reach the herd boys tending their flocks.
These boys aren’t the most nicely treated of the village.
They work long hours in the midst of any type of weather.
Tending to their sheep and cattle.
The need for them to know they are loved and children of God is extreme.
They wrap themselves with a blanket and have one arm available for their stick.
We saw the villagers tilling their crop growing areas with the use of their cattle.
We helped fill in a water-eroding ditch with rocks and bags we filled with dirt.
Carrying big and small rocks from the surrounding area.
We experienced a Lesotho choir and band at the lodge.
We waded through cold water to stand under a beautiful waterfall.
Some of our team joined in on a soccer match against the locals.
Meals were plentiful and warming to our bellies.
We ate large portions of soups, porridge, oats, and maize.
Traditional food that I cannot recall the names of.
We were definitely corn fed for the week.
Peanut butter, butter, bread, and jelly were usually available as well.
There is so much to share from such a simple luxurious place.
They had everything they could need, and they made well with their resources.
God led me to Lesotho, and it definitely has a place in my heart.
What a blessing to join First City Baptist Church from East London on their mission to Lesotho.
Thank you Jesus!
Praying for the light of Jesus to continue to spread across Lesotho. Praying for healing, and the breaking of any bondage that is not serving the Lord. Praying for the children to live a life full of the joy from Jesus. Praying for Pieter and his family, as they are soldiers for Christ in a place that may not always agree with their ministry. Praying for the herd boys
