Life in Lesotho

 

 

Hello Friends!

It has been a minute. Thanks for checking back in on my World Race journey. We have just wrapped up month 6, in country #6:  Lesotho, which resides inside South Africa. 

Each month has been radically different than its predecessor, which is a big part of why I was drawn to the World Race. I wanted to experience variety to learn how different ministries and cultures operate. I hope through this experience I ultimately learn more about myself and where my ministry strengths lie.

 

Living in Christian community reaps a rewarding gift of continual encouragement. People recognize one another’s strengths and are gentle in helping one another grow and heal from past struggles. I have gained the freedom to be creative, to problem solve, to serve others and to be artistic. All skills I didn’t see in myself until my teammates started explaining to me the ways I show those qualities. 

 

The cultural norms, living environments and ministry dynamics feel like a living puzzle each time we change countries. It’s been fun to pivot frequently and problem solve when our environment presents a challenge. This year is flying by and I just wanna hit pause and savor it.  For those back home who have talked to me or followed my Instagram / Facebook posts, you know I am thriving and so happy. 

 

This last month in Lesotho moved me and grew me. I learned how to set down many comforts I take for granted. In that process I picked up new blessings like the love of a new community and beauty that comes in trusting God to provide what I need. Surrendering to simplicity can be really freeing. I’m a busy body, that fills my day until I crash. It doesn’t matter if it’s being social with friends, physical in the gym, tackling work projects, cleaning my house, etc, I don’t know how to s-l-o-w down. It’s something the Race is showing me is fruitful to embrace. 

 

Days in constant community and in new environments can be emotionally, spiritually and physically stretching, but I am here for it! Sometimes I get overwhelmed trying to articulate the ebbs and flows of life on the World Race. I’ve battled limited access to strong WiFi service (pictures below was the WiFi cafe in town we went to to do our ministry roles – mine is Logistics planning) so posting and calling were put on the back burner because the connection was limited.  I think God is teaching me it’s okay to let go of those things I feel I “need to do” to be more present in ministry and community. The real work he wants to see from me is in my heart. 

 

 

I wish I could paint the full picture of life on the mission field. The lessons, sentimental moments and humorous moments rather than just the highlight reel. The adventure day excursions comprise like 10% of the reality of life on the World Race. Words and pictures are hardly enough, but here’s what I have to share about life last month in Mokhotlong, Lesotho. 

 

Learning Moments

I am learning to communicate with teammates I just met, but now spend nearly every waking hour alongside. One lesson that has been a growth area for me is to stop avoiding the tough convos. Growing in self-awareness and how to give and receive feedback. It’s what evolves us from roommates into better teammates and ultimately helps forge a sisterhood.

 

Caroline “Carl” and I are becoming so much like sisters we frequently accidentally dress like twins. 

 

I’m also still learning to not take the simple luxuries of life for granted. For example, the convenience of driving a car to work, or taking an Uber out to eat, or the ease of long distance travel on smooth roads. We got our daily workout walking 15 minutes to and from ministry three times a day. Taking 15-24 hour bus rides to new ministry countries are the norm for our squad. Buckle up and get comfortable! 

 

I learned how precious the water supply is and to be a better steward of this resource. In South Africa they were in a drought, so we took 3 min showers and captured the water to use for flushing toilets in basins. 

 

 

When we got to Mokhotlong, sometimes it rained too hard or not enough and both impact their water supply to a come to halt. People of Lesotho are resourceful, using their home gutter system to capture run off into giant green tanks. We got innovative with our rain water too. We collected the run off from the roof into buckets and jugs for the days when running water wasn’t available.  We could then use it to flush toilets, take bucket showers and wash some clothes. 

 

I learned some new foods and flavors! Maize (Corn) is a staple in the African diet. Samp and peas, papas with curry flavored cabbage and hard boiled eggs, chakalaka (spicy mixed veggies) on rice, steamed bread (cooked on the stove) and peanut butter flavored porridge are among some of the common meals that we ate that I loved. 

 

Other food things to note: Fanta is a big hit here, Papas (looks like a thick mashed potato) you eat with your right hand and dip into the cabbage, Aromat seasoning is the spice of life, Tomato Sauce (aka Ketchup) is used to cool off spicy food, and iced coffee doesn’t translate here. 

 

Moving Moments 

The goodbyes were heart wrenching because I didn’t know I could love so many people so fast. Seriously, no one can prepare you for the emotions that come when friends become like family in a few short weeks. You never expect to feel ripped away from so many people and then have to open up yourself to a whole new country, culture and group of new people every month. 

 

BUT, the people are really the most precious component of the Race. For instance this little guy BK showed up each day to be around us and help us collect rocks and boulders to help lay the foundation for the extension of their church. On his recess and after school let out he’d show up and help us.  He is bright, has a servants heart and is a leader among his classmates. I pray for him and his family to receive so many blessings. 

Liteboho, the girl I’m gazing at adoringly, has a powerful and angelic voice. We could always count on her to lead and rally the primary school kids during morning worship. On Sundays she’d sit by us and we’d marvel at her talented voice. 

 

 

We led morning devotions and worship  with the students at Harvester’s Hillock Christian School each day. These kiddos love music and dancing. Every day we started with a couple of praise songs and dances then lead them through a memory verse, a lesson, a prayer and closed in more worship. We taught them the song “Waymaker” and it gave me chills to watch the kids sing it. It’s moving to see them pour their hearts out dancing and singing. Through the lyrics God spoke to my team.

 “You are here moving in this place

 I worship you, I worship you. 

You are here turning lives around, 

I worship you, I worship you. 

Waymaker, Miracle Worker 

Promise Keeper, 

light in the darkness, 

My God that is who you are.”

 

It was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen. What’s even more precious was the surprise assembly the school put on for us before we left. The kids performed all the songs and dances we taught them. I felt like a proud parent. It was deeply touching. The kids read thank you notes they’d written us and then sent us off with our own Harvester’s Bucket hats to make us feel apart of their school.

The moment that brought us all to tears was the prayer send off and hug line. These kids weren’t just going through the motions, many were fervently praying for us. How do you say bye to that!?

 

Other precious moments were the cute little neighbor boys that greeted us every day on our walk home from ministry. They’d come running and jump into our arms with big hugs. They’d follow us up to our house to play basketball with apples, hop scotch in the dirt, and soccer with their wadded up plastic bags. It was a sweet day when we busted out a real soccer ball and basket ball and witnessed pure glee on their faces. 

 

The warmth of the kids and families of the community was evident every where we walked. Yes, there were the occasional less friendly encounters but they were few and far between. Such as men and kids that flat out asked us for money because we are white Americans, and a couple of us got on the spot marriage proposals from some intoxicated men stumbling around the street. But fear not mom, we are all still single and safe!

 

 

 

Humorous Moments:

 

Community was forged with our host family, pastor’s family and the youth pastors. We had the opportunity to share our testimonies at church and at youth group, and they also entrusted us to give sermons at their churches. The night we experienced our first Braii (African BBQ) at Pastor Obed’s home was the first moment we all looked at one another as a team and agreed we felt like we were having family dinner at home. I loved spending time with their family swapping stories, dancing and playing card games like spicy UNO flip. Our pastors wife and kids tried to teach us a dance that isolates your shoulder and moves really fast. We basically looked like chickens trying to replicate it. Belly laughs filled the room that evening. 

 

On our Saturday off, we enjoyed a scenic drive to Sani Pass with Obed’s sons: Tsolo & Deaty, our Mission House Hosts: Mathabo and Letsema, and the youth pastors: Molebatsi and Wayne. The drive was nearly as great as the views we saw. Playing games in the car brought tears of laughter. Especially the Vegetables game. If you’ve never played it is where you have to cover your teeth with your lips like a granny, but you can’t smile. Each person is a veggie name. You have to call out your name and another veggie name while not laughing or smiling. It’s fast, silly and a good time. Needless to say we all failed at keeping our composure. 

 

 

Ministry this month was a mixed bag of gardening, gathering rocks with our bare hands to help build their church extension, leading youth group, giving sermons and sharing testimonies at church, leading daily devotions with worship before school, praying for people waiting outside the hospital, and prayer walks around the city.

 

This might be my most memorable month so far but I doubt it will be my last. Africa just keeps getting sweeter. 

 

Stay tuned for more updates. Send me any questions and prayer requests you may have! 

 

Love,

 

Steph