From One to Five

I’d love to share with you about two divine encounters that I experienced on a recent mission trip to Ridgecrest’s adopted valley, the Makhoaba Valley, in Lesotho, Africa this past October. This was my second trip to Lesotho, but my first time to our valley. I’m still processing all the ways the Lord moved in, through, and for us. I was so blessed to be a part of such Kingdom work, with the BEST team, and honored to be the hands and feet of Jesus, “working TOGETHER with HIM.” (2 Corinthians 6:1a)

My husband Luke and I were on the Discipleship Team, and we met daily with the only believer, Tsebang, in our valley. The first day, he shared how discouraged he was and that life in his village was hard. I taught a few bible stories to Tsebang and several women who were invited to the discipleship time. We were able to encourage and share very practical tools to help Tsebang in his personal growth with Christ and his interactions with the people of his village. On the very last day, Luke asked Tsebang how he was feeling now that we had come to him. He said he was very encouraged and blessed! I can’t imagine being all alone in my walk with God with no teaching or spiritual encouragement and no one to help me with questions and through struggles.

Luke and I also had the privilege to be a part of one man’s salvation story. On our way up the mountain to Tsebang’s home one day, Ikaneng caught up with us on his horse asking for a picture. Luke began talking to him and, through our translators, Ikaneng shared that he was looking for the Truth. He had been waiting for someone to explain and answer his questions. Talk about divine intervention! We sat down on the side of the mountain overlooking our valley and began sharing the Gospel with him. Our translators helped him understand what he needed to do to be born again. Right there on the side of the mountain, Ikaneng became born again. What a joy and honor to see God work in this man’s life (and ours) by guiding us to the right place at the right time.

We continually pray for Tsebang and Ikaneng and that a church would be planted to encourage and teach Ikaneng and the other believers who came to know Christ while we were there - five in total! We know that even though we returned home and our work for now is done, God didn’t “return home." He’s still moving and working, honestly even more after we left because of the new believers! We will not stop praying, and we can’t wait to see our valley flooded with born again churches.