Lesotho is a Kingdom totally surrounded by South Africa, whom they depend on, as their biggest employer and buyer of their main natural resource – water. Lesotho is made up of highland villages, where people live in extreme poverty and few have heard the gospel.
In one of these highland villages Ntate Mosoang dreamt of a man sent by God to be a missionary in his remote location in the mountains of Lesotho. Whilst waiting for the man to appear Mosoang prepared for him, building three rooms for the expected guest.
Initially AIM’s work in Lesotho was in partnership with the Lesotho Evangelical Church, working in the lowlands and training pastors through a Theological Education by Extension (TEE) programme. As work developed in Lesotho AIM realised that there are large numbers living in highland villages, still not hearing the gospel. A team was recruited in 1994 and placed in highland areas, including in the village of Ntate Mosoang. Mosoang opened his home to the new team whilst they learnt Sesotho and took their first steps in preaching.
Now, a Training in Ministry Outreach (TIMO) team is seeking to reach the shepherds of Lesotho a group who have yet to hear the good news of the gospel. AIM are also working in lowlands, seeking to share Jesus through ‘Farming God’s Way’ practices and to equip local evangelists in their work.
The Extreme TIMO team has been in the mountains of Lesotho for over 18 months. It has been a tough time, with little visible fruit, but that has started to change. Team leader Sam Williamson shares the latest exciting news.
The shepherds live high in the mountains of Lesotho – the Kingdom in the Sky – caring for flocks and herds, which belong to wealthy owners down in the valleys.
Nineteen months in and our team look, speak, live and even sometimes think like the most ostracised and impoverished people in Lesotho – The Balisana (shepherds).
We lead the Extreme TIMO team seeking to reach out to shepherds in the mountains of Lesotho with the gospel.
I served as part of an Extreme TIMO team living among the shepherds of Lesotho. Through living with them, and enduring difficult conditions we were able to share the gospel with this marginalised people group.
Barry and Heather work with Growing Nations in Maphutseng, Lesotho. Barry is also AIM’s International Crisis Consultant.
