Dear fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I pray that you are all well and that our Lord's grace is carrying you through these uncertain times. Our time of lock down began with planting of 1000 garlic bulbs, wheat, peas and beetroot. It is only the garlic that seems to be doing well, since it is too cold the other crops are really struggling. Teboho and Paul's pig farming are coming along with three new piglets :-) During March we were not allowed to travel anywhere without a permit and no church or any other gatherings was allowed. We met together each Sunday in our home and this started a new habit that all of us living at the base enjoy and are continuing on Wednesday nights, home church/ fellowship. The month of April did all of us good. It was a much needed sabbatical and we had time for the things we love doing. Art, crochet, honey harvesting, herb mixing, and all the crafts each of us like doing. In May the strict restrictions were lifted. Teboho and Tsepo could reach out to some of our congregation members that were in need of food. We are thankful that we had the funds to be able to help these families. Church services were allowed, but only 50 attendees allowed. This is still a challenge for us, but we separated the children from the adults. We had to split the children into two groups, so in essence we have 3 group of attendees of roughly 50 or less people. We had to educate on hand washing and mask wearing. It still is a challenge as to date there are only 24 confirmed Coronavirus cases in Lesotho, thus no one takes the threat seriously. Jaime turned 17 on the 17th of April. We enjoyed the time as family together. Earlier this year Teboho and Kenuoe went to Sunday School training presented by Samaritans Purse. They had the opportunity to present a list of the children attending our Sunday School for gifts. So the children had Christmas in April when the gifts arrived. Needless to say, there was big excitement. And unhappiness for children showing up out of the blue, not eligible for the gifts. At least there are now some new Sunday School members, forever hopeful. Pray with us that they accept and truly get to know our only Hope. When the travel restrictions were lifted, a couple from Butha Buthe who has been following our work via social media for the past 5 years, were a able to travel to Malealea. After prayerful consideration, they have become part of our A4J Lesotho team. Machitja is a qualified nurse and started visiting the elders on the survey list that has been done the past year. His wife, Mat'sepiso is studying B Com and are hoping to continue her studies next year when the university operates again. She and Machitja is helping the youth with extra school classes. As well as giving keyboard classes. What a blessing they are and a breath of fresh air. Our team has visited HaJobo twice during the month of April. It was an effort to get the 'mobile solar unit' up there, but a blessing for Bokang and Portia. They now have solar light in the house at night and charge cellphones for an income. Our team stayed there for a week and encouraged/helped with the ministry in HaJobo. Please pray for Bokang, Portia and Telang to persevere in spreading the Good News, as they continue to experience resistance from family and villagers. Their small congregation consists of children. Pray for the physical strength to continue the building of the church, it is hard labor cutting the bricks from the local stone. Winter is in full swing and it is one of the coldest winters we have experienced thus far. But still no snow at our place, only higher in the mountains. Minus degrees during night though. The sewing group continues to meet every 2 weeks and we have made 5 different patterns of masks. Every one needs masks! During June we thankful that we could buy the children that are part of the Vulnerable Children Progam, winter clothing. It was a challenge to buy clothing for 47 children, finding enough sets in this time when the shops are not stocked as often as they used to before the borders closed. It was worth it though, seeing some of them collecting their parcels in school clothes or summer clothes, knowing they have warm clothes for the winter. Thank you to all our sponsors who diligently contribute. For you who are not aware yet, Mpho and Tsepo had to post phone their wedding. It will take place on the 29th of August. Thank you for the generous wedding gifts that they have received already, this enables them to make their wedding day a reality. They would like to be able to go away on honeymoon for a week, the dream was Cape Town, but with no idea when the borders will open.... They are also negotiating to rent a neighbouring house so that they can have their own place , not on the base. So if any of you would like to bless them, please contact us. Please pray with us:
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Dear fellow followers of Christ and friends, Before I recap the past three months, YES, we are also in lock down. And locked in. All the borders to South Africa are closed. We are undoubtedly in far better circumstances here in Malealea than many of you. Lesotho as to date has no confirmed cases. We are praying for your safety and that your faith may be strengthened in this time. Thank you to St.John's for the funds towards the elderly. We could buy this grandmother cement and a new door frame. It certainly is strange times we are living in. We are navigating uncharted waters. God is indeed shaking all that can be shaken. Hebrews 12v 26 b ...He makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” v27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. God is certainly in control, He is not taken by surprise about this pandemic. He surely is not idly watching us suffering. May His grace help us to wait quietly for His salvation. Let us praise Him continually. Habakkuk 3 v 17-18 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. JanuaryWe were grateful to be able to host two World Race teams during January. They were a great encouragement to us and the people of the valley. Thank you for continuing the survey on the elderly, for stomping clay with Jon, for being His light. The A4J Lesotho team had their year planning meeting at Thaba Bosiu. This mountain is the centre of the Basotho culture and our team were excited to be able to visit. Thaba Bosiu was used as a hideout by Moshoeshoe 1 in 1824. This elevated plateau formed a natural fortress which protected the Basotho in times of war. From here the Basotho nation was birthed. FebruaryWe were fortunate to be able to sow maize, harvest peaches and Pieter recruited the church ladies to make peach jam. Our valley has not been this green in years. We have had an abundance of rain and are so thankful to Abba Father for this. Children 44 Children needed support in our Vulnerable Children Support Program. Thank you for each of you that opened your hearts and purses to support these children. We are currently supporting even more , a total of 49 children. Thank you Ds Andre and Moruti Geelbooi for your visit and teachings. We have much to learn about ancestor worship and sangomas, thank you for your willingness to teach. Our friends, the De Villiers family, visited. Over the years they have visited us a few times. Look at the old photo's. Jon, Amy and Jaime were so small. Thank you for loving us Mark, Gen, Amy and Zac. MarchArt Entrepreneurship As some of you might recall, we taught at the local secondary school last year. This year we said we will rather equip more teachers, as the business economic teachers who are suppose to teach the new 'Art and entrepreneurship' program needs guidance with all things relating in art. Thus our friend, teacher M'e Matobo organised a workshop in Mafeteng. It was a great day and the teachers appreciated all the input extremely. Shortly before all the talk of lock downs became real, Bishop Jones from Emit, Johannesburg, visited the base. He encouraged our leadership and us as family. other newsSewing group We managed to meet twice before the lockdown. The ladies always enjoy the fellowship and are eager to learn new skills Mobile Solar unit Pieter had this idea... thank you Pusetso for making it a reality. He used an old wheelbarrow to mount a battery, solar panel and inverter. Now it can be used instead of the generator when power tools need to be used somewhere of base. Pieter and Jaime make quite good carpenters. They build an outside table. Pieter has been experimenting with natural paints ( clay, lime etc.) and the guesthouse is coming along. Jaime's knife making has been reached a new level, thanks to Oom Benna for the belt sander. He still enjoys teaching the children on Sundays (though we are not allowed to have church meetings now until after the lockdown) We celebrated Jon's 18th bitrhtday, his idea of fun was a hot sauce challenge ;-) He has a renewed interest in and passion for photography. Jon was sad that the Kingdom Enduro race that he was to attend in Roma at the end of March was cancelled due to lockdown. Fortunately he could go and ride the trails before Lesotho lockdown started on Sunday 29 March. He and Jaime camped for three days and enjoyed riding with some of the local riders. May our Lord keep you and guard you, love from the Mierkes and our team!
NEW CHURCH BUILDING IN HAJOBODear fellow followers of Christ and friends, The A4J Kimberley team arrived in early October. We would like to thank Andre and his team for being such a huge blessing to Bokang and Portia in HaJobo. It was exciting to see their eagerness to carry all the building materials to the building site and weather the camping and extreme conditions in HaJobo. From our side THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Wedding at our base The weekend before the team returned to Kimberley, Africa's Strongest Man, Johan Els, got married to the love of his life, Yolandi, at the A4J Lesotho base. Malealea residents eagerly came to see Johan do his thing and attended the wedding ceremony. World Race The A4J outreach coincided with us hosting two World Race teams. We are thankful for the survey they started. More than 70 elderly were interviewed during the month of October. This information will help us serve the elderly of the valley. The young women eagerly participated in building, herb picking and soap making as well. Teboho graduates It is truly difficult to choose between the highlights of October, Teboho Motseki graduated and we and the Racers enjoyed celebrating with him. He is truly developing in an leader with a heart for his people. During the first two weeks of November, he and Tsepo attended the Pastors Conference at A4J Kimberley base. Joy School of Hope The month was completed with the pre-school end of year party. This year Mpho rented some jumping castles, instead of going to Maseru with the children. Jumping kids all over the base... ;-) Port Elizabeth St. John's visit Our family visited St. John's for the first time in three years again. It was good to meet with our friends in this church. Some time to rest, to visit the sea, for Jon and Jaime to MTB and ice skate, time on the way home to stop at the Owl House. Thank you for inviting us and thank you to the Dawson family for loving on us. Jaime On the return we spend a weekend in Bloemfontein, where Jaime could meet with the members of an air rifle club. This has been his dream for a few years now. Needles to say, he is hooked and saving for an bench rest air rifle Sibongile We were invited in the middle of November to Sibongile's celebration in Leribe, 3 hours to the north of us in Lesotho. She has been on of our students in the Discipleship/Mission school about four years ago. She wants to start a base similar to ours to serve her community from. Pray for her, she has big dreams and plans to not only disciple, but also do training and support orphans in her area. Father's Heart and Westway BethelThe last two weeks of November we were blessed by Father's Heart Church form New York doing an outreach with us. Pastor Barry and Donnae, Ben, Doug and Cherie joined them. It was good to see them, Jackie, Jules and Tim again and catch up, as well as get to know the other members of FH team for whom it was a first time visit to us. It was an action packed 6 day visit. They stomped clay to do Madisebo's house floor. Did village ministry. And for the first time a team other than the A4J Kimberley team went to HaJobo. They handled it really well, but we pray that by next year the church building is finished as well as a long drop. We are thankful for the new partnership with Westway Bethel Community Church from P.E, we will be taking hands and help with training and mentoring in HaSamenyane village where they have been laboring for the past 9 years. HOLIDAY CLUB We had our summer holiday club from the 9th to the 11th of December. The youth from our church rose to the occasion and facilitated this holiday club without any assistance from a visiting church. We are thankful for St. John's and First City Baptist for the years of input and training that enabled the young people to do the club. Rethabile – M'e Mahlohonolofatso For those of you who know Rethabile, one of our old students, now a qualified nurse, and married since last year April.... her son, Hlohonolofatso (A Blessing) was born on the 14th of November May you have a wonder filled, blessed, peaceful time with your loved ones, celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus. Love from Lesotho Please pray with us:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We are delighted that spring has arrived and with it new life! Let us not grow weary to do good. Keep your eyes on the One who makes all things new. Revelations 21:5 a And He who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Quick feedback – Madisebo’s house As you can see the building is well underway. Thank you to each of you that contributed towards the building of her house. Guest Units Thankfully Reagan could assist us with the roofing of both units and the floor of one. Progress is slow, the shower and toilet need to be installed. Please pray with us for provision for furnishing the first unit and finishing the building of the second unit. Shortly after Reagan visit, Guillame blessed us with installing the first unit's solar lights. HaJoboAndre, A4J Kimberley founder, brought his second oldest son, Nathan for his first mission trip. They went up to HaJobo to distribute clothing and bibles. They were a blessing to the villagers whom have to travel 3 hours walk to the nearest shop. We recently visited Bokang and Portia ( M'e Masetshabelo – her new name). She and Setshabelo (Poppie, their 4 month old baby girl) recently moved back to HaJobo – in the Basotho culture a new mother spends a few months at her mothers house. Please pray for this faithful family for provision. On the day we visited they had no food in the house. They were waiting for the neigbour's girls to return from Ribaneng Mill which takes approximately 7 hours, the walking and milling Pray for rain, as their water source is dry by now and they have to travel far to fetch water. Please pray for the A4J Kimberley first years whom will be spending October in HaJobo to build the structure for a new church building. Sarah and ShannaSarah is from Switzerland and Shanna from Cape Town. The Incontext team travelled with them from Cape Town and spend the first weekend of the two ladies three week visit with us. We had enjoyed their visit and lots of laughing Sarah and Shanna volunteered at some of the primary schools in the valley. They were as two daughters to us in the house and we are thankful that both was inspired by their visit. Grove Christian Camp GroupFirst time visitors form Oregon USA, Grove Christian Camp Group spend a week with us in mid August. They are from various churches in Oregon and it certainly were an African experience for them ;-) A lot of walking, ministering in the villages and physical labour, such as helping with Madisebo’s house foundation were eagerly participated in by these young people. Thank you Pastor Brent for making this trip possible ! Jon had his first group of cyclist doing a day trip with RAW Adventures. They came with Ds Andre and Ds Joe from Bethlehem Oos. Thank you for visiting and spoiling us with a barbeque .Rags to RichesThanks to Lizelle, Lizan, Baren & Lee-Ann, Bennie & Madelei we could host our 3rd Womens Conference – Rags to Riches. Ladies from as far away as Leribe and Maseru attended. It was a spirit filled weekend and many women went home after the weekend having received a miracle of healing and a word from Abba Father. Thank you for your willingness to share yourselves and your resources to further the Kingdom of our Lord. Evangelical Reformed Church TygerbergWe hosted another first time group. They're from Cape Town. A group of 16 visited us for one week at the end of September. Two brave families with small children, including two babies, and the rest of their team did not shy away to walk to villages each day and minister and help locals each day. Not only were they a blessing to the villagers, but especially to us and our co-workers. Their eagerness to spread the Gospel were refreshing and we are thankful for new brothers and sisters in Christ. As well as the little landscapers …... :-) Our School art project is nearing its end, miraculously this was managed between 3 long teachers strikes. We will see where God leads us with regards to this project. Until next time, love from the Mierkes , Lesotho Please pray with us:
We want to just thank Evangelical Reformed Church Tygerberg for a blessed week. I believe that as ambassadors for Christ you showed Gods love to the valley and especially to us. May you be blessed and we look forward to seeing you next year.
So excited to see the building underway for Ngunu Madisebo's house. Thankful for everyone's donations and support with this project.
We want to thank everyone that donated money and time towards the building of Madisebo's house. We are happy to say that all the necessary materials have been purchased. Thanks to pastor Brent Caulley and the Grove Christian camp group the foundation has also been completed and the property has been cleaned of weeds and rubbish.
We look forward to the coming weeks as we organize a builder and prepare to finish building Madisebo's house. Request for help Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Early in May Ngunu Mamothimok’holo from Hamaramasekhoane passed away. She spend her last days in a haphazardly build corrugated sink shack before her daughter took her to her house. The St. John’s Anglican team donated money towards fixing her house, but sadly she passed away before we could do that. In the mean time we identified other ‘grandmothers’ whose houses need fixing, thus the donated funds will be utilized to fix two other houses. We specifically ask for more financial support towards these two houses. The one is only the roof that needs to be repaired and we have sufficient funds for that For the second Ngunu, Madisebo’s house, we have only have 1/6 of the funds needed. Though we thought only her roof need to be fixed, you can see from the state of her house, and understand that it will be better to build her a small, new house. Any one who feel they would like to contribute towards this project. Please email Pieter, [email protected]. Or you can use our Mininstry Bank details at the end of the news letter to make a deposit, reference: Madisebo house Thank you kindly All around us it is harvest time, reminding me of Jesus’ prompting that we need to pray for the workers that need to bring in the lost. Matthew 9:36 -38 (GW) When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them. They were troubled and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is large, but the workers are few. So ask the Lord who gives this harvest to send workers to harvest his crops." Psalm 2:8 Ask me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance and the ends of the earth as your own possession. Please pray in agreement with us, for Abba Father to give us the Basotho nation. To send the workers we have been praying for, to come along side us in the ministry here. We are thankful for the each of you that reach out with us on short term. The past three months we were fortunate to have Tim Guarnieri from Father’s Heart Ministries N.Y., Ken Galyean and Larry D. Wright from Call to Africa, Alabama USA, St. John’s Anglican Port Elizabeth SA, First City Baptist Chruch from East London SA, OM from King William’s Town and the Parow Dutch Reformed youth from CT coming along side us. The Malealea Development Trust, hosted a “Herd boy Festival’. All the herd boys and their cattle met in the fields across from our base. They were quite a sight and extremely proud their cattle. Tim blessed us in early April with a 10 day visit and we thoroughly enjoyed fellowship with him. He is helping a local crafter, Ntate Paul, to sell his crafts/copper bracelets. He created the ‘April in Africa’ brand. Please pray for this new venture will be successful. I and the sewing ladies thank you and Pieter for our cupboards. It is much appreciated. Shortly after Tim’s visit we had a weekend visit from Ken and Larry (Alabama) accompanied by Andre, our A4J director. Their passion for the people of Africa is evident. We appreciate your encouragement. Pieter enjoyed visiting Ivan Yaholnitsky at the training centre near Mohale’s Hoek. Ivan has practical knowledge and experience with gardening, permaculture, solar cooking , biogas…. all things that interest Pieter as well. Jaime turned 16 on the 17th of April. We enjoyed time alone as a family. Mpho graduated on the 26th of April, receiving her Diploma in Early Childhood Development. We are so proud of her. If anyone are interested to support her, please contact Pieter - She would like to further her studies in children with special needs. The St. John’s Anglican Church team from Port Elizabeth with the Andersons from Sydney, Australia did an outreach the last weekend of April. Allan and Marise have us visited before. Thank you for being a blessing to us. We enjoyed meeting your priest Thandoxolo and his wife, Bulelwa. (Thando, keep up the dancing!) Xola, we appreciate your zest for live. We were thankful to meet Michelle and Jared Anderson, Allan’s daughter in law and grandson, from Australia. The Andersons (Shaun, Michelle and their 3 sons) have been supporting the children from Haramasekhoane Pre-school since 2018. On behalf of the 7 children you support and their teacher, Bokang, we would once again like to thank you. We pray you will be blessed for the blessing that you give. Jon launched his new business with his first event in HaJobo, Wild Men On Wheels. He wants to build a clay/cob house for him to move into, and started digging the foundation. Jaime will soon be moving into his new workshop for his knife making. Jaime is doing well with the Sunday School ministry, though he feels at times overwhelmed. Please keep our sons in your prayers and that the work of their hands will be blessed. Our family enjoyed a much needed break. Thank you Arta and Andre for spoiling us! Keimoes is a gem of a little town - quiver trees, and landscape is awesome. The Augrabies Waterfall a site to behold. We enjoyed your off the grid living style and all things natural. Pieter and Teboho spend a week in Johannesburg with their studies early in June. Keep them in your prayers – they graduate in October. Our news ends with the highlight of the winter holidays – the HOLIDAY CLUB. Thank you! East London, King William’s Town and Cape Town teams for blessing the 200 to 300 children that attended the club. As you noticed, they are hungry for any attention, games and fun – they do not have time for relaxing and playing as western children do. Thank you to Neil, George, Stefan and Susan for the store room shelving, plumbing and help during this week. We are proud of our own team and the youth that came alongside you to help with the club – soon they should be able to do it on their own! From us and our team, lots of love… Please pray with us:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Eight years ago we uprooted our family, moved with the few belongings we could fit into our pick up truck to Malealea,Lesotho. With virtually no experience we decided to “walk on the water” and follow where our Lord lead us. With not nearly enough supporters we decided to trust our Lord to provide. We are thankful that even when we have stumbled, been unfaithful or did not heed His guidance, He has always provided for us. I think of each and everyone who have partnered with us over the years and the words of Paul says it all: I thank my God for all the memories I have of you. Every time I pray for all of you, I do it with joy. I can do this because of the partnership we've had with you in the Good News from the first day you believed until now. GW Phillippians 1 verses 3 to 5 You truly have a special place in our hearts. January 2019 arial view of A4J Lesotho base Photograph: Jacob Colter Some of you remember what it looked like in 2010, nothing but natural vegetation.... we thank Abba for each one of you who has been involved in building this base.... building us up in prayer. Our year kicked of with two World Race teams helping us in January, team XOXO and Freedom Runners. Ministry were diverse, ranging from village evangelizing in the mornings, bible study groups to teen girl ministry (this included make up tips, table manners etc) and working in the potato fields, planting grass at the pre-school, painting and decorating the pre-school to worship nights aroung a bonfire. They testified that they have not seen as many healings take place as what they have seen in Lesotho. Thank you for being radical for Christ! January – Team building picnic with our staff Khomo, Jaime and Kenuwe teaching the children on Sundays. February we hosted an all men team of eight. They focused on reaching the herd boys/ men for Christ and even spend time in the shebeen (drinking house) to reach the men. This was a first time attempt and certainly weren't without its challenges. We pray that the seeds that have been planted will reap a harvest. They eagerly helped with the manual labor on the base, collecting sand, planting grass, helping to upgrade the chicken coop to a pig sty, fixing the roof etc Pieter and I started facilitating the Art& Enterpreneurship classes for the Grade 8 from Malealea Secondary School. Alas it has been disrupted by the teachers strike, and we eagerly are waiting for school to open again on the 9th of April. Mid February Barend, Lee-Ann, Bennie and Madele from Kimberley, SA did taught our married couples, and some singles, about marriage. It was much appreciated. MeMatsepiso's husband whom she has been praying for, for 27 years received Christ as his Saviour on the Sunday... we rejoice with her :-) Joshua, Eben, Lebo, Linda and Donovan from A4J Kimberley did a week outreach at the end of February. They collected sanitary pads, bibles, audio bibles to hand out in HaJobo. Portia and Bokang (our ministry couple in HaJobo) are expecting their first child. Thank you for blessing them with baby clothes and toiletries. Our family from Bethlehem Oos blessed us with a much needed fellowship. Thank you for travelling to us, your visits are a great encouragement to us. News Flash!!!! For all who haven't heard the news yet.... Mpho and Tsepo is in a relationship, no talk of marriage yet ;-) Simon and Hannah from PE – we enjoyed your visit. Next time we will climb the mountain. Jon has been spreading his wings. Him, Teboho and Mike hiked to HaJobo and back in one day (27km x 2). He was invited to help out at the Kingdom Enduro and ride the trails.... lets just say it was time of growth for all of us..... Pieter's veggie garden is doing well Honey harvest and bee hive building -Pieter & Jaime have been stung a few times Sewing group One water tenk down.... other water storage/ splash pool in use Greeting out of the mountains from us Mierkes Please pray with us:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, It is with hearts overflowing with thankfulness for our heavenly Father for giving us His Son, that we can thank you for your faithful support this year. Thank you for your obedience, for your prayers and love. We pray you a blessed Christmas holiday in God’s presence. Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself give you a sign. Behold. The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Thank you for the teams that have visited and ministered with us these past three months October 2018Africa 4 Jesus Kimberley 1 years – you were an inspiration! Keep on fighting the good fight, God is going to use each of you mightily asf you continue to walk in obedience. Dutch Reformed Bethlehem East. Unbelievable that this is the first time in all of these years that we had time for the waterfall walk. Thank you for always blessing us with your fellowship. November 2018Teboho, Tseppo, Khomo were blessed to attend the first Pastor’s Conference at A4J Kimberley for 3 weeks. Tim was visiting us for 10 days in November – all the way from N.Y. We were truly blessed with by you, a true warrior of Christ, humble and kind. Love you. Joy School of Hope: The children thoroughly enjoyed their end of year outing to Maseru Play Park. Of the 52 children who attended the school this year, 18 graduated and will be going to grade 1 next year. Thank you to each of the supporters who sponsor a vulnerable child – with out you these little ones would not have been able to attend school this year. December 2018St. John’s Anglican Church, Walmer, PE – more than 300 children served at the Holiday Club. Thank you for year after year, returning and having a huge impact in these children’s lives. We pray you have merry and blessed Christmas. Love from Lesotho Please pray with us:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, A warm greeting from a cold Malealea We want to first and foremost honour the oldest member of our church, Ngunu (grandmother) Me MaSefadi. She was murdered on the 16th of September. We are thankful that she is a child of God, she is with our Father now She was always thankful for God's grace, even though her last year on earth was difficult (she had a femur break that took months to heal, thus forcing her to be bedridden, her daughter who lived with her passed away on the 1st of January) – a true example of following Christ. It is a consolation that God says in His word, Psal 116 verse 15 that “The death of His faithful ones is valuable in the Lord's sight”. Even in her death she inspires us to keep on being faithful in spreading the gospel. We are thankful for every team / church group that have visited us during the past 3 months and took hands with us, glorifying Jesus and spreading the Good News. First City Baptist Church run the Holiday Club during their annual July visit, Thank you guys, thank you for the team from King William's Town, Thank you Father's Heart all the way from the States for your second visit. Thank you Parow Panorama Youth Group for your first visit. Lindsay visited with her husband, Lindani. Thank you for travelling all the way from Richards Bay to spend time with us. Lindsay was part of a World Race team that ministered with us during beginning 2017. May the seeds that you all have sown, in due time produce an abundant harvest. Ma Tello's Dolls Thank you Willemien for all the fabric, Ma Tello is making beautiful Basotho dolls. During our annual July visit to Kimberley for Pieter's mothers birthday, Jaime was blessed by Andre and his brother in law – he had the opportunity to go on his first ever hunt. We sure all enjoyed the springbuck biltong. For the past 3 months Pieter started a new Bible Study/Discipleship group with the newly saved men. This group has grown from 2 to 5 men. Kgomu started his own study group with children in his village and Tsepo with newly converted here at the base. During August Andre and his eldest son, Matthew, visited us, some of these study groups, and Jon introduced Matthew to mountain biking... an expensive introduction , our apologies Andre. This is Jon on his MTB... a photo he took of himself, and then edited. Andre, Anel and Joshua visited us as well and we enjoyed the fellowship, taking long walks and playing board games. Reagan visited during August, building the new Guest units. Both are up to roof height. Thank you for a great job Reagan. Thank you so much to Lily for fundraising for this project, our friends from Kimberley for donating towards this building. Pieter and I were thankful that we could purchase clothing and toiletries for the children that are part of our “Vulnerable Children Support Programme”. Thank to each of you that suppport these children faithfully every month. At the beginning of September I was blessed by being able to spend my mother's 73rd birthday with her, Thank you Pieter. Pieters niece, Natasha visited us for the first time – hope to see you again here in our mountains. We celebrated Pieter's 50th birthday on the 19th of September, a bitter sweet day so shortly after MeMasefadi's death. The church gifted him with a beautiful Basotho blanket – Morena (king) design. Lastly we had our second annual Women's Conference during the last weekend of September. Thank you Gabi, Charmaine, Winnie and Marina for blessing the ladies with the messages about extraordinary women from the bible. You truly inspired every one of us to rise to the occasion and be extraordinary for God. Greetings from our family in Lesotho Please pray with us:
Dear friends in Christ Looking back we are blown away at how abundantly the Lord has been providing through fellow believers. We cannot thank each of you enough for all the prayers, and giving. The weather has been slowly changing from abundant rain to cold, minus degrees at night. During the past 3 months we had time many opportunities to celebrate. My niece, Lauren's, 18th, Jaime's 15th and Father's Day. Jon, Jaime, Teboho and Ntate Paul hiked to Tsoenyane to look for this beautiful huge spiral aloe, a present for Pieter for Fathers Day. Our new chief, Sakea, was inaugarated and Pieter had the opportunity to speak blessing into his live. Then we had two weddings in the month of April. Bokang (Seghola/Daniel) and Portia got married mid month. They are currently living in his village Ha Jobo. Our old student Rethabile, got married the last weekend of April. The St.John's Anglican Team were visiting as well and we thoroughly enjoyed their company and the wedding feast. Our friend, Rob, could not come with as planned, due to an operation he had to undergo. Please keep him in your prayers, that God may heal him completely. We want to once again thank Martin and Helen for gifting a tablet to Jon for his school work, it is truly a huge blessing and makes his online studying easier and less expensive data wise. We were blessed with two visits from Guillame. He generosity never ceases to amaze us. He finished installing the security system at the water pump, installed wider pipes at the tenk next to our house (so now our gas geyser has enough pressure to work again), and he installed two clear windows in our roof, in our work room and bathroom. Thank you for your obedient spirit. Thank you for blessing Pieter with the greenhouse – this has been part of his dream for a long time. Mpho has been blessed with a small minibus, thank you to the people who donate the funds to make this possible. It has been one of her dreams. She is currently at the College, finishing her degree. She will be getting her licensce – hopefully when she returns from College end of July. As you see the children used to be transported with Teboho's GWM. We are thankful that all 20 vulnerable children in the pre-school are fully sponsored and we sincerely thank all our sponsors for their giving hearts. The church ladies has been meeting twice an month for sewing classes and bible study. We are doing small hand sewing projects, but would love to start teaching them how to sew on machines. Any donations of sewing machines (hand crank or electric) and fabric is more than welcome. Jon and Jaime is working on mountain bike trails and building a pump track on a new piece of land that the Morena gave us. They would love to bless the other boys living around us , teaching them these biking skills. They are group of about 7 boys who are daily helping collecting sand for the jumps. Any donations of bicycles and bicycle parts will be much appreciated for this project. Pieter wants to start up the beekeeping and grow the Herbs that he has been selling as business for the men in our church. Some of the came out of the illegal mining in SA and need an income for their families. Any one with input or expertise in starting business, beekeeping, small scale farming and selling; please contact him.
Lastly, any one who would like to contribute towards the two guest units that we are building, please let us know. We would like to rent out these units to raise funds for the base and also benefit our community by marketing their skills as tourist activities. The foundations are done and we will soon start with building the first unit. We would like to decorate the outside of these units in the traditional Basotho style as the front of our house has been done recently. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Phew! The first quarter of 2018 certainly flew by. This year Pieter felt led to re-access our programs, work on our discipleship course material and the translation there off, thus we decided not to take in any new students this year. During January and February we hosted 4 World Race teams, and enjoyed visits from old friends (from Germany and Bethlehem Oos). Guillame helped us to install the new water pump and solar system. Joy School of Hope Preschool opened its doors for again, 55 children enrolled this year. We receive sponsorship for 20 children through the “Vulnerable Children Support Program” that we lauched in January and sincerley thank each person involved with these children. Bokang and Portia got engaged and will get married soon, mid April. We are thankful for Godly men and women being obedient to God's Word and holding the sanctity of marriage. Our old student, Rethabile, whom have finished her nursing diploma will get married at the end of April. The World Race teams were a huge blessing to residents in the villages that the befriended. We were blessed by their eagerness to serve, spread the Gospel and love on us. March was time for our family's long awaited and planned visit to Thailand. Though we did not manage to serve at the orphanage we wanted to ( as it was Thailands summer holiday) we were excited to just experience this new country, its beautiful people and culture. We did manage to visit the World Race team in Chiang Mai that is busy establishing a centre there. We also spend a few hours with a buddist monk and talked about his believes – the only thing he know of Christianity is the pope and the violence of the christian faith (his words). We are extremely thankful to have had this opportunity to spoil Jon and Jaime, to thank them for the sacrifices they have made by living with us in Lesotho. As family we especially enjoyed this time to grow closer again. We had a long layover in Doha and was excited to see family that lives there – Janse van Rensburg's thank you for spoiling us --- love you!Chiang MaiPhuketWith love from our family in Lesotho (Jon turned 16, we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary and here's some or our handiwork) Please pray with us:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Reflecting on the year that is almost at its end, I am reminded of the abundant blessings amongst the trials and disappointments. May we all pass the test of faith, being mindful of our fellow brothers and sisters in war torn countries that are truly suffering. Let us run the race with the end goal in mind. 1 Peter 1 v 5-7 since you are guarded by God's power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed at the end of time. 6 You are extremely happy about these things, even though you have to suffer different kinds of trouble for a little while now. 7 The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold, and by passing the test, it gives praise, glory, and honor to God. This will happen when Jesus Christ appears again. A4J KIMBERLEY FIRST YEARS I want to bring you up to date with what has been happening here since October. We hosted the A4J Kimberley First Year students as well as two Gap Year “Adventure in Missions” teams during October. It was an action filled month; with them doing village ministry; hiking to Ha Jobo to do ministry there; much needed maintenance done at the base. We celebrated two birthdays with the teams from the USA and some of the A4J students got baptized at the waterfall. A4J KIMBERLEY FIRST YEARS GAP TEAMS - Adventure in Missions During this time the Joy School of Hope children had their annual field trip to Maseru... The church ladies met to continue embroidering the tablecloths they started during the Women's Conference. Mid November we as family were blessed with a holiday in the Drakensberg. The boys had lots of fun and even the snow and rain did not stop them from cycling. On the 25th of November 15 children graduated from Joy School of Hope. We are so proud of them and thank Mpho, Matumelo and Thabiseng for their dedication and hard work. The day after was A4J Lesotho Discipleship School graduation. This year 5 students graduated: Bokang, Telang, Mamokoena, Matseliso and Mampoi. Matseliso (Apple) and Mampoi graduated first in their class. We pray Gods blessing over their lives, that He will lead them continually; and that they will stay obedient no matter what. Only Bokang will return in 2018. Ntabeleng went for her operation on the 5th of December – she is recovering and still experiencing pain from the operation – please pray for complete recovery for her. We will soon be sending out news about our new “Vulnerable Children Support Programme” - it is our desire to support approximately 26 vulnerable children with their education as of January 2018. Our ministry year ends with an annual highlight of the summer Holiday Club. Thank you St. John's Anglican from Port Elizabeth for your enthusiasm, dedication. We truly appreciate you and the children from the valley love you. I pray that you may have a blessed Christmas season and a prosperous New Year, that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically as well as spiritually. Thank you for your support and prayers that carried us through the year. May God reward you abundantly for it. Love from our family in Lesotho Dragons Peak Reptile Park Please pray with us:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Cold, wet greetings from Malealea. This photograph of the peach blossoms was taken nearly a month ago. Yesterday it started raining on and off till this morning. We woke up this morning, surprised to see snow on the mountain! The visit from First City Baptist Church, East London, during July was a true blessing. The children from our valley had an awesome time at the holiday club. With such a diverse group visiting, each had the opportunity to use their skills to teach, either children or our women’s group, minister at the base or in the villages. We all enjoyed the fellowship and building new friendships. Thank you, Andrew, for blessing us with a water tank – the stand is currently being build next to our house. We especially thank the Martinez family from The Fathers Heart Church in New York - their church made a generous donation towards our ministry, which we could use to buy clothes for the vulnerable children in Joy, School of Hope, and food parcels for our elderly congregation members. We are truly grateful that part of these funds we could use to take Nthabeleng, one of the orphan girls who need medical care, to hospital. She is awaiting an operation on the 4th of December. We were fortunate to be able to attend Pieter’s mother 70th birthday in Kimberley. It was the first time in years that all five siblings and grandchildren were together. Whilst in Kimberley we could attend the A4J Team Building Seminar. It was great to touch base with everyone and hear what is planned. A4J has workers in South Africa, Lesotho :-), Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Jordan, Vietnam, Nepal and China. It was inspiring to hear where each of our co-workers has been and are now. In early September we hosted African Blessings’ Rita, Tomsen and Tyson. They taught Foundations for Farming to some of our congregation members and other villagers. They were truly inspiring. If it is Gods will, we pray that they will return for further training at our base. We pray that our Lord will continually comfort each of you as you are coping with the loss of your beloved Godfrey. During the time of African Blessings visit, our chief from Sekhotlong passed away. Please pray with us for her children and family, for provision and guidance, comfort in this time. Her children cannot afford the funeral, so please pray for them in this regard as well. Mid-month September we enjoyed the visit from our Bethlehem friends - thank you sincerely for visiting us regularly, helping on the base with training and maintenance. We truly appreciate you. Ntate Pheko and his wife from Operation Up, Maseru, visited our church. They encouraged our congregation to go out and be missionaries. They recently returned from a 3 month mission trip to Thailand. They are an inspiration to us - pray with us that God will open the doors for them in Thailand to expand Operation Up to this country. The Williams family from Port Elizabeth visited us during the last week of September. We enjoyed their visit and getting acquainted. Jackie taught our church ladies how to make washable pads. Pray for them for guidance as they are waiting on God to reveal to them where in the mission field they should be and for provision. We sincerely thank St. John;s Anglican Church, Walmer, Port Elizabeth for making it possible for us to build a house for one of the ngunu's in Sekhotlong. She has been living in a dilapidated sin house for years. Our last news is the most exciting of all…. Kimberley Baptist Church hosted a women’s conference on the 29 September to 1 October. This was our very first women’s conference at the base. Women from our congregation, “Salt and Light” and Assemblies of God attended the conference. 12 Promises from Psalm 23 was a blessing to each woman attending. They have already requested that KBC return next year. Thank you, Gabi, Genevieve, Marina, Cecilia and Ingrid, for being a blessing, your dedication and eagerness to minister. Thank you for all the preparation and each member from your congregation who contributed. Please pray with us:
Grace be with you from our Father God. ... this is us in 2011, the year we moved to Lesotho. Postal Address: Malealea Youth Care Centre, P.O. Box 112, Motsekuoa, 194, Lesotho
Physical address: Malealea Valley, Toteng Contact person: Pieter J Mierke, Lesotho cell phone number: + 266 596 426 54, SA cell phone number: +2772 172 8915 Email address: [email protected], [email protected] Website address: http://a4jlesotho.weebly.com/ Facebook: A4J Lesotho 2 Bank Details: Ministry: A4J Lesotho, Account number: 62390347782, Branch: FNB New Park Kimberley, Code: 231002 Personal: Pieter Mierke, FNB, New Park Kimberley Branch, Code: 231002, Savings Account number: 621 5979 8100 Cattle 4 Christ: Linda Erlank +27825654456 Intercession: Niki Steyn – please contact Niki via email at [email protected] if you are interested to be part of our intercession team Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We are thankful for friends who are willing to travel far to visit us... caring for us as 1 Corinthians 12: 25 instructs. Dave and Verena – it was such a pleasure to finally get to know you; you are truly humble. Barend and family you chose the coldests weekend of the year thus far to visit – we enjoyed the fellowship and games. We enjoyed Mark and his family's visit – hope to see you guys again soon. Women's Group Keila started a sewing group with the church ladies – they made tote bags and bible covers thus far, baked rusks and enjoyed the fellowship and learning new skills. St. John the Baptist Anglican Port Elizabeth For the past four years the St.John 's Anglican Church from PE's youth have been doing outreaches to us. This April we were blessed with a visit from older congregration members. We truly enjoyed getting to know you better. Thank you for being a blessing, for the toiletries your brought and distributed. Teboho and Bokang were blessed with to brand new bicycles – an answer to prayer! Ha Jobo Guillame visited and him, Pieter and Teboho went to HaJobo. Guillame and his wife has been involved with outreaches to HaJobo for the past 3 years. Thank you for your sacrifices and dedication to spread God's Word to this remote village. They have been supporting the elderly in this village with food parcels and clothing. The chief of HaJobo has given A4J Lesotho some land to build a church. Co-Workers in ministry Teboho Motseki and Mpho Ntlhanngoe is our co-workers in the ministry. We are thankful for their sacrifice, hard work and dedication. Teboho is more than Pieter's right hand man. He is currently doin his second year pastoral studies through AFMIN, with a further two years to go. He facilitates the Discipleship School, runs 4 bible study groups in 4 villages (Bokang, one of the second year students, assists with the fifth group). Mpho is doing her last semester of her first year ECD (Early Childhood Development) studies. One can see the impact of what she is learning in the pre-school – not only does the children benefit, but her co- teachers as well. The feedback from parents are overwhelming as they see their children grow tremendously in all areas. Many parents have requested that we expand the school to incorporate more grades. We will not hastily make a decision. Discipleship School Students As mentioned, Teboho facilitates the Discipleship School. We have three students from HaJobo village: Bokang Leche (back second from the right), Telang Mohatlane ( back right) and Keneuoe Nthoana (front left). Matseliso Nkakole (front right). These four students as well as our two co-workers live full time on the base. The other two students: Itumeleng Hlehlethe ( back left) and Mampoi Mahau (back second from left) live in nearby villages. As we have been doing outreaches to HaJobo since 2011, we have students from this village – Bokang is being trained to eventulally plant a church in his village; Telang will assist him outreaches to villages surrounding HaJobo. Keneuoe has been living with us for 2 years now – we are supporting her financially to finish her basic schooling. The students have discipleship classes from Tuesday to Friday mornings and they do tasks aroung the base during the afternoons. We are exited as they did better than we expected in their June exams :-) As some of you know we are a faith based ministry – we support these students and co-workers with accommodation, food and gas for cooking/bathing. They also need support to do the Lords work effectively. If anyone is interested to support them, please contact Pieter at [email protected] On a personal note: as family we are dedicated to spread the Word of God and continue the work in Malealea. We are planning to visit Thailand in March 2018 to boost our passion levels, thank Jon and Jaime for their sacrifices and get closer as family. We are hoping to visit a refugee camp, an orphanage and expose Jon and Jaime to another culture than an African one :-) If anyone feels they want to support us with this, we will greatly appreciate it. How time has flown – this photograph was taken during our first year in Lesotho – 2011.
Jon wants to finish his schooling next year. He has a passion for flying and wants to do his pilot lisence. He recently finished four diplomas with Shaw Academy, online: Photography, Advanced Photography, Wedding Photography and Video. He got distinctions in three and merit for the other. Jaime has three years of school to go. As some of you know, he is a keen knive maker, teaching himself to dance and has a passion for fitness. He is not sure what he wants to do, but talks of becoming a full time missionary andhaving his knife making business. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, We were truly blessed by abundant rain during the beginning of this year. A true reminder of God’s goodness. Leviticus_26:4 "I will give you rain at the right time. The land will produce its crops, and the trees in the field will produce their fruit. The World Race Gap Year teams that joined us from the beginning of December 2016, spend January, ministering in the mornings in the villages and helping out at the base in the afternoons. They brightened the base with their joy and eagerness to serve.. nothing was too much for them; collecting sand, harvesting wheat, girls sleepover every Thursday night. They painted the Joy School of Hope building in and outside There was time for celebration… Carly’s birthday, picnics, worship evenings under the stars….and new experiences.. slaughtering chickens :-) We thoroughly enjoyed the visit from Justin Harsdorff, the first World Racer to visit us for a second time. As always he was eager to help in any way. He traveled with us to our home town, Kimberley, before traveling to Namibia.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, This quarter kicked off with the annual visit from First City Baptist Church from East London. They did a three day Holiday Club for the children from the surrounding villages and a one day village outreach. Approximately 180 children attended and it was a huge success. Please pray that seed that has been planted will grow. We were thankful for the visit and the help on the base with things such as the solar pump that was broken. We hosted two World Race teams during August to the 5th of September. Team Shalom and Team Kintsu (4th generation J Squad). They visited the same two villages respectively for the entire month during the mornings – Hatśoeunyane and Ha Koepe. They befriended the villagers, assisted with household tasks, ministered and in the afternoons they laboured at the base – collecting rocks, sand, building paths, painting murals. They were truly a blessing to us during this time. Our friends from Bethlehem East Dutch Reformed Church visited the weekend of the 3rd of September. The ladies taught some of our church ladies crochet. They blessed us with a water tank and installed the gutters. We always enjoy your visits and fellowship. We want to thank Barend and Lee-Ann for printing the pre-school t-shirts for us. Thank you Christine for the time you spend at the school as well. Lastly the new rooms and kitchen is finished – only one more room to be added, then we should have enough room to house groups of 16. With love from our family…
Our dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Deon and his beautiful wife visited the weekend of the 9th of April. This was a first of 3 visits the past few months.Deon drove us to HaJobo and delivered food parcels and school stationery parcels his wife put together. The people of HaJobo was elated and thankful for the provision. Corrie's mother, Hannetjie Venter graciously knitted beanies for the more than 30 preschoolers from Joy School of Hope – thank you Deon , Corrie and tannie Hannetjie for you obedience. We have two new disciples from HaJobo at the A4J base – the long term aim is to equip them so that a church can be planted in HaJobo..... We thoroughly enjoyed the visit from Pieter's brother and his family – looking forward to your next visit Hoopstad Mierke's !! :-) We were blessed with a visit from the Volle Evangelie Prieska the weekend of the 3rd of May. Thank you Pastor Marius and Grizelda and your team... for the encouragement and fellowship as well as the maize and food you donated. From the 1st to the 27th of May we hosted to World Race teams: “Relevant Love” and “Sculpted Unity”. Last but not the least the Baptist College did an outreach with us from the 27th of June to the 5th of July. They did village visits, helped us break down the old kitchen, collect sand for the pre-school sandbox and they did the gruelling HaJobo hike for a 2 day outreach. With love from our family…
Our dear brothers and sisters in Christ, For us the 2016 started full steam without the usual slow start in January… We would like to thank everyone again who invested in the new pre-school. Currently we have 34 children aged between 3 and 5 years. With the help of the World Race teams we hosted during January and February the school is fenced, the play ground levelled. The store room only needs a roof. The shelves are cut and will be finished soon. Lastly a small flush toilet will be build to complete the pre-school. Thank you to each of you that contributed financially, with physical labour, Anna-Kate for designing the logo and Bethlehem Oos for the sign board. We hosted the World Race, T-squad, Team Overflow during January. They joyfully did which ever task they were given – digging trenches, levelling the camping ground, village outreaches and Julia even gave dancing classes which the children thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you Justin, Eric, Anna, Julia, Lindi-Jo, Erin and Sara – we miss you! Pusetso was blessed with the opportunity to attend a week long Solar Energy workshop in Mohale’s Hoek in January. Upon his return he build a solar oven for the base February we hosted the Y-squad – Teams: Stay Salty, Haya and Human. The three teams (2 men and 19 women) camped in their hammocks on the church stoep, in their tents on the camping site and at times in the new pre-school building and the church. The 3 teams were posted a 2 primary schools and our pre-school to teach in the mornings. Afternoons were spend doing physical labour or village outreaches. Mid month we had a huge cloud burst early evening. Within seconds the church floor was flooded and tents filled with mud. It took a while but eventually everyone had a dry spot to sleep for the night. Our water point were damaged by the storm and the team volunteered to help with cleaning out the mud and debris out of the water tanks and water pipes – a muddy business Thank you, Y-Squad for all your love, hard work and your servant’s hearts. Stretching over two long weekends Pieter , Mpho and Flip Coetzer from Kairos facilitated the course in Maseru. It was well received and the pastors are eager to take it further. Pieter are now a qualified head facilitator. Our friends from Bethlehem Oos, Dutch Reformed, visited. Thank you for visiting and the encouragement. We always enjoy your visits and you bless us abundantly. Thank you Jan for teaching the men basic carpentry skills. During the first weekend in March Nico, Rhinus and Selma from Kimberley blessed us tremendously with ceiling and isolation for our bedrooms, cupboards (it feels strange to not use suitcases as cupboards), work surfaces for Jon and Jaime’s work room AND a new gas oven. We cannot thank you and the rest of your bible study group enough for all you have done for us. Pieter started a Men’s Evening on Friday nights to teach on what it means to be a man based on the bible – please pray God’s blessing over these meetings and that His will be done through it. Stiaan, Rienie and Nicholas and Oom Jurie visited. We have not seen our friends for 9 years and it was a true blessing to spend 2 days visiting with them. May God bless you and lead you… On the 30th of March we received Dr Phil Roberts (USA), Pastor Norman Schaefer(Kimberley Baptists Church) and Andre de Vries (director A4J). They did a one day pastors conference which was well received by local pastors and insightful. Thank you for the visit and fellowship. Thank you Niki and Marina for taking time of from work to encourage us. With love from our family…
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