Lesotho

John and Makatleho Mokoena lead Rehobothe Church, which is situated in the north of Lesotho. Rehobothe Church was planted in 1998 and was the first to be planted out of Dihlabeng Church in Clarens, under Steve Oliver's leadership. Since then many people have been involved in serving Rehobothe and the growing region. Pete & Jo West from Zimbabwe, Mike & Annette Derry from UK, Roy & Suzi Lokkers from Clarens and Dave Farr from the UK have moved to Lesotho in recent years to help to build and support the churches that are springing up in this region. Foundations for Farming has been a vital key in breaking into the communities with the Gospel for the establishment of the Kingdom of God and churches to follow. Pete West let’s us know more.

Foundations for Farming Training

A few years ago the church received a prophetic word that we would be given keys to unlock the Gospel in the communities we are involved in. We believe that Foundations for Farming is that key for us and we continue to see the farming ministry grow. We have been working with the United Nations (UN) for seven years and have been asked by them to increase our farming operations to over 500 families this season (this is double the number of families from last season). Since then, we have done training in 13 locations for over 50 villages and have trained 899 people, preaching the Gospel as we have gone. We are looking forward to seeing what God is going to open up to us as people receive him and are faithful with what they have learnt. As God does his work in people's hearts we know new opportunities will open for church planting in the future.

Thabangs field

One amazing example of faithfulness leading to success is a faithful farmer called Thabang Mokone. He is in his sixties and over the last five seasons he has gone from strength to strength since he was introduced to Foundations for Farming. Last season, for the first time in his life, he harvested enough maize to feed his family for the whole year. His yield was 26 times the national average yield! We have already started to plan a national field day at his home in February 2011 because we know that he is going to farm so well again this coming season. Not only is he doing great with the farming but he is growing in his relationship with God and we feel that we may be planting a church with him in his home area sometime in the future.

Church Plants

The Maloseng Church plant is going well and continues to grow. It was planted in October 2008 following a Foundations for Farming outreach and training event where over 230 people attended and 85 people responded to the Gospel. Maloseng is a village about 10 km away from Rehobothe Church. I have been leading Maloseng and John has continued to lead Rehobothe.

Mokotjela - first sunday servi

There is a work in another village an hours drive from Rehobothe Church in a village called Mokotjela. Until now there has been a home group meeting every Thursday since we started working there in 2005, again as a result of our work with Foundations for Farming. These villagers are some of our best and most faithful farmers and we continue to see God showering his blessings in their lives. We have just started a Sunday service in Mokotjela, which, for now, will be once a month. We look forward to seeing how God uses this little community of believers to open up new areas of Lesotho to receiving The King and his Kingdom.

Serving the Sick

Another exciting ministry which Rehobothe Church is serving the community with, is Makhlako a Pholiso (Sesotho for Leaves of Healing). This is currently a team of three members of the church who visit the sick in our area to offer basic medical care, prayer, practical support and help getting people to hospital. We are planning to run a clinic from our new church building as part of this ministry, as health care is often expensive and inaccessible due to the long distances people need to walk. This ministry has seen several people added to the church and some significant healings. A UK nurse, Dave Farr, who brings welcome skills, gifting, vision and passion to this ministry has joined the team this year.

Prayer Needs

For us to continue to equip and release new leaders, both men and ladies, to serve in our different churches. Currently John and I are the only elders. Together we lead this region, but as things continue to grow there is a need for more leaders and elders. We are currently training nine men, and our aim is for some of these to be able to help carry the load in our region.
Since 2004 Rehobothe Church has met together in a tent which is now broken. Please pray that we will be able to complete our new building at Rehobothe, which includes a clinic for MAP.
For the people we have trained in Foundations for Farming to successfully implement all that they have learnt and for those who have made a commitment to following Jesus, to continue in the faith and grow in their relationship with God.
For God to continue to provide for all our needs in the sphere.
God is really moving among our youth at the moment so please pray that the momentum with them continues and that we see our young people caught up in the mission God has called us to. Also pray that this fresh wave of the spirit will spill over into all the works we are involved in.

Pictures:

TOP: Mme Mantoi has prepared her field well for planting. SECOND: Thabang’s field. THIRD: Maloseng Church meeting. BOTTOM: Mokotjela’s first Sunday service, 19 Sept 2010

Map provided by www.worldatlas.com