A Reminder of Faith

by Global Ministries | published on Oct 10, 2014

Most of the time most of us know what we should do. Sometimes we lack faith to act. Sometimes we just need an elbow from someone to get us moving forward in the right direction. In terms of giving, most of us know we can give more. Having someone challenge you to do so is often all the motivation we need to increase our giving.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24)

On a recent Sunday morning the congregation of Masitise Lesotho Evangelical Church (LEC) welcomed a caravan of twenty taxis and other vehicles carrying members of Mohale’s Hoek LEC. They had traveled thirty miles to be with us for a special fundraising service. It was the first of a pair of exchange visits that had been agreed upon for assisting each congregation. Such exchanges are not uncommon in the LEC and bring to mind the words from Hebrews above.

It was a very joyous and festive occasion. Members of Masitise went out to welcome our visitors with singing, homemade pom-poms, whistles and other noisemakers. Many people were attired in traditional Basotho woolen blankets which span a multitude of colors and designs. They were perfect for warding off the winter chill. Most of our visitors were attired in a variety of red blankets.

As the weather was not promising, we squeezed into the Masitise church for the beginning of the service. But as we began to worship God the weather outside gradually began to improve. Bits of blue sky appeared and then the sun came out. So as it was nearing the time of the celebratory offering and fundraising, we adjourned to the outdoors to finish the service in the warmth of the sun’s rays.

Each congregation had been given a target for their giving and so some preparations had been made ahead of time. Rev. Sekolisa, pastor of Mohale’s Hoek, gave instructions to everyone prior to the offering. He read through the list of the various groups that would be called forward: children, youth, consistory members, men’s and women’s organizations, teachers, etc. It went back and forth between the two congregations, singing and giving, for over two hours. Each group’s amount would be carefully counted for reporting at the end of the offering. The grand total amounted to over $5000, which was 40% more than the goal had been. We had indeed spurred one another on!

Later this year Masitise will return the favor and visit the Mohale’s Hoek congregation. They are in the midst of building a new church. Most of the LEC churches are quite small and old, like their current sandstone church. Their new church is much larger and made of brick. They hope to have it sufficiently completed so that we can hold our worship service in it when we visit them in October.

It isn’t difficult to help people out when it is convenient; when you have the time and money. But often we are consumed with our own interests and agendas. When I learned from my pastor, Rev. Ramonotsi, that it was the Mohale’s Hoek congregation that had offered to come first and assist us, and yet they were busy with raising money for their new building, I thought of these words from Philippians 2:4:

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

One of the problems Jesus often encountered was a lack of faith — even among his own disciples. May God help us to grow in our faith so that we, like the good folks of Mohale’s Hoek LEC, can look after the interests, both physical and spiritual, of others even when we have our own matters to attend to, even when it may not be convenient.

Yours in Christ,

Mark Behle

Mark Behle is a missionary with the Lesotho Evangelical Church. He is a Mathematics teacher at Masitise High School, Lesotho.