How Can They Hear?
“…how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14c)
One of my neighbors here in Morija is the Morija Theological Seminary and Bible School where future pastors and evangelists of the Lesotho Evangelical Church (LEC) are trained. The seminary campus, shown above, is a small one. At any one time there are 30-50 students enrolled, roughly half in the bible school (3 years, instruction in Sesotho) and half in the seminary (5 years, instruction in English). The sign, painted on the classroom block, features the words, “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve”, as well as a farmer sowing seed, symbolic of spreading the Word.
There are short chapel services each morning and late afternoon which I attend when my schedule permits. These services provide practice for the students in leading worship. I enjoy getting to know the students and one of the first-year seminary students, Sefora (left), is a former student of mine from Masitise High School. The Sesotho words behind her, painted on the front wall of the chapel, are those of the Romans verse quoted at the beginning of this newsletter.
My local LEC congregation here in Morija recently had the Sunday School children join us for worship. Most Sundays they meet outside with their teachers during the service but it was a special recognition Sunday for them. Besides offering a song, several of them recited bible verses from memory. They are hearing the Word!
During the same service the youth group sang, as they often do, and helped to lead the worship. They always sit together in the very front of the church, including the first row, whether they are going to sing or not. Now that’s setting an example!
They, too, are hearing the Word! The youth meet four days a week. Each time is for a different “T”: Thuto (teaching), Thapelo (prayer), Thabisano (fun activities) and Tsebetso (work). The first three are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons around 5pm. On Saturdays they meet mid-afternoon for a service project, such as cleaning around the church or helping at someone’s house.
I’m sure many of you are wondering what is happening with the Bolahla Primary School project. I recently visited the site with the contractor to check on the progress. The photos give you a view of the site and of the foundations that have been dug for the two classroom blocks. Progress continues to be slowed by transportation problems (mechanical, road conditions & weather) but slowly
materials are being delivered to the site. The contractor is completing the reinforcements for the foundation and should be able to have these in the ground by early February. I ask for your prayers on this project!
As we enter the season of Lent, a season associated with personal introspection and contemplation, those words from Romans above offer much to ponder. For those who come to church, the Word will be preached. But for those beyond the church walls, how will they hear unless we tell them? Someone took the time to tell us; will we do the same for someone else? As the following verse (15) concludes, quoting from Isaiah, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Yours in Christ,
Mark Behle
Email: mark37438@yahoo.com
Mark Behle is a missionary with the Lesotho Evangelical Church. He is working to identify development projects, assist the church in preparing project proposals and coordinating project implementation.