Dials Feburary 2009

Dear Faithful Prayer Partners, February, 6,2009 There are times when everything falls nicely in place and the world appears to cheerfully drift by…these times are infrequent but dazzling. Then, there are those weeks when it appears that nothing is going to go right and the days drag by. We have not had internet access for 12 days, in fact, we don’t have access now and are awaiting a call from the provider telling us that we are back on‐line. Internet in the mountains of Lesotho is different from that in America and is dependable only in its lack of dependability. Still, we wanted to write and share our last few weeks with you. Samaritans Purse team from Ireland and two Dial boys. Late December and into early January we received a team from Samaritans Purse Ireland. Great group of folks absolutely dedicated to fleshing out the Gospel to the Basotho. They camped in Khohlo‐Ntso and worked with the children in the village for a week and completed a work project in the village primary school. We enjoyed them very much and were pleased to see their witness with the children and the parents. We do not normally get an opportunity to work with SP and don’t know if it will happen again, but we can thank those wonderful folks from Ireland for the great experience and joy of children celebrating the Christ. (Daniel and Mohau on the front row) On 16 January we were blessed with the arrival of old friends from America. Dr. Scotty Davis of Mission Team Inc. (www.missionteaminc.com) arrived with Bradley (a Christian media professional) and Chris (Pastor of Pebblebrook Baptist Church) to work on a "30 Day Virtual Prayer Walk" for the mountain Basotho. Scotty, Bradley and Chris worked tirelessly for 5 days putting together the video and supporting stills for the presentation. Basically "Pray for the Basotho" will be an 8 minute introduction and 30 or so short vignettes asking you to pray for specific needs for the Basotho and Basoth Team. We got a copy of the draft intro before they had to head back to Atlanta…brother these folks are talented!! You will be able to access the finished project online and see and join us in prayer with a different need each day for thirt days. All this is way over our heads and we are amazed at the skill these three men used as they knit this project together. There are moments when you realize you are in the presences of really gifted folks and we were just in awe at them during the ntire week. We hope you will join with us in praying for the Basotho during this 30 day virtual prayer walk. Now we know that most churches in America are very particular about giving up their time for outside presentations but we do ray that pastors and their church families will be open to showing it and while we don’t expect it to be the "big screen" in a church near you…we do hope beyond all hope that you will watch this space as we reveal where you can join us and "Pray for the Basotho" with us.
Jesus Film with new equipment in HaKanono Scotty and company also transported sound equipment courtesy of Faith Baptist Church in Tallahassee for our use with the "Jesus Film" presentation. We hung a sheet for a screen and showed the movie with our new equipment. Thanks to all our family at Faith as they continue to reach out to the lost. A special thanks to Harvey and the Senior Adult Sunday School Class for their amazing demonstration of love for missions andthe Basotho (and us). You’re the best! Then it was off to Jo’Burg for a couple of medical appointments and to pick up the mountain truck, which had been left behind in Jo’Burg for repairs. The bakkie (truck) has been in the shop now for a couple of weeks (it remains in the shop as we speak). An apparently unending saga of transmission woes has left us with a replacement vehicle (for which we are grateful to have use of) and deep concern for our rugged truck. The need for a new clutch a couple of months ago and the repair that resulted in the need for a transmission rebuild (the fix one thing…break another repair shop) has confounded and confused us. I am reminded that we are not in America…things (although they may appear first world) don’t happen like they do in America. I should know this going on five years here, but am often deceived by appearance, and in that deception I get frustrated. The truck will get repaired, we know it will, and we only need to be patient and remember that for the grace of God influencing the generosity of Southern Baptist we wouldn't have a truck in the first place. Still we waited in Jo’Burg hanging on the promise of "it will be ready tomorrow" and finally decided we could do more in Lesotho with half a truck (2X4) rather than waiting around for a whole truck (4x4) so Tuesday we fled to our beloved mountains…ahh, to be back where God wants you. We believe with all our hearts that the fine missionaries working in Jo’Burg are a special group of folks that God has calledto one of the most difficult places on earth, and I praise their devotion to tasks as they support our ministry in the mountains. We could not do our job without them. We do not envy their work or where they live!
We are continuing our work in Phakoeng, Ha Kanono, Ha Theko, Khokhoba, Khohlo‐Ntso, Mphorosane and the Bokong and Semenanyane area. We are now seeing in excess of 325 with the Gospel each week. Now those that know us know that we aren’t really into "counting nickels and noses" but it is important to remember each one of these people represents a soul hearing the Gospel, and as seeds are sown we will count on God for the harvest. We see God working in an amazing way here in the mountains and we are continually blessed as He allows us to witness His plan or the Basotho. Remember therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." (Mat 9:38) We need Basotho men, Christian men, to step forward and accept leadership roles in all but three of the above mentioned areas! We need you to come to Lesotho and do "broad seed sowing" as we evangelize new areas in the mountains! We need you and your churches to pray for the Basotho! We need you to answer the call to long term missions! We cannot and will not promise you a warm comfortable vacation, a soft bed or a clean sterile environment where you will gleefully share Jesus with the noble savage but we do promise you wil be forever changed as you slug up dusty or wet (never in‐between) mountains, eat strange food, experience strange senses, speak to a different people and realize that the Holy Spirit is filling you exponentially as you share Jesus with others. Isn’t that what you are seeking? Don’t you really want to reflect Christ in your life and show Him to others? We can help! Now, my question really is simple…did you really mean what you promised God that day you walked down the aisle and told Him you would be all He wanted you to be? If so…what did He really want you to be? Read Mat 28:19, Mar 16:15, Luke 24:47‐48, Acts 1:8.
Below are some folks who have "stepped out" over the last few years.







AN MANY, MANY MORE! These are just a few of those who have come to work here in the mountains with us. Thanks for loving us, and allowing us to love you…much thanks to those that have no picture here but came, and much thanks to those who have prayed without ceasing for the Basotho. God bless. In His Name, Alan, Babs, Mohau and Daniel Katse Village, Lesotho www.basotho.org www.missionteaminc.com