The heartbeat of MAF Lesotho is certainly assisting our fellow missionaries who live up in the mountains and touch the isolated, forgotten Basotho. Merrill and Bekah are two such missionary women working with Africa Inland Mission (AIM). They made the bold decision to move from their village home of many years to another, more isolated village. They regularly share their dreams for ministry with us; we pray with them, house them when they are in town, love on them, and hope to be the hands and feet of Jesus to them.

One project they are focused on is making disciples of shepherds, better known here as “herd boys.” Herd boys are young men who have, out of necessity, moved out of their communities to care for livestock belonging to someone else. The mountain Basotho are very poor, living on less than $1.00 a day; they have no means to buy their own livestock. In the spring, as payment, the boys receive a new lamb, kid, or calf from the owner of the herd.

Herd boys circa 1990s. Photo by Paul Middleton.

Speaking of shepherds…

“…And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord, came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Excerpts from the second chapter of Luke’s Gospel

Would you join with me in praying for the ministry that is happening with the Basotho herd boys? Perhaps it will be a herd boy who will make known abroad all that was told him concerning Jesus, just like the shepherds in Bethlehem, centuries before.