Incarnational Ministry in Matsaile

Justin and Korby are there! That's right, as of Monday they are now living in Matsaile village. last week was a flurry of activities as we flew three flights to get all the supplies there and things readied. Wed/Thur Mike Shutts (MAF Pilot/Mechanic) and I were flown there to install the solar and radio system. As usual, we had to haul the supplies from the airstrip to the village, a 30 minute walk. Once there, we began the work of re-assembling the antenna pole. A big thanks to Roger Clark (MAF Mechanic) who helped to build the antenna in pieces so it would fit in the airplane and then be easy to assemble at the village. With the four pieces put together, Mike and I and one of the men in the village got the pole up next to the house. Then we ran some metal straps above the block wall and under the thatch to fix it in place (the pole had a spike welded to the bottom to drive into the ground). Then it was time to hoist up the folded dipole antenna and secure the ends.

Next it was time to put up the 80 watt solar panel and do the electrical wiring. We had brought Mike's folding aluminum ladder so it made for easy access to the thatch roof. The stuff is really thick so Mike pushed through guide wires so I could then send back through the wire to secure the panel to the rafters. Then back inside again to set up the lights. Justin and Korby now have two 12 volt lights that give some great lighting.

Well, once we had the solar installed it was time to test out the HF Radio. Mike gave a call to "49" (that's the MAF base in Maseru at Mejametelana Airport) and they answered back. The radio works, but this is the time of year in the solar sun spot cycle where communication via HF radio is not ideal. We will use it during daytime hours as a means

to communicate with the guys. There is one area in the village where there is cell phone coverage. Already we have had to use that backup plan as that day the radio signals were not good.

We praise God for all the help from our support team in Johannesburg as well as the great MAF team here in Maseru. It took a lot of team work to get all the supplies to Matsaile airstrip and then to the village. Praise God for the faithful support of Southern Baptists in giving to missions to make this possible. We now have two young guys being "Jesus" to the people of Matsaile village and the 6 surrounding villages. There is no question now that the good news of the gospel will reach the Basotho there.

The guys are outfitted pretty good now. They have their solar lights as primary with headlamps, candles and kerosene lantern for backup. The rondoval has a kerosene heater that also doubles as a one burner cooker. They have as their main cooking source lpg gas to run their two burner stove and the camp fridge. It's a pretty good set up and will work well for them to have as their home and base of operations. I will be traveling there twice a month as part of our normal Lesotho Flying Doctor Services mobile health post so I will use that opportunity to meet with the guys as part of my part in mentoring them. LFDS also has the

public health team that travels there once a month to do pre-natal care and under-5s immunizations. This will give the guys some 'outside' contact apart from the radio calls. The plan right now is for daily radio/phone checks. We have had one 'hiccup' as the promised completion of their pit latrine did not come through. We will fly two more bags of cement there on

Friday (weather permitting) so it can be completed. Meanwhile, they have another pit latrine they can use.

So, please pray for Justin and Korby as they adjust to life in Matsaile village.

Pray for opportunities to share the love of Jesus with the Basotho there.

Pray for endurance as they learn to live in the village.

Pray for wisdom in the work they do there.

Will send more pics next week after I make a visit there on Tuesday. Meanwhile, I'm back to our LFDS clinic and health post doctor team visits.