My First Trip to Lesotho: Faith, Mountains & Mission

The Leadership team visit Pulane Children’s Centre. Left to right: Caroline Sharpe, Lineo Lekhotsa, Becky Chapple, Rob Duff, Stephen Sharpe, Ntate Brown.

 In January, I travelled to Lesotho for the first time and it’s safe to say it exceeded anything I could have imagined.

Lesotho is known as the Mountain Kingdom in the Sky, and from the moment we arrived, it was clear why. I have never seen mountains like it. Vast, dramatic, and breathtaking, the landscape feels almost other-worldly. Everywhere you look, creation speaks of beauty, scale, and the quiet presence of God.

Our journey took us from the South Africia deep into the mountains of Lesotho, travelling to Quthing, where Pulane Children’s Centre is based. As we descended into the valley where the Centre sits, surrounded by mountains and trees, it felt like stepping into one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever experienced.

Pulane Children’s Centre is home to 37 children, from babies right up to teenagers. We stayed there for four days, working alongside the team and spending time with the children. One of the most meaningful moments for me was finally meeting Mme Lineo in person. Until this trip, we had only ever worked together online, so being together on the ground brought a new depth and friendship to our partnership.

I travelled with Rob, the Chairman of the charities, along with Stephen and Caroline Sharpe, Jamie Sharpe, Jason Rafferty, and Ntate Brown. For the first time in our history in Lesotho, the entire leadership and oversight team were together on the ground. It felt significant, it was a time of alignment, unity, and shared responsibility.

Much of our time was spent reflecting, planning, and praying. The work in the children’s centres has been built on a strong foundation, and we now find ourselves in a season of transition and building. We asked important questions about who we are, what we are called to provide, and what the next season should look like. Sharing experience, wisdom, and perspective across the team felt like honouring the past while preparing responsibly for the future.

One of the highlights of the trip was Sunday morning church at Pulane. When we arrived, the service was already underway. Teenagers were leading from the front, scripture was shared in both Sesotho and English, and worship flowed naturally as children stood one by one to sing. There was no rush, no programme to manage, just worship. At the end, children shared scriptures they had memorised and things they were thankful for. Sitting there, I was struck by the quiet, faithful reality that every Sunday morning in this valley, these children gather to worship God together.

After Pulane, we travelled on to Ha Lebesa and the One Day Children’s Centre, where Stephen, Caroline & Jamie Sharpe live and serve. I had heard many stories over the years, but being there walking the land, meeting the staff, children and teenagers, and sitting in their home brought everything to life. What stayed with me most was the normality of it all children knocking on the door for a chat while others played football or on the playground.

On our final night, we gathered around a bonfire and worshipped together. We sang the song “The Blessing” over the children, the land, and the staff. The house parents then sang for us, hearing worship sung in Sesotho was incredibly moving there is something deeply powerful about hearing people worship God in their own language, from their own story.

At the beginning of  the trip, I found myself overwhelmed. I missed my family and my children, and I felt emotionally undone. In that moment, I experienced the kindness of God in such a real way through the people around me, through prayer, and through a renewed awareness of how deeply loved I am by Him.

This trip changed me. I came home with fresh vision, deeper insight and understanding of all that is happening in Lesotho. There is something about stepping beyond what is familiar and witnessing God at work elsewhere that reshapes your perspective forever.

I would encourage anyone even if you don’t feel particularly “called” to go. To see. To listen. To be part of that God is doing in the world.