By Alan Webster

It was a privilege to travel down to Hillcrest and join a team of nine from CityHill Church for a mission trip into the south of Lesotho. Our destination was Dalewe, near Mt Moorosi, where we were welcomed by the Baphuthi people.

Mt Moorosi is a place of great significance to the Baphuthi, and it was a privilege to spend time among a people whose language and heritage are so deeply rooted in this part of Lesotho. It is also here that we have been assisting with the translation of the Bible into Siphuthi.

Our wonderful hosts, Noma and Eketsang, are part of the translation team and went above and beyond to make us feel at home. They helped us navigate the villages, introduced us to local leaders and families, and opened doors for us to experience something of life among the Baphuthi.

One of the highlights was visiting the local chiefs and presenting each of them with a Sesotho Bible. The Bibles were eagerly received, and these encounters provided opportunities to build relationships and share something of the wider work of Scripture translation.

Our days were filled with opportunities to connect with the community. We visited the local church, went from house to house meeting families and praying with them, and walked through the villages in prayer. One particularly special outreach was a gathering of around 100 local children. Their energy and enthusiasm brought a wonderful sense of joy to the day.

Of course, a journey into Lesotho would not be complete without experiencing some of the remarkable beauty and history of the area. We visited ancient cave paintings and even had the opportunity to ride some of the local horses, who helped us cross a fast-flowing river. These moments gave us a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage and stunning landscape that surround the Baphuthi communities.

But perhaps the greatest highlight was the CityHill team themselves. They came with a genuine desire to bless the Baphuthi people and an eagerness to understand how Bible translation is making a difference in their lives. They brought big hearts, plenty of enthusiasm and a joyful willingness to adapt to whatever each day brought.

For me, it was deeply encouraging to see a church community step into the work of Bible translation—not simply as spectators, but as partners who were willing to listen, pray, serve and learn.

Here are some of their reflections on the journey:

“Thank you everyone for an incredible, memorable trip. Thank you Sue and Gavin for all the time and effort and organisation, great supply of food and water. Thank you Alan for including us in the incredible work that Wycliffe is doing. Thank you Graham for the amazing driving and keeping us safe and Linds for the food and Sienna for sitting in the back row leaving us all the space. And of course our amazing translators who made the whole thing make sense for us. It was a very special experience for Amy and I and we feel so privileged to have spent time with the wonderful Baputhi tribe and to share their beautiful space.” - Shirley

“We just wanted to say a huge thank you to you all for being the most amazing team. We so appreciate each one of you. It was hard and unknown at times and no one ever complained or got grumpy. It was so encouraging going on mission with you all. We continue to pray that God will grow the seeds planted and continue to work in hearts and lives.” - Sue

Here is my poem on our Lesotho experience. The title is from the visit to the rock paintings where someone had written this on the wall of the cave...

“Room 19”

Turn left past Mount Moorosi
The road ahead is newly paved
With boulders tossed around and saved
To keep the wary out
It beckons only those who really have intent
To enter rugged beauty's heart.
The slow descent from Qacha's Nek
Does not prepare for what's about
To come - the jolt assault on every part
Tests the will of our mission's trek

Life slows down
In wide-eyed wonder at the mud-hut slopes
We blunder 'Dumelangs' to shepherds
In their butcher-boots and blankets
As each citied body barely copes
We marvel at the Gogo's anklets
Have danced well-trodden on these tribal hills
Confidence stills; here's sacred ground

Mudali hid His precious arts
In the creases of creation
There in the crevices of smiley welcomes
Where chiefs light fires
And children, free of trepidation
Run gleeful the tracks of trundled paths
Chase age-old streams that shape and pour
The overflow of beauty dropped from heaven's store

It's waiting for discovery
A venture to the pink-peach scenes
To willing wanderers abandoned to a timeless seek
Receive a soul recovery
And tucked beneath the towering peaks
A tranquil blend of mud and sticks
And thatch and solar-panelled homes
We savour ancient daubs of red
And book a bed in Room 19

The newest twelve disciples walk
And follow Morena’s ascent
To plant a seed and by our talk
In simple faith to pray, as sent
Siyakuboga Yeso gekusitleketa ebhalini yhakho
(We thank you, Jesus, for writing us into Your story)