Keisler Life

At the airport

Nathan and Nicole live in Maseru, Lesotho. They are Coordinators for the YWAM( Youth with a Mission http://www.ywamafrica.org/Southern/Lesotho/Maseru/index.html )base in Lesotho. They play many roles...some recognized - most are not :) Anyone who is interested in joining YWAM Lesotho would correspond with Nathan & Nicole. They would provide the prospective YWAM'er with all the essential information about missionary life, Lesotho culture & history, and any additional resources that may be helpful in successfully guiding the prospective person into missions. Once individuals or families have been choosen to come to Lesotho, Nathan and Nicole are responsible for hosting many of the teams in their home (you can imagine the roles played here). They play the role of a continuous "Tourist Guide," Navigator, Interpretor, and one who is able to understand and communicate the acceptable/not acceptable Basotho cultural practices. Nathan & Nicole participate in outreach missions as well.

During the time we were visiting, Nicole volunteered to watch the Base Leader's children in order to free her to minister to a local group of Basotho. This was so important because if it had not been for Nicole choosing to "give up" her day to look after her child and two others, this woman(who speaks Sesotho fluently and is VERY important when equipping the people who live in Lesotho) and Nathan would NOT have been able to teach these precious young people about the love of Jesus. But because of this opportunity, these young people who live in Maseru are now free to minister to their OWN people!! This is the most effective ministry! (Can you see now how imporant your role is, Nicole? ) Nicole is a crucial puzzle piece in reaching others with the love of Jesus in Lesotho.

A team of women, including Nicole, make up a ministry titled, "Ladies Unlimited." These women have dedicated themselves to going to the streets of Maseru every Monday and Friday nights to intercede on behalf of the Sex Workers and to try and build relationships with the women. Prostitution is extremely high, as is HIV/AIDS. You would not believe some of the stories I heard, and unfortunatley saw with my own eyes. A lot of these women have been forced to prostitution for many reasons....for example, it's possible both of their parents have passed away, and now they must provide for the rest of their siblings. Working in the clothing factories is not enough. They turn to the streets at night in hopes of making money. The end result is not pretty...some ladies are taken to unsafe places and left with no means of returning to their home, most are paid more if they do NOT use condoms, most have accepted the cultural "norm" that women are soley for men. It is a horrible deception that this lifestyle is "worth" it.

I have to add this: Nicole and Nathan also play the part of "Experienced Off-Road Driver." Well, Nicole is after I decided to take a trip into the mountains. God has helped them to navigate in places that would make your jaw drop. Roads are an understatement to some places in the rural community. And let me just say....no one relies on road signs!!! Just 200 meters, right? It was more like......turn right because that way has fresh tire tracks, that must be the way....Nicole was right!

T.I.A

This Is Africa