Beth Heyward

Soaring on wings as eagles

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:39:40 -0500

NEW NEWS
The Mountain top Experience
My life will be changing on December 1, 2009. When I found this out I went straight to the mountain to seek guidance from the Lord. He has been speaking to me since then. The above picture was taken from that mountain. I will be leaving Roma before December 1 and will be making a decision about the organization that will be processing my funds in the future. I am waiting to hear from one organization and am still looking into others. The people whose property I live on have asked me to leave so they can build a clinic. I will be moving to the city of Maseru or in the surrounding villages.

Soaring on Wings as Eagles

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 13:46:49 -0400

PERSONAL UPDATE
Praise the Living God that He doesn’t change! The work He has begun in someone He will continue it until it is completed. Since my last newsletter, my life has changed in a lot of ways. The main change is that Rethabile, my orphan daughter does not live with me anymore. Her actions showed me that she wanted to live on her own, so I dismissed her from my home in April. This was devastating to my heart and many tears were cried because I made a commitment to her that I would care for her. As with all crises in a Christian’s life, if we give our concerns over to God He will help us, so we can learn from our mistakes. The main thing that I learned is to always put my God first above all relationships and be dependent on Him for all things. Please keep Rethabile in your prayers as she learns to live on her own and to trust God for all things.

Soaring on Wings as Eagles

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:53:40 -0500

Thanks
This is a year of new things. Which one of them will be for me to stay in better touch with all of you that have been faithful to me and my ministry to Lesotho. Thank you so much for all you have done to keep me and my ministry continuing.

New Things and Celebrating Births
The first thing that is new is that Mohau or Grace in English who is my roommate, Sesotho Teacher, fellow worker in the mission field and my friend is in the process of moving on in her life, so she only visits here from time to time.

I am sitting on a........

Tue, 6 May 2008 11:56:02 -0400

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)

May 1, 2008

I am sitting on a large flat sloping rock situated just above our busy village, so I can hear the sounds of life echoing up. Around me are mountains, rivers, trees, birds and the bright blue sky. The air is warm and the breeze cool and refreshing. Autumn has arrived so the leaves are turning yellow, orange and red. I just saw a dove flying and soaring free and then a locust flapping furiously and then landing only a few yards away. This is the prayer that I prayed: “Lord, let me not be like the locust wasting time and energy on things outside your will and accomplishing little. May I be like the dove and put my trust in this life in Your hands, so I can live in freedom and victory. I give you my time and my burdens so I may live the abundant life you desire. I receive Your guidance, peace and rest.”

I am now living in the rural University town of Roma, Lesotho where the church I am working with is located (Harvest Revival Church). I live in a two room (not bedroom) cement block house on the property of a respected family with trees, a fence, dogs and a gate. We have electricity, I bathe in a basin, use an outside latrine and we fetch our water from a tap outside near the house. I have a roommate, Mohau (Grace) who is a student at the National Lesotho University studying to be a Sesotho and English teacher. Refiloe and Lisemelo are members of my church. (These are not my original friends Refiloe and Lisemelo, but new ones) Refiloe helps me inside the house and Lisemelo works in the garden. Each day we pray, study the bible and I disciple them in how to live the Christian life.

I am also discipling about seventeen others using a fourteen lesson series. They read a pamphlet, answer questions on a test paper and then I correct it and give them the next lesson. One orphan, Sebueng has finished all fourteen lessons, so she will receive a certificate and then will begin a book called “To Follow Jesus”. Also, I disciple, tutor and sponsor my spiritual daughter, Rethabile another orphan, who is in High School. I am tutored in Sesotho once a week and I help in other prayer meetings and cell groups throughout the week at my church.

Mohau and I went to Mokhotlong in February to visit my original Peace Corps village. We walked with our heavy luggage from the camptown for about one and a half hours along the river. When we arrived at a waterfall I decided to take a swim. The water was cool, clear and refreshing and the sun and air was warm. As I floated down with the current and stared up at the blue sky I thought,” this is very close to my idea of paradise on earth”. We walked for about one and a half more hours when we took off our shoes to cross the river that leads to the steep rocky road to my village. Just then my village brother, Tsepang (Trust) arrived on horseback and took my pack to our home. Then a few moments later Kheola, my best male friend in the village also came on horse and took Mohau’s luggage, so we were able to walk the rest of the way up the steep road easier. We were welcomed by the villagers as they came out of their huts to greet us. We found out that ‘Me Masethole, the woman who I shared my Peace Corps skill with had become a Christian. Her daughter took us to the Christian Church which was up a very steep mountain where I used to teach agriculture at a school there. Then on Tuesday we visited my friend Puleng’s sister and another lady ‘Me Mazulu whom I had taught agriculture in 1994. The two of them and ‘Me Mazulu’s family gave their lives to Jesus. We walked over mountains and crossed rivers and it took us eleven hours roundtrip. The next day we visited the school where Kheola teaches. I taught the standard six and seven students on missionaries and the gospel. Over forty- five students prayed to receive Jesus. Then we visited Kheola’s gardens and fields. He was my best agricultural student when I taught them in the Peace Corps. Everything that I taught, he continued to put into practice after I left and now is selling and making money. I enjoyed the fruit of my previous labor, by eating fresh spinach, tomatoes and carrots along a clear rushing stream. Then we went home and roasted fresh corn on the cob over an open fire under stars and a dark night. The next day, the eight year old girl who had been such a great help to me in ’94-’95, came as woman with her child. That day Mohau and I led many in my village and old friends from other villages to the Lord. Also, we prayed for the sick and saw immediate healing. My village mother, grandmother and other relatives gave their lives to Jesus that day.

I was given the opportunity to help facilitate a worship dance workshop at Mavis’ Orphanage during Resurrection (Easter) weekend. I met Mpho (Gift) in Johannesburg, South Africa in January 2008. One day, in 2006, I visited the orphanage. Some of the girls told me to follow them, because they wanted to show me something. We entered a deserted building and three of the girls proceeded to perform worship dance (a dance of worship to Jesus). It was beautiful and I was inspired and impressed. They said they had learned by listening to the radio. I have some friends in the USA who are worship dancers and teach dance. I also am a worship dancer, but I mainly dance spontaneously alone to the Lord. At that time, I began to pray and tell others of my desire to have dance workshops at the orphanage. Therefore, when I met Mpho and she told me of her desire to teach orphans dance, I invited her to come and teach. I am thankful that God allowed it to happen so quickly. She taught orphans and some of my friends and then they performed for the other orphans and some volunteers. It was a blessed time and we look forward to our next workshop.

Praises:
1) I have been healthy and am continuing to gain strength
2) God provided Rethabile with a private dentist who fixed her teeth for free. The material they use is the same as for my eye. She doesn’t even look like she is missing any teeth. I am thankful to see her beautiful smile again.
3) Nthabeleng, my native missionary friend was able to have some of her teeth filled and now she has committed to serve three years in the same mountainous area as a missionary working mainly teaching shepherd boys English and teaching them about Jesus.
4) My new safe home in Roma with the used furniture, roommate and helpers.
5) The many new Christians in Mokhotlong, Roma and other places I have visited.
6) I was able to buy 40 Sesotho bibles to give out

Requests:
1) The Street Boys need healing and deliverance from the addiction to the streets. May God continue to put people together, so that we can pray and see change occur in the future.
2) Mohau’s and my trip to Mokhotlong May 17-24, 2008. Pray that God will prepare the way for the people to receive bibles and discipleship material and that they will grow in their relationship with Jesus.
3) My trip to USA on June 4, 2008 for about a month. Pray for me to get everything done I need to and pray for me to find a car to use during my stay.
4) For me to get everything I need to get done before I leave for the USA.
5) For Sarah who wants to start a sewing business
6) For Katleho (Prosperity) an orphan who is studying her first year of high school through a distance learning program.
7) Refiloe and Lisemelo who want to attend a vocational school.
8) For me to get my house organized and to clearly hear God’s direction for my life each day as I seek Him.
9) For Libuseng, Mamolefe and Tebele and her friends that they will commit their lives to Jesus and that He will direct me as to how to minister to them.

Here are my contact details:
To contact my parents or me while in USA: Mr. and Mrs. Shannon Heyward, 334 Oceanwalk Dr. N., Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233, USA, home: 904-246-3178 Beth’s cell: 904-635-6790

To contact me in Lesotho:
For Lesotho or African Friends: Cell # 266-63098729
For the USA: Cell # 011-266-63098729; Email: bhpsalm51@yahoo.com

The following is my NEW mailing address for Lesotho: Beth Heyward Private Bag A299, Maseru 100, Lesotho, Southern Africa (However, I will continue to receive mail at my previous # until June ’08)
My mission to Lesotho is expanding, so if you would like to partner with me in any way then please contact me? There are many ways to assist. Just reading my emails is a blessing to me. If you would like to commit to pray for me I would be truly thankful. You can help practically by assisting with mailing my letters to people in the USA who don't have email, creating and monitoring a Web site or shipping items to me. If you would like to partner with me you can contact me and let me know.

If you would like to support me or my other ministries financially you can send your contribution to: Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 5860 Mount Carmel Terrace, Jacksonville, FL 32216, USA, (904) 737-2386
(Please put my name “Beth Heyward” in the memo and if you want to donate money for bibles or to sponsor children then put “bibles” or “sponsor” after my name.)

With the Love of Jesus, Beth Heyward

An Update From Lesotho

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:53:39 -0500

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his
troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he
delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who
takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him
lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD
lack no good thing. (Psalm 34:4-10)

February 4, 2008
I am surprised that it has been so long since I have written. Much has
happened. I enjoyed many birthday celebrations. I ate dinner with my Indian
friend, Lisemelo and her husband Tau cooked me lunch, my friend Janice called
me from America and my brother and his family sent me an email message. I am
still waiting for my parents birthday card.

Here is a day in the life of Beth here in Lesotho, December 19, 2007: I was
experiencing sinus symptoms for over two weeks and was very weak. I was lying
in my bed in serious pain when I cried out to the LORD, Please send me a
friend. At that very moment, my friend Hlompho(Respect) sent me a text
message on my cell phone and asked me if he and Khotso(Peace) could come visit
me. What a quick answer! I had expected to rest the entire day and not even
leave my property, yet I was inspired to get up and walk outside to meet them
at my gate. While waiting, I began talking to a lady that sells food outside
our gate. Just then a young girl walked up to us. She had no shoes and a torn
dress. She told us that her mother had gotten mad at her that morning and had
said she didnt love her, so this 8 year old decided to walk to town which
took at least an hour. She was planning to walk to her sisters home which
would be about a three hour walk. She began to cry and I
drew her to me and held her. Then I gave her some water and we sent her back
home. After my friends had left, I became concerned for her and went to see if
she was still around. As I entered the street, a young lady with a disheveled
wig and unbecoming clothing came up to me. She told me that she had come from
a far district looking for work because her family had passed away. She said
she was staying at the police station and had no place to go. She was hungry,
so I left to go buy her bread. Along the way, I saw the street boys and I
began to share the word of God with them. Soon after, my two friends arrived
on the street and I asked them if they wanted to minister to the boys with me.
So we gathered them in the grass under a sign next to the busy street. Then a
nun stopped and I invited her to join us. Khotso shared the good news, Hlompho
spoke about hope and I told a story about Thabo (Happy) and his two friends Libe
(Sins) and Mohau (Mercy). I told the
story to teach them not to do bad things with bad people, but to do good things
with good people. Then at the end of the story, Thabo accepted Christ as his
Savior. We gave each of the boys an invitation to make Jesus the Lord of their
lives and each of them bowed on their knees and accepted Jesus into their
hearts. The nun then prayed the Lords Prayer with them. Then we gave them
food to eat. Afterwards, I went back to the young lady and prayed for her and
encouraged her. On that day, even though I was weak and sick, God used me
while outside my gate to minister to those in need.

Next I want to share about my Christmas experience. I didnt do any shopping
and no wrapping of presents. I gave my friends some of my jewelry and I gave
the orphans shells and shark teeth from Florida. Some of the orphans made
earrings out of the shells. Then on Christmas Eve I met the Street Boys and I
shared with them how to live the Christian life and the story of the birth of
Jesus. We prayed that God would provide them with new clothes and shoes. Then
I bought them Kentucky Fried Chicken and blessed them in the name of Jesus.
Then I went to Roma which is the town where the church I work for is located.
My pastor had found Brenda, a Ugandan, for me to stay with during Christmas. I
attended a seminar at my church and Christmas Day I shared my testimony at
Brendas friends church. Then I celebrated with my church body as we heard
the Word of God together.

On New Years Eve, I met the Street Boys again. They were all very happy
because they all had new clothes and shoes. I didnt even recognize one boy
because he was without his previous tattered clothes, had shoes; he had washed
and was smiling. I cooked them corn mush and greens from our garden. We read
the word of God and I continued to encourage them to live the Christian life
and then we thanked God for all that He had done. That night I had a wonderful
time with my friends and our church as we prayed, praised the Lord and ate
together all night. It was a great way to Crossover into the New Year with
the Body of Christ.

Then I faced a challenge in my life. On the first day of the year, I fell in
the road and badly sprained my ankle and cut my other knee. However, God
provided a ride to my friends house, ice and a ride home. Brenda bandaged me
and I rested for the next 10 days until it was time to go to my Peridontist (Gum
Dentist) appointment in Johannesburg,
South Africa. My time there was challenging because of my foot, but I
reunited with friends, made new friends and had a positive experience with my
Peridontist. God provided for all my needs and gave me the strength I needed.

Since, I returned to Lesotho I have been spending a lot of time with the
orphans. A few days before they were to start school, I found out that the
High School students didnt have funds to go to school. I prayed and sensed
that God wanted me to use funds I had received from others in the USA to
sponsor two of the girls. It has been a great undertaking and I have learned
much. The two girls are Maria and Rethabile. I also used other donated funds
to send two widows children, Relebohile and Lebohang to High School. If you
would like to sponsor orphans, street children or children of widows to attend
school then you can contact me. The money goes directly to each child and a
dollar goes a long way, so any amount is accepted.

Please enjoy the following pictures: 1)My Mom and Dad at a Gathering at my
church before I left USA in Sept. '07, 2) My brother, his family, and my
parents at their home in Jacksonville, Florida in the USA at Thanksgiving
'07, 3)My Pastors here in Lesotho Pastor Dominic and Dr. Muganza when they
picked me up at the airport here in Lesotho in Sept. '07, 4)My Dog, Tsane at
his new family in USA with Kalie his favorite female sibling

Praises:
1) My sinus are completely healed and my foot is much better
2) I had a wonderful Christmas and 10 Street boys gave their lives to Jesus
and God provided them with clothes and shoes
3) Rethabile, Relebohile and Lebohang are attending High School

Prayer Requests:
1) For my protection from all sickness, accident, injury, disease and anything
else negative that would come against my life. (Psalm 91)
2) For Zanele and Maria two orphans that I was teaching the bible to and Maria
who I was sponsoring at High School. They both ran away from the orphanage and
we do not know where they are at this time.
3) For Rethabile who had her two front teeth broken. Pray that the private
dentist will be able to make them look normal, so that she will smile with joy.
4) For the street children to find shelter and funds to go to school
5) For Nthabelengs teeth and her future as a native missionary here in
Lesotho
6) For a safe place for me to live in Roma, the town where my church and cell
group are located, so I can minister there

Here are my contact details:
To contact my parents: Mr. and Mrs. Shannon Heyward, 334 Oceanwalk Dr. N.,
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233, USA, 904-246-3178

To contact me in Lesotho:
For Lesotho or African Friends: Cell # 266-63098729
For the USA: Cell # 011-266-63098729; Email: bhpsalm51@yahoo.com

The following is my NEW mailing address for Lesotho: Beth Heyward Private Bag
A299, Maseru 100, Lesotho, Southern Africa (However, I will continue to receive
mail at my previous # until June 08)
My mission to Lesotho is expanding, so if you would like to partner with me in
any way then please contact me? There are many ways to assist. Just reading my
emails is a blessing to me. If you would like to commit to pray for me I would
be truly thankful. You can help practically by assisting with mailing my
letters to people in the USA who don't have email, creating and monitoring a
Web site or shipping items to me. If you would like to partner with me you can
contact me and let me know.

If you would like to support me or my other ministries financially you can
send your contribution to: Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 5860 Mount Carmel
Terrace, Jacksonville, FL 32216, USA, (904) 737-2386
(Please put my name Beth Heyward in the memo and if you want to donate
money for bibles or to sponsor children then put bibles or sponsor
after my name.)

With the Love of Jesus, Beth Heyward