Pray for Lesotho

Lesotho is a landlocked country in southern Africa.
It is completely surrounded by the country of South Africa.

The population is 2 million
Maseru is the capital and largest city.

FACTS
The name 'Lesotho' translates roughly into 'Land of the people who speak Sesotho'.

Lesotho is more than 3,280 feet above sea level, making it the highest country
in the world.  

Due to its mountainous terrain the country has been called 'The Kingdom in the Sky'
and the 'Switzerland of Africa'.
Some mountain villages can only be reached by horseback.

The Sotho are known for their colorful blankets.

AfriSki is the only skiing resort in southern Africa
It is located 3222 m above sea-level in the Maluti Mountains,
near the northern border of Lesotho and South Africa.

Lesotho has also been known as 'The Hostage State' due to its
dependence on South Africa.

DEMOGRAPHICS
99.7%  Sotho
0.3%    Other

45%       Catholic
45%       Protestant
9.50%    Animist
0.80%    Baha’i
0.25%    Non-Religious
0.10%     Hindu
0.04%     Muslim

HISTORY
The earliest inhabitants of the area were Khoisan hunter-gatherers.
During the 3-11th centuries Bantu groups came to the area.
The Sotho-Tswana people colonized the general region of South Africa

In 1822 the Sotho clans was united under the rule of Moshoeshoe I  (1786-1870)
and formed the Basotho Nation.
Their territory came to be called Basutoland.
Basutoland was able to successfully repel invasions from the Zulu.

Over the next several years Basutoland had several conflicts with British and Dutch
colonists from the South African Cape Colony.

In 1858 Moshoeshoe fought a series of wars with the Boers.

In 1868 Basutoland became a British protectorate.

From 1871-1884 Basutoland was treated similarly to territories that had been annexed.
This led to the Gun War (1881).
In 1884, Basutoland was restored its status as a protectorate.

In 1966 Basutoland gained its independence and became the Kingdom of Lesotho.

In 1998 Lesotho suffered from a civil war
South Africa sent troops to try and restore peace.

CONDITIONS
The economy is based on agriculture, livestock, manufacturing and mining.
Lesotho's main exports are wool made from sheep or goat hair.
Water and diamonds are significant natural resources.

The country depends heavily on inflows on workers’ and receipts from South Africa

Wealth is measured not in currency but in cattle and flocks.
Many cultural rites are centered around the sacrifice of a cow.
Villages are typically built around a cattle pen.

The nation has been both protected and imprisoned by its isolated geographical location.

Because of poor soil quality, drought, and rapid erosion, barely ten percent of the land is arable.
The country also suffers from limited water access.

Forty-nine percent of the population lives below the poverty line

45% of the population is unemployed.
Most Sesotho live in South Africa due to lack of jobs

The country suffers from over-population

Significant levels of child labor exist
Country flocks are watched over by shepherd boys, some as young as 7.
Young shepherds are sometimes away from their villages for months

Lesotho has the highest rape rate of any country (91.6 out of 100,000)

Lesotho is severely afflicted by HIV/AIDS.
Its prevalence is one of the highest in the world.
24% of the population is infected.
In urban areas, about 50% of women under 40 have HIV.

4% of the population is thought to have some sort of disability.
People with disabilities face significant social and cultural barriers.

SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
Most of the population claims Christianity.
Much of the population is Catholic.
There are many evangelical, charismatic and Pentecostal groups.

Islam and traditional African worship is also practiced.

Churches have had a marginal redemptive impact on society.

Traditionalism and nominalism are common in many congregations.

Some churches incorporate ancestor worship, curses and charms into their services.
Sometimes this is due to a lack of biblical teaching; sometimes it is
deliberate syncretism.

The Sephiri (a secret society involving African traditional magic rites)
has influence in many churches.

Several foreign African groups have entered Lesotho preaching a gospel
that include excessive or incorrect emphases on prosperity, healings
and other issues.

Most evangelical pastors lack experience and training.
There is a great need of solid, Bible-based theological training and discernment.

Christian literature is also needed in the Sesotho language.

Although there are many different church groups there is no central body
through which they can relate together.

Society as a whole does not accept the idea of being Bapholosa (Born Again)
Social pressure against becoming Bapholosoa is wielded by both traditional
religious groups and mainline churches.
People are commonly pressured by both friends and family members against
accepting the Gospel.

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that the economy improve
Pray for those suffering from unemployment and/or poverty
Forty-nine percent of the population lives below the poverty line

Pray that child labor ceases.
Pray that boys who act as shepherds are kept safe from harm

Pray for those who have suffered through the trauma of rape.
Pray that those who harmed them are brought to justice.

Pray for those suffering from HIV

Pray for those who struggle with disabilities
Pray that they be treated with justice and compassion.

Pray that occult/animistic spirits be bound.

Pray that churches experience revival.

Pray that churches develop discernment

Pray that church leaders gain sound Biblical teaching.

Pray for an increase in Christian literature in the Sesotho language.

Pray that believers be encouraged

Pray that the Gospel spread.