My friend, Tim Spykstra, has talked many times about divine appointments. It is amazing how we can look back in our lives and see God moving us, and how the people we meet have such a big impact on that movement. Peter and Lindiwe Kirstein have had their lives impacted by just such a divine appointment.
Lindiwe attended church with Ray and Sue Haakonsen (founders of Beautiful Gate Lesotho, BGL), but she had no idea that becoming friends with them would have such a large impact on her future. Through her friendship with the Haakonsens, she was able to watch them set up BGL as they took 3 infant children into their home. Lindiwe had a job working as Director of Administration and HR at a bank in downtown Maseru, but she came and visited the care centre when time would allow. As BGL moved to other houses as they expanded, Lindiwe would also visit them , and then joined their board of directors in 2006.
In March of 2006, Lindiwe and Peter were married. They had met on a mission outreach in South Africa, and he moved to Lesotho. Lindiwe shared about BGL and Peter was interested in being a volunteer. He became the volunteer and team coordinator in April of 2006, and by 2009 he was keeping the books for the building projects and serving as the HR manager.
Peter and Lindiwe were given the opportunity to become the directors of BGL in 2009, but they felt God tugging at their hearts to serve at a different ministry. Lindiwe had been working in the business realm and had not had an opportunity to be a missionary before. She felt led to leave her home country of Lesotho, leave her comfort zone, and serve God as a missionary in South Africa.
They moved to Dundee, South Africa in 2010, and shortly after moving there, they met a baby boy who needed their help. They became foster parents to Simphiwe as they served in Dundee. They served there until 2014 when they felt God telling them to return to Lesotho. They once again volunteered at Beautiful Gate, and after some time, the Lord made it clear that this time, they were meant to stay and become the new directors of Beautiful Gate.
We are very blessed to have them here because their love for the Lord is very evident. Knowing that they seek Him first gives us the peace to know that God will lead and direct them as they lead and direct His people. Their love for children is clear and their willingness to jump in and be helpful wherever is needed shows that they care deeply for this precious ministry. We could not have asked for a better fit for the new directors, and while it will be hard for Bryan and I to let go, we know that BGL will be in very capable and loving hands. Training has begun with a hopeful handover date coming in January of 2017. We all praise God for the way He crossed all of our paths. The divine appointment of friendship with Ray and Sue, going to South Africa where they were able to become parents of Simphiwe, and coming back and getting to know Bryan and I are all clear signs of God’s hand and timing. We are all amazed as we look back and see God moving. We wish you all the best Lindiwe and Peter!
~Anita Geurink
