Smiles, Hugs, Laughter

Reflections from my first mission trip

By Rachel Portillo

When we first met the children of Ministry of Hope Lesotho, I wasn’t sure how they would respond to us. I knew there would be a language barrier on both sides. But it’s amazing how much can be communicated in nonverbal ways–smiles, hugs, laughter, the expressions on their faces.

Some of the children were quiet and hesitant at first. But by the end of the week, it was evident they were comfortable with these strangers who had dropped in on their lives for a week.

The thing I noticed most throughout the trip was how similar the children were to children in the U.S.—curious, fascinated by phones and watches (especially when they lit up!) They teased each other just like siblings would. They posed for pictures and then, of course, wanted to look at them over and over again.

We brought books for the children, and they wanted to hear them again and again, just like my own children when they were young. It was gratifying to hear some of the school-age children read the books aloud with very little help. You could tell they were proud of their English.

We spent part of our week repainting the exterior of the house and the playground equipment. The children loved helping us and took great pride in their work. Sometimes their help could be a little distracting, and we had to remind ourselves that it wasn’t just about getting the job done–it was also about interacting with the children and showing them their value.

Some of the staff wanted to help, too, even though they had their own tasks to accomplish. There was a great sense of community, all of us helping each other in different ways and using our natural abilities, as well as our spiritual gifts, for a common goal.

For me, a highlight of the trip was teaching the children songs and movements I had learned last summer at Vacation Bible School. They learned very quickly, as did the staff, and by the end of the week they were singing the songs on their own (on repeat). Through our group singing, I was able to leave behind some important truths, such as “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it,” and “Let’s trust in Jesus.”

The new paint on the playground and the house will chip and fade over time, but I know that “the word of our God stands forever.”

Many people have asked if I would go back to Lesotho. I would love to see the children again. There’s so much more I want to learn about them, and I see God working not only in their lives, but in the whole community of Ministry of Hope Lesotho. So if the Lord wills, I will return.

Rachel Portillo is a member of Patuxent Presbyterian Church in California, Maryland, where she met Sally Harwood, president of the U.S. board of Ministry of Hope Lesotho. Last year Sally told her about our 2026 mission trip. “I had never been on a mission trip,” Rachel says, “and it was not on my bucket list. But I sensed God was calling me to go.” If you sense a similar call, read about our upcoming mission trip.