Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
He Arose!
"The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed." Psalm 103:6
* Conference highlight: “Wall of Unreached Peoples” It was 80-ft. long; set up in the worship center.
* Doug Lucas with Team Expansion was our keynote speaker – what an inspiration to me personally!
* SUCCESSFUL LEG SURGERY! My insurance co. gave the ‘green light’; the right leg was operated on April 6th in outpatient; the troublesome veins were identified. A piece of cake! I’m in no pain. The left leg in May.
* WE APPRECIATE VOLUNTEERS who help sort & pack. Most live busy lives; stay a few hours; so we need more helpers. Orchids to ‘retired angels’ who work at home putting new labels on old prescription bottles. Our Congo nurses/patients love you!
* PRAY FOR A HOME for Rob and Eleen. They’re parked temporarily for only one week. Pray for a home to park their RV until the project is complete. I would happily host them, however, I live in a Condo with NO yard and NO driveway. They are a great blessing to me and I could not have continued without them.
* MEET ROB & ELEEN NEELY, RV MISSIONARIES! They testified, “In July 2014 we left the Navaho Indian Mission; sold our home; bought a used RV; and began a new RV Ministry to go where God calls us.” They’re now in Phoenix helping with the Congo Container Project.
* WV HERE I COME! Pray as I prepare to fly to West Virginia,
April 14-20, for their ‘Hunger Challenge’
Samuel fell last November; developed brain swelling; and severe headaches. He is now healed!
Monicah leading Praise & Worship
UGANDA, KAMPALA
Letter from Monicah. She and Pastor David are parents to 12 former street kids.
Dear Prayer Partners,
“… Allow me to share about the 12 orphans we are keeping. We received the ‘Vision of Orphans’ through the advice of my father, Pastor John of Peace Church, Tororo. But my husband had a ‘Vision of Church Planting’. So the ‘Vision of Orphans’ was for me only. I need advice as these 12 children need so much care: feeding, medication and security. I'm kept at home as I see them developing in academics, physically and mentally. It’s my ‘calling’ and I shall never fail them as God gave them to me.
“Cheaper house. I looked for a cheaper house but things are still the same…. Houses with one bedroom are 100,000-120,000 shillings ($33-$40) a mo. We need 5 rooms: for boys, girls, kitchen, sitting room and bedroom for my husband and me. Most landlords don’t rent to anyone with more than 5 children.
“The house we have is 450,000 shillings ($150) per mo with 4 rooms and no kitchen…. We live in Kampala, the capital, where most houses are 700,000 shillings ($233) per mo….”
Monicah, Kampala
Pray for Pastor Henry's health, seen here
with his congregation
UGANDA, BUSIA
Letter from Mama Josephine.
Dear Mama & Prayer Partners,
“The bank deducted money for their fees so I did not receive the full amount…. Here is how the money was distributed: Pastor Patrick (of Kenya); Sylvia (helper at home); money to begin construction for new ovens in my kitchen; and my transport and medical fees for me to travel to Kampala for a checkup….
“Pastor Henry … has been sick again and is on treatment. His left side is paralyzed; he has pain in his back; and difficulty walking. He needs your prayers. I will travel to Kampala on Monday for the checkup…. The bank kept so much money for fees, there is not enough left for my medical and transport costs to Kampala. Construction of the oven begins soon. Pastor Henry will supervise and send a financial report later….”
In Christ, Mama Josephine
[We have since sent extra money for her trip]
Pray for Mama Josephine's medical trip
to see doctors in Kampala
Pastor Celestin evangelizing youth
Women At Risk" group at their new garden
CONGO
Letter from Pastor John. The situation there is critical and needs our prayers!
Dear Bush Mission & Prayer Partners, “Thanks so much for your support [for] the work we are doing. Our Teams continue working at Rutshuru, Beni and Oicha. We helped more than 1,000 people affected by trauma.
“From January until now, our Teams continue to teach church leaders at Beni and Oicha in Trauma Healing. We organize conferences and seminars. There are more than 719 vulnerable people, including 94 traumatized, abandoned children we. Our Teams care for them….
“Because of your support … we shall have servants of the Lord from the school. We identified gifts of teaching, preaching and evangelism. It is our vision to impact these children to grow in the Lord and preach Christ to all. The community of Angaim includes Chiefs and Elders who also attend training. They appreciate how the power of God is working and recommend we continue Evangelism….”
Thanks and may you be blessed,
Pastor Sunlight
Dear Friends of the Persecuted Church,
ZAMBIA. Easter Sunday, 1970, dawned sunny and bright. The family was camped at Libonda’s Village, 60 miles west of Livingstone. It was nearing the end of the rainy season. The people gathered beneath the cool shade of the mango trees for services. My three sons sat dutifully on logs except for baby Michelle who stood hugging a tree stump.
Headman Libonda begged: “Teach my people the Story of the Resurrection.”
With my portable ‘story board’ and visual aids in hand, I was good to go. Libonda added, “Elisha will be your interpreter and translate from English to Ella Tonga, the local tongue.”
I reached a part of the story in John 20:11-15: “Mary stood outside the tomb crying…. She… looked into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been….”
“They asked her, ’Woman, why are you crying’?”
“They have taken my Lord away and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.”
He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
“Thinking He was the gardener, she said, ‘… tell me where you have put him….”
Elisha translated, “Mary SAW the gardener who was Jesus…” instead of “Mary THOUGHT Jesus was the gardener.” Immediately my husband, who also spoke Ella Tonga, interrupted, “Jesus was NOT the gardener; Mary THOUGHT he was the gardener.”
Imagine that! By translating ONE WORD wrong the true meaning of the Resurrection – and thus all Christianity - was lost. The Gardener wasn’t raised from the dead, JESUS was. The RESURRECTION is the central core truth of Christianity.
That’s what our mission believes. You’ll find that core value on our website: “… He lived a perfect life, died on a cross for our sins, rose from death, and ascended to Heaven….”
Thank you for confirming this value by your faithful prayers that every unreached soul might experience the fullness of God’s presence. Thank you for allowing us to share the Good News of the Resurrection in Africa and for standing with us.
Prayer 'N' Praise
Report
April 2015
* God gave me opportunities to share with classes of all ages as well as mission workshops.
* The church gym was converted into an African Village with 6 stations. We missionaries hosted ‘tours’ every ½ hour. I was in charge of ‘Daily Life’ (village well and maize hut). Lots of interesting questions.
* Hosts Eric, Jennifer and 3 adorable sons made me feel most welcome – the Snoop Dog pancakes were a big hit. The last night I stayed with Don and Linda, former missionary colleagues.
Charlotte
SOUTH SUDAN
Letter from Pastor Sunlight who attends university in Kampala, Uganda.
Dear Mami & Fellow Brethren,
“Thanks for your loving prayers and support of … Angaim Village. [It] is having an impact in the community and school … in spreading the word of God. Peter and Victor held an Evangelistic Meeting for children which had a great impact in neighboring communities. It was joined by adults who saw the value of God’s Word. What a blessing! This happened the last two weeks.
“Because of your support … we shall have servants of the Lord from the school. We identified gifts of teaching, preaching and evangelism. It is our vision to impact these children to grow in the Lord and preach Christ to all. The community of Angaim includes Chiefs and Elders who also attend training. They appreciate how the power of God is working and recommend we continue Evangelism….”
Thanks and may you be blessed,
Pastor Sunlight
RWANDA, KIGALI
Letter from Pastor Celestin.
Dear Bush Mission & Prayer Partners,
“At Evangelism Outreach … I spoke on 1 Corinthians 13:11: ‘When I was a child I spoke like a child….’ My topic was ‘How to be Mature in Christ Jesus. I said that you need to grow and accept Jesus Christ … [who] gives salvation…. We prayed for both Christians and non Christians.
“At Zaza School a student named Charles Kubwimana … asked me to pay school fees…. The school gave him until the end of last month to pay fees for his school fees for the first term. He is an orphan and in Senior 1 (high school). We paid [because of Bush Telegraph] 40,000 francs ($58).
“At Ruhango Secondary (high school) … students accepted Jesus as their personal Savior. I and my Team, Charles and Benoit, ministered…. We could not get a bus to Kigali and were not allowed to stay in the dorm. We got two rooms outside the school…. We had a wonderful time at Kigoma sharing the Word. The school only gave us 20 minutes to preach…. Total money used was 93,000 ($135) francs. We thank God for your donation....
“In April … we … will commemorate the 21st Anniversary of the Genocide. During this period of four months, April-July, our Ministry will provide counseling and comfort to survivors…. Three days ago we fasted … to be fully prepared until the end of this month….”
Blessings, Pastor Celestin, Rwanda
CONGO, GOMA
Letter from Pastor Delphin of EDEN Church.
Dear Prayer Partners,
“Greetings in the Name of Jesus. Attached are receipts for February’s donation from you. Please pray for Mama Leontina, age 85. She is a widow in the ‘At Risk Women’s Group’. She is very sick.”
In Him, Pastor Delphin
“There is a serious problem at Rutshuru and Beni. Congo soldiers continue fighting the ADF/NALU and the FDLR/Intirahamwe (Rwanda rebels). There are more than 102,000 refugees and displaced people…. They have no food, no clothes and no blankets…. They live in critical conditions and need your prayers.
“The Leaders and Civilian Society … asked us to organize urgent training at Mayimoya and visit traumatized people…. They asked us to [broadcast] on the radio at Rutshuru and Beni-Oicha. Pastor Viseke (who accompanied me to South Sudan) and I will join our Teams on the field; train them; and organize seminars….. Pray for our Teams who work in dangerous areas. May God open doors … so we can go this month….
“At Goma, during the Christian Passover, we organized a big picnic for youth and street kids that we care for. Some will bring friends and come to know God. This conference was called ‘Maibobo for Christ’. In Goma they call street children ‘Maibobo’. The Maibobo Choir will sing…. Pray for us….God bless you.”
Yours in his service, Pastor John
UGANDA, TORORO
Letter from Pastor John, Peace Church.
Dear Bush Mission & Prayer Partners,
“The Widow Dwiga broke her leg…. She is one of the widows who will stay in the new Widow House when it’s completed. You met her when you were here. She lost all her children and lives alone…. She was coming out of her house; slipped and fell. Her broken leg was plastered this evening…. We paid for consultation and later we’ll pay for plastering and treatment….
“We are praying for her recovery. Here, patients must supply family members to care for them in the hospital. The problem is that Widow Dwiga has no one. She cannot stand and walk and must remain in bed 24/7. Our young girls at church are studying at school so there’s no one to care for her….
“So we hired a lady who will watch her day and night for 40,000 shillings ($13) a week. We are trying to find ways of feeding them both at the hospital since it does not provide food…. We shall pay her for the weeks she works until discharge from money you send. We will also use that money to pay the hospital bill.”
Pastor John, Tororo
Pray for Widow Dwiga who broke her leg
(after photo was taken)
Pray that God makes an easier way to send money to Mama Jo for little Patrick and 34 siblings
MONEY-SENDING CHALLENGE
For over a month our mission has had difficulty sending money to Africa the usual way. This is due to corruption, not because of anything we did. Thus we were forced to send it Bank-to-Bank (called ‘wire transfer’) and very expensive. For example, for Mama Josephine we bundled up several projects in one lump sum using this service. The Ugandan bank added an extra fee which they’re not supposed to, causing Mama a shortage. Pray for our special partner who is working hard to get the issue is resolved quickly.
Successful children's evangelistic meeting
at Angaim Village
Picnic for youth and street kids
Massacre at Rutshuru, Oicha and Beni
Bush Telegraph Missions
© copyright 2015
PTL FOR A SUCCESSFUL WORLD MISSION CONFERENCE
in Grand Junction, CO, March 12-17!
* The theme - “Unleashed for the Unreached.”
Dear Charlotte,
“As of yesterday, we are at nearly 85% of our needed funding for the food for the Congo container. That leaves us about $12,000 short of our goal. I have gone ahead and ordered the food ingredients, and we are proceeding to schedule volunteers and move forward with the Hunger Challenge, trusting that God and His people will provide the remaining funds…. See you … in April!”
In Christ,
Lynda Gravier, Hunger Challenge Director, Heaven Sent Ministries
USA BITS-N-PIECES
* HEAVEN SENT MINISTRY. Letter from Secretary Lynda, heading up
‘Hunger Challenge’.