USA FROM THE MAILBOX
Prayer Partner Harriet lost both her mother Winnie and husband Philip this year. She decided to do something very special – a Memorial – to honor them.
Dear Bush Friends & Charlotte,
“My mother Winnie’s dream came true! We built a new Flag Pole…. The Dedication was attended by about 100 friends … and three Daughters of the American Revolution…. The High School choir sang and the flag was flown at half mast in honor of vets as we said the Pledge of Allegiance. Today it flies at the top as a beacon to welcome all who come into the town. I am so grateful for all the prayers and support given to get this Memorial built…. Also my late husband Philip's grave marker was delivered by the VA and installed…. Escalante has loving, supportive people … who made this day possible. Thank you Lord.”
Love in Him, Harriet Priska, Escalante, Utah
Pastor Lyle
SUDAN/UGANDA
Letter from Pastor Sunlight. Due to war in Sudan, refugees are pouring into Uganda and neighboring countries. Pastors Sunlight and Thomas led 50+ refugee children out of S. Sudan to Yumbe and Kiryandongo Refugee Camps.
Dear Bush Mission & Mama,
“Toby, my brother, returned yesterday from Yumbe Refugee Camp where he distributed used clothes to our Sudanese refugee children. They were so happy to receive new [used] clothes. We bought [used] dresses, blouses, skirts, trousers and T-shirts…. Many children are still in need in Kiryandongo and Yumbe Refugee Camps.
“Pastor Thomas, my classmate at ABU (Africa Bible University), as well as Toby and Gabriel are helping in this ministry. We used money from Bush Telegraph for transport, water and food, to and from the camps. We will go again next Saturday…. Our main object is sharing Jesus and then to meet their need for clothes.
“The construction of churches in two refugee camps will begin soon…. We will appoint a man of integrity to oversee the project. Thank you for praying and supporting us…. Students at ABU gave 20 pieces of clothing. So encouraging…. Thomas and I will shop for more used clothes. Thank you for sending those funds.”
Thanks, Pastor Sunlight
[Note: see ‘Answered Prayer’ below.]
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
As 2016 draws to a close our thoughts turn to YOU and your GIFTS to us in 2016. We’re not talking about ‘silver and gold’, but about advice, appreciation, compassion, correction, encouragement, love, faithfulness, generosity, hospitality, hope, interest, kind words, prayers, sympathy, time, thoughtfulness, and much more. Even for Santa’s cookies and milk – don’t forget to leave it out! We thank God for each and every ‘gift’. To say ‘Merry Christmas’ seems inadequate but we say it with deep sincerity. And as Tiny Tim would say, “Merry Christmas everyone!”
Planting Ebenezer’s ‘Stones of Help’,
Charlotte
The new bedroom and study area
New tiled bathroom
On Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge received visits from 3 spirits of Christmas: Past, Present and Yet-to-Come. He awoke Christmas morning a changed man: “I’m not the man I used to be,” he laughed. Yes, he repented. Became a model of generosity and kindness. Even gave Bob Cratchit a raise and became a ‘second father’ to Tiny Tim.
The foundation stone
SUDAN/UGANDA
Letter from Rev. Stephen.
Dear friends.
“Greetings in the Name of … Jesus this happy day. Why do I call it a happy day? Because it’s the first week of December, the month of Christmas for Christians. Please pray that God guides and protects me, my family, relatives and friends in the New Year peacefully. Happy first day of December 2016!
“Here is more news about the war. Dor Majur and his soldiers were sent by Dinka (tribe) VP Taban Deng, to kill innocent civilians. It happened at Leer, Daplual and villages northwest of Mayandit County. 20 civilians were killed and hundreds fled their homes…. Dinka soldiers also burned homes and committed genocide on Nuer (tribe). They are suffering so much now.
“I am sending photos of a hut of Nyajima Chuol. Her husband was killed in 2015 when he tried to go back to Juba. He left his family at Bweyale Refugee Camp, Uganda, where they are still today. The woman’s mother-in-law, Buk Malut, also lives there and is very sick…. There are 4 children – two girls and two boys.”
“Nyajima’s hut is in terrible condition and could fall on them any time because it is raining in Bweyale Camp. Nyajima needs help to build a new hut. I am asking your sympathy that you have for vulnerable people. Bweyale Camp is part of Kiryandongo Refugee Camp where Mama Charlotte went. My plan is to get some money. Then Nyajima can help build a simple two-room hut with small sitting room….”
Thanks and God bless you, Rev Stephen
[Note: we are prayerfully considering this project in 2017.]
UGANDA, BUSIA
Letter from Mama Josephine.
Dear Bush Mission & Mama,
“We hope this finds you well in Christ. I thank you for the … support you give us…. May Almighty God bless you abundantly. Below are the receipts and photos for painting the two new rooms. We also put tiles on the bathroom floor and walls as you see in photos attached. We are now using the two new rooms – it’s wonderful.
My 5 Kenyan orphans were let out of school very early - in mid-November – for the holidays. My Ugandan orphans are out of school in early December. I will send their Report Cards soon. Pray for good results."
Yours in Love, Mama Josephine & Family
The Ambulance at Katoyi Refugee Camp
A new church is coming soon
Winnie's Memorial
We live here
CONGO/USA
A Surprise phone call from Pastor Lyle Mullins, Director, Heaven Sent Ministries with a happy ending. HSM provided a 40-ft Container of food for Congo last year.
“Do you need more food?” he asked.
“We’re not shipping 40-ft Containers anymore but we hope to ship supplies a new way….”
“Yes, I know …,” he replied. To make a long story short, he connected us with his partner, Global Samaritan. Rachel, Director of Logistics & Disaster Services, called to introduce herself. She said, “We have another partner who wants to give you food….”
As I write we are busy arranging shipment of 10 pallets of food to Congo. We will ship through Balis and his Christian Import/Export Company. This way we only pay for space and weight. Balis’s Team takes care of all the red tape. What wonderful news for our little mission who has struggled through 9 Container projects over the years – with God’s help! Please pray as we work out the details using this new method of shipping.
In His Service, Charlotte
UGANDA, KAWEMPE
Letter from Pastor David & Mama Monicah who keep 12 former street kids.
Dear Mama & Bush Friends,
“We appreciate the support and prayers which has made our orphans what they are today. God has given them grace to serve Him. Young Monicah (named after me) is our Sunday school teacher; Amuza and Samuel play the keyboard; Salina, Evaline and Johnson are part of the Praise, Dance & Worship Team. Mogadishu needs your prayers. He has become stubborn and joined bad friends at school. We know through prayer he will change.
“Our landlord asked us to move but allowed us one more month…. We know God will give us a better place. The money you sent … was used for school lunches; rent; medical; water; electricity; helper and girls’ needs.
“I am sending photos to show what God is doing in our lives…. Our orphans were once thieves and are now servants of God. They once slept in streets but now have shelter and a mattress…. They are happy, healthy, growing and look good as you see…. I get time with the children in the evenings and on weekends. Please pray for: 1) Salina; 2) Richard; 3) Peterson; 4) Samuel; 5) Amuza; 6) Johnson; 7) Monica; 8) Evaline; 9) Salina; 10) Linda; and 11) Mogadishu, and our own four children. Our orphans started year-end exams last week. Pray for them for wisdom and knowledge. Thank you for your prayers and support…. We love you all.”
God Bless You All, Mama Monicah
Praise & Worship Team at Church are the orphans
Wayne and Dot
Christmas With Rachel Circle
USA CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE
Piecekeepers’ Quilting Circle held their annual Christmas Boutique. It was great fun. We joined other tapestries (jewelry making, knitting, crocheting, flower arranging, etc) to put it on. I sold African jewelry made by Pastor White (to support 30 orphans) and Mama Josephine (for her 44 orphans). We set it up at Calvary Community Church’s two campuses during 5 services over two weekends. Folks were extremely generous and did their Christmas shopping at the Boutique – PTL! All proceeds go to missions.
Front of Mama Jo's house. New room for the Church is on the right
Prayer ~N~ Praise
Report
“Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us’," (I Samuel 7:12). So ‘Ebenezer’ means ‘stone of help’ – help given to Scrooge to change his life.
Mator
The three high school girls
Food is coming soon!
CONGO
Letter from Mama Zawadi. Pray for a new Clinic at Katoyi Refugee Camp!
Dear Mama & Friends,
“It is time to focus … a plan to help the suffering women you met in Katoyi Refugee Camp…. We need to build a Clinic (Health Center) there. You, Mama Charlotte, know how four men carried a pregnant woman suffering complications on a bamboo stretcher, by foot. It took them 36 hours to reach the Clinic and she died on the way. They call that bamboo stretcher, ‘The Ambulance’.”
May God Bless You and the Entire Mission, Mama Zawadi
[Note. Yes, I remember, and was horrified.]
USA HEALTH UPDATE.
Dr. Thompson, who replaced my right knee, gave me a 6-mo checkup. “Your knee is still a bit warm which means inflammation, but you’re right on schedule for healing…. It takes a good year.” I am happy to be pain free.
Dr. Felix, my family doctor, discovered pneumonia after my return from Africa. I was also recovering from a few tropical bugs. She treated me and ordered REST. Rest? Who, me? You’ve got to be kidding! So that is what I did - grrrrrrrrr. I missed activities for 6 weeks, including the 2016 ICOM (Int’l Conference On Missions) in Louisville, KY. According to my latest X-ray I’m now 100% and feeling great. Thanks for praying.
Dear Friends of the Persecuted Church,
“BAH HUMBUG!” Ebenezer Scrooge hated Christmas according to “The Christmas Carol”, a classic story. Scrooge, a cold, heartless old man, refused to make donations to the poor. He believed, “They are better off dead, thereby decreasing the surplus population.” He would shout at his clerk, Bob Cratchit: “More coal in the fire! Work harder!” From my perspective, he wasn’t a very mission-minded man.
Children at Yumbe Refugee Camp get new (used) clothes!
USA FINAL FAREWELL to long-time friend, former classmate and Prayer Partner, Wayne Lofton, who went to be with Jesus. You prayed for him last year during his battle with cancer. The Lord gave him another year with Dot, his beloved wife and family. He sponsored little James (Mama Josephine’s orphan) and pastored Ogallah Christian Church, Kansas, for 30 years. We’ll miss you Wayne! Please pray for Dot and family.
SOUTH SUDAN/USA
Letter from Mator, a former Lost Boy we met - thanks to our friend Will.
Dear Mama & Bush Telegraph,
“Thank you so much for meeting me to hear my story. I am glad that God showed me the way and has been my guiding star through all these years. In him I have surrendered my life and always ask for His blessings, wisdom and knowledge to carry on. I cannot, by myself, make a plan to help my village in South Sudan…. But through Bush Telegraph I will shine a light there and change their future….
“I am … grateful that I met your friend, Will, who, by the grace of God, directed me to Bush Telegraph Mission. With God’s guidance we can build a new church and school to make something wonderful happen.”
Thank you, Mator
[Note: You will be inspired by Mator’s Testimony.
See Special Report: "Testimony of Mator"]
USA ANSWERED PRAYER
Last time we shared how Pastor Sunlight hopes to build two churches in camps in northern Uganda for Sudanese Refugee Children. One church cost $266. We received this message:
Dear Bush Friends,
“This $266 is to build the church at Kiryandongo Refugee Camp. May God bless your work in Africa.”
Mr. and Mrs. X, Phoenix, AZ
[Note: Sunlight will take a Team to begin building soon].
December 2016
Don't we look smart now
Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
Widow Nyajima at Bweyale Refugee Camp
Let’s travel on another journey into Christmas Very Very Past. The Israelites were being attacked by their enemies the Philistines during a time of national repentance and return to the Lord. Samuel, the Prophet, cried out to the Lord for them. God heard and delivered them.
That ‘stone of help’ commemorated God’s goodness and faithfulness to His people. It gave glory to Him and encouragement to His people – not only then but even today. Bush Telegraph is looking back to ‘Christmases Past’ - remembering how faithful the Lord has been throughout the years. Even in 2016 in all our challenges – ups and downs, ins and outs - He has been our ‘stone of help’. His goodness and mercy have followed us every single step of the way.
Through that ‘stone of help’ we understand the message of Hope and Salvation of Jesus's birth which we share with our African brothers. Through that ‘stone of help’ we experience the redeeming power of God's grace in a deeper way this ‘Christmas Present’.
Our prayer is that ‘the Lord will continue to help us’ - through YOU. Thank you for your love and prayers so we are prepared for ‘Christmases Yet-to-Come’. We give Him all the glory.
The war goes on
Bush Telegraph Missions
© copyright 2016
Pastor Sunlight carries a bundle on his head
Samuel on the keyboard