July August 2020

[Letter #3]

“Thank you for Western Union money. We got it with the joy of the Lord. The children are still at home. The Ministry of Education may allow teaching outside under trees. We are waiting for direction from the ministry. Baby Rose is learning to speak. We opened our church on Sunday. Members contributed money to buy a temperature gun; spray tank; and special soap. We worshiped outside and had about 40 members staying 6 ft apart. Indoors would only allow for 8 members. My health is good following the diet; my blood pressure is ok only my eyes have little clouds. I really appreciate BTM’s help.”

Blessings,
Pastor Patrick

"Estelle and Gail made face masks for Africa."

"Taking the bus from Goma, Congo, to Kampala, Uganda."

I thought, “Are you kidding? I’ve met hundreds of African brothers and sisters but fail to remember their long-as-an-elephant-trunk’s names which, when translated, mean something special.” I wrote back, “Sorry but I don’t. Please refresh my memory.”

"Daryl and Rick for transporting donations."

"Mama Josephine is improving & walking twice a day!"

USA. GOOD NEWS FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear Prayer Partners,

“Good news! I finally saw my Oncologist for my post-cancer checkup. All tests were clear! I also passed my ‘Annual Check’ with flying colors - all because of your PRAYERS. Thank you. Africa here I come! God is good.”

Charlotte

Suddenly the whole humiliating memory came flooding back. What Sam failed to mention was that the officer was really looking for a bribe. In the end she demanded, “Give me something!”

I explained, “I just arrived at your Ugandan border. It’s 2 am. I’ve had no time to go to an ATM for Uganda shillings. Here, look in my purse.”

She did and finally said, “You may go.”

"New clothes for all."

"Ministering to the 7 Rosette orphans."

UGANDA, BUSIA. Mama Josephine was hospitalized for diabetes.

Dear Praying Friends & Mama,

“BTM brought us from nothing to something that we are now looked at as people in the community. I pray that in the future I will become a powerful man to uplift my family because I learned to help those who are needy. That's my dream to get a nice job and do the work of God as you do. You motivate and inspire.

“This morning we took Mama Josephine to Dr Lucky's Clinic for a checkup. They found that she has diabetes so she was admitted. Dr. Lucky put her on a drip. Her sugar was not reducing so he transferred Mama to Dabani Hospital. She can't leave the hospital at this time to pick up Western Union at the bank. Please send the money directly to her bank account. Then I can pick it up. Thank you for your prayers and support.”

Yours in love,

Bulasio

Still, my mind was blank. Sam continued, “We reached the Ugandan border in the middle of the night. All passengers were ordered off the bus. Border police targeted you. They opened your suitcase in front of all the other passengers as you were the only white person on board. You had many small volcanic stones from Congo in your suitcase. The woman police officer shouted questions at you for an hour. You patiently explained her accusations, ‘Each little stone is a gift for a praying friend.’ She finally agreed to let you go and we continued on our journey.”

"Zawadi visits 98 orphans in Bugamba who had no one to care for them."

"Jerry and Georgette for donating her precious mom Marie's clothes (Jerry in photo)."

"Orphan John had a very bad toothache."

Facebook

"Gail for a beautiful handmade bag for Africa."

"Bulasio has a dream" (seen here mixing cement during construction on Mama Jo's house).

"Pastor Huck, his sweet wife Pastora and Charlotte."

"Pastor Benard overseeing the Feeding Program for poor pastors and widows."

[Letter #5]

"About buying a gently used photocopy machine: a medium size would cost about $500. This could copy in black and white or color. One copy costs $5 in the local shops.

The total number for Bugamba malnourished orphans are 98 but 60 have severe malnutrition. We pray for direction. If we give food and clothes to the 60, only it will cost $1,990. If we give to all 98 it may cost $2,600. I have a list of their names. The sacrifice of God's people is great and only He can reward you.”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[Later] “I do not know how to thank God for you for sending money to purchase the land. It was my prayer to find a place for those 98 orphans to live. May God bless the BTM family involved.”

God bless you,

Mama Zawadi & LSD

[Note: We sent funds to meet the needs mentioned above.]

"Pastor Benard (rt) & guest in front of the two incubators that need fixing."

"Bweyale Refugee Camp, Uganda, receives food."

"A few of the 200 families and 1,500 pygmies fed."

"Widows thank Bush Telegraph. "

Charlotte Sinclair Barkley

"New teen program reaches out to the community."

"All the pastors & widows who received food gather at the Vocational College."

INTERNATIONAL. President Trump signed an Executive Order on Religious Freedom!

Dear MNN Friends,

“President Trump signed an Executive Order on Religious Freedom that was applauded by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Isaac of Open Doors USA says, ‘It prioritizes religious freedom globally and increases funds to $50 million/yr. This is a first’!”

Mission Network News

"New beds, mattresses and sheets for the kids."

"The Sudanese church in Bweyale Camp."

"Mama Josephine was hospitalized with diabetes."

CONGO. Mama Zawadi oversees 7 feeding programs sponsored by BTM.

Dear Bush Family & Mama,

“We would love to share the Mutaho Pygmy Report. We had a wonderful and blessed week. I apologize as our internet was slow due to rain. We really love our BTM brothers and sisters that made this Food Program happen as we see the joy of the pygmies – they were so hungry. They were so grateful and send greetings. Their prayer is to see you again. Your hands helped Jesus feed this distressed people.

“We thank BTM who made great sacrifices to reach people in distress. I am grateful to see how much we have achieved during COVID-19. The hand of our Lord Jesus was upon us to reach as many as possible. The Word says in Genesis 49:25, ‘It is the work of God that will bless us.’ I have never regretted knowing and serving God in my life, when I see people changing and being blessed. That is encouraging.

God bless you,

Mama Zawadi & LSD

"Carol for sewing masks for Michelle's classroom."

"Each bag of maize (corn) weighs 100 lb."

"Zaire, in the blue and white suit, sits down to visit with the people. They love him!"

"4,000 lb of beans are weighed and put in bags for these families."

"Doug and Anna for collecting Relief Supplies."

"Zawadi's visit gave the orphans hope that they might one day eat food and have clothes."

KENYA, KAKAMEGA. Pastor Benard feeds vulnerable pastors, widows and 117 disabled folks.

Hi Friends & Mama,

“Kenya schools resume next year, 2021 – it’s a disaster! To make matters worse our Minister of Education tells parents that we have lost a whole year and our children will repeat class next year at OUR cost!

“We had a meeting to discuss the Kabras Disabled Center of 117 people abandoned two years ago by the Kenyan government. Thank you BTM for joining our Team to take it over. We shall send a Report of BTM’s gift when we begin the Feeding Program next week.

We met with 40 Bishops and shared our vision for the community…. Vulnerable pastors and widows were chosen from rural areas. We trained them at our Christian Training Center for one day. They were given food from BTM. My son Michael is typing their names.”

"Checking in at the border Immigration office."

[Letter #4] Thank you Bush Family & Mama,

“Your messages encourages me. You know how life is on this side of the world. The Rosette orphans’ lives have improved. The little ones call me Mama. I spoke to them about Abraham Lincoln’s life and how he worked hard to became President of the United States. I comforted them with the Word of God. It is amazing to see what we have achieved during COVID-19. God’s Name is ELOHIM, He can get treasures from the wind.

“The Congo government is responsible for these orphans’ situation because of war – they are internally displaced. God, America and Israel are trying to help Congo. Our former President refused to let the new President work. A cold war is going on. Congo’s new President is a Christian. Orphans and vulnerable women bear the brunt of this. 10 million people died over the past 20 years; most were men from North Kivu where we live. The church is not able to help because many pastors also passed away and the people are dirt poor.

“In Bungamba area I discovered 98 orphans who have no one to care for them. The mission in charge of these 98 orphans is JUNDI. These young Congo volunteers have no jobs and no money but try their best. I teach, encourage and empower them. The 98 orphans have nowhere to sleep. The land where we found them belongs to a farmer. We passed out cookies. I prayed for God to give me $3,000 so I can purchase a small plot measuring 75 sq ft to put a simple shelter for them. These orphans do not have a building or house as they live in broken mud and pole shacks.

“God sent me here for a purpose. You cannot believe the difficult situation I found here. It is written in Matthew 19:29, 'And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life'. God is faithful."

God bless you,

Zawadi & LSD

[Note: we sent money to buy land and to also feed and clothe all 98 of the orphans]

PRAYER-N-PRAISE

– REPORT –

"Church service outdoors seats 40 members."

"Mom Harriet's daughter, Susie and Larry."

"Piles of volcanic rocks are everywhere in Goma, Congo!"

Good-hearted Sam replied, “Oh yes. I was first on the bus, Kampala coach. I booked the seat near the window. I went to buy drinking water. When I came back I saw you in my place. You apologized and later asked me to change seats so you could sit by the window. I said ‘yes’ and took your place. I told you that I was going to visit my daughter in nursery school in Kampala.”

USA. ORCHIDS, ROSES & DAISIES to our Earthly Angels:

Calvary Chapel, Black Canyon City, for an invitation from Pastor Huck & his sweet wife, Pastora, to share what God is doing in Africa; plus enormous bottles of prenatal & children’s vitamins;

Larry & Susie of Prescott for donating Mom Harriet’s clothes for Africa & me, plus precious keepsakes.

Kathryn & her amazing Sewing Team for adorable Little Girl Dresses (all sizes, too) & masks;

Estelle & Gail for a big box of Masks for Africa;

Gail for special homemade handbag for Africa.

Pastor Manny of CalvaryPHX for boxes of Emergen-C for Africa;

Carol for sewing Masks for my daughter Michelle’s classroom & help preparing envelopes for this letter;

Daryl & Rick for donating use of their trucks to transport Relief Supplies from my home to the Container.

Doug & Anna’s Church Community Group for donating life-saving supplies to the Congo Container Project;

Eric & Janice from Clifton Christian, CO, for a truck load of Relief Supplies (many groups & people);

Irene & Bob for homemade sheets & blankets for children & adults – all hemmed by Bob.

Linda of Anthem for clothes & medical supplies from her late houseguest, Margie;

Cece for clothes from her beloved husband, Phil, who lost the battle to COVID-19;

Jerry & Georgette for clothes from her sweet late mom Marie who sponsored two orphans.

"It's time to sing and dance for joy unto the Lord!"

"A few happy Mamas of the 101 families fed this day."

"Noela, white dress, age 17, is mentally challenged due to severe malnutrition her whole life."

"Irene and Bob for homemade sheets and blankets."

"Pastor Manny for Emergen-C packs."

"Thomas and Zawadi preach from Mark 8:22, the story of the blind man who saw people walking as trees."

ARE YOU READY to take a break from pandemics, riots and shootings? I don’t know about you but I sure am! It seems like bad news consumes every waking moment. Allow me to share a story with a happy ending – straight from the heart of Africa – my favorite place!

Weekly we receive an avalanche of E-mails, texts, messenges, and Facebook posts. Oh yes, then there’s WhatsApp, have you heard of that? And honest-to-goodness letters by Pony Express. One day I received a Messenger post signed simply, “Sam”. It read, “Good evening Madam, do you remember me?”

"Sam (lf), my 'seatmate', kindly let me sit by the window."

"Thank you Bush Telegraph for caring."

"4,000 lb of kassava roots are ground into flour for the Mukondo Pygmies."

[Letter #2] Dear Bush Family & Mama,

“Mama Ngoy has 3 boys and 2 girls. I warned her to keep her money safe, as we had a bad experience in the past from thieves. She is doing well and God has blessed her in an amazing way.

“About the Rosette family. The mother died April 20, 2015. The father provided for their needs as they were in school. On November 27, 2019, he passed away. These children were left with no relatives. This eldest is Mwavita, a girl, 22 years old. I was called by a church member to pray and counsel. She was depressed and wanted to take her life. She was in the 12th grade studying to become a teacher.

“The brother Tuombe, 19, was given a job in Kitchanga 70 miles away from Goma and bringing cows back by walking behind them for 24 hours without stopping. The pay he got was 4 cows’ feet a week. The 7 orphans ate 2 cows’ feet and sold 2 for $2. That was all their income. Mwavita tried to sell beans. She had capital of $5 and made a profit of $5 after 3 weeks.

The total needed to cover overdue rent is $105. For food, blankets, clothes, medical, bedding, etc. could total $450 as there are 7 orphans in all. Their ages are 22, 19, 15, 12, 11, 8 and 6. Please pray for the Rosette family. I will send detailed Reports on them tomorrow.”

God bless you,
Mama Zawadi & LSD

[Note: we sent funds for rent, food, clothes and other needs.]

"Larry and Linda for donating Margie's medical supplies and clothes."

"President Trump signs an Executive Order on Religious Freedom."

"Each bag contains cassava, beans, rice, cookies, salt, sugar and soap."

"Kathryn (lf) and friends sewed enough little girl dresses for all of Africa!"

[Letter #2] Dear Bush Family & Mama,

“Also thank you for the Teen Program from the Vision For Africa missionaries, the Cornells. Here’s a photo of the teens we're mentoring. As we reported last time over 10,000 young girls are pregnant since COVID-19 started.

“We are planning to start a Poultry Project at the Disabled Center to raise funds to paint and fence the Center. The Food Budget is the urgent need due to COVID-19 – thank you for helping with that. Two incubators were donated by World Bank two years ago to support the Disabled Center. Due to neglect they were ruined but we are fixing them. It has a capacity to produce 3,000 chicks/mo. Soon it will be repaired and we shall hatch eggs for Women’s Groups at a small fee to support the Center and our Orphanage.”

Pastor Benard,

Kakamega

KENYA, BUSIA. Pastor Patrick’s orphans are sad that school is cancelled the rest of the year.

Greetings in Jesus Name,

“The government has decided that no learning for our students will happen until 2021. So school will be opened next year with all children repeating the same class they were in. This news left my three 8th grade orphans, John, Samuel and Abigail crying. They had hoped to join Form One [High School] next year.

My orphan John is sick of tooth. The new landlord is waiting for us to move. COVID-19 cases in Kenya is rising up, now confirmed 7,678 cases while deaths are 159. Nairobi is #1; Mombasa #2; and our town Busia is #3.”

Blessings Pastor Patrick

"A few of the disabled can sew clothes which helps support the home."

"Akhim, Jonathan, Zawadi and Esperance package food for the pygmies."

"Cece for donating her beloved husband Phil's clothes."

A second Messenger post from Sam followed. “A long time ago – 7-8 years – we were on the same bus traveling from Goma, Congo to Kampala, Uganda. Do you remember?” Once again I racked my brain. You see, I travel on buses in 5 African countries, covering thousands of miles. Oh me, oh my. I still didn’t remember Sam. I shot off one more Messenger asking for details.

[Letter #3] Hello Friends & Mama,

“Mama Josephine’s sugar levels are normal. Every day she gets special food and fruit. Her bank account has 400,000 shillings ($108). Only Mama’s right leg has a problem. Thank you for the advice, now Mama is walking every morning and evening. The doctor also told her to walk daily.

“About high school graduates: 1) Wilkister is a nurse in Nakuru, Kenya, working at a clinic. 2) Fatuma works at a feed store in Kampala but due to COVID she is home. 3) Winifred has been working at a Beauty Shop in Kampala and stays with a friend. She came home during COVID. 4) Big Jackson joined the Army and almost finished his training. We doubt the Army will release him due to COVID. 5) Little Jackson is training in the Police Dept. 6) Richard is driving a forklift at an Indian Co in Kampala. Everyone sends love and greetings.”

Yours in love,

Bulasio for Mama Josephine, Busia

"Zawadi and Thomas preach on Luke 10:25-36."

"No school yet. Abby & the other orphans at home doing chores."

[Letter #3] Dear Friends & Mama,

“Enclosed is the Report for Mukondo Pygmy Feeding Program. We had a wonderful time serving the Lord because of BTM. What we have achieved in this COVID-19 time is far worthy, as it's only God who can do this. We present our gratitude from the Pygmies to BTM. We thank God for your life and for the wonderful verse you sent – it is among my favorites.

“I am discussing with the landlord to lower the rent for Rosette family from $10 to $8/mo. I cleared the arrears; bought clothes; food; medicine; and bedding.

“Congo borders are now open, thus Zaire can go for treatment to Burundi where there is a Swedish Hospital to treat him for prostate cancer. He will need about $475. This will help him be cancer free.

“I went to see the 7 Rosette orphans today as they have become like my own children. Mwavita, the eldest, has hope. The landlord agreed to give a $2 discount so they’ll pay $13/mo now. Your donation helped the Rosette family. The kids said that they don't know where they would be if we didn't help them."

God bless BTM & America, Mama Zawadi & LSD

[Note: we sent funds for Zaire’s treatment.]

"Pastor Patrick's new home has more room."

Bush Telegraph Mission

"The kids enjoyed their first nutritional cookies. Zawadi's visit gave the orphans hope that they might one day eat food and have clothes."

"Black Canyon City Calvary Chapel congregation."

"Each family name was called and checked off the list."

Months later, after I was home in the USA, I created little volcanic rock gifts for each Prayer Partner. I’m thankful that Sam reached out after all these years to renew that brief bus friendship. One more reason I take the bus – to meet the ‘Sams’ of Africa so I can share memories with happy endings like this one.

Thank you for your prayers, love and moral support. And yes, even text messages, emails and everything in between. This story reminds me that God cares about even small things in our lives. I talk to Him about them all, big and small, and trust Him with the answers. “I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” [Psalm 34:4]

IN CONCLUSION. These past two months BTM sponsored 15+ feeding programs in 5 countries, for thousands of starving souls. God provided for them all in miraculous ways even though they were above and beyond our normal budget.. We haven’t shared even half of those stories. We brought these special ‘feeding program’ needs to Him in prayer, as He loves and cares for us all.

SOUTH SUDAN/REFUGEE CAMPS. Rev Stephen is feeding Refugees in Uganda and Sudan.

Dear BTM & Mama,

“Thank you for the Wire Transfer for the Feeding Program in Sudan. I missed one village in Mayendit called Thaker Village. Also we need support to feed Bweyale Refugee Camp in Northern Uganda. They are suffering because their monthly food ration was cut in half for three months from May-July: 172 families or 1,530 people altogether. The other places I missed in Unity State are Thaker; Bentiu; and Kuajiok.

“I have bad news about the Marobi West Nile Refugee Camp in Northern Uganda. Most people there are Kuku tribe from Juba, Sudan. There are also 36 Nuer tribe families. The Kuku Tribe fought the 36 Nuer families who ran into the forest as they cannot fight so many. Kukus killed 4 Nuer children. The Nuer ran in the forest for two days. All their things were taken; their houses burned. They walked to Palornyang Refugee Camp with nothing. Now it is the rainy season in Uganda. They need tarps for shelter and food.”

God bless you,
Rev Stephen

[Note: we sent funds to help these 36 families.]

"John's house and bed needs help!"

"Praying for Christina,

a disabled pygmy."

"Charlotte receives the 'all clear' sign from her doctors."

[Letter #2] Dear Friends & Mama,

“We have moved to the new house. John who was sick of teeth is now OK, thank you for your prayers. The government said we can open churches this Sunday. They gave us conditions: children aged 13 and below should not attend; the elderly above 58 years old should stay home. Every church must buy a temperature gun [thermometer]; a Register book; sanitizer; basin to wash hands; and masks. Only 100 people are allowed.

“Kenya now has 10,000 with COVID-19 and 200 deaths. Here is a photo of the house we moved to. The landlord stays on the right. My wife and children are very thankful for the new house. It is near the church. One latrine is inside and another is outside. The kitchen is inside. The girls sleep on one side and the cook sleeps on the other. There are two bedrooms and the sitting room is very big.

"Religious Liberty statue dedicated in 1876."

"Zawadi distributes used clothes."

"Zaire helping John,

a 130 yr old man."

"Charlotte waiting for the bus."

"Pray for Mama Josephine's 57 orphans."

"Eric and Janice from Colorado for a truck load of Relief Supplies."

July - Aug 2020

[Letter #2] Dear BTM & Mama,

“Thanks you for the funds for the 36 Nuer families who lost everything. My wife, Pastor Regina, and Evangelist John will take that money to them to buy food.

[Later] “Mama Regina, my wife, and her Team traveled to Bweyale and Paloranyang Refugee Camps to buy the food: 50 lb X 32 bags of maize flour. One challenge: there are 172 families but only 32 families got food. They should also have oil, beans, onions, etc. The orphans need milk. Bweyale Refugee Camp thanks you. The tents in the photo accommodate 150 people or 10 families. The container relief supplies went to 172 families in Paloranyang and Bweyale. The border between Uganda and South Sudan is still closed. To feed the remaining families will cost $5,500. The names I sent you are from Paloranyang. Pray for peace in Sudan.

Mr. Jal who works for the UN said that 4,500 houses were destroyed by floods in Leer, Mayendit and Panyijiar. Some went to higher land and others went to Leer, a village known by Mama Charlotte. The UN is not helping because they are working on a big flood in Jongeli State distributing mosquito nets, tarps, food. Please pray!”

God bless you,

Rev Stephen

[Note: We sent funds to feed the remaining 172 families]

[Letter #2] Dear Bush Family & Mama,

“Mama Josephine was discharged from the hospital. She will go for a diabetes checkup in two weeks. Her sugar is at 18%. They gave us medicine for her to take daily. We paid 221,000 shillings ($60) for her treatment at Dabani Hospital and also used a taxi to drive her home. Receipts are attached.

“I paid Dabani Hospital. The doctor asked us to buy a small machine to measure Mama's sugar. I measure her levels every day and it's reducing. We are buying Mama and Joseph [who has HIV] special foods and fresh fruit every day. I paid the Clinic and food bills that we had borrowed from a friend. I bought five bags of maize flour and one bag of beans. Transport from the hospital was 20,000 shillings ($5.44).

“We called two men to empty the outhouse latrine pit as it was full. They came yesterday and we negotiated. They wanted 600,000 shillings ($163). They started yesterday evening and will come today to finish emptying. Attached are receipts for food and medical bills. May God bless you abundantly.”

Yours in love,

Bulasio for Mama Josephine

[Note: we sent funds for medical, latrine and food.]

Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa

"Zawadi prepares bags for distribution."