Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
[Letter #2] Dear Bush Family & Mama,
“About Josephine’s 3 high school graduates who wish to join Iganga Nursing School. It’s a 2½ year course. They need all essential items required. It is not far. The referral hospital is near to do internship. The nursing school starts in June and I saw their Admission forms. About students admitted to Senior 1 recently: their fees and requirements were taken care of and they are at school. Anyone whose fees haven't been paid to date were omitted due to poor grades.”
Blessings,
Pastor Christopher
"Taban traveled home during the holidays to visit his family in Angaim Village, Sudan."
[Letter #3] Dear Mama, Christopher & Team,
“I arrived in Kiryandongo Camp, Uganda. Students are busy with exams and preparing to write their stories. Soon my wife Jane and I expect our baby girl. Sadly Kiryandongo Camp and all refugees are no longer recognized by the UN. There is no available farmland previously allocated to South Sudanese refugees. It is for new arrivals from Sudan. Here is the breakdown of our needs: 1) Maize: 750,000; 2) Beans: 250,000; 3) Charcoal: 250,000; 4) Vegetables: 310,000; 5) Soap: 66,000; 6) Grinding: 60,000; 7) Water: 50,000; 8) Lotion: 35,000; 9) Salt: 13,000; and 10) Transport: 20,000. Total: 1,779,000 Ugandan shillings ($491). Thank you.”
Pastor Sunlight
RWANDA. Letter from Bro Caleb, Rwanda’s National Coordinator of PCCR, our partner.
Dear Bush Partners & Mama,
“Enjoy this true story. Verene, a single mother, lives in Cyerwa Village. Her husband died 7 years ago. She has 4 children: a daughter aged, 24, and 3 sons. The daughter, Chantal, gave birth to Ange when she was 16. Ange is now 3 years old. Chantal went to search for household work in town and left baby Ange at home for grandma to care for. Due to finances, Verene could not feed the grandbaby well. She heard about PCCR. Verene and other Mamas brought their children to PCCR for counseling, education and healthy meals.
“The porridge is for malnourished children. Verene now has HOPE for her children’s future - they will survive and thrive. Recently Verene was baptized and says, ‘I trust in God of the universe. Daily I thank God for giving me life and caring for my granddaughter and children. I pray God will bless all who contributed to support our children with good food.’ This past month 60 children below age 6 from 34 homes were helped.”
Bro Caleb,
National Coordinator for PCCR (Parenting Child Care Rwanda)
"Verene with her granddaughter Angel and worker."
UGANDA. Letters from Pastor Christopher, Africa Int’l Administrator.
Dear Bush Friends & Mama,
“Today I will send Taban’s school fees for Kampala Medical University. Also I will send fees for Kiryadongo Refugee Camp kids in Uganda. I am still waiting for Mama Josephine’s kids who completed Senior 4 and heading to Trade School to obtain Admission forms.
“I will call students on Josephine’s phone. Sometimes Trade Schools start later than secondary (high) schools. I just returned from the village where my youngest brother is bi-polar. He hasn’t been taking his meds. We found an injectable medicine which he can take once a month. My mama was stressed but now feels relief.
“Jane, my wife, sells peanut butter, roasted peanut seeds and honey which help support the family. It keeps her busy. Sometimes the capital gets eaten up in school fees and food; then gets revived. We are in good health and trust God every day as we put our faith in Him. Selina writes for Mama Josephine and is at home with her. She looks after the babies. Now Sharita is in school so Selina can sew before the little ones return home from school.”
Kind regards,
Pastor Christopher
"Mama Zawadi's church on
Sunday morning."
"Namaganda, one of three high school grads, is off to Nursing School!"
[Letter #3] Dear Bush Family & Mama,
“People are starving to death. Still no bank is open; no Western Union; no money to buy food; no organization doing food distribution. Rwanda Western Union is open. Deo can go to Gisenyi, a Rwandan border town. You need to write Deo's full name. Deo will coordinate the team. My church told me yesterday that they had a vision of me giving them food. They are starving. It is a vision of God giving them food.
[LATER] “M-23 Terrorists refused to go to Angola. The Rwandan President and Congo had a meeting in Doha, Qatar. We are waiting to see if Rwanda will respect the decision to withdraw troops from Congo. Last year we gave out 5 pallets of food from the BTM Container Project. Nobody knew then that there would be a great emergency. We distributed to orphans, street children and people rescued from the boat that sank.”
God bless you,
Mama Zawadi
"Scenes along the road, heading to Lohutok, South Sudan."
"The Lohutok Clinic."
"Once they came all the way from Kansas to bless our home."
"Mary, our blind student, was recognized for her achievements by Bishop of Madi Westnile at her former high school."
"Distribution at the Mubambiro Pygmy Church, severely damaged by M-23 Terrorists.
[Letter #2] Dear Bush Family & Mama,
“Thank you for the school fees for the children. Students who finished Senior 4 got Admission to the nursing school. Below are admissions for 3 students: Namaganda; Nabwire; and Gertrude. Kenyan students already closed for 1st term. I make and mend children's and women's dresses. My plan is to add machines so that I can teach people. Children are all home for the holidays. They are cleaning the house: sweeping the compound; washing clothes and dishes; fetching water; and studying books. May God bless you.”
Yours sincerely,
Selina
[Letter #2] Dear Bush Family & Mama,
“Thank you for letting us know we are not alone and reminding me about my calling. When the situation improves I will go back to Congo. I have started my second Report. We thank God for our Pastor who was kidnapped. He was released after being beaten. M-23 Terrorists put him in a water pool prison. He could not see who were beating him. I contacted Red Cross and Monusco in Goma. They helped him so he was not killed. He is now in Goma Hospital. We thank God for our Pastor, a man of God. The bank is still shut. No one has money. We appreciate the deal between USA and Congo. President Trump will bring peace because he is a man of God. Our President Tshisekedi is a Christian as well. I am going to church for weekly prayer meetings.”
God bless you,
Mama Zawadi
"Bob Smith, BTM's beloved Chairman of the Board, was called home. Pictured with sweet wife Ilene."
"Malnutrition among the children."
"We thank God for providing wood, nails and other supplies for the new Primary School."
"Gertrude, one of three students, heading to nursing school."
"Mama Zawadi's beloved pastor who escaped death from the M-23 Terrorists is 2nd on lf. Photo taken on my recent visit."
"The M-13 Terrorists are made up of mercenaries from many countries."
"Monthly supplies and food for the kids at Kiryandongo."
"The Church Ladies take food to hospital patients with no family - and preach."
"Monthly supplies and food for the kids at Kiryandongo."
"Presenting clothes to women at Mama Zawadi's church (3rd on lf) during a visit."
"Thank you Mama & Papa Palmer for Selina's sewing machine."
"Pray for the Peace Agreement will succeed and there will be Peace!"
“I’M LEAVING ON A JET PLANE, don’t know when I’ll be back again …”. La dee da … la dee da. So goes the old familiar song by Peter, Paul and Mary back in the day. But in this case, we KNOW when we’ll be leavin’ - August 7th. And when we’ll be back. Isn’t this great news after all the delays? There’s still much work to do before we hit the dusty plane-fume trail.
[Letter #5] Dear Praying Partners,
“Please thank Mr. and Mrs. Eisenman and Mr. and Mrs. Thach for donations towards windows and doors. We also thank the school children and teachers for their contributions. The roof is finally complete! We appreciate the engineer’s hard work. Cost of construction: 1) Engineer - 4,000,000; 2) Materials - 2,457,000; 3) Transport - 150,000. Total: 6,607,000 Ugandan shillings ($1,824). Thank you BTM.
[Later] My wife, Jane, and I are honored with a baby girl, Amanda. Jane had a safe delivery but Amanda had oxygen but is OK now.”
Pastor Sunlight
© 2025 All Rights Reserved
2025
[Letter #6] Dear Prayer Partners & Mama,
“The number of people who are starving is high. If we receive $500 more, we will buy beans and cassava flour. Former Congo President Joseph Kabila, who moved to Goma, is M-23 Terrorists’ Chief Commander. They are made up of Rwandan, Ugandan, Kenyan, South, Sudanese, Somali and Eritrean mercenaries. They came to Congo to fight, kill, rape and steal minerals. They plan to kill all Bantu and make a Tutsi empire. Thank you for $500 sent to Western Union Rwanda to provide food. Forever Homes and the Pygmy Church are well but there is no food in Goma. Money is not available. A month ago, the Government tried to retake Goma again but Ugandan, Rwandan and Kenyan troops came to help M-23 Terrorists.
[Next day] “We are so thankful for the Peace Agreement by the Trump administration between Congo and Rwanda. Representatives will be in Washington on Monday to sign documents. This is a great day for Africa and the world! God bless the USA.”
Mama Zawadi & Team
[NOTE: BTM sent $500 X 2 for food.]
"Pastor Sunlight, rt, with our teachers in Angaim Village, S. Sudan."
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
"Poor Peter Awis broke his arm in Kiryandongo Camp. Praise the Lord it healed nicely."
"High school students in Kiryandongo also praise the Lord that their school fees were paid."
"Welcome baby Amanda! May your parents, Sunlight and Jane, dedicate you to the Lord."
"Taban's school fees are paid for 2nd term thanks to Sacrificing Angels!"
"Peace Agreement between USA (Sec Rubio), Congo and Rwanda, June 27, 2025."
"Good news! The roof, windows and doors are all secure on the new school."
USA. MISSION UPDATE.
Dear Friends & Prayer Partners,
“Our beloved Bob Smith, Chairman of the Board, entered heaven’s gates on June 5th at home, surrounded by his loving family. His Memorial will be held September 26, 10:30 am at Bellevue Heights Church, Sun City, Arizona. We are looking for Bob’s replacement. Is the Lord calling you to this position? Please contact BTM. The Lord answered our prayer for a new Forwarding Agent as dear Marcia retired after 10 years. Michele (spelled with one ‘l’) volunteered. The two gals trained together and Michele has taken over full time. BTM prayed for a Bible Teacher on our Africa Team. Sadly, four volunteers dropped out due to jobs or health. That leaves 3: Marilyn, Bill and yours truly. Pray as we seek God’s will in all things.”
In His Amazing Grace,
Charlotte
"Who would have thought that girls from Angaim Village would attend high school?"
"Forever Homes is built to keep our widows and orphans safe - especially Mama Odeta who has no legs. She loves her new mattress, pictured here."
"Pastor Chris advises Sunlight about care of timber on the new school."
[Letter #4] Dear Bush Friends & Mama,
“I am back in Angaim Village, South Sudan. Thanks to BTM donations, we installed windows and doors in the new school. Today we lost Osiko, son of Okwahi of our school PTA. Two days ago we lost Jamal due to the Cholera. I will ask someone to take photos at the Cholera camp.
[Later] “Attached are photos from Torit Hospital Cholera Ward. This is set aside for Cholera patients. The photos were taken under cover. Health Centers selected 5 Primary Health Centers and 6 Primary Health Units in Torit. There are gaps. Angaim Village and others were not selected. The Government is trying, but due to instability, they focus on themselves and not the communities.”
Pastor Sunlight
CONGO, GOMA. Letters from Mama Zawadi, still with family in England due to war.
Dear Bush Family & Mama,
“Deo and Team are working on all our projects in Goma. There were a lot of refugee camps around Goma. M-23 Terrorists sent them away to their villages. After 3 years of living in camps they can return. On the way back to their villages, many young people and strong men went missing. They did not reach their destination. Mubambiro Pygmy Church returned to find that a bomb was thrown in the church - half was destroyed. Two church latrines were destroyed - a men’s and women’s. A few people remain in Mubambiro Pygmy Church. Yesterday Pastor Thomas, Evangelist, went to church and sent pictures. We will do a food distribution as they are starving. M-23 Terrorists are forcing traumatized people to pay taxes. Afterwards they kill them.
“Last week the USA, UK and International Community gave M-23 Terrorists from Rwanda a week to leave. Last Friday they killed 22 people. On Saturday they killed 11 in Katindo and yesterday morning they killed 10 people in Goma. In the evening they killed 66 people at a youth soccer game. Today my husband, Deo, told me that M-23 Terrorists found our container. They put a red code on it and lied, saying it was stolen from Rwanda. They promised to come back at night. They looted cars and destroyed more latrines. Pray for Congo.
[LATER] “Attached is a Report. It was delayed due to electricity being cut during war. I am working on the Construction Report as the work has stopped. Only $15 is left in the account but all banks are shut now. We are thankful for two completed homes. During the recent food distribution from BTM, our people blessed the donors. It came during a time of great need. Some receipts were left in the office. We cannot go there.”
God bless,
Mama Zawadi
"Hay kids, it's time to get your home-sweet-home in shape. Ya better 'rub-a-dub-dub...'."
"Heading for Africa!"
"A dozen wall builders stop for lunch: beans and maize (corn)."
UGANDA, BUSIA.Letters from Mama Josephine via Selina and Bulasio.
Dear Bush Team & Mama,
“Thank you for sending Selina 500,000 shillings ($138) to buy a used sewing machine. I bought a good used one in town and topped up the money by 50,000. Below are receipts and photos of the new machine.”
Yours in love,
Bulasio
[Note: money donated by Selina’s former sponsors, the Palmers. PTL!]
[Letter #5] Dear Friends & Mama,
“Thank you for the food. The people said it was like manna from heaven. Also we gave $206 to MECCA (Evangelical Mission of the Cross of Christ in Africa), my church. Ladies in the church went to minister to war casualties at Cbca Virunga Hospital who had no relatives in Goma. 23 patients received beans, farina, salt, soap and rice from BTM. The church ladies preached on the woman who bled for 12 years until Jesus healed her. When I was a child, we only ate rice; and put on shoes at Easter only. My father left because my mum gave birth to many girls and few boys. He left my mum with 12 of us. So mama looked after us on her own, which was not easy. She prayed a lot and the Lord kept us safe. None of us suffered from malnutrition.”
God bless you,
Mama Zawadi
Please be in prayer as the Team prepares for Africa. Due to war and cholera, our program will be in Kenya and Uganda. However, we plan to meet key leaders from South Sudan, Congo and Rwanda in Uganda where they will share with the Team what the Lord is doing. Thank you for sending us – and supporting 45 projects in 5 countries. We are reaching thousands with food, education, shelter, medical help, planting churches and evangelizing – because of YOU.
"Students in Kiryandongo Refugee Camp are busy writing their stories."
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:19-21
Dear Bush Friends,
“There are 19 cows in Angaim. I had 6 during construction and sold two of my cows. Pledges came from Head Teacher Valentino. Peter promised to give a cow; David gave 50,000 pounds ($86); and others promised 20,000 ($34) and 3,000 ($5). The community contributes river sand, soil and timber for roofing.
“Update: 1) So far we received a pledge of one cow; 70 bowls of maize; and 170,000 in pounds ($292). 2) We scheduled timber splitting and are searching for an operator. Our goal is to have roofing timber prepared by mid-April. The total collection will be translated into money.
“Due to donations, we split 431,000 pounds ($741); enough to roof the school. We found a dump truck to transport timber. We paid operators through donations. We need the following: Nails; Wire; Carpenter; Plastering; Sand (community); Water (Community); Cement; Doors and Window Installation; and Builder. The community contributed 1 cow, grain and money. It soon starts raining. I travel to Uganda on Saturday by motorbike to check on the family and children at Kiryandongo Camp.”
Thank you,
Pastor Sunlight
CONCLUSION. Did you know that less than 1% of money to missions goes towards reaching the unreached? Thus people with the most urgent spiritual and physical needs receive the least support? Let’s change that!
Jesus makes a difference.
"Evangelist Thomas and Team prepare for distribution."
[Letter #4] Dear Bush Friends & Mama,
“Pray for these students who had poor grades: Erick, Cissy, Nuru, Rehema, Andrew, Erick, Kisakye, Rehema, Juma, Immanuel and Ibrahim. I just returned from Arua after the burial of my first cousin. I was off social media a few days. My phone froze up. I should start saving towards a replacement. I wasn't able to see Maurice, our blind student, this time but I spoke to him on the Director of Studies phone.”
“Attached is the report for the Pastor's Seminar for 200 pastors in Amuru and Northern Uganda last January. Pastor Dickens took most of the photos and reports. When we returned from Gulu, his wife was diagnosed with stomach cancer and referred to India for treatment. Thankfully they are back and she has begun chemotherapy. Kindly accept our delay with this report. When we sign up for His work, we fight not against flesh and blood but against principalities and spiritual forces but in the end the Lord wins.”
“Mary, our blind student who graduated last December, was recognized for her commitment to education by Anglican Bishop of Madi Westnile during his visit to Mary's former school. She is awaiting University admission either on private sponsorship or government sponsorship. A very BIG thank you to BTM for supporting her education. Mary's determination is a great encouragement to those who are not handicapped.”
Kind Regards,
Pastor Christopher
"The deadly disease, Cholera, comes to Torit, an hour's drive from Angaim Village - and no medicine!"
BUSH TELEGRAPH MISSIONS
[Letter #4] Dear Bush Prayer Partners & Mama,
“Thank you Mrs. Rudin, Mrs. Priska, Mrs. Deen and BTM for funds for emergency food. Reports take time due to construction, war and no electricity. The money was used to build up the top wall of ‘Forever Homes’. Most important we are protecting our orphans and Mama Odeta from being raped again. We did put broken glass and barbed wire on top of the wall as we were short of money. I never imagined that plastering, the wall, electricity and framing would cost so much. Deo’s business was looted. God is helping him get it back.
Thank you for your donation of $500 sent through Western Union Rwanda. We will serve food for as many as we can. The negotiations did not bring anything because the same day, as Congo observed the cease fire, M-23 Terrorists took Walikale Village again. The Lord left President Trump alive to help Congo.”
God bless,
Mama Zawadi
"My prayer is to buy a tractor to help provide for the school and community."
"Distributing food - and more food - and more food."
SUDAN, ANGAIM VILLAGE. Letters from Pastor Sunlight
Dear Bush Family & Mama,
“Recently I bought a pig. It gave birth to piglets. I am distributing them to church leaders and pastors in Angaim Village, so they can independently support their ministries and each other.
“The current conflict in Nasir, South Sudan, has affected the Opposition Leadership. Many were jailed. We are grateful that Torit remains peaceful. Kiryandongo and Torit need vegetables and charcoal. The Street Boys need veggies and supplies.
“Who would have thought that girls from Angaim Village would attend a high school? Who would have dreamed that we would have a student studying to become a doctor from Angaim? Who would have believed that we could have a school and that Angaim could contribute something meaningful? It never seemed possible.
“My prayer is to buy a tractor so we can provide for the school, teachers and mission. Figuring out how to acquire it is our only challenge.”
Thank you,
Pastor Sunlight
"Charcoal and veggies for our Sudanese kids at Kiryandongo Refugee Camp, Uganda."
[Letter #3] Dear Sunlight,
“Praying that the timber for roofing for the new school dries well to avoid insects from destroying it as it will make the roof weak. The roof and iron sheet need to go up at the same time to avoid timber being destroyed by weather. We pray for the Lord’s intervention for brothers and sisters from South Sudan and Congo who are seriously affected because organizations have cut funding for refugees living in Ugandan camps. Sometimes they have no food and yet there are new refugees from South Sudan and Congo. We pray that people in these nations might return to normal life and peace in their respective countries.”
“We were saddened to hear about Awis (Sudanese student at Kiryandongo Refugee Camp) accident causing a broken arm. We pray for a quick recovery. We are thankful that he was X-rayed. It's a long ride by motorbike and tough for the chest. I hope you are dressed in warm clothes. BTM’s monthly funding for projects in Kiryandongo Refugee Camp and Angaim Village, S. Sudan, will be sent at the end of today.
“Send a few stories and testimonies of Term 1 experiences from the Primary and Secondary (high) School borders when they return home. Example: what do they want to be when they grow up? What are their favorite and hardest subjects? What is their favorite Bible character? Why did they choose him/her? Their sponsors wish to know their dreams. Sign their names signed below.”
Be blessed,
Pastor Christopher
"Goma's food sources were closed down by M-23 Terrorists. People walk 50 miles to the nearest source and back again, taking about a week. They die along the way."
"Pastor Dickens prays for leaders and revival in Northern Uganda which went through 25 years of war by the Lord's Resistance Army."
"Zawadi had a tough childhood - a dozen brothers and sisters but no papa."
SUDAN/UGANDA. Letter from Taban from South Sudan; a medical student at Kampala University.
Greetings Friends & Mama,
“Yesterday I met the Dean of Students to confirm the equating of foreign results to Uganda National Exam Board (UNEB). The Dean said that a student must go to the UNEB Center to equate results due to the school’s commitment; register new students and give lectures to old ones. I plan to travel to UNEB Center to equate this request. Transport from Western Campus to UNEB Center and then back to my dorm. Then to campus after the process, a guest house and food for two days totals = $200. Next step: open a bank account. I finally have my Refugee ID. I was trying to open up the Dollar Bank Account but was told to pay $100 to open.”
[LATER] “It is the end of 1st term; students go on holiday. BTM gave me travel money to visit my family in Angaim Village, South Sudan. I returned July 11th and returned to campus July 14th to report back for 2nd semester. Thank you for the travel money. It was great going home to visit everyone.”
Regards,
Taban
[NOTE: Taban’s new bank account is now open. BTM sent about $5,000 for Term 2.]
"Mama Josephine admiring a new book of children's Bible stories."
"Thank you Angaim Village Teachers for donating cows and other possessions for construction."
"People are starving. Sharing $1,000 of essential food (maize and cassava)."
REPORT
"Mama Josephine's kids are home for school holidays. Selina, in white, far left."
PRAYER-N-PRAISE
"Charlotte and part of the team crossing 'no man's land' on their way from Lokichogio, Kenya, to Lohutok, South Sudan."
"Teachers and community sacrifice their possessions to the new Primary School."
"Mamas gather to receive their ration of porridge for their malnourished child."
“I’ll never forget the year I arrived in Nairobi. After checking in at Mayfield Guest House, I walked to the ‘Cyber Café” to let friends know the Team had arrived. Afterwards I bent down to pick up my fanny pack. Alas! Gone! Stolen! Along with my Passport, documents and cash. The saga began; but let’s save that story for another day. In the end the LORD saw me through. I witnessed miracle upon miracle and completed the whole four month ministry outreach.
"Missionary fellowship & shopping in Lokichogio, Kenya."