Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
CONCLUSION
Charlie may have ‘selective hearing’ but he has a heart as big as Pike’s Peak. In fact he wants to start a new mission, “Dogs Without Borders in Africa”. I explained, “Yes Charlie … there’s lots of doggies in Africa with broken hearts that need mending but meantime let’s focus on People’s Souls.” He agreed. Then I prayed, “Oh LORD, give us a vision of a lost and dying world that needs Your love!”
Mending Hearts Without Borders,
Charlotte
* World Mission Conference in CO in March. Please pray as I prepare lessons, PowerPoint and display boards.
* Good news about my legs! A recent test revealed that varicose veins were causing the pain. Dr. Sandridge will do a procedure called ‘Targeted Endovenous Therapy’ as soon as my insurance gives the OK.
* ‘In Times Like These’ was the theme of Grace Bible Church’s Missions Conference. I didn’t speak but enjoyed great presentations and learned what God is doing around the world - He’s ‘alive and well’.
The needs of the Poor
The needs of Vulnerable Women
The needs in Refugee Camps
* A while back I shared the story of my ‘Guardian Angel’, Virginia Boeger, age 96. On February 15, she went home to be with Jesus. It was time. She was ready. But she will forever live on in our hearts.
Don't lose HOPE ... the Container is coming to meet those needs!
The needs of the sick
The needs of elderly
The needs of malnourished
The needs of disabled
* Contemporary Adults Sunday school class invited me to share the Container Project using PowerPoint.
* A ‘White Tornado’ (aka Cathy) arrived one morning and presto - instant organization! Charlene spent her own money to buy extras for ‘New Mommy Diaper Bags’. Ouida donated a special man’s suit, “It belonged to my late husband ... he wore it when we got married….” Truly a treasure for a special African pastor.
* The Container Project has officially begun! Each day God sends just enough volunteers to do the job, as together we process hundreds of pounds of donations. If only I could find the missing socks!
USA – BITS-N-PIECES
Charlene, center, used her own money to buy extras
Heaven Sent Ministries headquarters, Princeton, West Virginia
Pastor Lyle Mullins, top R, Director Heaven Sent Ministries & family
Packing the special food for the 'Hunger Challenge'
WEST VIRGINIA, USA
Breaking News from Heaven Sent Ministries, our partner for the Container Project.
Dear Charlotte & Bush Telegraph,
“… Pray for the final stages of our fundraising for the Hunger Challenge here. This is our final week before I … order the food ingredients for your container of food. Many things have been challenging as we work to raise funds and register volunteers. The weather in WV has been atrocious this month and that continues with flooding yesterday and a snow storm today. That weather has cancelled many church services, which in turn has resulted in lower numbers of volunteers and dollars donated.
“But our God is much bigger than the weather - or any other circumstances - and we are convinced that we should move forward to order the full 40 foot container of food and that God will provide the needed funds. Would you be in prayer for this and mobilize your prayer team to pray as well? You, more than anyone, know how desperately this food is needed, and I am convinced that your prayers will avail much….”
In Christ,
Lynda Gravier, Hunger Challenge Director, Heaven Sent Ministries
EDEN Church Ladies Day
CONGO, GOMA
Letter from Pastor Delphin. Below is a summary of EDEN Church’s Annual Meeting.
Dear Bush Mission & Mama,
I began the Annual Meeting by reading Proverbs 20:18; 24:6; 29:18; and 15:22. I stressed the need to come together to see God's plan for the future. I presented the history of EDEN Church since 2009: achievements, challenges and future prospects for advancement of God's work. The goal is to implement new local churches; make disciples; train and send them to God’s fields….
48 of 63 members were present. In 5 years the church has baptized 13 converts of which only 9 were present. However, EDEN Church has a Sunday school of 120 children. Bush Telegraph’s support helps sustain the children by feeding them and providing teaching materials.
Only a few women and girls are trained in doing small business to earn an income (basket weaving, sewing, embroidery, and gardening). Some vulnerable women receive small funds for business for their children. 17 orphans attend school. The church assisted Pygmies with food and clothing. EDEN Church partners with AMESA Clinic to provide vulnerable women and children with free medical care.
Finally, when planting new churches in rural areas, our future goal will be to assist spiritually persecuted communities; especially widows, orphans, at-risk women, children and pygmies.
In Christ,
Pastor Delphin
Pastor Patrick's 6 orphans are all in school
KENYA, BUSIA
Letter from Pastor Patrick who is feeling better as he cares for 6 orphans.
Dear Bush Prayer Partners,
“Thanks for the support of our 6 orphans and prayers when I was sick for two months. I’m now feeling better and can now use my bicycle…. I also contribute to the care of the orphans. When they began school I bought each child: 12 exercise books; two A-4 books; 2 pens; 2 pencils; one ruler; one eraser; 2 rolls of toilet paper…. The Church board gave me 17,000 Kenyan shillings ($186). With your money I paid school fees; house rent; corn meal; and sugar. I also bought vegetables and tea. Lastly, I paid the school and sent you the receipt….”
Blessings,
Pastor Patrick
Pastor Peter, Beatrice & family are all in school
SUDAN/TANZANIA
Letter from Pastor Peter of South Sudan who is studying in Arusha.
Dear Bush Mission and Mama,
“Greetings in the Name of our Lord…. I have received 680,000 ($371)Tanzanian shillings for the children’s school fees: Mercy, Peace and Linda. Remember me in your prayers as I have an exam next week to close the first semester of my second year….
“Each father should be accountable for his responsibility as head of the family. If a man cannot take care of his family, how can he lead others…? I contribute: food, rent, medicine, plus other things…. I also buy school uniforms, text books, development fund, plus school activities.
My wife Beatrice and I are also students. She studies far from where we live. She walks from home to the bus stop, then to town. From town she takes another bus to school. All of this is a great struggle. I work hard so my family eats and goes to school…. You have been a blessing to us.”
Serving Him,
Pastor Peter
Angaim Church, South Sudan
Pastor Sunlight, Susan & family all attend school
SUDAN/UGANDA
Letter from Pastor Sunlight of South Sudan who is studying in Kampala, Uganda.
Dear Mami & Bush Team,
“It's God's love that you … showed your loving care and prayers. The children are at school and doing well. I paid their fees: John, Dan, Godfry, Peace Charlotte (nursery) and my wife Susan…. It cost 500,000 Ugandan shillings ($170). I would also like to thank you for your prayers as I, too, performed well with a 3.1 GPA. Thanks for prayer and support for my family….
“Pastors Victor and Peter in Torit, South Sudan, opened a new school email address to share information…. It is expensive to email when it’s available. They send warm regards. They are doing well at school.”
Thanks in Christ,
Pastor Sunlight
Latrine and bath house for the widows
Side view of the widows' compound
Front of one of the widow's houses
UGANDA, TORORO
Letter from Engineer Joseph who is building 5 widow’s houses for Peace Church.
Dear Bush Mission & Mama,
“Thank you for the 8th money received. I have done as seen in the photo and am now on the gables which I shall finish tomorrow Thursday. Here is how I used the last money. [Note: he lists all items and costs of building materials.] You can also cross-check and let me know as I have just done this on the computer. I'm requesting the 9th payment of money tomorrow so I can finish the remaining three steps for the house. Photo No. 1 is the front; and behind; and the last photo is the kitchen after doors, windows and fascia board are fixed.”
Sincerely yours,
Engineer Joseph, Contractor for Widows’ House
[Note: we sent the 9th installment of money]
UGANDA, TORORO
Letter from Head Teacher, Sarah, of Peace Church Preschool.
Dear Mama & Bush Mission,
“Preschool Report. We ended the 2014 school year well and began 2015 also well. We promoted more than half the children: those who were able to do well enough to begin 1st grade. We remained with a few who still are not able. Grandparents and guardians sent us their orphans for admission….
“I am sending photos of the 74 newly admitted children for 2015. There are 13 older children still here. Total, 87. One photo we are with the outside class. There are two photos of Pastor John welcoming them to school by encouraging them to love the school. We gave them a cool drink and cookies during break.
“School uniforms are 15,000 ($5) each, up from last year 3,000 shillings ($1)…. Two of Pastor John’s orphans, Bena (Senior 3 or 11th grade) and Sharon (Senior 1 or 9th grade), were sent home for lack of school fees: 209,000 shillings ($72) each. The rest of the orphans in primary are doing well….”
In Christ, Head Teacher Sarah, Peace Church Preschool
[Note: money was sent for all school needs]
Children in front of the new church school
Eating porridge in the morning
Play time!
Children at the new Step of Hope Preschool in the old school
UGANDA, BUSIA
Letter from Pastor Henry, Mama Josephine’s spiritual advisor.
Dear Mama & Bush Mission,
“Thank you for the good work you are doing for the children at Step of Hope and New Life Encouragement Church in Buyimini. The children are so glad to be in their new class rooms. See the photos…. Some children look smart in their uniforms while others do not have one…. In one photo the children are eating porridge; in another they are playing during break. The classrooms look so nice…. Thank you for the donation…. I am now over my malaria. Thanks for your prayers….”
God bless,
Pastor Henry
Bashiri and Barbara begin high school. 'Let's go shopping'!"
UGANDA, BUSIA
Letter from Mama Josephine, preparing to travel to Kampala for outpatient treatment.
Dear Bush & Mama,
“Hope you are fine in the Lord…. I have been sick with malaria and back pain. It took me a long time to move up and down the town to pay all 32 school fees. Pastor Henry took me to the hospital, I got medicine, and I am now improving. He encourages the children to read and work hard. I received the money and paid for all the children. Attached are copies of receipts. Thank you for praying. Pass our warm gratitude to our prayer partners.
“Bashiri and Barbra bought supplies for Secondary School [high school] using money you sent. Each bought books, pens, sugar, toothpaste, brush, shoe polish, shoes, sheets, school bag, socks, underwear and other supplies…. Plus pocket money for school. See attached photo of Bashiri and Barbra….
“It’s time for me to go back to Mulago Hospital in Kampala for my checkup…. My medicine is finished. We are grateful for everything you do…. God bless you abundantly….” [Note: we sent money for Mama Jo’s trip]
Yours in Christ,
Mama Josephine & Family
Charlie chatting with Terry, a visitor, at Christmas
'Trauma Counseling individually'
CONGO/SOUTH SUDAN
Pastors John & Viseke of Congo
minister to traumatized in Leer.
Dear Mama & Bush Mission,
“In Leer today Pastor Viseke and I heard other people according to their problems. We prayed for each one. We gave them the Trauma Healing techniques … to help them live with serious trauma and PTSD…. We will continue tomorrow with this huge work of listening to them individually and in a small group. May God give us wisdom to find a good solution for each problem.
“Yesterday people gave us suggestions…: ‘Come back again and continue trauma training’; ‘Go to other communities like Kouch and Mayendit; and ‘Teach and train a small group to continue the work until you come back again’. Pray that God will give us that opportunity to return.
“In this mission to South Sudan I got more experience. God is still teaching me and Pastor Viseke. We learned how to depend more on God. I saw how people spoke according their problems. More sharing was done by them…. Sunday I taught more than 347 people on rebuilding South Sudan for God's honor. Monday I began the seminar with more than 38 leaders. Tuesday we had over 45 leaders. Today there were more than 49. Even if my English is poor, people are listening to me and Pastor Viseke. As God said to Gideon…, ‘Go with the strength you have!’ It’s like that with my poor English….
“Pray for my wife because she sent an email that she and my son were in the hospital for 5 days, but God provided. They left the hospital last Saturday. The UN will fly us out of Leer on Friday to … Juba. From there we’ll catch a bus to our home in the Congo. Have a nice day in Christ,
Pastors John & Viseke
Pastor John, doing 'Trauma Counseling' in groups
Dear Friends of the Persecuted Church,
Charlie, our little ‘min-pin’, continues to delight us MOST of the time. Right now he’s in the dog house. Why? Recently I left my flipper (mouthpiece with two teeth attached) on the bedside table. Charlie dreamed it was a delicious bone and carried it to his doggy bed. Next morning I was horrified to discover the remains. With pieces in hand, red faced I headed to my dentist’s office. Until the new flipper was made, smiling and munching were limited.
Charlie also has the gift of selective hearing. When he’s called, he grows stone deaf. However, if I’m even THINKING of putting a morsel of food in his dish, he makes a beeline for his bowl. See what I mean? Selective hearing AND mind reader. He hadn’t read John 10:27, “My ‘dogs’ – I mean ‘sheep’ - hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me…”
Which reminds me. When it comes to missions, many human ‘Charlies’ also have selective spiritual hearing. By that I mean they choose which parts of the Great Commission to hear or NOT to hear. Thankfully YOU are not in that group. YOU hear missions calling and apply it to your lives. Otherwise how could I serve the Lord in Africa today?
BushTelegraphAfrica
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March 2015