Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
"Gibson, Pastor-turned-Medical-Research-Hero."
[Letter #2] Dear Bush Family & Mama,
“Since this Pandemic began there is no moving about and everything is in lockdown. Winifred was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday. She has malaria but is improving now. We have been saving money for college now for a year: Zowena, Jackson, Sharon and Bulasio. Jackson just joined the Army so we gave him his money, 200,000 shillings ($52.69) for his use while training. Now we remain three high school graduates at home and have a total of 650, 000 ($172) in our savings account. We contribute money to buy food at home and other needs.
“Bulasio is working to construct his boss’s house. They trust Bulasio. He manages the builders; buys the building materials; and pays the workers. Wilkister who finished nursing school last year, lives in Nakuru, Kenya. She rents a house and works in Oguwapole Clinic. Uganda has 63 victims of COVID-19 and so far 45 patients recovered. We pray you all remain safe and healthy. We love you all and pray for you..”
Yours in love,
Bulasio for Mama Josephine
PRAYER-N-PRAISE
REPORT
KENYA, BUSIA. Pastor Patrick is coping with the virus.
Dear Bush Team & Mama,
“Here in Kenya due to COVID-19 school closed; also churches and markets. The past few weeks are like holy days as there’s no business or work. The Uganda side closed its border too. Getting food is becoming harder. Maize (corn meal) was 35 shillings/lb but now is 75/lb. Beans were 50 shillings/lb but now are 112/lb. A priest from Italy came to Uganda (1/4 mile away) to conduct a funeral. Two days later he became ill. He tested positive for COVID-19. We fear that many from our town of Busia, Kenya, went to that funeral. All children are at home now. They send you greetings.”
Blessings,
Pastor Patrick
[Note: we sent emergency funds.]
Serving One Lord, One Church, One Faith,
PART 5 - CONCLUSION. We’ve been sharing the true story of how my Passport and money were stolen in Nairobi, Kenya, the day I arrived. God guided my coworker and me in miraculous ways to travel to Sudan. After many trials we reached Isoke Parish, Sudan, our driver’s destination. Lord, will we ever reach our final destination, Lohutok Village?
SATURDAY NIGHT after dinner the Fathers opened a cabinet at the far end of the dining room. Surprise! There was a TV! We enjoyed watching BBC – I was starved for news.
SOUTH SUDAN. Letters from Pastor Sunlight.
Dear Bush Team & Mama,
“Peace has come and things are changing slowly. I attached the list of people who received clothes from the Container: widows, elderly, disabled, sick and orphans. They are very thankful for your support. They said that BTM has been their encouragement in whatever happens in the community. The school children also received help. They thank BTM for educational materials and blackboards to help them learn.”
“There is a locust invasion in Torit, South Sudan. For two months they have been in most parts of Torit, Magwi, Angaim Village and other towns. Some fields were destroyed quickly while others were left untouched. Please keep them in prayer. The school received the blackboards from the Container. Teachers are using them. Social gatherings were stopped by Presidential Order due to COVID-19. All borders are closed.”
Pastor Sunlight
Charlotte Sinclair Barkley
SOUTH AFRICA, INGWAVUMA. Letter from Pastor Gibson, the ‘fruit’ of our labors 10 years ago.
Dear Bush Family & Mama.
“Greetings in the Name of Jesus. I was very glad to receive your email. In 2009 you sent me a letter of encouragement and instruction which I kept until now. In the letter you said I was a soldier in the war and when the war was over I would be at home and would be rewarded. My wife and I struggled to the point that I nearly gave up the ministry but your letter has always reminded me of Apostle Paul as you said.
In 2012, a word of inspiration came to me with the scripture from Jeremiah 30:17. It said "be prepared, God wants to use you…." I did not know how He would use me in this mission. In September the word came again with the force that I must register my own company. So I did. Later on, God started giving me dreams, where I found myself in training and workshops learning how to make products in the form of medicines.
“I do not want to write much, just read the attached document through God's own medical knowledge. It is a 7-year Medical Research which ended up with new discoveries for new medicines. Your prophetic words in the letter of 2009 have come true. Now Nelson Mandela University of Medicine is to award me an Honorary Doctorate degree in honor of the work I have done. Right now we are working to register all our medicines.”
With regards,
Pastor Gibson & Aida
"The new oven and stove for vulnerable women."
"COVID-19 in refugee camps is trauma upon trauma."
"Same wound on ankle after treatment with ointment."
UGANDA, BUSIA. Bulasio writes for Mama Josephine who keeps 56 orphans.
Dear Praying Friends & Mama,
“The children have been released from school for one month over the outbreak of Coronavirus. They are home. We pray to Almighty God to protect you against the virus which is claiming people's lives. Officials have stopped all the public buses. Motorbikes are not allowed to carry passengers. Only private vehicles are allowed to carry two people. Whoever doesn't abide by the law is arrested.
“Thank you for the emergency money. We bought three bags of maize (corn flour), beans, soap, bleach, sugar, cooking oil and sanitizer (see photo). We gave Christine, who keeps 10 orphans, a bag of maize flour and 60 lb of beans. The children are so happy and send you warm greetings. They love you and pray for you all.”
Yours faithfully,
Bulasio
CONGO. Update from Mama Zawadi on Widows Chantal, Neema, Odetta and Zaire.
Dearest Mama Charlotte,
“Thank you for the wonderful Easter message. Mama Chantal’s business didn't make much profit as she was eating from the money used for business. Her greatest need now is to move to a cheaper house for about $10/mo. She believes she can pay her way. She needs money for a deposit and a little to strengthen her business. Mama Neema lives in a church with her 3 kids. She needs to find a one-bedroom house where she can pay $10/mo and start a little business. If she could have $30 God will turn her situation around.
“We also ministered to another lady at Masisi Refugee Camp named Odetta. She has no legs and scoots along the ground. She has a 2-year old son born out of rape. They live with her elderly parents. I paid $50 for 5 mo rent for her. Now I am having financial difficulties.
The company I worked for on line from the UK closed because of COVID-19. They will pay when the situation improves. Zaire was in the hospital because of the prostate cancer. In Bukavu they gave him a treatment but no surgery. May God keep you and USA safe.”
We love you,
Mama Zawadi
[Note: BTM sent funds to meet these needs.]
"The Father's dining room, Isoke Parish, Sudan."
"South Sudan, including Angaim Village, is cut off from the world due to COVID-19."
"Neville, Mommy and Baby Rose check out the new gas burner stove."
[Letter #2] Hello USA Team & Mama,
“Thank you for your donation for the new stove. Your gift touched orphans and widows miles away. Due to COVID-19 it’s a total shutdown in our town of Kakamega and the country of Kenya. Our small economy may not survive. Churches, schools and colleges have been shut down. We are praying against the devil’s attack and sending it back to China in Jesus' Name. Thanks for supporting our ministry in Kenya.”
In the Service of the King, Pastor Benard
[Note: special thanks to Partners who helped buy stove.]
[Letter #2] Dear Bush Friends & Mama,
“Due to COVID-19 we are all on lock down. There's no movement, no church fellowship, no social gatherings. In South Sudan we are cut off from the world. We are sorry it affected people in their work place in USA. We pay our condolences to affected families. During construction of the school, there was no means to take materials to the building site as the bridge was blown up in the war. Tractor drivers refused to take materials to Angaim due to rebel fighting in the area.”
Your faithful brother
Pastor Sunlight
"The locust invasion is destroying crops in Sudan."
"Victor's three sons Psalm, Godfrey and Isaac. Little Kayla, daughter, not pictured."
That evening I loaned my only DVD of the ‘Jesus’ video to Father Benjamin. “Thank you … I’ll make a copy and return this tomorrow,” he promised. Later he showed it to other Fathers. I never saw the video again but concluded that God had a different plan for it.
At bedtime, Donny, my coworker, settled down in a nearby hut. Sister Rose brought me a lantern and bottle of water. “Thank you…,” I was touched by her kindness. My ‘hut’ was two guest rooms in one with a dividing wall that didn’t reach the ceiling by a few feet.
CONCLUSION: Our Prayer Partners were worried about mission support due to many businesses closing. Usually when one tightens their purse strings, mission giving is the first to go. Thus many missions are hurting now but we are happy to report that this is not the case with Bush Telegraph. We continue to receive our normal support. Praise God!
Thank you for your prayers and support for your persecuted family during this crisis and thus strengthening the Church. We pray for you and your families as we navigate uncertain times together as One Church, One Family, One Lord and One Faith.
Pray especially for our refugees. Read Pastor Victor and Toby’s stories above. Refugees live close to each other and can’t self-isolate as we do in USA. So COVID-19 goes through a camp quickly. Refugees already suffer from poverty, trauma and poor health before this hit. It’s trauma upon trauma. Lockdowns bring businesses to a standstill. Their source of income gone. They’re helpless. Take time to PRAY for them today.
"Laura and Mark help Mator begin a new Education Ministry."
"Isoke Parish Church."
"Wound on ankle before applying ointment."
"Sunlight's children live in Kiryandongo Camp, Uganda. A mini-tornado blew metal sheets off the roof of their house."
SOUTH SUDAN/USA. Update on Mator, former ‘Lost Boy’, my 2018 Teammate to Jonglei, South Sudan. There we did a Field Survey of the area where Mator grew up to determine needs during war-time.
Dear Bush Friends & Mama,
“Since we made our trip to Jonglei in 2018, the ‘Village Education Fund’ has been born. I navigated the nonprofit world; registered it with the state of Arizona; and received a 501(c)3 from the IRS. All documents are in place and approved. Here’s the website: Villageeducationfund.org. Back in my village there was a massive flood and a few days ago cattle raiders came and stole a herd of cattle. They are being pursued.”
In Him,
Mator
[Note: Mator lives/works in Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife and four sons.]
[Letter #2] Dear Bush Friends & Mama,
“The priest infected 138 people who are being tested. The government put a curfew at night. Nobody is allowed outside from 7 pm to 6 am. They locked down Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties. All businesses are on lock down, only food is sold. Today Kenya has 484 cases and 24 deaths
“Thank you for the emergency funds. I paid rent and bought enough food for the month. Also sanitizer and a hand-washing container for my family. We must wear a mask and stand a distance from others. I had a hard time buying charcoal for cooking. It cost 500 shillings/50 lb ($4.72). My humble request is to buy a small gas burner. People say it’s better than charcoal and a month’s supply costs 1,200/shillings ($11.32). School may open in June. We send you prayers for God’s protection. The children love you and pray for you always.”
Blessings,
Pastor Patrick
[Note: BTM sent funds for the small one burner gas stove.]
Toby, "I bought food for our hungry kids as the rations have been reduced 1/3'."
"Maize (corn meal) jumped from 35 shillings (.33 cents) to 75 shillings (.70 cents) a pound.
[Letter #2] Dear Bush Friends & Mama,
“We continue to pray for one another amidst this pandemic outbreak. I have been with the children in Kiryandongo for three weeks now since schools are closed. We are well, however, COVID-19 has been on the rise. Things are getting worst with food. 18 children attend school here – 4 in High School; 10 in Primary School; and 4 in Kindergarten. All thanks to BTM’s support.
“Here in Uganda people are in fear because of the President’s orders in the fight against COVID-19. No movement outside our homes except for emergency or we will be beaten; no movement to public places except banks and groceries. All working hours have changed. It’s a total lock down. Buying airtime for our phones is hard. Most shops are closed except those selling groceries. Please pray.”
Thanks,
Toby
[Note: we sent emergency funds to Toby for the kids.]
"Rev Stephen is at home in Uganda waiting for Sudan to open it's borders."
"Pinychuier Village, where Mator grew up."
“We’re outside, on the veranda,” voices shouted back. After exchanging greetings we were invited to eat. “Sorry, but all that’s left is rice.” But when you’re hungry, some food is better than no food at all.
Later that night, settled in my mud-and-pole hut, I listened to Jordan, Romano and the other voices until 2 am in the morning. I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving. Yes, the hut was bare – only a cot with mosquito net. Yes, the floor was mud. Yes, the roof was thatch. None of that seemed to matter. What did matter was that God had led us safely to Lohutok – at last. Many adventures lay ahead – but that’s another story. [The End]
BUSH TELEGRAPH MISSIONS
© 2020
After the service Father John showed us around. First we walked outside, behind the building. I stopped dead in my tracks. There was a bomb about 6 feet above ground. Father John explained, “This bomb landed here but never exploded – it was a miracle as it would have destroyed the church.” We also visited the high school and primary school.
Soon it was time for lunch so we washed our hands using the canvas bag of water outside the dining room. We enjoyed noodles, maize (corn meal), rice and meat with sauce. Afterwards I rested due to the intense heat and humidity. I felt like a wet dishcloth. At 2 pm Dr. Manuel knocked at my door. “I have good news – Romano and Jordan have come for you!”
KENYA, KAKAMEGA. Pastor Benard thanks BTM for help with a new project.
Good Morning Friends & Mama,
“We are asking for some urgent support to buy an oven and stove for our vulnerable young women. It costs 30,000 Kenya shillings ($280); and the pans for baking bread, scones (biscuits) and cakes are 20,000 ($187). The women have received free training from a World Bank course. Once they start selling bakery products it will support our 80 orphans and mamas on the farm. We will install it ourselves. It uses charcoal.”
Regards,
Pastor Benard
I was overjoyed to see Romano’s tall lanky figure striding towards me, a wide grin on his face. Jordan, whom I’d never met, followed behind, his reddish hair peeking out from beneath a baseball cap. I recalled Carol, my host in Loki, telling me about Jordan. “He’s a missionary from Canada with AIM. He and his wife serve in Ikotos Village and live among the people,” she had said.
Mystified I asked, “But how did you know I was here?”
PRAYER-N-PRAISE
REPORT
"The Rehabilitation Class in training."
SUNDAY. Very early the next morning the ‘guest’ in the adjoining room turned on his radio at top volume. I shot out of bed like a bullet. Who needs an alarm clock? Breakfast was tea or coffee (no milk) with hotdog-sized buns, margarine (a luxury) and jam. I introduced myself to Dr. Manuel, a Sudanese sitting at our table. “The driver who brought Donny and I here from Kenya said that you are driving to Lohutok Village today – that’s our destination. Do you have room for us?”
NORTHERN UGANDA, BIDI-BIDI REFUGEE CAMP. Letter from Pastor Victor
Dear Mama & Mission Friends,
“Thank you for your prayers. There are 14 in my family including one orphan. Her parents died during the war in South Sudan. I brought her and 7 other children from Angaim Village for studies. They will go back to Angaim to build up God-fearing servants. My wife and I have 4 children. I am now in Senior III (high school). This month the UN only gave us maize and cooking oil but no beans, salt or wheat flour. They cut our rations by 30%. So I was forced to sell the cooking oil to buy more food for the family.”
Thanks a lot,
Pastor Victor
[Note: we sent Ps Victor emergency funds for food.]
[Letter #3] Dear Friends & Mama,
“We appreciate your prayers and sacrifice. I wet my eyes with tears over your message. The wind blew part of the roof off my children's home in Kiryandongo Refugee Camp, Uganda. It destroyed many homes. Their house is made of cement bricks so it was only a few iron sheets on the roof that blew away.
In Angaim Village School, Sudan, we have 9 teachers and 235 students. They need 2 boxes chalk; 2 soccer balls; food for students’ lunch; two 100 lb bags of maize (corn flour); one 100 lb bag sugar; and transport money. Also the teachers need their pay. South Sudan is working on the Peace Agreement. Due to COVID-19 the government closed schools and social gatherings. Now I am training an ox to plough the field for planting.”
Praying,
Pastor Sunlight
[Note: BTM sent funds for the teachers and school].
"Supplies for Teachers at Angaim School, Sudan."
MARCH
APRIL 2020
"The girls thank Bush Telegraph for the stove."
"Thank you for all the food and supplies."
"Kenya has 484 cases of COVID-19."
"Juba, Sudan, hospitals refuse to take COVID-19 patients. They must stay at home."
"Pastor Gibson, 2006, Ingwavuma, South Africa."
"One Priest from Italy infected 138 people at a funeral"
Dr. Manuel replied, “Of course but I don’t have a car -- it’s coming sometime this week, we don’t know when.” When Sudanese talk like that, forget it. My heart sank. Soon the church bell rang. Three different times: 1½ hours before mass; then 30 minutes before; then at 10 am when it started. Donny came for me after the second bell. We sat near the front left side. The message was different, with much ritual. Church was packed with young families.
"Children on their way to church."
"The Isoke High School"
"All the children are home due to COVID-19"
"Christine, who keeps 10 orphans, also received maize (corn meal)."
UGANDA CAMPS. Toby, Pastor Sunlight’s brother, checks up on our Sudanese orphans at Kiryandongo.
May The Lord Be With Bush Ministry,
“I visited the children at Kiryandongo Refugee Camp. They started their first term lessons. Thanks for your prayers for them and for South Sudan. At the camp they can pay to take extra lessons for a fee. These are good for 4-7th grades. I bought them 8 mattresses and 8 bed sheets thanks to BTM. We are glad that peace is returning to South Sudan as President Kiir and the opposition leader, Vice President Machar, have agreed to unite the nation. We request your continuous prayers for South Sudan.”
Thanks,
Toby
THE PAST TWO MONTHS we’ve heard from our church leaders in 5 countries who were in ‘lock down’ due to COVID-19. They all said, “We see men, women and children crying of hunger!’ We stepped up to meet the challenge with emergency funds. It wasn’t budgeted but we trusted God. Because of YOU we are making a difference – providing hope. Thank you for your love, prayers and words of encouragement.
"The Lohutuk Team."
USA, ARIZONA. Laura of Yuma, partnered with Mator in the above-mentioned project.
Hi Charlotte & Bush Team,
“I helped Mator start a non-profit to raise funds to build a school for Wutkoro Primary in Jonglei, South Sudan. This is where he went to primary school as a boy. The non-profit is called Village Education Fund. Mator is President; I am Treasurer; Geri, my husband Mark’s sister, is Secretary. Mark built our website. I donate $50/mo and will learn how to write Grants for fundraising. I’m leaving everything in God’s hands and do what I can while teaching first grade here in Yuma.”
Sincerely,
Laura
Jordan explained, “Carol, who hosted you in Loki, radioed us. We’ve been tracking you ever since. We drove here from Ikotos this morning after Romano preached at a refugee camp.” Just like that a little crowd gathered around to see us off. I gave Sister Rose a small gift. We were on our way by 2:30 pm.
For the next 6 hours we bounced along on dusty bush trails straight from Mars. We arrived in Lohutok Village at 8:30 pm. It was dark. “Lord … to think it took 6 hours to go 50 km.” Roads were that bad. Upon arrival at the AICS mission compound in Lohutok, we walked into the dining room.
“Where is everyone?” asked Romano.
"Mator."
SUDAN. Rev Stephen is waiting for South Sudan to open its borders again.
Dear Bush Family & Mama,
“I prepared a Report for our half of the Container Supplies we received for Sudan. Then I returned to my home in Kampala, Uganda. I planned to go back to South Sudan quickly to distribute everything. Then COVID-19 came and it was locked down. Our brothers and sisters in Unity State, Sudan, are suffering from lack of food. In Juba, the capital, 45 people have the virus but the hospital will not take them. Patients are forced to stay in their homes causing more sickness as families live in crowded conditions. We are praying for America’s situation. We are with you in Spirit. We know the work of the devil from 1 Peter 5:8-9.”
Your Brother,
Rev Stephen