CONGO


Letter from Pastor John. There’s still serious fighting and he is planting a new church.



Dear Bush Mission,

     “… For two months (April and May) there was serious fighting in Goma, Oicha, Beni and Rutshuru.

Our mission is needed to do the Trauma Healing in this area. Here are my plans for May:

* Organize training at Beni with 50 church leaders and communities;

* Hold seminars at Beni and Oicha with the community and 750 other vulnerable people;

* Hold activities to plant a new church at Goma. Someone gave us a compound to rent;

* Send PC Trauma medicine for Trauma Treatment in Leer, South Sudan as I promised Rev. Stephen, who hosted me in S. Sudan…. 

     “We are planting a new church here in Goma. Pray for this vision. There are more than 120 persons who come to pray with me. Friends at Oicha and Beni just began a small prayer meeting led by Pastor Olivier with 70 persons. Pray for the work at Goma, Beni, Oicha and Rutshuru…. 

     “I was happy to receive your letter with advice on how to plant the new church at Goma.  Please pray for this huge task. This vision is from God and we hope He will be with us…. The name will be ‘Jesus Christ the Only Way’ or ‘JOW’ for short. Thanks for all that you are doing.”


Have a nice day in Jesus,

Pastor John

Pray for Meshack to come home

KENYA, BUSIA


Letter from Pastor Patrick. One of his 6 orphans needs prayer.


Dear Mama & Bush Friends,

     “May Almighty God bless our Prayer Partners … I received the money….. Thank you for praying for Meshack. Here’s what happened. Busia is on the Kenya-Uganda border. So Meshack goes across the border to a secret place. He will not even tell his brothers, John and Samuel. I told my 5 orphans to ask him where he goes but he will not say. He runs away for two days, then comes back. I’m waiting for school to open next week. If he refuses to go I will find another suffering orphan to replace him.

     “The rest of us are well…. Some people in the community see no need to go to school. My wife loves the children. You would think they were her own. I’ve attached the Receipts for April.

     The school changed their uniform, but this one you pay at school and they give to your child. When they open in May … they want every child to have new uniforms. Parents complained because they wanted to have their own tailor sew it. The Principal refused and said they have tailors in India. We were told to pay 2,000 shillings ($21) for one uniform per child…. I took my children for measurements.” 

Blessing, Pastor Patrick

     A Tale of Two Containers. For the first time in the history of our little mission we’ll be sending two containers: one with food and the other with Relief Supplies.  You guessed it - we’re busy raising $30,000 in shipping fees (approx $15,000 each). “Lord … help us get them from Arizona to the Congo.”

      I’ve been asked, “Why send FOOD? After all, missionaries should ONLY preach the Gospel – and NOT send food.” Tell me this. Could YOU listen to the Gospel if YOU hadn’t eaten for 3-7 days? Be honest. You’d be thinking about your growling tummy, right? FOOD is a TOOL – a ‘means to an end’. The end? The salvation of lost souls – even if they’re hungry ones – through Jesus Christ.

     My part was to present the Congo’s needs. I used PowerPoint   with 11 groups. Altogether 1,320 volunteered to pack food: from the disabled in wheelchairs to young mothers with babies strapped on; from football players to Boy Scouts. It was truly a family affair.  My favorite was working the sealer. Together we packed enough food to fill a 40 ft. Container: ¼ million adult meals or ½ million meals for kids. Imagine!

     The Food arrived in Arizona last Friday - 20 double pallets - and is now stored in a secure area at Calvary Community Church. Special thanks to Cliff, Rich, Nate and Joe who sweated and slaved to unload and secure with tarps as it’s stored outside. 

    

Dear Friend of the Persecuted Church       

     Hello spring! Colorful dogwood trees were in full bloom as I landed in West Virginia last month. Pastor Lyle, Director of Heaven Sent Ministries, met me and Lynda, on staff. What a coincidence! We both happened to be on the same flight from Chicago! On the 1½ hour drive from the airport to Princeton,  we had time to catch up. Anne graciously hosted me in her lovely home and that night the Team feasted on a traditional Arizona favorite - tacos. It was great to see everyone again as it’s been a few years.


     The following evening the Team plus HSM friends met at Scot (Pastor Lyle’s son) and Mattie’s home where I shared about my life as a missionary. Over the next few days the Team organized ‘Hunger Challenge’ for Congo. Pastor Lyle said, “It will be held at Johnson Chapel gym…. The guys will set up tables, equipment and ingredients.”  To watch them in action was like watching the Road Runner!

      Are you ready for this? Last month the project was only 85% funded. After I arrived donations continued to trickle in but we were still short. The LAST DAY a miracle happened when a human angel picked up the slack. We met the $85,000 goal to fill a 40 ft container with food. I’m still in shock!  

Prayer ~N~ Praise

Report

May 2015

UGANDA, TORORO


Letter from Pastor John, Peace Church with good news!



Dear Mama Charlotte

     “I'm sending you the photo of the widows’ house which is finished. I'm with the teachers in the photo. We now plan to bring the widows to live there. This is what the house requires before they move in:


BED ROOM: 4 beds; 4 mattresses; 4 blankets; 8 sheets; 4 pillows; 4 mosquito nets; and 1 kerosene lamp.


SITTING ROOM: 5 seater chairs; 1 Table; and 1 kerosene lamp.

KITCHEN. 3 saucepans; 5 plates; 5 cups; 5 tablespoons; 2 teaspoons; 2 charcoal stoves; 100 liter water can; 20 liter water can; 2 water jars; 2 tea flasks; 2 plate container; and 1 kerosene lamps.

FULLTIME CAREGIVER. A single lady to stay with them fulltime at $50 per month.

     “Dwiga was discharged from hospital…. We will take her for a checkup in two weeks…. She is better but still unable to stand up much…. Keep praying that God will heal her completely from the broken hip. The hospital bill was 575,000 shillings ($194). I paid 300,000 ($101) out of the money you sent. The balance is 275,000 ($93) which I … shall pay after Dwiga’s checkup….”

Be blessed,

Pastor John, Peace Church  


[Note: we sent the balance. To furnish the house costs $426]

Dear Lord,


     “We lift before You our African brothers who are under attack. 

Where they have lost family and friends, we pray for Your comfort. 

Where they are suffering injury, we pray for Your healing touch. 

Where they have lost homes, fields and cattle, we pray for Your provision for shelter and food. 

Where there is hopelessness and weak faith, we pray You will strengthen them and give them hope in this life and in the life to come. 

We pray for extremists: may God’s mercy deliver them from spiritual darkness into the light of Christ. 

In Jesus’ name.”                                                         

Amen.   

                                                                                                  [adapted from Open Doors]

Front view. Pastor John with teachers

Side view of the new Widows' House

Massacre at Oicha, Beni and Rutshuru

 UGANDA, BUSIA


Letter from Mama Josephine.



Dear Mama &  Bush Mission, 


      “I returned home from Kampala where I went for medical treatment…. I have poor blood circulation … on one side.  They scanned me; the results will be available in May. Then I will have an operation to extract a growth…. I stayed with  Pastor Henry’s sister, Annette. She took good care of me. Henry’s friend, Dr. Fred, helped me meet other doctors who specialized with my case…. 


     “While I was gone Wilkister (older girl orphan) and Sylvia, our helper, cared for the children, the store and the house. I traveled to Kampala with Fatuma (older girl orphan) who is on vacation. Jackson, on holiday, (oldest orphan) joined us…. I feel pain … due to swelling. I value and appreciate your support…. 


     Pastor Henry is so sick. The doctors examined him. He has a problem with the brain, paralyzed body and chest. The doctors advised him to rest and have treatment. He is recovering slowly. You need to pray for him. He has been in the hospital. I went there to visit him there…. We pray he will be healed.


     “The children’s studies … are improving… and working hard…. Pastor Henry helped children with their studies until he got sick…. Now the older boys help the younger ones. I visited Pastor Henry…. The doctors advised him … to rest … from riding his bike for hours a day and from hard work. Pray….  Ugandan Children closed school April 22 and reopen May 18. Jackson’s college will reopen for 2nd Term on May 17…. Some report cards for Uganda students have not been received…. Thank you and God bless you abundantly.” 



Yours in Christ,

Mama Josephine 


[Note: due to Pastor Henry’s critical medical condition, his doctors restricted him from riding his bike and from hard work. We hope to surprise him with a good used motorbike for approx. $2,000.] 

 

SOUTH SUDAN


Letter from Rev. Stephen. He hosted Pastor John of Congo when he ministered in Leer.


Dear Sisters and Brothers,

     “Greetings in the Name of our Savior…. Long time we do not communicate because for 1½ months I was sick. Even now I am sick. I’m informing you that tomorrow I am going to Juba. From there, I’ll travel to Egypt for treatment. We will talk again after I arrive in Egypt.”



Thanks & God Bless You,

Rev Stephen

Moderator of South Western Upper Nile Presbytery, Leer

Pastor Celestin counsels university students during the Genocide Commemoration

RWANDA, KIGALI


Letter from Pastor Celestin.



Dear Prayer Partners,


     “March was spent training our counselors from different universities; humanitarian organizations like Red Cross Rwanda; and ARG (Association for University Student Survivors of Genocide). We first trained them on how to evacuate a group of traumatized people and carry them to counseling rooms. Also we trained them on counseling. Benoit and I were the trainers. We trained 100 University students who represent hundreds of counselors. All are partners of our ministry, Guardian Angel. All students trained are helping people during the Genocide Commemoration period which lasts 100 days. 


     Attached is a receipt used for snacks (sodas, mandazi and bread) during lunch. We spent the rest of the money for transporting people…. Beginning April 7 was the official start of the Genocide Commemoration…. We counseled people and taught counseling on 3 radio stations to reach many people. 


     Continue praying as we help people of God to … bring hope and peace to their lives…. You are ministering in Rwanda through us…. We … welcome your finances and prayers. Much love to you all.” 



In Christ I trust,

Pastor Celestin


Youth outreach

Sunday service, South Sudan Church

Special visitors, Chuck & Ruth

SOUTH SUDAN/UGANDA


Letter from Pastor Sunlight. The kids’ reports & nNews from Angaim Village.


Dear Bush Partners,

     “Greetings in Jesus our Savior. The children’s results are better than last year…. John got Second Division; Dan Daddy got 1st position out of 15 students. He led the class; scored 540% of 600%. Godfrey and Peace got good results too. Thanks for developing these children through your prayers and support.

     “I received an update from Pastor Victor, Head Teacher at Angaim Village School, Sudan…. Great news about Zion School. They showed a good performance and teaching as others testified, including the new area Administrator of Education.

Pastor Sunlight

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

21 essential vitamins and minerals

Pray for Mama Josephine's continued healing. Seen here with Jackson, the eldest, now in college

Pray for Pastor Henry. Seen here with wife Theresa and son

Angaim Village. Teachers at Zion Primary School

Charlie & Michelle

USA. BITS-N-PIECES


* Answer to Prayer. Last time you prayed for Rob & Eleen (and Missy the dog), R.V. Missionaries, to find a home. Joan Turner, recently widowed, answered that prayer. They are now happily settled – and a blessing. Which reminds me, we are so grateful for all the wonderful volunteers God has sent to give their time and energy on the Container Project – especially dear Charlene.


* Opps! The opening story last month, “Zambia, Easter Sunday”, took place in 1970 not 1968. 


* What’s in the Food? 1) High-quality rice; 2) Soy (high protein with 9 essential vitamins - one pound of soy equals 3 lb. red meat); 3) Dehydrated Veggies (Carrots, onions, tomatoes, celery, bell pepper and cabbage); 4) 21 essential vitamins and minerals; and 5) Chicken broth. It’s all packed in a bag made of 3-ply, moisture-proof material to prevent spoiling, insects or rats. Ugg! I hope not!  


* Special Visitors. What a lovely surprise to see Chuck and Ruth Dickie who popped in at the church store room where we process Relief Supplies. They were passing through town and wanted to see our ‘setup’.


* South Sudan Community Church. We shared some donations with these brothers, i.e., electrical appliances that can’t go to Congo. Rob, Eleen, Joan and I visited their church recently. Special thanks to Lino.

Pastor Sunlight at Angaim Village with his family


* Family News. Charlie took Michelle camping at Grand Canyon – his 1st trip!

   At night he snuggled in her sleeping bag.

Bush Telegraph Missions

© Copyright 2015

Joan Turner, front row, lf,

and Kinship Bible Study gang