Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
"Pastor Bernard's Church Growth class."
"Evangelistic Outreach Team, eastern Uganda."
KENYA, GITHURAI. Pastor White shares Victor and David’s testimony.
Good Evening Bush Friends & Mama,
“Victor, 17 yrs, and David, 15 yrs joined Heart of Care Children's Home in 2015. They came after their parents were killed in a car accident. Afterwards they lived with their grandparents, both of whom were very ill. The grandma had swollen legs and the grandpa suffered from prostate cancer. They were not able to care for them. Both boys are in Form I (high school) and are performing well at school. Each one's fees are 23,000 Kenyan shillings for a total of 46,000 shillings ($442) which is needed when the term opens.
“My wife, Jane, and I were in a car accident coming back from church. A lorry (truck) hit the van in which we were traveling.
We have injuries to our bodies.
Thanks and may God bless you abundantly.”
Pastor White
[Note: we have not yet learned the extent of their injuries.]
"Workshop for church leaders & pastors."
"President Kenyatta."
USA, PHOENIX. Farewell to our beloved Joan Turner, Prayer Partner and extraordinary Christian.
Dear Friends,
“Early this month the Lord called beloved Prayer Partner, Joan Turner, home. Throughout our African Container Projects, Joan (and late hubby Jack) were always there to lend a helping hand. Whether processing donations; picking up Medical Equipment at Jay’s Garage or Beatitudes Nursing Home; or dropping me at the airport to head to Africa; they were there. Joan and Jack were members of Kinship Bible Group, Northwestern Community Church. They’ve always been ‘in my prayer corner’. We praise God for Joan’s life as Angels rejoice!”
We’ll miss you Joan! Charlotte for BTM Team
SOUTH SUDAN is facing a clear and present danger - genocide.
It is happening while the world sits back and watches. Just as happened in Rwanda 24 years ago when Hutus murdered 1,000,000 Tootsies in 100 days. Read the last 5 points on how difficult it’s becoming to send money to Sudan to help our persecuted brothers/sisters.
Dear Bush Friends,
“We request your prayers for the new school term for:
1) Scholastic Materials;
2) pay for 12 teachers;
3) more School Uniforms (there are 430 students and only 120 have new uniforms); and
4) School Lunches for the term.
Total needed: $1,754. Four elderly people and two youth died due to lack of medicine so we’d like to buy that too. The government hospital has none.”
Thank you, Pastor Sunlight
[Note. BTM sent the 1st payment for supplies and teachers’ pay.]
“We have 12 teachers due to the number of subjects per student. There are 7 subjects and 7 classes. Four teachers were added by the government but they are not paid. We pay them something small so we don’t lose them. Eight teachers come from the community and work as volunteers; five are helped by BTM. Pastor Peter told me the parents raised 4,000 pounds ($631) to help with school expenses.
All banks in Torit are closed. South Sudan is left without hope or help from the outside world as all agencies that send/receive money are closed in South Sudan. Pray for the peace of South Sudan!
In Christ,
Pastor Sunlight
"Elderly and children die for lack of medicine."
"Zawadi and I at a refugee camp."
KENYA ELECTIONS seriously affect our pastors and churches, even those who live in the ‘bush’.
Dear Praying Friends,
“Odinga had challenged the former election results from August 8th when President Kenyatta won, saying the process was corrupt. The Supreme Court ordered a re-election for October 26th between the top two candidates. This week Odinga withdrew saying the election process hasn’t changed and was still corrupt. Pray for wisdom for the leadership in Kenya; the tribal tension; and unity among Kenyan Churches.”
Mission Network News
Dear Friends & Mama,
“Thank you for the money. Assistant teachers are paid less so five teachers share their pay to help the assistant teachers cover needs when it’s not enough. They are committed to bring change. The South Sudan pound (currency) has lost value due to high prices in the market. Today Pastor Peter went to Torit and the price of fuel (gas) was 900 pounds ($143) per liter.
"Sending money to Peter is challenging."
"Students need more uniforms & school supplies."
"Two giant boxes of treasures."
BIDI-BIDI REFUGEE CAMP. Pastor Victor from Angaim Village, South Sudan, is thankful for our help.
Dear Mama and Bush Mission,
“Thank you for your support and help at Bidi-Bidi Refugee Camp in Uganda. It has never happened in my life that somebody helped me. It’s only you. May God bless you and the ministry. We are praying for you.”
Pastor Victor
[Note. Pastor Victor, former Angaim teacher, works with Pastor Sunlight.]
"Crusade Praise & Worship Team."
"Supplies Victor bought for his family."
Prayer-N-Praise
“It took Pastor Peter 5 hours to walk from Angaim Village to Torit town because his motor bike broke down. He has no money to fix it. Below are the ways we get money from BTM to Pastor Peter in South Sudan:
Bakobo town is now closed on the South Sudan side. We cannot get money to Peter that way any more.
"Thank you for school fees."
RWANDA, KIGALI. Pastor Celestin’s Team reaches out to the poor with soap and bread.
Dear Friends,
“The Counseling Workshop was delivered to church leaders and pastors. This time we also invited deacons and church counselors. We followed up on evangelism and church leadership. We set up different topics: Counseling, Leadership, Prayer and Evangelism to make sure we continue to help our people.
“During our Evangelism Workshop we met people who had no soap to bathe and were starving due to the drought June-August. It was difficult for them to attend church. During house-to-house evangelism we chose women with children and delivered bread and soap. We invited them to a place where we distributed it and each one was happy. All came from poor districts: Muhima, Cyahafi, Bilyogo and Nyakabanda.
“In October we have planned three Evangelism Outreaches. Your contribution allows us to reach many people and to cover ministry expenses. Thank you.”
Pastor Celestin, Guardian Angel Ministries
KENYA, KAKAMEGA. Pastor Bernard has taken in more orphans. They live at his ancestral village.
Dear Bush Friends & Mama,
“Here’s a photo of the 9 orphans supported by Bush Mission (L-R): Franklin, Michael, Kevin, Sarah, Emmanuel, Magnon, Sheba, Zedekiah and Samuel. Three are in high school that we pay fees for. The other photo is men and women we train in ministry and church growth. They come from local villages.
Last month one of our evangelists died leaving 7 children. We held his funeral. We will send the bunk beds (bought by Bush Telegraph) to the new orphans as well as other supplies. It hurts my heart when I go to the bush and see the suffering women and children.
Later a widow surrendered 8 more orphans as she can no longer afford to keep them. This totals 15 new orphans: Wendy, Sasha, Leila, Marion, Elmah, Yusuf, Alice, Christine, Simon, Christopher, Lucas, Silva, Nilles, Achieng and Janet. Please pray for them all.
We are working in the bush and adopted your strategy of equipping pastors; supporting widows and orphans; and training evangelists who go from village-to-village. Yesterday I was interviewed with pastors and recorded by a local TV channel. We received with joy BTM’s generous gift. We love you and Bush mission.”
God bless, Pastor Bernard
[Note. With 24 orphans – 15 new ones – we sent extra support this month.]
USA, MICHIGAN. It’s raining little girl dresses - plus a whole lot more!
Hi Charlotte & Friends,
“Our group finished our summer sewing project. We completed 115 dresses! Also I will be sending medications, girls’ and boys’ underwear, Bible coloring books, two huge bags of cloth diapers, plus misc. stuff. I checked shipping and the best rate is FedEx. Two sewing ladies donated money for shipping….”
Sandie, Michigan
[Note. Two elephant-sized boxes just arrived – thank you Sandie & Super Sewers.]
"Our Leer Team have fled due to war."
"Monicah, the 'Vision Bearer'."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CONGO/ENGLAND. Zawadi, Secretary for CAAP (partner), returns to Congo soon!
Dear Mama & Friends,
“I am pleased to hear from you again. First of all, I am not back in Goma yet because Congo is making my Visa complicated and expensive. To stay for only one month costs $400. I waited to see if the price came down, instead it got higher. My flight is booked for November 11. I will leave England where my children live. Here’s my plan. I’ll get a Rwandan visa for £35 ($46.50) and when there I’ll apply for a Congo Visa to make it cheaper. Then I’ll walk across the border. I am recovered from my car accident and thank God for healing me.
“CAAP is partnering with UNICEF on an Orphan Project. They allow Christian teaching and will appreciate your involvement. You will need your own support to cover Christian teaching. Pastor Delphin approves this method of getting the Gospel to vulnerable orphans in remote areas where UNICEF works. Congo’s government is getting worse. May God turn things around. Greetings to brothers and sisters in USA.”
God Bless, Zawadi and CAAP team
October 2017
One option is to use A.I.M. (Africa Inland Mission) office in Kampala to send money to the A.I.M. office in South Sudan. Then we can give Peter the money BTM sends for school expenses or food or medicine.
The second option is to send ‘mobile money’. Peter has a mobile money phone which BTM bought. He has a Uganda line with his mobile account and he can use that to receive money, when the network is good.
A third option is to exchange our USA money with American missionaries in Kampala, Uganda. We will then give the money to Peter.
SOUTH SUDAN / UGANDA. Rev. Stephen updates us on what’s happening in refugee camps and Sudan.
Greetings from Kampala,
“I am ministering in refugee camps in Northern Uganda. My South Sudanese brothers who are in camps receive food every month but it is not enough. They have cut back on rations. Also the food given out is just enough to keep people alive. It is good for nothing for refugees who are already starving.
“In Leer, South Sudan, Nuer people are suffering because Dinka soldiers are killing them.. The Nuer community fears the soldiers. John Kong fled to Kenya for safety but hopes to return home to Leer. Most people in Leer fled to Thornyor, 13 km from Leer. It’s on the river and the people live on water lilies and goat bones. That is why children, elderly and even young people are dying for lack of food.
“Thank you for school fees for Matgoanar – 3rd yr high school; Nyatiek – 1st yr high school; Tekuoth – 7th grade; and Nyakuoth – 7th grade. Total 2,479,000 shillings ($689). I paid 1/3 of my children’s fees this time as my wife Regina and I have a small business.”
God bless you, Rev Stephen, Moderator SWUNP/LEER, South Sudan
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"Meet the new orphans." (Ps Bernard standing behind)
"Poor women & children receive soap & bread."
"KIWANJA Crusade Team." (Ps Delphin, 2nd on rt.)
“Excuse me Freddy, why does a ‘Q’ appear when I type ‘M’? And ‘P’ when I type ‘C’?”
Freddy: “Sorry Madam … it’s set for French. I forgot to change it over to English.”
Another 30 minutes passed. “Freddy, sorry to trouble you but this computer is VERY slow. I’ve been here an hour and haven’t even gotten into my E-mails.”
Freddy: “Madam, it’s windy today so the network runs slowly.” Of course. The wind.
I continued pounding the key board. I mean POUNDING. “Freddy - the keys stick - some don’t even work. I have to write simple words and only use the few keys that work.”
Freddy smiled, “Madam, it’s a very old model.” I thought, maybe from WWII?
I carried on. Suddenly the screen went blank. I lost my one measly email. “Whaaaaat?”
Freddy looked out the window. “Oh, a bird is sitting on the power line – it disturbs the network. I’ll restart the computer.” He got down on the floor and untangled a mass of wires. The power was back on but a few minutes later it suddenly went off again. What? Not again!
Freddy: “I think maybe my boss forgot to pay the electric bill, but we have a generator for backup.” Soon I heard the hum of the generator. I continued typing but held my breath.
I typed a whole sentence. Wow! Then without warning the power failed a 3rd time. Freddy checked the generator. Bad news. “Madam, we’re out of fuel (gas) - there’s a shortage.”
In 6 hours I’d written – and sent - two emails with umpteen more to go. Freddy, “That will be 10,000 francs ($11).” I paid and left. The rest of my ‘to-do’ list that day would have to wait.
"A lucky little girl & baby brother
receive soap & bread."
BUSH TELEGRAPH MISSION
© 2017
"Waiting for transport in Congo & catching up on my journal."
"Victor and David, orphans."
"We'll miss Joan & Jack" (pictured here with my stuff for Africa)
"Let's go find the Internet Cafe"
“God is our refuge and strength,
An ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
Though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
[Psalm 46:1-3]
"Victor says, 'Thank you for helping us'!"
In this case, what made it all worthwhile were the souls rescued at the Crusade in Kiwanja. I’ll remember that long after my ‘to-do’ list – and emails - fade. Thank YOU for your love, prayers and encouragement to keep today’s ‘to-do’ list – and Crusades – alive and well.
The Internet Café is but one small challenge compared to the life-and-death issues our African brothers face daily. Even so, a missionary can become discouraged and even lose hope when their ‘to-do’ list never gets checked off as the days, weeks and months pass.
Thank YOU for lifting your missionary - and our precious African brothers and sisters - up in prayer, so we don’t lose HOPE; and so we can keep checking off our ‘to-do’ list. That’s what we do.
"The teachers' 'office'."
REPORT
"Can you believe 115 dresses?"
UGANDA, KAMPALA. Mama Monicah’s kids prepare for a new evangelistic outreach with Evangelist Elijah.
Dear Prayer Partners & Mama,
“This is how we spent the support: House rent; Water; Electricity; School requirements; Posha (corn meal) – 50 kg; Beans – 25 kg; Charcoal - 50 kg; Medical; Needs for Children; and Transport to Western Uganda for Evangelism. Thank you. You made our children happy and God fearing.
In October we are going for another Evangelistic Outreach with Elijah to eastern Uganda to villages where people don’t know God. The lost must be set free from the evils of witchcraft, child sacrifice and idol worship practiced today. God put it in my heart to take the gospel to remote villages where people are lost and true pastors are being poisoned. We have a Team of 10 young people who volunteered to go including me as ‘Vision Bearer’. Please keep us in your prayers. May the Lord bless you.”
We love you, Mama Monicah
[Note. We received photos of child sacrifice that we cannot publish.]
"Living on water lilies & goat bones at Thornyor."
"Charlotte greets children in Angaim Village."
"Ugandan/South Sudan Border.
People are losing hope."
"UNICEF's 'Orphan Project' & teaching about Jesus!"
USA. DEAR ABBY, “When are you going back to Africa?”
Dear Prayer Partners,
“Everyone keeps asking, ‘When are you going back to Africa?’ In fact I’m usually on the field June/July to Oct/Nov. Alas! I’m still here! A ministry trip was planned for this month but I had to cancel. I feel terrible to let the Team down but I’m just not physically ready yet.
“When I had a hip replacement a couple years ago, I threw away my walker in two weeks and was back on the field in three months. My recent hip surgery was very different. It was complicated; lasted longer; and an inch of bone was added to rebuild my left hip. Unknown to me, I’d been walking around on a dislocated hip for about a year which caused body trauma. Spiritually I went through a very dark time. I’m here to say I’ve OVERCOME depression, discouragement, sickness and pain. It’s been a long road but Jesus is an OVERCOMER!
“Our ministry in Africa is not exactly like an Alaskan Cruise. Quite the contrary. On the field I travel hundreds of miles by road; sleep in huts; refugee camps; slums; eat local food; plus climate/cultural changes in 5 African countries. To do this I need STAMINA. I am presently working out daily and busy catching up on mission projects.
“Meanwhile, back in the jungle, plans are afoot to return to Africa very soon. If you have a minute I sure could use some extra spiritual warfare prayers. Oh yes, and don’t forget to add STAMINA. One verse very dear to my heart is: ‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.’ [II Timothy 1:7]
Fearlessly Moving On,
Charlotte
CONGO. Pastor Delphin and I raced towards Kiwanja town, the tires hardly touching the ground. Our driver feared this area – rebel territory. We arrived safely thanks to serious prayers. Pastor Emmanuel, our host, welcomed us. For a week we shared Jesus at an open-air Crusade. Souls were rescued.
When it was over Pastor Delphin and I set out on foot for an Internet Café (no electricity at our host’s home) to check my emails from home. I sat down at the only free computer on a 3-legged chair. After some time passed I motioned to the clerk. I learned his name was Freddy.