Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
Regina, Rev. Stephen's wife
SOUTH SUDAN/UGANDA
Letter from Rev. Stephen’s wife, Regina. She and the family are safe in Uganda.
Dear Mama, Brothers & Sisters,
“…God’s love is over everything. We thank … the family of God for standing with us and holding up our hands. The war in South Sudan is a big job for all believers. People are in the peace process but only Almighty God can bring lasting Peace. Please ask your Prayer Partners to pray for these requests for South Sudan:
1) “Sudanese who have become homeless and lost hope;
2) men who were castrated;
3) girls and women who were raped;
4) relatives killed in horrible ways; and
5) ask God to give them a heart of forgiveness.
Thank you for … sharing our pain in spirit. We request our Heavenly Father gives you good health.”
Thanks, Mama Regina [wife to Rev. Stephen]
President Kiir, lf, Dr. Machar, rt
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Rev. 12:11
KENYA, GITHURAI
Letter from Pastor White who directs Heart of Care Children’s Home (30+ orphans) and provides free Christian Preschool. He and the children make jewelry which I am selling on their behalf.
Dear Mama & Friends,
“We thank the Lord for what He has done. We received the money and this is how we used it: We built a partition between classes in the church; added to the house rent; and bought food for the children. May the lord bless you all. Receive greetings from the children.”
Pastor White
Pastor Delphin with Mamas Madeline and Nyamvura from Eden Church
Distribuion begins at Katoyi Refugee Camp
Parents included Muslims and non-Muslims
Pastors Peter and Victor are overseeing the construction
Little girls wearing new dresses.
Women carrying food boxes on their heads and backs up the mountain to Katoyi Camp
Bush Telegraph Missions
©copyright 2016
Pastor White, his wife and children making jewelry
Thank you Mr. Toymaker for making hundreds of Africa children very happy
Rev. Stephen
Mamas Madeline & Nyamvura from 'Women At Risk' group at EDEN church, organize clothes and baskets to distribute
Counseling Christian young people
Watch out for those bees, Neville
RWANDA, KIGALI
A letter from Pastor Celestin, Director of ‘Guardian Angel Ministries’.
“Jean D’amour, Tom, Sandrine and I spent 3 days ministering in refugee camps between … Rwanda and Tanzania…. We were asked to help with school fees for 14 boys learning vocational training…. Also we were requested to teach refugees and their parents how to avoid immorality and drugs.
“Parents … included Muslims and non-Muslims. This is because they live in small plastic tents, close to one another with no privacy. Also the youth spend all day doing nothing and learn bad habits like drugs and immorality. We reached every group: mothers, young children and youth. Sometimes I was asked to do Christian counseling … which worked successfully…. The students who received school supplies were happy….”
“The Refugee School doesn’t have school uniforms so everyone wears what he has. One discussion group was ‘What Do You Know About Salvation?’ We also taught women about … avoiding immorality. In another class we taught women ‘How to be a Woman of God’. This was … made possible by your support…. We touched and changed lives…. We use little to transform many lives…. We do all things through Christ who gives us strength. In the coming months we will encourage Genocide survivors…. Pray … as we reach people for Christ….”
Pastor Celestin, Director Guardian Angel Ministry
Angaim Village children await a new school
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dear Lord,
“We pray that you Strengthen church leaders and renew hope for their persecuted people. Grant them strong leadership. We pray especially for the people of South Sudan; that they will put their trust YOU even in hard times. Hear their cry.
“May we remember: ‘… but God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying love’.” Amen!
Doing what’s good for me – most of the time,
Charlotte
April 2016
SOUTH SUDAN
Report from Pastor Sunlight on school construction at Angaim Village.
Dear Mama & Praying Friends,
“Greetings in the Lord … Pastors Victor and Peter … said the construction is on the wall now and they are ready to finish that work. In May they will begin the roof. The builders are doing an express job. I love these guys. One of them is from Ugandan who takes this very seriously.
“Peter and Victor… told me they are running short of finances. Can another donation be sent to them in Torit, South Sudan? The sand is almost finished; we need more. The challenge … is transport of sand from the river. The issue of water is OK as church members … carry water from the river … on their heads.
“This construction project will be finished after we transport stones and sand. Pray for this big challenge. The community has enough bricks within the school construction and more bricks are along the river which will need to be transported. They are heavy and far away, so we hope to rent another tractor.
“The church is ready to finish the school. God is working in the lives of our community. The community and Church coming together to work has never happened before…. We give Him the Glory.”
Thanks so much for prayers and support,
Pastor Sunlight
[Note: we sent money to continue construction and are saving $35,000
towards the Tractor Project.]
Mama Josephine, Charlotte & the 'big girls'
Uwaisaba lost his wife. Four men carried her in the 'traditional ambulance' (stretcher) for 36 hours. She died during childbirth on the way
Reaching Katoyi Refugee Camp by Piki-piki
Dear Prayer and Praise Partners,
IT’S GOOD FOR YOU! It’s your bionic missionary checking in. The April Report is a bit late but for good reason. After Easter I had a right knee replacement. PTL recovery is on track.
I’m busy now with Physical Therapy – 3 X’s wk. At the end of each session, Zach measures my ‘knee bend’ with a gadget that looks like a pizza cutter. Last time we tried several exercises to get the max bend but I did poorly. I suggested WD-40 but Zach shook his head. “I have an idea … sit on the BIG RED BALL.” I did and no, it didn’t burst. “Now plant your right foot firmly on the floor. Don’t move it but gently roll the ball forward, bending your knee as you roll.”
With clenched teeth I rolled forward. Zach measured, “90 degrees … it’s GOOD for you,” he added cheerfully. It’s a miracle but I still have a ways to go, so please pray about that.
At home Michelle has been an ‘Angel Helper’. However, she works full time so weekdays I’m on my own. This forces me and Mr. Trusty Walker to create new ways to solve life’s little daily challenges. Now it’s like climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Or, as Zach would say, “It’s GOOD for you!”
The day of my surgery, Dr. Thompson stopped by to wish me well. Only I didn’t recognize him in scrubs and shower cap and thought he was the janitor. Sorry Doc! Then at 4:30 the next morning, my nurse, Mary Ann, got me up, washed, dressed, and in a recliner barely 12 hours after surgery. She smiled, “It’s GOOD for you.”
When I got home from the hospital, I found half a baked potato in the bottom of my purse, obviously left over from a meal. You see, when you’re around starving African children as much as I am, you don’t waste food. The problem: it was wrapped in a blue paper napkin which turned the potato blue. That’s when I decided, “Charlotte, this is NOT good for you….” Charlie loved it.
During this challenging time I prayed, “Lord … hate to ask but is all this really REALLY GOOD for me?” He spoke to my heart, “My child … I never promised you that life would be easy.”
I recalled a favorite hymn, the chorus goes like this: “… but God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying love.” God spoke to me through that song, “That’s what’s GOOD for you.”
Thank you for your prayers, messages, visits, lovely cards and flowers. Special thanks for Sweet Angels who drove me to appointments - you literally went ‘the second mile’. Also the goodies were much appreciated – the tamales were to die for! (Charlie did not get one).
UGANDA, BUSIA
Letter from Mama Josephine.
Dear Mama Charlotte
“Greetings in the Name of Jesus…. Thank you for the support to the family. Daniel and Josephine Lynette were suffering from measles and malaria … they now feel better. I paid our helper Sylvia her salary for two months; and also paid fees for Jackson and Fatuma in college…. Wilkister finished her first semester of medical school. She went back March 29…. Report cards … will not be issued until the end of the academic year. They will contain all examinations…. Receipts are attached. Finally, it’s time for my medical checkup in Kampala. I’ll need transport for two, plus medical fees. Pray for a good medical report. God bless you all.”
May God Bless you, Mama Josephine & Family
[Note: We sent Mama Jo money for her medical trip]
USA – FROM THE MAILBOX
Meet Mr. Toymaker for the Containers. He also needs a healing touch.
Dear BTM Team & Mama,
“This is Don … the Toymaker at Kiwanis Golden K Club…. In the past we provided you with wood toys … to African children…. Recently you said you were not sending any more containers…. Instead, I understand, you are going to use boxes…. We can send two boxes of about 250 toys and find someone to take them to Phoenix. By the way, our 5-6 toymakers distributes about 7,000 toys a year to suffering children around the world….”
“I’m sorry I missed seeing you at the Mission Conference…. I have … cystitis of the bladder which causes much pain if I eat or drink the wrong things. I am restricted in many foods. I can’t even drink coffee. I’ve lost 65 pounds, but I’m holding steady now at about 140 pounds.
“I’m attaching a picture of some toys…. The toys that please girls are the magic wands and the cradle which holds a doll and blanket…. My wife Eula makes the wands…. We recently lost two Toymakers – one died and one moved away…. Please pray for our remaining Toymakers.”
Bro. Don, “Mr. Toymaker”
[Note: Pray for Bro. Don’s healing.]
Josephine Lynette and Daniel now recovered from malaria and measles
Prayer ~N~ Praise
Report
KENYA, BUSIA
Pastor Patrick reports that little Neville, one of the orphans, suffered bee stings.
Dear Mama & Bush Friends,
“Greetings in the precious name of Jesus. I’m sick with malaria and typhoid. When I went to my birth village for a funeral they used water that was not boiled. I was told it was boiled and found myself down with typhoid and malaria. Then Neville walked near some bushes where there was a bee hive. They stung him and the other children but Neville was worst of all. Please pray for his total healing [see photo].”
Blessings, Pastor Patrick
SOUTH SUDAN
Letter from Rev. Stephen with an update on what’s happening there.
Dear Fathers, Mothers, Brothers & Sisters,
Thank you … for your concern about my family living in Uganda. Mama Regina, my wife, told me about the money you sent for food… They are really happy. May God continue to give you as you give others…. We request prayer for the coming of Dr Riek Machar to Juba, the Nuer former Vice President of South Sudan April 18. He will be sworn in as Vice President to share the government with present Dinka President Kiir.”
Thanks and God bless you,
Rev. Stephen, Moderator SWUNP/Leer
[Note: as we go to press, this April 18th meeting was postponed.]
Discussion group, 'What do you know about salvation'
Lord, hear their cry
Thank you Sylvia for helping us at home
CONGO
At last! Here’s the Report from Pastor Delphin we promised last time.
Dear Bush Mission & Mama,
“Here is our Report of Distribution of Relief Supplies at Katoyi Refugee Camp. We traveled by ‘piki-pikis’ (motorbikes). The road was not good; we had to go by foot in some places. A part of the mountain came down over the road … and a car could not pass. We managed to get the two ‘piki-piki’s’ through.
“The women carried food boxes on their heads and backs on the road to Katoyi Refugee Camp. Others are up the mountains. We met women returning from the garden and market. Enclosed is a photo of the school at Katoyi Refugee Camp, just after the Nyalipe River.
“Mama Madelene and Mama Nyamvura from Women At Risk group at EDEN Church distributed clothes and baskets. In the photo, just behind Mama Nyamvura (in yellow) you see the ‘traditional ambulance’, a bamboo mat carried by four men, one on each corner. They walked 36 hours carrying Uwaisaba’s wife to reach a clinic but she died on the way. She was in childbirth. Four children are now without their mother. One daughter not pictured was at school. Please pray for this family.
“Volunteers … came from more than 45 km to carry relief supplies (90 km round trip). They were happy and ready to go by foot with boxes on their heads to serve in refugee camps. The first journey to Katoyi Refugee Camp was successful; Madeleine and Nyamvura had good fellowship with other vulnerable women in the camp. They shared their testimonies with women in the camp and danced together after distribution.
“When they returned home to EDEN Church, Madeleine and Nyamvura shared their experience with the Women At Risk group. This is a new and wonderful program which needs your prayers: ‘’Congo Widows Ministering in Camps to Encourage Congo Women At Risk’’.
“BTM bought the baskets from Women At Risk, which they, in turn, gave as gifts to women at Katoyi Refugee Camp. We also gave 41 ladies (in Women At Risk) $3 ea; 6 received $20 to start a small business. One woman, Mama Therezia, was in the hospital and needed financial help ($27). She is now well. Also $150 for basket materials…; $80 for Women At Risk Outreach to Katoyi Camp (Piki-pikis); and $10 misc.
“This year we are planning to start a new project: making small portable stoves for cooking. Women At risk is a large family of widows, abused, rejected, raped and unwed women. We need your prayer support … as Women At Risk minister in Refugees Camps by encouraging ladies and giving baskets as gifts in 2016.”
In Christ, Pastor Delphin
Pray for the homeless Sudanese