April 2018
"Sunlight carries load of supplies for our
orphans at Kiryandongo."
I REMEMBER WHEN ... some years ago, before my family and I set foot in Africa for the first time, we drove across country from Minnesota to New York to meet my mother-in-law’s plane. She was visiting from South Africa. At that time we had only one bouncing baby boy. While there we took “Mum”, as we called her, to Washington DC. The tour included ‘The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ in Arlington National Cemetery.
[letter #2] Dear Bush Team & Mama,
“Pastor Peter in South Sudan … called this morning to tell of the death of Ifwoho William’s child. He died early this morning and two others died last Sunday of malaria with diarrhea…. Peter found another child at the funeral place who also died. Other children who are sick: 1) The son of Headman David was burned in a fire; 2) the child of Aramadal broke his hand; and 3) Rose injured her leg – it’s badly infected. Peter sent Oboi to Torit town to buy medicine. He had money left from feeding the needy. The government was providing medicine to Angaim Village community but it’s finished. They have not supplied any more even after I wrote them a letter requesting more medicine as the government has none.”
Thanks for your prayers and support, Pastor Sunlight
"Rev. Steven, lf. and Rev. Chol."
"Our medicine is finished."
Our tour guide’s words still echo in my ears: “One of the highest honors in the military is to be a guard at ‘The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’. The ‘Changing of the Guard’ ritual is serious business. The retiring sentinel says to the relieving sentinel coming on-duty, ‘Post and orders, remain as directed.’ In response, the relieving sentinel says, ‘Orders acknowledged’.”
It got me thinking. 2,000 years ago Jesus gave His marching orders to the church: ‘Go and tell the world about Me.’ That passed on and His disciples said, ‘Orders acknowledged.’ For 20 centuries, one generation has said to the next as they go off-duty, ‘Orders remain unchanged.’ The job of the new generation? To salute and say, ‘Orders acknowledged - carry out’.
A recent Barna Report discovered 51% of American churchgoers have never heard of the Great Commission. Another 25% said they know the term, but do not know what it means. Thus 3 out of 4 church members in the USA do not know what the Great Commission is all about.
"Six happy high school students."
11. CANADA. FROM THE MAILBOX
Dear Charlotte, Laura and Friends,
“Wow, I so love your newsletters but it breaks my heart to read that so many children in the millions are dying of starvation [in Congo]. We know this world is full of money and yet it seems to stay in the hands of a few. I continue to pray for your wonderful work and ministry. I just want to reach into the website; hug those little ones; give them a bath; comb their hair; dress them in nice clean clothes; and feed them a lovely meal.
“I am busy with baby James [grandson]…. I’m also caring for Fiona who is 4 months and 15 lbs already. My hubby, Yuri, and I now have a playpen and large bassinette in our living room along with our antique furniture - ha ha…. God has given me a real mission field in our new neighbourhood among children. My love and prayers are with you and your team and those you help. Take care dear ones.”
Love and Blessings, Shirl of Canada, Director, Universal Aide Society
"Tomb of the Unknown Soldier"
3. KENYA, GITHURAI. Pastor White’s house is for sale.
Dear Mama & Bush Team,
“Our house is for sale. The Landlord has given us 3 months. We have been here 5 years. You cannot find such a good house for this price. The landlord gave us the first priority to buy it. We are proud of you for making us who we are; for supporting us; and paying school fees…. The 6 kids are enjoying their studies at Rubate High School; the other 25 orphans are in lower grades. God bless you all.”
Pastor White
[Note: Once again, BTM’s policy: we do not buy property. In this case we sent suggestions on how THEY can set up a payment plan with their Landlord and/or Bank to buy the property over a period of years.]
"Pastor Patrick's church is outgrowing the building!"
"Pastor Joseph outside his traditional church."
"Sewing Angels Kathryn, Gail & Diane."
"True religion ... to look after orphans and widows...." James1:27
"Pray for Monicah (top far lf) and family."
12. USA. SEWING ANGELS’ REPORT.
Calvary Surprise literally ‘surprised’ us when Kathryn, Gail and Diane appeared with 140 ‘Little Girl Dresses’; and 89 ‘Little Boy Shorts’ at my home. We visited out on our patio, sipping raspberry tea, eating lemon cake and other goodies. Those, plus dresses from Carol’s Piecekeepers; Sandie’s Sewers in MI; and Janet’s Crochet Group will dress just about every orphan in Africa! Well, almost. I’m overwhelmed by God’s goodness.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost … and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
9. RWANDA. Pastor Joseph is a good friend of Pastor Celestin. Luz and I taught in his traditional church.
Hello Mama & Bush Mission,
“It's been a long time…. My Church Nursery School continues to teach poor children so they get some education. We struggle to complete it. Pray that God makes a way financially so that we can build a church structure that fits government standards…. Our church did not meet them so our doors were closed along with 700 other small churches. Pray that God provides these churches to be built. It's now a month and we have no service…. God bless you and continue lifting us in prayer as we trust Him…. Greetings to Luz and you.”
In Christ's Service, Pastor Joseph
4. UGANDA, BUSIA. Letter from Mama Josephine
Dear Bush Family & Mama,
“Four children have been sick so I have been busy taking them to the clinic. They are improving. The doctor said they had typhoid and malaria. The Kenyan children's report cards are attached as their schools have closed. They are home for the holiday. Their performance was much better. They report back for term two on April 30th. The 48 Ugandan students will be out of school soon. Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing. We continue praying for you daily….”
Yours in love, Josephine & Family
[Note: Reminder to Sponsors. School fees are due in May.]
"I'm packing YOU in my heart!"
"Shirley's neighborhood ministry."
"Mama Zawadi, Charlotte at refugee camp."
"Sunlight's university."
"Easter Sunday at Kiryandongo."
5. UGANDA, KAMPALA. Mama Monicah introduces her 12 orphans [former street kids]!
Dear Bush Team & Mama,
“I was in the village as my grandmother was very sick. Pray for Mary Adeti. The money you sent to Mama Victoria paid water; electricity; and rent. I have 12 orphans in my home: Samuel and Richard are in high school. Evaline, Salima, Monica and Amuza are in 7th grade. Job, Okecho and Johnson are in 6th; Peterson and Linda in 4th; and Mugisha is in Technical School. I bake pastries to support the family…. Pray God expands it.
“This is how we spent our support: 1) rent; 2) water; 3) electricity; 4) registration for four candidates; 5) school fees for Amuza, Peterson and Salima; 6) 50 lb corn meal; 7) 30 lb beans; and 8) 100 lb charcoal. Thanks for your prayers and support. May the good Lord bless you.”
Mama Monicah, Kampala
"Headman David, center."
"Children dying of malaria."
[letter #3] Dear Bush Family & Mama,
“Pastor Peter called this evening and said that men in Angaim Village carried Rose to the Clinic in Barawaja, the first village from Torit where you met my father during your visit. She is getting treatment. Her leg is showing improvement. The medical team there has no medicine. The worst thing my people do is wait too long before seeking medical help. Thanks for your advice.”
In Christ, Pastor Sunlight
"Meet Monicah, the baker."
"The orphans' house, damaged by rain, is now repaired."
8. RWANDA. Letter from Pastor Celestin telling us that the annual Genocide Commemoration has begun.
Dear Bush Mission & Mama,
“Sorry for the delay in writing. I was caring for my mother in the hospital 10 days. We had Home Cell Bible Studies and Trauma Counseling. The Genocide Commemoration period started April 7th and ends July 7th - three months. The Home Cell Bible Study group is learning to be equipped to help others; it’s led by Chairman Kamenge. He’ll prepare future meetings. We visited each team in their homes.
“John greets you. He was the young man you saw when we first met in Nairobi. Remember when I took him to the hospital for surgery on his deformed face? He graduates this year from University – a degree in Mechanical Engineering…. He is praying for you and BTM.
“We did counseling at Nera, Ruhanga and Shyorongi during the Genocide Memorial period. The money you contributed covered our needs. We limited money so our budget could fit in with Genocide Commemoration. Thank you for your support and prayers…. We love you all.”
God Bless BTM, Pastor Celestin & Team
"Joseph's church, forced to close, has no where to meet."
10. SOUTH SUDAN & REFUGEE CAMPS. Letters from Pastor Sunlight
[letter #1] Dear Friends & Mama,
“Susan, my wife, is mentally ill and needs special treatment. She has had problems for years. She was referred to Kampala Hospital for three months under doctor's care. Please pray for her.
“Pastor Peter in Angaim Village, Sudan, gave me the list of names of all the needy people as follows: 1) 24 widows with many children; 2) 23 elderly with no families to support them; 3) 14 injured or very sick; 4) 10 severely disabled; and 5) 28 Orphans.
“I am now in Kampala, Uganda, awaiting final exams at Africa Bible University. This morning I received a call from Kiryandongo Refugee Camp from the Principal at the orphans’ school. He said the 7th graders (candidates for high school next year) are having Registration for Primary Leaving Exams. The school requests 200,000 shillings ($54) for Registration. Luck Osoman, our orphan, is in 7th grade this year. The fee is needed in two days. Also Mama Rose said her 25 orphans at Kiryandongo Refugee Camp lack soap and charcoal for cooking food. Thanks for your prayers and support.”
Yours in Christ, Pastor Sunlight
[Note. We sent money to help the 100 needy souls mentioned above.]
Jesus is trusting believers with His Good News; with the message that eternity depends on this life-or-death information. Or, as Hutchcraft explains, “What people do with Jesus determines where they will be forever. He is giving us authority to perform this task.” That, in a nutshell, is the duty of a missionary, wherever he or she serves in the world today.
"Shirley (lf) & her cleanup crew."
"Rose's leg improving."
"New latrines for Pastor Bernard's orphans."
"Kiryandongo Refugee Camp."
"No shelter for refugee families."
"Some of our students. 'Luck',
(high school student), center, 2nd rt)."
"Charlotte wearing her new dress for Africa. Thanks Kathryn!"
"Pastor Celestin's Trauma Team."
7. CONGO. Mama Zawadi, CAAP Secretary.
Dear Mama & Bush Partners,
“We give thanks by giving glory to our Lord Jesus. I’m speechless [for] the money [you sent]. Now we can bless many starving people…. James 1:27 says: ‘True religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress….’ Recently a man of God told our leaders that Congo is like an ‘open-space prison without walls’. I am so happy … for the opportunity to speak about the Love of Christ.”
"Sunday services at home."
Genocide Memorial Commemoration.
"The Prayer Women at Kiryandongo."
Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
PRAYER-N-PRAISE REPORT
"Four sick orphans are now improving."
"Pastor White and orphans pose with monthly rations."
KENYA, KAKAMEGA. Pastor Bernard’s new project for his orphans – latrines!
Good Evening Mama & Bush Family,
“We … are grateful for the donation towards our orphans’ support. We … pray for a great visitation of God in Kenya. We thank Him that Kenya is returning to normal after a ceasefire between the two government opponents who shook hands in Nairobi last month. We have had heavy rain and the orphans’ home was damaged. We finally repaired it and constructed new pit latrines as shown in the photo. This would have been a big challenge without your help…. The church is doing fine with new converts. We trained pastors at the college last week. The children are recovering from malaria and colds due to the rainy season which is upon us.”
Yours in the King’s Service, Pastor Bernard
"Barawaja Clinic."
Obeying Jesus’ Marching Orders,
Charlotte
Ron Hutchcraft Ministries said, “Maybe people don’t know that term because the words ‘Great Commission’ are not in the Bible.” But the Barna Report shows there is a lack of understanding of Jesus’ final words before He left. The Great Commission, in Matthew 28:18-20, are the words Jesus spoke to His disciples before ascending to Heaven. It is critical that we know what they mean. These are Jesus’ final marching orders to the Church. But we cannot obey Jesus’ orders if we do not know them. There are two things you do with orders: obey them or disobey them. You don’t just ‘understand’ them! ‘Oh, those are very nice orders.’
"Los Angeles Airport - my luggage."
6. UGANDA, KIRYANDONGO REFUGEE CAMP. Rev. Stephen updates us on Sudan and the refugee crisis.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
“About 50% of the people are still leaving South Sudan and coming to Uganda’s refugee camps. Life is risky in Juba due to gunmen. New refugees number 400-500 at Bweyale Refugee Camp (an extension of Kiryandongo) with no place to worship. They come from Juba, Leer, Mayendit, Panyijiar, Koch, and some from Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya…. They glorify God under the trees, but now it is the rainy season so we get wet. They found land to build a Church. We request your help for building it. These pictures were taken Easter Sunday. I’m on the left and Rev. Chuol on the right at Bweyale Refugee Camp.
“Simon the Blind Evangelist, whom you asked about, is still living around Leer. He is OK…. The Bible School in Leer is still standing but without doors, windows and lots of damage. Iron sheets were stolen by soldiers. The Bible School house was destroyed. We pray that if we live, we will rebuild….”
God bless, Rev Stephen
[Note. We are laying plans to build a church in Bweyale Refugee Camp.]
2. KENYA, BUSIA. Pastor Patrick’s church is growing.
Dear Mama & Bush Partners,
“We had a wonderful Easter service…. Our small church was full. We plan to get a tent as people stood outside. The owner of our property wants to sell the plot. Money you sent was used to pay house rent, food and Birth Certificates for the 6 orphans. The school will return the Certificates to the government for numbers. I divided our members into home cell groups with leaders. Thank you for your prayers and love.”
Blessings, Pastor Patrick
[Note: According to BTM policy we do not engage in buying property. However, we send suggestions of what THEY can do to set up a payment plan with their Landlord and/or Bank to make payments over time.]
[letter #2] Dear Mama & Bush Team,
“We were not able to deliver the food yet because Congo is on ‘Red Alert’…. We have too many strikes; internet interruptions; and killing of children. I am telling you right now 7 children were killed last night. I have their pictures but cannot send them for fear of the government. We want to take food to Nyiragongo area. It’s near Virunga Pack where 3 young people were burned to death and 2 women were raped. The government closed that area so we cannot go in. This is why it is taking time. These vulnerable children are on my heart…. You love them; so do we. We are waiting for the area to be safe….”
God Bless BTM! Mama Zawadi, CAAP Secretary
Bush Telegraph Missions
© copyright 2017
Thank you for allowing your missionary to be the face of Jesus; the voice of Jesus; and the hands of Jesus in Africa, through your love, prayers, support and encouragement.
[letter #4] Dear Bush Team & Mama,
[Note. We sent money for Luck and Mama Rose’s orphans.]
“Luck Osoman is now registered at Kiryandongo School. Thank you for supporting and praying for our refugee orphans…. Mama Rose, caregiver for our 25 orphans, bought charcoal; and all the children have a bar of soap. She also bought mats for sleeping and fresh vegetables per your instructions. Thank you very much.”
“Only half of my school tuition was covered by Africa Inland Mission. To pay the rest I worked on campus cleaning the library; served as librarian; cleaned the dining hall; and washed staff cars. Many students need work so I thank God for these opportunities. Thank you for your prayers and support.”
Pastor Sunlight
[Note: PTL for good response to March’s ‘Hunger Challenge’. Thanks ya’ all!]
"Emmanuel now has a Birth Certificate."
13. USA. BACK TO THE FUTURE – I MEAN AFRICA. Update from the Director.
Dear Prayer Partners,
“It’s time folks and I’m feeling great. In early May my Teammate and I head to Africa. For security reasons we can’t share details but it’s a well-planned project. We’ll be gone a month as my Teammate returns for work; and I have a family graduation. Later in June I’ll head back to Africa. I’m getting fit, working out, though I huff and puff a bit. Pray for strength; wise packing; safe travels; good health; and God opportunities. Oh yes, I mustn’t forget my toothbrush! I’ll pack and carry a dozen duffel bags – but I’m packing YOU in my heart.”
"Susan, Pastor Sunlight and family."