Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
Wise Men follow the star
Pastor White, far Rt, with orphans (wearing dresses, hats & scarves we gave them).
USA. FAMILY PRAYER-N-PRAISE
Jesus walking with his Disciples
* John & Lisa are ‘on the road’; busy navigating a complicated
move from Washington state to Illinois.
* Nate now measures 6’ 2” and just wrapped up a super football
season. Grandma got to cheer at his last game. He enjoys JROTC,
youth group and watching Green Bay Packers – especially when
they win!
* Michelle just received her Master’s in Secondary Education; begins
teaching in Anthem after Christmas.
USA FROM THE MAILBOX
Harriet & Phil, ministry partners in Utah, need prayer.
Dear BTM & Charlotte,
“ … We just celebrated my mother Winnie’s 98th birthday…. Last Thursday Philip, my husband, was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in his right lung. We put our gallery … on the market and are … selling off merchandise by Christmas. Philip has lost weight and has had an incessant cough for months. Pray for wisdom and guidance.”
With love & faith in Him,
Harriet
[Note: Philip is now receiving hospice care and oxygen at home.]
Pastor Celestin reconciling two churches
KENYA
Letter from Pastor White who shelters and educates 30 orphans.
Dear Bush Telegraph & Mama,
“Heart of Care Children’s Home started in a difficult environment: me and my wife with these kids from different parts of Kenya. Most of them had … bad health and no education. From the time you … told them the story of Joseph it changed their behavior and built hope in their lives. Your prayers became real; they’re working…. They are also praying for you and all our prayer partners…. They continue to discover the reason why God created them. May Almighty God bless and keep you in Jesus’ Name….”
Pastor White
[Note: jewelry made by Mrs. White is available for purchase. Contact us for further details.]
UGANDA
Letter from one of Mama Josephine’s high school orphans to her USA Sponsor. All 36 children wrote letters – even the little ones – so they scribble but oh well, they did their best:
Dear Ms. X,
“I take this golden opportunity to thank you for … school fees and support in prayer…. Without you I would be in the street or dead a long time ago. Your support has made me somebody…. You are my ‘parent’ – you with Mama Charlotte. I pray that God may continue to guide … and reward you … because I have nothing to give you…. I am … happy you are my life…. What you have done for me no one can do…. I see you as the winner in my life ….
“I like dancing, playing netball, reading novels like ‘The River And The Source’, and teaching small kids how to read and write. Also I like to eat ugali (corn meal porridge), fish and green veggies…. I am working hard at school and at home to help Mama Josephine do work like fetching firewood and washing clothes (by hand)…. I pray … that you may have eternal life…. I hope to see you one day …. God bless you and your family….”
I love you,
Wilkister
[Note: Wilkister graduated from high school and has applied for a nursing program at Kenya Medical Training College. The program begins in February. Pray that she’ll be accepted and that all details work out.]
UGANDA
Letter from Mama Josephine bringing us up to date on her huge happy family of 36 orphans.
Dear Bush Mission & Mama,
“… The contractor rebuilt the kitchen with new stoves. It is now finished…. They are big enough to cook food for 40 or more. Food cooks faster and uses less wood. The old kitchen didn't work due to a corrupt contractor. For example, there was no place for smoke to go – no vent. We are sorry about that but we didn't know until it was too late. Attached is a photo of the new stove….
“The balance on school fees for Ugandan children was … enough to pay for Nelson. With the remaining money I paid Sylvia, my helper at home…. About Kenya school fees: I paid for Lillian, Sharon and Grace with a balance of 800 shillings ($8)…. Thank you for sending money for Kenyan orphans Linate and Patrick’s school fees. All children … are at school working hard. Attached are copies of receipts for school fees.
“I still have pain in my back but pray the Lord heals me. It’s time for me to return to the Kampala specialist. Also the boys bought a new bike [see photo] with money you left. The old one was stolen last year. This bike is helping Richard get to school…. Before he was walking … 3 hours a day to and from high school. Pastor Henry comes on Sunday to hold services in our home with the children…. God bless you abundantly….”
Yours in Christ,
Mama Josephine & family
[Note: we sent Mama Jo money for transport and medical expenses to Kampala]
SOUTH SUDAN
Pastor Sunlight updates us on the Angaim Village School Construction Project.
Dear Bush Mission & Mama,
“Greetings from Pastors Peter and Victor of Angaim Village as well as from me. We are … well in the Lord…. Peter and Victor said there is too much rain in South Sudan and the tractor got stuck several times so they took it back to Torit. They will wait until the rain stops … before continuing construction of the school.
“They used the money for: cement, fuel, transport, food for transporters, stone loaders and hiring the tractor (paid from our contributions). Total = 21,000 pounds ($3,288), including our contributions with a balance of 10,000 pounds ($1,565)…. We will send Receipts soon….
“I finished finals at Africa Bible University in Kampala and will travel to South Sudan during the holidays to check on the school construction…. Thanks for the support and prayers for … Angaim and [for helping me] rise up Godly children who will one day change the nation to fear God.
“The hearts of my children are mission-oriented and they love to share…. I am touched by their strong prayers…. They are happy for your concern, love and … encouragement. They send greetings to all … and said it’s through your [mission] they are realizing their potential….
“The children did better this year than any other…. Dan, John, Humo and Lolos (my brother who cares for my children when I’m in Sudan) had amazing results. They all got #1 position … and all of them are promoted to the next grade…. Lolos will be in Senior 4. Dan and John got awards for Special Achievement. Susan, my wife, is still in Sudan with our new baby boy born last August. He was very sick but much better now. Thank you for praying.”
Pastor Sunlight
December
2015
Prayer ~N~ Praise
Report
Mama's new kitchen stove;
builder is 2nd on Rt
Boozer, reunited after 9 years
Wilkister heads to college!
Phil & Harriet Priska need our prayers
The orphans sing for Mama Charlotte
* Wayne crashed his mountain bike on Thanksgiving Day ending
up with four broken ribs and a separated shoulder. Praise God, no
internal injuries. Thanks to Nurse Delena’s loving care he is
healing.
RWANDA
Pastor Celestin of Guardian Angel Ministry reconciles two churches in Mahama Refugee Camp.
Dear Bush Mission & Mama,
“Last week Pastors Kapalata, Joseph and I visited Mahama Refugee Camp to reconcile two churches. We paid our own accommodation … to save money you sent so we could help those churches. One church building is old and never used … until Burundian refugees came to Rwanda…. After … we established the new church plant during our last visit, the church split. Some met in the 1st hall where it started … which was the older building.
“We … talked with all leaders to resolve differences; to work together and love one another. I applied biblical leadership principles. We asked them to meet in both church buildings and visit each other. I preached … to prepare them for baptism…. Over Christmas we will: 1) donate shoes to refugee children; 2) conduct water baptisms; and 3) encourage church leaders in Mahama Refugee Camp. Thanks for your support and prayers.”
Pastor Celestin
Bush Telegraph Missions
© copyright 2015
Thank you for TRAVELING with us on this month’s journey! Please send us your Prayer-N-Praises that we may pray for you as together we celebrate the Birth of Christ this Holy Christmas Season.
“May the Lord Himself go before you. May He be with you; May He not leave you or forget you….” [Deut. 31:8]
TRAVELING for Jesus,
Charlotte
USA REPORT ON ICOM
(Int’l Conference On Missions), Richmond, VA
Dear Prayer Partners,
“Last month I promised you a Report on ICOM. It was the best one yet – I’m not just saying that – it really was! We had a great spirit of cooperation with Virginia Evangelizing Fellowship (aka Waypoint Church Partners).
* 7 new churches were planted (an accomplishment never seen before); 6,500 people attended;
* 19 decisions for mission service; Offering goal of $60,000, surpassed to $96,000, a new record;
* Over 200 workshops, including testimonies by Boko Haram girls who were kidnapped and escaped;
* The Wall was displayed at the main entrance; on it was written the names of the 7,000 remaining unreached people groups in the world today; and we were invited to choose one to get involved with.
“Theme: The Away Team is a sports’ metaphor that illustrates how times have changed. Once the Church had home-field advantage in the USA and around the world. Christians were the majority; influenced culture; and enjoyed political privilege. In other words, we had the equivalent of home-field advantage. Times have changed. To be victorious today we need to adopt strategies that reflect our position as visitors to our own culture.
“The Bush Telegraph booth welcomed a steady flow of new faces plus a few old ones. We had great chats with keen interest. Larger missions went way out with fancy displays – one even featured a stuffed buffalo!
“After ICOM my son Wayne and Delena took me home for a visit in nearby Quantico. I was thoroughly pampered: haircut, hairdo – the works. Highlights were the Marine Ball with Wayne (Delena fitted me out royally but no glass slippers); Veteran’s Day visit to George Washington’s home in Mt. Vernon; and enjoying beautiful fall colors – God is still the best artist. Finally, Delena helped get my knee treated; the result of a motorbike mishap in Sudan. After three challenging months in Africa, time with family is a precious gift.”
Counting my blessings,
Charlotte
CONGO, GOMA
A letter from Pastor Delphin updating us on the two Containers. The Congo government officials can be like ‘circus performers’ - each one performs their own act – for a price.
Dear Bush Partners & Mama,
“Good news! The 1st Container of food … is now safely stored at CAAP compound…. It arrived in Goma a month earlier, but government officials kept it at the Custom’s Warehouse pending taxes and numerous government regulations. We unloaded it in three days…. All food … is stored inside the CAAP storeroom.
“We got the Exemption Letter while Mama was in Goma, however, the government demanded a 2nd letter from DGDA officials in Kinshasa, the capitol. It held things up … a long time. The DGDA government agent, Pastor Benjamin, called to say the letter was written … we received it this week.
“The 2nd Container is misc. Relief Supplies … it arrived in Goma a month ago and was stored at Custom’s Warehouse until December 7th… the outstanding fees … for final clearance … were paid by CAAP. It was processed by Tresor Tekila Co. Thank you for money sent for the crane rental to offload the containers….
“We pray that DGDA officials will cooperate and speed up the process, as vulnerable people are waiting. We will begin distributing food this weekend to the farthest refugee camps even if it rains.
“Our Women At Risk group made 119 tote bags. Thank you Bush Telegraph for buying them so we can deliver them to women at Refugee Camps. The delegates we chose are Mama Pascaline and Mama Madeleine.”
In Him,
Pastor Delphin
[Note: we reimbursed CAAP for the extra container fees.]
* Christmas! Mike, John, Lisa & Michelle will be home – Santa, get
ready! Where oh where is the chimney?
* Delena is no longer homeschooling and enjoys more time for Bible
studies; and organizing events like baby showers and Christmas
parties.
The new bicycle
THE TRAVELERS. Boozer, an 8-mo-old boxer mix, went missing in 2006 when the Goldston family moved from Tennessee to Alabama. This past fall, 10 years later, Boozer turned up at a shelter. Workers discovered a chip implant and contacted the family. They drove 2,500 miles to reclaim the beloved pet whom they never forgot.
As I read this story, what struck me was the great distance the Goldston family was willing to TRAVEL to ‘REclaim’ Boozer. I asked myself this question: “Never mind a pet, how far are we willing to TRAVEL to ‘claim’ Jesus? 2,500 miles? 250 miles? 25 miles? 5 miles?” With a church on every street corner in America, it can’t be far – if we are willing to go.
2,000 years ago ‘Wise Men’ (or ‘Magi’) traveled a great distance to ‘claim’ baby Jesus that first Christmas. How far did they TRAVEL as they followed the ‘star in the East’ to the town of Bethlehem? 1,000; 5,000 or 10,000 miles? We really don’t know for sure. A camel moves slowly, perhaps 10 miles a day. We do know that it took the ‘Wise Men’ about two years to reach Jesus who was probably walking and talking by then.
Jesus, as a man, began His ministry at age 30. He and the 12 disciples TRAVELED from town to town, village to village, averaging 30 miles a day - on foot – proclaiming the Good News. During His 3-year ministry Jesus may have walked 30,000-33,000 miles.
Today in the African countries we serve, most Christians TRAVEL by foot for hours in the bush to ‘claim’ – and worship Jesus - in humble churches or beneath mango trees.
Don’t get me wrong - I’m a big doggy fan – just ask Charlie. But whether it’s by foot, car, boat, train, plane or camel, how far will we TRAVEL this Christmas to claim - or REclaim - Jesus?
Thank you for allowing us to TRAVEL 10,000 miles – to make Him known in South Sudan, Congo and beyond - ‘where He leads us we will follow’ – because of your encouragement, love and prayers.
Pastor White's neighborhood
* Katie graduated from high school and Kauai Bible program. She’ll
be attending Grand Canyon University in the spring; a stone’s throw
from where Grandma lives – excuse me while I go put the kettle on.