Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
Pastor Walter & Cindy
Pygmy children receive their first ever toy
Distributing 'rubber shoes' & school supplies to 30 orphans
The Senior Sermon
SOUTH SUDAN, ANGAIM VILLAGE
Pastor Sunlight spent school holidays in Sudan. He’s just returned to Kampala, Uganda, to begin his 3rd year at African Bible University. He writes:
Dear Bush Partners,
“Thank for your loving prayers and support. I am sorry to announce that my baby Joshua died yesterday. It's one of our sad times after having treated him for sickness since December 26.”
Thanks, Pastor Sunlight
[Please keep Sunlight, Susan and family in your prayers.]
* Katie, granddaughter, began studies at Grand Canyon Univer-
sity– we had a fun ‘welcome’ lunch.
UGANDA, BUSIA
Jackson, Mama Josephine’s eldest orphan, is now a Junior in college. He writes:
Dear Bush and Mama,
“I thank God who enabled me to finish term II of this academic year safely. Thank you for financial and material support. My studies went well; our professors gave serious lectures. We successfully finished our exams but the Reports are not issued yet. School reopens February 22 for term III…. There was an Inter-house competition. Our house came 2nd. My health was good with only a little illness but Almighty God enabled me to overcome. I am home now with my brothers and sisters during school holidays…. We request prayer … for the whole family. Thank you for your support to us orphans. May the Lord bless you.”
Yours sincerely, Jackson
Wilkister, in college, studying nursing
Packing life-saving food
Surviving the Great Snow Storm!
* Congrats to Taylor and Joshua (grandson of cousin Delbert on
Mother’s side) who also tied the knot.
Emmanuel slept & lived on the street
Emmanuel today:
fed, clean & in school
Bashir begins high school
Love is Like That ♥
Bush Telegraph Missions
©copyright 2016
USA, WEST VIRGINIA
Letter from Lynda of Heaven Sent. They supplied 20 pallets of food for the 1st Congo Container Project. Yours truly was part of a ‘Hunger Challenge’ last April when the final funds were raised.
Dear Friends,
“Eight weeks ago we sent out a special appeal letter to let you know we needed to replace the truck we use to haul ‘Hunger Challenge’ supplies and equipment. Today we tallied up the funds toward that project. Faithful partners donated $14,512.70! That is 36% of the way to our goal of $40,000! You are incredible.”
We are so grateful, Lynda for Heaven Sent Ministries
USA BITS-N-PIECES
Pray as God keeps bringing ‘Gospel chances’ and drawing the lost to Himself
RWANDA, KIGALI
Pastor Celestin Director of Guardian Angels, finally got to deliver the ‘rubber shoes’.
Dear Bush Mission & Mama,
“Last Friday Jean, Peter and I took gifts to the Burundian Refugees which we had promised. The gifts included 30 pairs of rubber shoes; two pens per/child; and three notebooks per/child. Those materials help them as next week schools start. They don't have financial means. We promised them we would assist them at Christmas with rubber shoes. We added pens and notebooks…. We met them at a primary school….
“During the Ruhengeri Slum Evangelism Outreach, we didn't use your donation for our own personal food or transportation. We paid this ourselves knowing that Christmas gifts were going to require as much money as possible. We saved money and added from our own pockets. Pray for the 30 refugee orphans we helped.”
Pastor Celestin
[Note: we have sent money for more shoes]
* Spending time with precious friends: ‘Mom Harriet’ (92); Marty
(101); Rose Marie; Marie and others.
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24
* Congrats to Beth Long & Vincent Virgil – the wedding was
beautiful. She’s with Wycliffe Translators.
Prayer ~N~ Praise
♥Report ♥
Dear Prayer Partners,
LOVE IS LIKE THAT. It was my sophomore year at Minnesota Bible College. Seniors were required to preach a ‘Senior Sermon’ before graduation. There’s one I’ll never forget, Love Is Like That. The student told a story: “A baby boy was born without ears…. One day an anonymous person donated ears and the transplant was a success.
“Years later, upon the death of his mother, the son, now grown, lifted up her long brown hair for a parting kiss. He often wondered, ‘Why did Mother never cut her hair?’ He was shocked to see she had no ears! She had been the anonymous donor because, Love is like that.”
Last year BTM shipped TWO 40 ft. Containers to Congo. I complained often, “Lord, I can’t do this. It’s overwhelming. Exhausting. Complicated. Expensive. Few helpers. Hundreds of hours. Thousands of pounds of supplies.” I had a long list.
During those ‘down times’ the Lord spoke to my heart, “You CAN ... we’ll do this together ... you’re not alone. My love is like that.” There it was. So simple!
“Ok Lord, when you put it like that....” He kept His promise. The rest is history.
Congo. This week our CAPP partner, Zawadi, (she was my translator) wrote, “We distributed supplies to Mutaho Village where Pygmies live under the Nyiragongo Volcano. They live in poverty; illiterate; no schools; and are discriminated against. There are widows, raped women, orphans and disabled men. There’s no water or well or river - except when it rains.
Zawadi continued, “The Pygmies were so happy and grateful to receive food and supplies. We told them it came from brothers and sisters in America. They said, ‘We can’t believe we are important or remembered by people so far away.’ The toys given to children were precious, like gold. They had never owned a toy in their lives.”
YOU, dear Prayer Partners, made this dream a ‘reality’ through your prayers and donations because Love was like that.
Jackson, the eldest, in vet college
Welcome My child, you're completed the task
KENYA, BUSIA
Letter from Pastor Patrick. God sent him a new orphan - Emmanuel!
Dear Mama & Friends,
“Thank you for school fees for our 5 orphans. I have attached receipts…. They increased fees so we parents are complaining…. Our Sunday School teacher is Phyllis. My wife Lucy … leads praise and worship at church.
“We picked up a street boy who went 10 days without eating. He was unable to stand or walk. We took him home, washed him and gave him cloths…. The boy said that a garbage collector comes very early to collect trash before he could find food inside … so he had nowhere to get food. After we bought him milk, he drank it and started speaking. The boy is around 7 years and his name is Emmanuel.
“Emmanuel said he used to go a week without eating. He stayed with other street kids. As he told his story I saw tears in my other orphans’ eyes…. He said, ‘I used to see well-dressed people and think they would help me. I’d ask for 5 shillings. Instead they hit me…. Others gave me something but threw it like food to a dog. Many called me a thief. The other street kids and I were beaten…. When people helped, they … asked many questions. If I did not answer well, they beat me. I won’t go back….’ I took Emmanuel to school. He was given an exam for Primary 3 and passed. Teachers were shocked as they didn’t think he knew anything. I paid his school fees. Pray for Emmanuel.”
Blessings, Pastor Patrick
[Note: the Lord has already sent a new sponsor for Emmanuel!]
* Home with Jesus: cousin Alex (on Father’s side) played a big
role in my life; and was ‘Uncle’ to my children. God
so graciously gave me some sweet last ‘official’ time with
him. He kept his wit and humor to the end.
Baby Daniel, begins 'Baby Class'" (nursery).
CONGO, GOMA
Letter from Pastor Delphin as Container Distributions continue in remote areas.
Dear Bush Mission,
“We are in Rubaya Refugee Camp…. We have distribution lists and will start tomorrow morning in Kibabi-Kishusha Refugee Camp in Masisi District, a camp Mama Charlotte visited. This is the first site to be served…. We brought 119 boxes of food. We’ll go to Katoyi … when the rains stop. We tried to go earlier but roads and bridges were washed out.... In regards to the baskets made by our Women at Risk group, we will bring two ladies to Masisi to encourage and strengthen other women. Please, your prayers are important in this moment.”
*Lac Vert Camp (1,100 vulnerable people), food & clothes to elderly
women and widows;
*Mutaho Camp (47 Pygmy families - see Zawadi’s Report below);
*Kibwe Camp (825 people);
*Kyeshero Camp (1,017 people), most are Women At Risk and their
children;
*Goma Disabled Mission of vulnerable people (1,217 people) - food and
walkers; and
*Goma Pastors’ Association - Family Packs & Bibles.
“We are grateful for your financial and prayer support. Your support in prayer is still needed.”
In Him, Pastor Delphin
Mommy Susan holding baby Joshua, October 2015
* Philip Priska was also called home - you prayed for him last
time. Hold these two families up in prayer.
UGANDA, BUSIA
Mama Josephine thanks you for sending school fees for her 36 orphans!
Dear Mama & Bush Mission,
“We … thank you for school fees, family support and prayers…. Kenyan students returned to School. Only Ugandan students are still at home except Senior 4, Senior 6, and Primary 7 students (7th grade) who have already started. The balance of money that remained for Kenyan students I put towards school supplies. Students who got "D’s" and "C’s" are always encouraged…. Even Jackson, my oldest, encourages them to do better in weak areas.
“Below are the details of fees per child for Ugandan students…. Three orphans - Jackson, Fatuma, and Wilkister - are now at university. Daniel, the youngest, starts ‘Baby Class’ (nursery). Odera and Bashir passed Primary 7 exams. This allows them to begin Senior One (high school)…. Total school fees for Ugandan students is 14,150,000 shillings ($4,090); for Kenyan students, 90,800 shillings ($885). Plus school supplies. God bless you….
“There has been an increase in school fees per child for Senior 4 and 6 by 150,000 shillings ($43) due to final registration of National Examination. This is in addition to normal school fees. Each Primary 7 child pays 220,000 shillings ($63) and all students must be in boarding school. Other classes increased from 65,000 to 105,000 shillings ($19 to $30) due to an increase in cost of living…. Please pray for all the children.”
Love, Mama Josephine
Odera begins
high school
View from Harriet's window, Utah
February 2016
Fatuma, in college, studying to be a teacher
CONCLUSION
This past month we saw miraculous answers to your prayers. Thank you for opportunities to show His love in ways our African nationals understand. May He continue to grow Gospel seeds as we ‘sow’ and share His Heart because ‘Love Is Like That’.
* Happy Birthday Lisa and John – now settled in Chicago. He’s
attached to Great Lakes Naval Hospital
* Michelle survived her first month at the new school. She said,
“Mom, these kids forgot everything they ever learned in math!”
She has her work cut out for her.
Running the Race - as fast as my little legs can go,
Charlotte
* Her parents, Wayne & Delena of Virginia, survived the BIG
snow storm – 2 ft – plus a caved-in ceiling.
KENYA, RUIRU
Letter from Pastor Walter. Three years ago his children were kidnapped by his estranged wife. He went through a lot to find two; Family Court awarded them to Walter.
Praise the Name of Jesus!
“I am busy getting Cindy, my 3rd grader, in school. She was tested yesterday but the results were not good…. I’m trying to get her first term school fees and school uniforms. The school asks for tuition, stationary, computer lesson, activity and admission fees….
“Angel, the youngest, has pneumonia and is on treatment…. She is 3 and needs to join ‘Baby Class’ (nursery) after she recovers. She is staying in Kitale with my parents. I visit her to make plans for her to join school. The Lord blessed two families in our church with beautiful baby girls. They named them Charlotte…. Please pray for them and don't forget to pray for me. God bless you so much….”
Your son, Pastor Walter
Heaven Sent needs a new truck!
Jackson (Top Rt.), with Charlotte & the children
* Thank you Piecekeepers & Carol for the Little Girl Dresses
Sew Day. Besides sewing up a storm, the gals enjoyed seeing
a Power Point of their handiwork in 5 African countries. Best
of all was the yummy pizza!
Welcome lunch for Katie (top row, 2nd fm Rt.) with family & friends
Finish the race
CONGO, MUTAHO REFUGEE CAMP
Zawadi, our CAAP partner, writes that three souls were saved!
Dear Bush Partners,
“This Report is about distribution in Mutaho Camp where vulnerable pygmies live. This area is near Goma, under the Nyiragongo Volcano. These pygmies live in enormous poverty; they are discriminated against by society because of their height, culture, and being a minority group. They are all illiterate and under privileged. The majority of this community are widows, raped women, single parents looking after kids on their own and disabled.
“Men prey on them. They marry these women and after having 3-4 children they chase them away.... Therefore it is a wounded and abused community, needing support and help and the love of Jesus.
“Before starting the distribution, the Gospel was preached by Pastor Delphin from Luke 2:1-19. Three people gave their lives to Jesus; others were already believers. We distributed food: 10 packets to every household. Toys were given to young children; also shoes and clothes.
“In Mutaho Camp there is no water and no river. The only way people have water is if it rains. Thus it is hard to wash clothes and bath. Distribution was done according to household and family size. Pygmies were so happy and grateful to receive meals from Bush Telegraph. We told them food came from brothers and sisters in America.
“They said, ‘We can’t believe that we are important and can be remembered from another part of the world.’ There is a school near the volcano, however, the kids, cannot attend because of lack of school fees. Their parents are unable to pay school fees and they cannot afford to buy school uniforms. In Congo there is no program to integrate vulnerable Pygmies into the community. Thus these kids spend their daily life idle and at home.
“The toys given were so precious - they saw them as gold. They had never owned a toy in their lives. Pygmy children ... shouted for joy in English saying, ‘Thank you and God bless you.’ Other CAAP members who helped distribute were Louis, Ali, Pastor Delphin and Sadiki. 190 vulnerable Pygmies were blessed.”
In Christian Love, Zawadi with CAAP