"Dr. Hopper treating patients."
It all began at Mayfield Guest House, Nairobi, Kenya. That’s where I stay when I arrive in Africa and before I leave. At every meal we guests gather around the table – 6-8 of us. Somewhere between passing mashed potatoes and gravy, or coffee, milk and sugar, I pass around my Secret Journal. I ask, “Would you please sign my Journal?” Of course they did.
"Pastor Delphin moved from Congo to Rwamwanja Refugee Camp, Uganda."
RWANDA. Pastor Celestin & Guardian Angel Team bless students – the poorest of the poor.
Dear Friends,
“Our January ministry assisted 30 poor students with supplies such as lotion, baskets, notebooks, plastic cups for breakfast porridge, and a mattress for a girl who had none…. Also we bought toilet paper. Sandrine and I took the supplies to the school … and visited students in their classrooms. They were very happy…. Your donation was a strong gift to poor students. In Rwanda we have 4 levels of poverty and the first is those who eat once a day. The government pays these kid's tuition but they provide their own supplies.”
Loving greetings,
Pastor Celestin
"Time with Mator, former 'Lost Boy of Sudan'."
Bush Telegraph Mission
THE END ... NIGHTIE NIGHT YA ALL!
"Kiryandongo Refugee Camp - the new home for Sunlight's family."
"Angaim Village - Zion School feeds
430 students daily."
"Angaim Village - our dedicated teachers."
USA HIGHLIGHTS. Sweet little praises to our Heavenly Father.
- Thanks George of Calvary’s Manna Ministries for ‘Meals From The Heartland’ & ‘Protein Shakes’;
- Time with Chuck & Tammy of ‘Caring For Kenya’s Kids’; and more supplies from Cheryl;
- Welcome Ilene & Diane, new Assistant Secretaries; & Celebrated Bobbie’s birthday (my Condo Gang);
- Time with Lunch Bunch gals thanks Tawny for cards (I’m ‘Queen of Letter Writers’) & school supplies;
- Post-op visit to Dr. Agapay – excellent report; emergency trip to the dentist (broken tooth!);
- Time with Mator (former Lost Boy of Sudan); 3 new tires for the car (ouch!).
- Completed a dozen January deadlines (busiest month of the year). Whew! Glad that’s over!
"Kay wants to sew 'Little Girl Dresses for Africa'!"
Let me tell you about a different kind of ‘love story’. Would you believe it’s about missions? Surprise, surprise! A ‘love story’ that in order to share it, I must open my Secret Journal. You’ll learn who my Valentines are now – at least some of them. Please don’t tell!
February
2018
"Sunlight and family."
"The Team visited the students in class."
"Susan, Sunlight's wife, hospitalized at the camp."
"Our Medical Team in 2008. Dr. Hopper, Top Rt."
"Pastor Bernard and Pastor Dennis."
"5 new iron sheets for Victor's roof."
"Mayfield guest house, Nairobi, Kenya."
ETHIOPIA. FROM THE FIELD. Dr. Hopper, former teammate, requests prayer for his medical outreach.
Dear Prayer Team,
“On February 18 we arrived early in the morning in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia…. We will be working with the CMDA Global Health Outreach team and a national ministry partner south of the city … for two weeks. We will hold clinics and work with an evangelical team….
“March 3rd we’ll be in Gambela, a town on the west. I’ll travel to the Ethiopian border near South Sudan’s camps with almost 400,000 refugees. There I’ll meet James, a Sudanese pastor.
“March 7th I’ll be back in Addis Ababa at the Korean Hospital.
“March 10th we join CMDA Memphis team. We will partner with Onesimus and Forsaken Children Ministry who serve street kids in Addis Ababa. We will have dentists, but it looks like I am the only doctor."
“March 17th I’ll visit my daughter and family in North Africa. Then home.”
Thank you for praying,
Dr. David Hopper, Greensboro, NC
USA. FROM THE MAILBOX. We couldn’t squeeze this wonderful letter in last month.
Dear Bush Telegraph & Charlotte,
“Your newsletter was overwhelming to read! We rejoice that Mama Josephine took in Winifred, Sharon and Andrew. Blessings upon her for her love and to BTM for sharing this story. God is at work! Our prayers are with you in the many labors for the Lord in Africa - many needs of others. I would like to challenge others to share in making clothes for those ‘Tiny Tims’ of Africa. But I’ll need a pattern to follow!”
Blessings to All Who Serve, Don & Kay, Joplin, MO
[Note: we sent Kay ‘Little Girls’ Dress’ pattern.]
KENYA. KAKAMEGA.Pastor Bernard has Victories in Jesus after prayer and fasting!
Dear Friends & Mama,
“After much prayer and fasting in January, 7 souls came to Christ in the Kakamega Church: Navakholo – 68 yr; Malava -35; Buhayi – 44; Sisokhe – 10; Buhayi – 23; Bukhakunga – 35; and Lwasi - 56. This is a season of God’s grace for me as an evangelist. We saw salvations, healings and deliverances this month.
“I have a 3-day Crusade in Kakamega this month. Next month I will be in Kitale for a 5 day Crusade. Pray for our ministry and share with prayer partners about what Jesus is raising in our generation (like more T.L. Osborns). We pray for a good sound system so more people will hear and see Jesus in action.
“The college enrolled 50 youth to teach skills in photography, videography, secretarial and agri-business besides ministry skills. Also we are training youth to make cosmetics and homecare products. The photo is me and Pastor Dennis from Meru. We were having a chat after the meeting.”
God bless you, Pastor Bernard
These 10 are a drop in the bucket as my Secret Journal contains many more Valentines to pray for. My FAITH is all the richer for meeting them. It’s deepened my LOVE for Him – and for YOU, dear Valentine Partners, who allow us to serve.
IT’S THE MONTH that we indulge in chocolates, roses and yes, spread a little love around. Back in my day ‘romantic love’ was all about Hollywood movie stars - like Romeo and Juliet. Boy, that really dates me! Then there’s the Bible stars, like Jacob and Rachel. Imagine working 7 years for your wife – to be given your sister-in-law! What’s up with that?
Through my Table Valentines I meet the most dedicated workers in the Kingdom of God. You see, they’re in love with Jesus, just like me. So no, they’re not Hollywood starlets, just plain old fashioned missionaries – or teams – whose quest is all about true love. That ‘Agape Love’ – a giving, self-sacrificial kind of love. Here are a few entries:
"Samuel and Richard just started high school!"
"Selina is now a senior in high school."
"Our college teaches many life skills as well as ministry."
"Village evangelism brought 7 new souls after
prayer and fasting."
LOVE & The
Secret Journal
© Copyright 2018
UGANDA/SUDAN. Pastor Sunlight has moved! He also shares good news from Pastor Peter in S. Sudan.
Dear Bush Friends & Mama,
“I still study at African Bible University in Kampala, but decided to move my family to Kiryandongo Refugee Camp, northern Uganda. This is because my children’s school fees in Kampala are too high. I found a new school for little Charlotte, Humo, Dan and John + transport and uniforms. John = 450,000 shillings; Dan = 400,000; Humo = 400,000; and Charlotte = 380,000. Other requirements are 300,000 for the first term. Total = 4,930,000 shillings ($1,371). Next term will be normal fees. Thank you for your prayers and support.
“Pastor Peter in Angaim Village, South Sudan, finally received all the money. On Friday he discovered AMAL Express in Torit. It will simplify the means of sending money to Peter in the future. I am waiting for him to tell me what materials are needed as well as January teachers' incentives (pay). Attached is the Amal Express Money Transfer from Somali Bank in Torit, South Sudan. Thank you for your support. It is a great help to the students at Zion School in Angaim Village.
[Later] “Pastor Peter sent an update: 1) 12 teachers’ incentives = 8,000 pounds; 2) food = 7,000; 3) books/school needs = 5,000; 4) 50 lb sugar = 8,000; 5) maize (corn meal) = 3,000; 6) soap for washing dishes = 2,000; 7) transport for Peter and materials = 7,000; 8) balance = 10,000 for school needs or Peter’s transport in case he is called to a school program in Torit. Total = 50,000 S. Sudanese Pounds ($2,785).
“I registered the family as refugees…. The challenge we have now is food since I used rent money from our donor in England for transport to the camp. I built a traditional house here for my family. My children’s new school is in Bewayale near Kiryandongo Refugee Camp. I will register for food ration cards. Susan was sick and admitted in the camp hospital. She is now home. Dan is also sick with a stomach problem. I am now back in Kampala. I missed a few lectures and must catch up. May Jesus be glorified.”
Thanks, Pastor Sunlight
[Note: we sent money for school fees, food & all supplies needed.]
CONGO. Pastor Delphin has left Congo. We had sent money to build a home for his family at Rugamba where we also planted & built a church last year. This news came as a big surprise; we don’t know all the details yet.
Dear Bush Prayer Partners & Mama,
“I was forced to use the money you sent for other things. I paid transport for my family and all our luggage to reach Rwamwanja Refugee Camp, Uganda. I am so sorry to do that. Nevertheless I was obligated to leave Congo suddenly. I am still in touch with Mama Jeanne Foibe and Tim at Rugamba Church. Things are going well there…. I am in Uganda now, however, I plan to go to Congo three times a year…. Please continue to pray for the stability of my family and ministry. It is difficult to write about my decision to leave Congo…. I preached last Sunday at Kingdom & Glory Church where I am ministering with my family. God bless you all.”
In Him,
Pastor Delphin
"Special life-saving food for Africa."
Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
"Charlotte with Pastor Delphin's children."
Prayer-N-Praise
REPORT
"Pray for the upcoming World Mission Conference."
Charlotte
UGANDA, KAMPALA. Mama Monicah & Pastor David’s two oldest started high school!
Dear Mama & Bush Team,
“Samuel & Richard started school yesterday at Central College Kawempe (high school). The 3 new orphans, Elisha 8, Promise 5 and Miracle 14, have not yet started school. Miracle is deaf and never been to school so we suggest a carpentry course. Total admission fees for two children at Kawempe Tula Church of Uganda Primary School are 520,000 shillings ($143). Thank you for your prayers and support. May God bless you all.”
Mama Monicah, Kampala
[Note: we sent money for the two orphans & working on a plan for Miracle.]
"Charlie, our 4-legged pooch, helped Charlotte reach January deadlines."
"Mayfield dining room: full of Valentines!"
"Little Martha"
"Victor, his wife and family."
1. Dave & Joy Mueller & Team with Kenya Hope & A.I.M. “Pray for Peace in Kenya”.
2. Carly Johnson serving in Bujumbura, Burundi with CMML (Christian Missions in Many Lands). “Pray for the college we are starting in August.”
3. Dr. Mukenye at Panzi Hospital, Bukavu, Congo. “Pray for the many women at risk.”
4. Alicia Ressmann & Team serving on the Comoros Islands. “Pray for this Muslim country.”
5. Stephen Gralgalo with Voice of the Martyrs. “Pray for Christians in northeastern Kenya; for their security; and strength in their faith.”
6. Dr. Bruce & Beth Smith. “Pray for safety while we are in Kenya and for those engaging their countrymen in the battle against the devil with regard to HIV.”
7. Kristen Kok with the Scheenstra (AIM) family working in Daba. “Pray the Lord guides our hands as we provide medical care; and those we evangelize keep their hearts open.”
8. Emmanuel Rono serving with Heavenly Treasures, Kenya. “Pray as I am traveling to the USA for my Master’s in Finance; and adapt well during my two years in Missouri.”
9. Elisha & Crystal Stock, AIM pilot serving in Kenya & South Sudan. “Pray for local friends; a good language helper; and safety in flight.”
10. Andy & Janet Wildsmith, AIM, at Scott Christian University. “Pray for wisdom.”
"Pastor Celestin with supplies that were distributed."
UGANDA, BUSIA. Mama Josephine writes that the college kids have started back to school.
Dear Mama & Bush Friends,
“Thank you for the wonderful work and support you are doing. May Almighty God bless you. The total for 3 college students after they paid 1/3rd will be 3,974,950 shillings ($1,097). The above total amount is what they are going to pay after they contributed their share. There are also two students who have not paid school fees: Selina [waiting for her report] = 850,000; and Kisakye Martha = 150,000. Total = 1,000,000 ($276).
Thank you for your support and may God bless you according to His heavenly rewards.”
Yours in Christ, Mama Josephine & Family
BIDI-BIDI REFUGEE CAMP. Pastor Victor, from Angaim Village, South Sudan, has a great opportunity.
Dear Mama & Bush Family,
“I thank God for His love in 2017…. This year God spoke to me to work with children in the ministry; to train Sunday school teachers … as written in Deuteronomy 6:4-16. Our community, Angaim Village and South Sudan need the gospel. We hope the children will transform the nation. Let’s pray for the children’s ministry. I talked to my old father in South Sudan and told him to sell my 3 goats to buy iron sheets. He sold them and now I bought 5 iron sheets. Also I’ve been promoted to Senior One (high school) in 2018. Pray for challenges like school uniform, shoes, books, pens, etc. because in high school students must look smart.”
[later] Dear Mama & Bush Friends,
“Thank you for your prayers and help…. We received the money from Pastor Sunlight to share with the children. I am staying with them…. We bought books, pens, and kept money for uniforms until February 5th when school opens…. We started classes this week and my wife joined Adult Education Level 2. God bless you.”
Pastor Victor, Bidi-Bidi Refugee Camp
[Note: Victor received money for all needs listed above.]
"Jacob worked 7 years for Rachel."
"Time with Chuck & Tammy."
(Photo taken in Kenya)
"Ministering to Street Kids."
"Susan, Sunlight's wife, hospitalized at the camp."