"Regina, an orphan from the war, now stays with Quinta, a church member."

[Later] My dear people,

“Matgoanar is home and feeling okay now. It’s step by step. Thank God for your prayers and donation.”

Thanks,

Rev Stephen

"Gideon and Mama Zawadi, present Safi with used shirts to sell for income."

"Matgoanar, Rev Stephen's son, had surgery to correct obstruction of the bowel."

"Somali Business Center."

Bush Telegraph Missions

"Mama Christine's new furniture."

"The back yard is now cemented in - no more floods!"

"Assistant Pastor Moses on the key board."

UGANDA/SUDAN. Rev Stephen’s son falls critically ill.

Dear Bush Friends & Mama,

“Remember when my son, Matgoanar, fell ill two years ago? He was operated on yesterday in Kampala Hospital. It was the same thing: intestinal obstruction of the bowel. Yesterday he was in critical condition while Mama Regina and I were still in Juba, South Sudan. It was difficult for my daughter in Uganda to deal with. The Dr demanded 7,120,000 Ugandan shillings ($1,948). So we found 2,000,000 ($547) and borrowed 1,000,000 ($274) from a friend. We remain with 4,120,000 ($1,127) owing. They said the rest of the money must be pay after 4 days before we bring Matgoanar home. I am asking for assistance.”

God bless you,

Rev Stephen

[Note: BTM sent a donation towards the medical bill.]

"Gideon presents Safi's husband, Daudi, with used shirts to sell to support his family."

SUDAN/UGANDA. Pastor Sunlight puts school construction on hold.

Dear Praying Friends & Mama,

“I had been splitting logs for construction of the school. I brought one truck load of 200 pieces of lumber. The price is poor when counting cost of labor, transport, food and fuel. It will generate some money but not much. I will split more logs and have a contract with a business in town soon. It is my dream to finish school construction in Angaim Village. I value education and the children and people of Angaim more than anything. No parent wants a child to suffer as they study outdoors in the sun, rain and wind. Students, parents and I agree to have the school roof done as soon as possible. Right now the road is impassable. We are thankful to you and Angaim community who has contributed sand, aggregate, bricks, labor and other materials.”

Thank you,
Pastor Sunlight

"Gideon & Rachel hand out Gospel Tracts for Muslims."

"Poor Jackson had painful hemorrhoid surgery."

[letter #3] Dear Friends & Mama,

“In the beginning we had 30 orphans. Six left the home. Gabriel completed Senior 4 and returned to Sudan. Mary was in 5th grade and went back to Angaim Village. An Auntie who lives in Uganda took Margret, John and Ihisa. Thomas lives with relatives in Rhino Camp. Now we have 24 children in the house. I live with them as my University studies stopped due to COVID. Online learning was proposed which is challenging for refugees without laptops or electricity. On campus I stay in a hostel. Thanks for your prayers for my studies.”

Love,
Toby

"Amazing Team sews tote bags for the Congo Container Project."

"Rev Stephen and Regina hold Sunday service at home in Kampala."

"Ruth loves her new slasher and hoe for farming."

CONCLUSION. BTM looks forward to ways we can connect and grow throughout 2021. Our plan is simple: plant ‘sweet potatoes’ of God’s Graciousness and Compassion through planting churches as we ‘Nurture the Saved and Save the Lost’. Everything else we do, such as Container Projects, Relief Supplies, Orphans, Widows, Schools, Clinics, Refugees, Bible College, etc. are a means towards that end.

Thank you for YOUR part in God’s Big Garden. Who would have thought that during a pandemic that BTM could reach out to feed thousands of vulnerable people in over 30 groups of all sizes in 5 countries and 7 Refugee Camps? Only God knows how that miracle was even possible because humanly speaking, it was not.

Growing Sweet Potatoes in God’s Garden,

Charlotte Sinclair Barkley

"T.J. Sweet Potato Fries"

"Gideon, on his way to Congo."

Isaiah 30:18. "Yet the Lord longs to be Gracious to you; He rises to show you Compassion." What an unusual time (the dinner hour) and place (our kitchen) to be inspired - surrounded by pots, pans, hungry people, pets, radio and phone ringing? And what does that have to do with anything? After all, I’m just an ordinary Grandma who serves an extraordinary God seeking to share Him in Africa.

"Showing compassion in Rwanda."

[Letter #2] Hello Bush Mission & Mama,

“Today in Angaim Village a team came to drill the borehole (well). It is called Lydia Construction Company. Angaim Village has never had clean drinking water. It was drilled near the new hospital they built.

“[Later] The owner of the house in Kiryandongo Camp came. We are laying bricks to construct 3 small rooms for the children. We want the girls to feel safe. I went to town in search of three quotes for bunk beds. Thank you for sending the money. The children are happy with the new beds. Keep us in prayer.”

Yours,
Pastor Sunlight

RWANDA. Pastor Celestin & Guardian Angel Ministries fed 65 families.

Hello Bush Friends & Mama,

“We have identified the most vulnerable people. We try to solve basic needs using our limited resources. Beans and maize (corn) was from BTM. Your message pleased Guardian Angels for our outreach. We sent you the list of families: fathers, mothers, children and others who are dependent on that family.”

May God be with all of us,
Pastor Celestin, Director

"The new church for the Mubambiro Pygmies is nearly done."

Jan - Feb 2021

"Gideon's girls on their way to school."

"Gideon prays for the Raped Women who are deeply traumatized."

"Lunch time for Pastor Patrick and Gideon."

"Pastor Sunlight and his bride-to-be."

"Gail taking a break."

[Letter #2] Dear Friends & Mama,

“The elections ended and President Museveni won again. Uganda’s social media is back now so I can write you. Ugandan student’s fees total: 13,965,000 Shillings ($3,821). Kenyan students = 104,400 Kenyan Schillings ($953). Christine’s student’s school fees = 5,605,000 Ugandan schillings ($1,534). Please pass our thanks to our Sponsors who cover our school fees. We appreciate it so much.

“The older boys at home are doing construction but come home in the evening. They buy their own clothes and personal needs. I have an ulcer and today finished my first dose of medicine from the Dr. I’m now better. We paid Mama Christine’s rent and bought her rations. I also bought six cushions for her new chairs. Her sitting room looks very nice now.

I saved money for my university tuition and now have 500,000 ($137). It’s about 1/3 of what the mission said I must save. Thank you for your response towards my University studies.

“About the 19 new orphans: I’m sending stories for five of them as you requested. Mama Josephine knows she was only allowed 5 new orphans but she couldn't send them away. They are at home with us. The new orphans came in November, December and January.

Jackson has hemorrhoids so the Dr gave him an ointment. It didn’t work well so the Dr operated on Jackson at the clinic last week. He was in much pain but is now back home. May God bless you for the great work and support that you deliver to us.”

Yours in love,

Bulasio for Mama Josephine

[Note: special thanks to our Sponsors for school fees.]

Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa

Facebook

"Sunlight (back row, lf) with our Kiryandongo girls, wearing new Christmas dresses."

[Letter #2] Dear Servants of God,

“Thank you for your donation received with joy. I paid school fees. It opened Monday, January 4, 2021: 1) Abigail 8th = 9,000; 2) John 8th = 9000; 3) Samuel 8th = 9000; 4) Neville 7th = 8000; 5) Nereah 7th = 15,000 (Beauty School); 6) Emmanuel 6th = 6500; 7) Daniel 6th = 6500; 8) Amos = kindergarten 5500. Total = 68,500 Kenya shillings ($625). There is also: House Rent = 9000 and Neville’s Treatment = 3,500 (total $114).

Nereah struggled at school. She wants to be a Hair Dresser so I looked for a Hair Salon who will train ‘on the job’. I found one who will even pay for her transport. Nereah started last Friday. Amos (Ruth’s son) is in kindergarten. I paid 4000 ($37) for his school supplies and uniform.

“Pastor Gideon visited us last week. We had a wonderful time. We crossed into Uganda to visit Mama Josephine’s family. He was a blessing to Ruth as he bought her a hoe and slasher after he learned that she loves farming. He left yesterday to return to Nairobi. We send you our love and prayers.”

Blessings,

Pastor Patrick

Isaiah 30:18. “Yet the Lord longs to be Gracious to you; He rises to show you Compassion.”

KENYA, BUSIA. Pastor Patrick built a beautiful but simple new church.

[Letter #1] Dear Mama Charlotte,

“We had a wonderful service at the Dedication of our new church. We were blessed to host Bishop Moses from Kakamega and 20 guest pastors from Busia County.

“Emmanuel and Daniel stay with my mom in Kakamega during holidays. Three children in 8th grade will take final exams in March to join high school. School fees are 20,000-30,000 shillings for day scholars ($183-$274); or 42,000-62,000 ($383-$566) per term for boarders. It depends on the school. We will also go shopping as everything needed must be new.

“Ruth, my wife, grew maize (corn) last December which helped feed the family. The hens Mama Charlotte saw are now grown. We had two for Christmas and two for New Years. When Gideon visited our church, he bought Ruth a slasher and hoe to farm. She is so happy.

“Today I sent Neville to school after 10 months at home. The teacher called to take him to the clinic. He had malaria and typhoid. The clinic started injections for three days. They asked for 3,500 ($32). The other children are at school and send you greetings.”

Blessings,

Pastor Patrick

January - February 2021

"Pray for Neville, recovering from typhoid and malaria."

KENYA/UGANDA/CONGO. Letters from Gideon, BTM’s new Africa Director.

Rachel visits Congo.

Dear Friends & Mama,

“Today is the second day of my children going to school. They already made new friends. Rachel, my wife, is visiting her Mother and family in Goma, Congo. She is now on her way back home, traveling by bus. She reached Bunagana, Congo, (a dangerous road) safely; crossed the border into Uganda. When she reached Kisoro, Uganda, she took a bus to Kampala where she will sleep. Tomorrow she connects with a bus to Nairobi. I have survived caring for my girls. I only cooked super for them as they ate lunch at school. In the beginning they were worried about their Mama and baby Esther but are happy that they are on their way home.”

Many blessings,
Gideon

"Thank you Lidia Construction Company for building a new hospital, latrine and well (or bore hole) in Angaim Village."

"A new bridge now connects Angaim Village to the rest of the community."

"Mama Josephine's new orphans: photos taken one month apart - do you see the difference in their smiles?"

"Safi, her malnourished son Jimmy, at 'Heal Africa Hospital'."

"Lord … thank you for that bag of sweet potatoes - reminding me to be Gracious and Compassionate this New Year 2021." And thank YOU dear friends for your Gracious and Compassionate gifts of love and encouragement, so that BTM may better serve His vulnerable children in Africa by showing them the love of Jesus.

"Bishop Moses, guest speaker for the Dedication."

"Gideon has a joyful reunion with his family - Mama is wearing the blue dress."

UGANDA, BIDI-BIDI CAMP. Follow-up from Pastor Victor’s Feeding Program.

Dear Bush Family & Mama,

“We fed 164 people or 36 families. They needed encouragement from God’s word. This morning an orphan named Regina came asking for food. My wife gave her 8 lb of maize (corn). Her father, a soldier, died in Sudan’s war. She stays alone here so I talked to a church member, Quinto. She accepted Regina to stay with her. She is a good woman. My children are baby Kayla, Psalm, Godfrey and Isaac.”

Blessings,
Pastor Victor

[letter #2] Dear Bush Team & Mama,

“Today I sent money from BTM to Pastor Victor in Bidi-Bidi Refugee Camp per your request. Refugees are suffering ever since they were forced out of their homeland. Food isn't enough; no equal rights; no freedom; young girls becoming mothers; young boys going to the streets and committing crimes; poor health; and lack of sanitation. Life in camp is painful. We appreciate your love, trust and support. We are grateful for the support from Uganda government as we won't be refugees forever. We will see Victory one day. Thanks.”

With love,

Toby

Prayer-n-Praise

Report

"Mama Christine's happy orphans."

"Zawadi & Gideon at the market."

UGANDA, BUSIA. Mama Josephine welcomes 19 new orphans.

[Letter #1] Dear Bush Family & Mama,

“Thank you for the wire transfer. We bought chairs and tables for Mama Christine. We also bought supplies to fix the ground in the back yard. Workers will cement it. It’s now looking great and we have no more flooding and mud. Here are photos of the new water meter and solar battery which also has its own meter too.

“Our Kenyan orphans started school. The Ugandan children returned January 17 after elections. Our elections are not good. People are murdered day and night. Sharon Nabwire and Zowena (graduates) left for Kampala. One is working at a wholesale shop and the other is a Mobile Money Agent. They rent a room. We communicate and they are safe. We pray for you all daily and send love and greetings.”

Yours in love,

Bulasio

UGANDA, KIRYANDONGO CAMP where Toby, Pastor Sunlight’s brother, oversees our Sudanese orphans.

[Letter #1] Greetings Bush Mission in Jesus’ Name,

“Thanks to BTM the children got food and clothes. I withdrew your donation on Monday. We had no veggies but now we do. Food distributed in Kiryandongo Refugee Camp was reduced to 8 lb/mo – not enough. Before, a person received 24 lb of maize (corn) per month. Pray for all refugees.

“The money was used for: 1) 200 lb maize; 2) sandals for 10 children; 3) lotion, 4 large toothpaste and 20 tooth brushes; 4) Medicine for Mama Rose, our caregiver, who is nursing and had painful breasts. The clinic fee was 45,000 shillings ($12). 5) Veggies; 6) we could not afford to buy used clothes at the market so we set aside 250,000 ($67) for used clothes when things are normal. 7) I sent 1,000,000 shillings ($268) to Sunlight as instructed for Angaim Village teachers in Sudan. It is about Christ’s love that you have demonstrated through prayer and action. I am humbled. Continue to pray for Uganda and South Sudan.”

Love,

Toby (Pastor Sunlight’s brother)

"Bob & Irene have turned their home into a Sewing Factory (well, almost)."

We all need Graciousness and Compassion – especially now during this pandemic. We show it to our neighbors just as God has shown it towards us. Sometimes it’s hard to do towards those who don’t show it in return. One reason I serve the Lord in Africa is to follow His command to be Gracious and Compassionate to His vulnerable children. Those who do not go to Africa can be Gracious and Compassionate in other ways - by loving their families, neighbors, communities - even strangers. How about taking them a sweet potato casserole?

"Pastor Patrick's new church Dedication Service."

"Gideon meets with our partner, Sowers of Hope, who help Raped Women."

CAN YOU SOLVE THIS RIDDLE? How are Sweet Potatoes like God’s Graciousness and Compassion? Let me explain. Recently I bought a bag of TJ Farms Sweet Potatoes in the frozen food section. Imagine my surprise when, after emptying the bag, I spotted a Bible verse in the lower left-hand corner. I almost missed it as it was black letters on a brown background.

USA. FROM THE MAILBOX. Thank you sweet sisters for Tote Bags for Africa!

Hello All,

“Gail, Bob and Irene are preparing School Tote Bag Kits for Mary and Pat, our sewing team, who puts them together! Our goal is 300 totes. We are excited and determined to accomplish it. ‘For with God nothing will be impossible’. Thanks Estelle for donating material.

If you want to join the group, give me a call at (623) 340-0640. We do everything from the comfort of our homes. I put the kits outside on my front porch and the completed kits are dropped off at the same spot. Enjoy this wonderful year of family, friends and gratefulness for our many blessings. God is with us; take time to speak and listen. He is the God of New Beginnings.”

Love,
Irene, Bob and Gail

"Patrick's whole family."

"Pastor Celestin & family."

"Rachel & Baby Esther travel home by bus from Congo."