CONGO. Team Conf

KENYA. Ps. Patrick’s street kids

head to school

PAT WE MISS YOU SO

The brass letter opener is shaped like a sword. Inscribed on it is my favorite Bible verse, Hebrews 4:12: “For the Word of God is living and active; sharper than any double-edged sword.” I’ll use it – and cherish it – as long as I live. It’s the last gift sister Pat gave me.

As we shared, our beloved mission treasurer–secretary, Pat Karsten, has been in hospice battling cancer. On the morning of July 3rd she went home to be with Jesus. Living Water of the Valley; Bush Telegraph; and her precious family are deeply mourning her loss. Her Memorial Service will be Monday, July 8, at Living Water. Please keep her family in your prayers. We’ll share more about this humble, amazing servant of God in the days ahead.

PRAYER-N-PRAISE REPORT

JUNE 2013

June 2013

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CONGO, GOMA. Letter from Pastor Delphin

Dear Bush Mission,

“We are very happy … to know you are coming once again to Goma. Please forgive my belated email. It is because I lost my mother June 27th at … Rutshuru Hospital. Your coming will be a great encouragement for us. We are praying already for your long journey. Please pass our gratitude to the mission for their assistance. It helped pay the last part of school fees and rent. My children succeeded at school this term. Delch and Colombe are in 6th grade…. Joseph is in 5th; Ines is in 3rd; Johanna in 5th and Teddy in 3rd. Thank you for your prayers and love.”

In His Love, Pastor Delphin

Dear Friends of the Persecuted Church,

"Be Prepared!” In my mind’s eye I can still see Devil’s Lake in all its magical beauty. Wisconsin Dells is where, as a child, we spent our summer vacations – especially over the 4th of July. It’s where I learned to swim in deep water (by riding on Father’s back); where my sis Pat and I explored mountain trails; where a tiny mouse got inside our tent and scared Mother half to death; where we awoke each morning to the smell of bacon sizzling on a gas fire and Father calling, “Come-en-get-it!” Best of all, watching fireworks from the car roof – Pop! Kaboom! Bang

But to get to Devil’s Lake took planning and preparation by my parents – packing, shopping, studying the road map. That’s right, the MAP. This was before ‘Betsy’, that GPS gadget my kids have on their dashboards. The older I get the more I realize that LIFE is about planning ahead: whether it’s a summer vacation; ministry in Africa; or the future. Even God planned ahead. Didn’t He inform Jeremiah in chapter 29 verse 11: “For I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”?

YOU helped us plan the first half of 2013 (it’s half over – can you believe it?). YOU also helped us prepare to bring Christ’s hope and a future to widows, orphans, the disabled, street kids, abused women, refugees and oh! So many more. Thus we continue to grow and experience God's plans and provision.

GOD’S ALIVE & WELL IN NORTH SUDAN

An Islamic leader was quoted recently as saying:

“We must take action against Christians ... 109 people have converted from Islam to Christianity in Khartoum…. It is … bad news for us. I want to put more pressure on the Islam government and army to crack down on Christians there.”

THE LITTLE CONTAINER THAT COULD – but almost didn’t.

· We had planned to partner with UAS (Universal Aide Society) of Canada; however, they did not find a sponsor for our Container in time. Thus we were forced to change shipping agents which meant we’d be responsible for all shipping fees ourselves. We counted our pennies - $15,000 – this included the cost of the Container which we bought. Still we were $3,000 short. We had a choice: use Mr. Master Card or postpone shipping. Calvary Community came through in our hour of need and paid the balance. PTL!

· Tuesday morning, July 2, was a scorcher – and a BIG DAY. Volunteer Angels arrived at Calvary Community Church to pack the 40 ft Container which arrived at 10 am. Our Angels sprang into action and after 2½ hours of sweat, donuts and bottles of water, we finished. The driver attached an official ‘seal’ on the back door and off he drove to Long Beach, CA. The destination: JUBA, SUDAN.

· God’s Angels were tireless, especially Mac who worked inside the truck where it gets up to 130 degrees. Darrell said, “Let’s put a fan inside the truck!” ‘Maintenance Angels’ Cliff and Rich drove the fork-lift; and Nate and Daniel pitched in. ‘Litchfield Park Baptist Church Angels’, Pastor Michelle, Andy, Chris and Genesis (love that name!) came the farthest. Our ‘Regular and Irregular Angels’ played an important role: Carol, Char, Terry, Ruth, Rose Marie, Joan, Jack, Don and Frank. After everyone left I was ready to drop. Terry grabbed a broom. There was no stopping her. Before I knew it our messy work room was spic-n-span, “So you don’t have to come back again tomorrow…,” she said. Thank you Angels all.

· Any additional monies we receive designated ‘Container Project’ will be sent to Sudan Field Director James Keah for UNIDO to transport the Container from Juba to Leer in Unity State. It’s a long journey down rivers; over bush roads; to remote war-torn Leer where life-saving supplies are desperately needed.

LEAVIN’ ON A JET PLANE

Pray as I prepare to fly July 13th to Nairobi, Kenya, on British Airways – and an aisle seat!

Pray for wisdom as I pack a dozen duffel bags/suitcases of supplies to be distributed in 5 countries.

Praise God for Golden Rule Travel who I discovered this year. Their ‘excess baggage’ fees are a screamin’ deal (as our pastor would say) compared to previous travel companies.

Pray as I prepare to fly from USA-Kenya-Congo, to join our Team in Kinshasa.

Pray as I prepare lessons for the next four months; that I meet a wide variety of spiritual needs for different groups of nationals I’ll be teaching.

Pray that I complete several big projects at home before “D (Departure) Day” the 13th.

Pray for wisdom for Terry who will keep the books and prepare the monthly Prayer-n-Praise Reports; for Laura who will forward ‘E’ Reports from the field as she juggles home, work (full time) and church activities; and daughter Michelle who will keep the home fires burning (oh dear! And we don’t have a fire place so do be careful!)

SOUTH SUDAN. Letter from John Kong, Program Coordinator (a young man of few words):

Dear Bush Mission,

“For a prayer request, the Dinkas stole 410 cows in Mayendit County… this will lead to tribal conflict.”

Regards, John Kong, Leer

SOUTH SUDAN, ANGAIM VILLAGE.

Letter from Pastor Sunlight

Hi Mammy & Bush Mission,

“I received a Grant from AIM International Advanced Training Fund Committee. There were more than 100 applications…. I was selected for financial assistance for 2013--2014. The amount of the Grant is $1,000 which will be sent to the school in Oyoo, Uganda. I will be studying business administration and management for good governance of the churches. My family and I fasted and prayed. I will take the whole family.
“In my absence Pastor Felix will oversee the church at Angaim; Pastor Victor the church at Keberek; Pastor Basilio the church at Miji-leme; and James Ohisa and others will lead the new disciples. I am going for 4 years and will come home on holidays. I leave July 17. Can you help with travel expenses? We ask for prayer.”

In Christ, Your son Pastor Sunlight

[Note: Sadly last week Pastor Patrick’s wife Judy stole all his valuable possessions and ran back to her former husband. It wasn’t because she was burdened with the care of the 6 new orphans as we hired a caregiver. She sold the items so they cannot be returned. Please pray that Judy repents and God willing, return home.]

A New Kitchen! You recall that Mama Jo’s chickens occupy the old kitchen. She’s been cooking outside in the rain, wind and dust. A prayer partner wrote asking how much a traditional kitchen cost. I sent an estimate; so we are planning (there’s that word again) to build her a kitchen in July! Thanks Denny and Sharon!

BIG DAY. Packing the Container.

"Let’s Pray first!"

UGANDA, BUSIA. Letter from Mama Josephine who we last reported was in the hospital

Dear Bush Mission,

“Pastor Henry took me to Dubani Hospital where I was for a week…. I first went to see Dr. Paul [family doctor] at Lucky Clinic, then to the hospital. The doctors there said that the accident I had last year affected me…; that I needed rest. I tried to rest but due to demands of 31 children I have to work…. We are very thankful for Pastor Henry’s good work…, his prayers and standing with us in times of need and pain. It’s our prayer that God bless him … and … provide for him…. The Lord is healing us…. We hope to … see you in the near future.”

Yours in His Grace, Mama Josephine

UGANDA, TORORO. Letter from teacher Apophiah of Peace Church Preschool

Dear Bush Friends,

“Thank you so much for the money for lunches for the 8 primary school orphans who live with us…. The government had two reasons for making this law throughout Uganda:

“1) Most parents fail to provide lunch at home or else they prepare lunch late contributing to lateness and poor performance in class.

“2) Child traffickers use lunch time to prey upon hungry idle children on the roads picking sugar cane and take them across the border. There is a pastor at Manafa who was keeping 23 street children. But when he heard of this new compulsory lunch rule, he abandoned the children who are again on the streets. Pastor John took four of them and convinced a church member to keep them at a shared cost.
“Pastor John’s new church in Kampala is doing well this year. He took his son-in-law and daughter to take care of the church. God spoke to him last year to plant a church in Kampala and help street kids there. He has four.”

“My mother was taken to Mulago Hospital in critical condition. … It’s only me who supports her for medical treatment … she’s in her 80s. Please pray for her.”

Apophiah, Head Teacher, Peace Church Preschool

CONTAINER Volunteer Luncheon

(Ctr, our crazy waitress!)

Col Wayne Sinclair (my son)

Katie and Uncle John scuba diving in Guam

KENYA, BUSIA. Letter from Pastor Patrick

“Dear Bush Friends,

“I took our 6 new street kids to Bridge International Academy for an interview. It’s a new school in town and reasonably priced. All ‘my’ children passed the test. Abigail 2nd grade got 83%; John 2nd grade got 75%; Samuel, 2nd grade, 73%; Neville, 1st grade, 56%; Meshach, 3rd grade, 52%; and Norah, 1st grade, 44%. Today was the last intake for this term. I saw that I should not miss the chance [to enroll them]….”

Blessings, Pastor Patrick

[NOTE. We have added the lunch program for their 8 orphans to our monthly support.]

Field Reports

“Dear Lord,

“We place our trust in You and not in rulers who, while they seem mighty now, will return to the dust. And so, our hearts turn to Christians struggling for their faith in their walk with You. Encourage them with Your presence. May their trust and confidence be in You alone. We pray for an end to Islam’s blasphemy laws; that You would sustain and provide believers’ needs. Give them opportunities to shine Your light, drawing many to a saving faith. Thank you for Your provision for Bush Telegraph. Comfort the grieving and strengthen them as they set their hearts on Your kingdom work. Disperse the power of evil forces. Protect and strengthen Your church.

Amen

[Adapted, Open Doors]

Planning & Preparing for Africa,

Charlotte

[Note: We helped with travel expenses and will be sending monthly support towards food and rent.]

“WHY SEND A CONTAINER? Why not just send money?”

We often get this question.

First, we cannot send money to remote places where the greatest need exists. There is no infrastructure in most of Sudan. There are no banks; people have no accounts. There are no roads or communication. Even if they had money, the supplies we send are not in the local market. People have no money to pay for local transport (if available) to towns where supplies are available.

Secondly, we take for granted what we have in the USA. When loved ones have a long-term illness such as Sister Pat, our secretary/treasurer, we care for them in hospice. But in most African countries, especially in the bush, there's nothing. No retirement homes. No Social Security benefits. No orphanages.

I’ll never forget Clare, a disabled young lady carried 3 miles to our mission compound. We gave her a wheelchair. She said in her tribal language, “You mean somebody in America cares about me?” I replied, “Yes. We care about you because God loves you and we want to bless you with this gift." That’s what the Container is about – blessing others with the love of Jesus.

Michelle and I attended son Wayne’s ‘Change of Command’ at MCRD (Marine Corps Recruitment Depot) in San Diego in June. It was an awe-inspiring ceremony on the sport’s field with the Marine band; parading troops; battalion staff – even Brigadier General Yoo. For the past two years Wayne was Commander of MCRD base; now he will be in charge of Marine Recruitment for Western USA. Son Mike also made it over for the special occasion.

Nate and grandma (that’s me) started a game of chess – then Aunt Michelle stepped in to take my place and won (sorry Nate). Katie is still in Guam visiting Aunt Lisa, Uncle John - enjoying deep-sea diving. She’s a very good student as a 9th grader and earned a break from all her hard work. Michelle slept in Katie’s room – what’s this? Did WW III break out? No – just a typical teenage bedroom. Delena continues to home-school; host visitors as well as hundreds of soldiers. Of special interest was a tour at the new Post-Vietnam Museum.

[Note: Pray for churches in Arab-Muslim ruled North Sudan who are being forced to close; for foreign charities and missions being kicked out; and for Christians being targeted in and around Khartoum.]

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

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