CONGO

Dear Mama & Bush Mission,

“Kinshasa, capital of Congo, has 30,000 street kids ... caused by war, poverty, AIDS and superstition. We can’t stand by and do nothing. Our Team will be in Kinshasa in mid-July. Ask your Prayer Partners to PRAY for our hosts, Pastor Chris and MERA Church. We need to find a way to bring Jesus to these kids … lest they end up as criminals or prostitutes.”

In Christ, Pastor Guy of Phoenix, AZ

(former Congolese refugee)

CONTAINER ‘ORCHIDS-OF-PRAISE’ Report:

· Jay for a truckload of medical supplies, sewing machines, dentist chair & exam table! Besides running a garage, he directs a mission focusing on Central America. How he found time to help with our Sudan Container Project, we’ll never know. PTL!

· Piecekeepers’ Quilting Circle held a special ‘Sew Day for Little Girl’s Dresses for Africa’. I sent that photo last time. We are up to 60 dresses and counting! Hats off to Penny who organized this event in the absence of President Carol. Our heartfelt prayers go out to Carol’s family at the loss of her beloved mother in Pennsylvania.

· Litchfield Park Baptist Church Team came to help with the Container Project. They literally flew around like the famous ‘White Tornado’ shrink-wrapping everything from pallets and bikes to walkers and crutches! We had a great time of fellowship. PTL!

· Beckie’s Bundle. Since January we have been negotiating to transport a large ‘bundle’ of donations from Beckie of Utah. Then Harriet, a good friend, located DATS Trucking who volunteered to transport the two pallets free of charge. It finally arrived last week at Calvary Church where our angel volunteers processed it for Africa. PTL!

· Reading Glasses. To date Donna has collected 76 pairs from Contemporary Adults’ class! Another member, Jan, lovingly crocheted holders for each pair. Then Donna’s hubby stopped by their eye center. These folks donated even more! We are overwhelmed by generous hearts to help seniors in Africa read their Bibles again! PTL!

· Multivitamins. Rachel Circle collected about 30 bottles/boxes of multivitamins for Sudanese moms-to-be. They also collected empty prescription bottles which we recycle and use to dispense meds at our Mayendit Medical Clinic. PTL!

As I write summer weather is upon us in Phoenix; the whir of AC’s and evap coolers create a sort of ‘mechanical choir’ around town.

Dear Friends of the Persecuted Church,

“BECAUSE I SAID SO!” That was Mother’s most favorite ‘Momism’ growing up. This past Mother’s Day I smiled as I reflected upon her once again. When Mother said those words, we knew it meant, “That is that!” And whatever I was supposed to do – or not do - I did or didn’t do.

So I raised my children accordingly, trying Mother’s phrases such as: “Because I said so!” I’d say it as firmly as possible using my ‘don’t mess with me’ voice. But my kids replied with things like, “Tell me 20 reasons WHY not!” I confess I failed miserably at the art of debate. My children, however, excelled – even won awards. To this day I have never won an argument with them yet!

It’s comforting to know that on the mission field I do not have to debate the Word of God. It speaks for itself. Our African brothers and sisters are watching and listening. More important, our Lord is watching how you and I present His Word to the world. His Word is not a tool that we use to win debates. It is the Good News of salvation. Thank you for your prayers that allow us to share that Good News with the Persecuted Churches of Africa.

PRAYER-N-PRAISE REPORT

MAY 2013

May 2013

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear…. Look at the birds of the air … and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they? …But seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” [Matthew 6: 25-26,33]

Seeking His kingdom,

Charlotte

Hay Mama Charlotte,

“Mary’s house is going well. The roof is almost done…. The rest of the money is coming from our own efforts … as we believe God blesses us in order … to bless others. Mary still works in the market as a ‘tea maker’. Her oldest kids are in school but I doubt they attend daily. Pastor Daniel is in Nairobi [Kenya] … his mother passed away … he went to arrange … the funeral…. The Midwife School will begin … soon. May the Lord strengthen you….”

Katie, Director of Midwife School, Leer

Field Reports

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

KENYA. Ps. Patrick’s 6 new Street Kids

Letter from Katie, director of the Midwife School, with an update on Mary. She is the single mother of 10 I met last time. Her children live in squalor. We gave Katie and Pastor Daniel a little ‘seed money’ to begin building a new house for Mary’s family.

Litchfield Park Baptist Church volunteers

UGANDA. Letter from Teacher Apophiah of Peach Church Preschool, Tororo

Dear Mama Charlotte & Mission,

“ … We are doing well with the children though two have been very sick…. Pastor John took them for blood tests and found them to have typhoid. They are now on treatment….

“ … The 2nd term began May 27th. Pastor John attended the parents’ meeting as we keep 8 orphans…. Beginning this tern the school must provide breakfast and lunch to all children per government policy. Parents/guardians must pay 45,000 per term per child. Can … you support the 8 children in primary schools with 45,000 per child per term … for their meals?

“Also … our landlord increased our house rent from 90,000 shillings to 150,000 per month for the three rooms. We … found a new place for 120,000 per month for four rooms and large enough for all of us and 8 orphans. The new landlord demanded three months rent in advance … Pastor John’s wife sent the money … from her business….”

Apophiah Nissii, Tororo

[Note: we sent money for the Discipleship Workshop]

Letter from Pastor Guy of Phoenix, on our Congo Team, answers a question: “Why go?”

CONGO. Letter from Pastor Delphin, Goma

Dear Bush Mission,

“My family and I are thankful for the financial assistance…. The incentive was helpful for rent and school fees. I have just coming from Rutshuru, the area under rebel rule. I had to go see my mother who was sick and in the hospital…. We thank God because things are better. I … prayed and visited people in the hospital. In Rutshuru town the people are worried [about the rebels] and need prayer. We hope God will open a door for Mama Charlotte to visit us once again.”

In His Love, Pastor Delphin,

SOUTH SUDAN. Mary’s kids, Katie & me

SOUTH SUDAN. Letter from John Kong, Program Coordinator, Unity State

Dear Mama & Bush Mission,

“We are having a mass exodus from North to South Sudan into our area in Unity State … refugees need our help. Resources are stretched to the breaking point … huge poverty [and] very little education as 75% are illiterate ... an explosion of orphans. It’s survival of the fittest. We have a responsibility to show the love of Christ … shelter … feed … love … introduce them to Christ."

Regards, John Kong, Leer

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BushTelegraphAfrica

KENYA. Exciting letter from Pastor Patrick of Busia!

[We wrote Pastor Delphin to tell him that I will be in Goma this July!]

ANGAIM VILLAGE, SOUTH SUDAN. Letter from Pastor Sunlight

Hi Mami & Bush Mission,

“ …. I am going for Disciple Maker in June and need your prayers for the following: transport, food and vegetables. This cost is 700 pounds [$160] …. Topics will be: Meaning of a Disciple; Baptism; Making Other Disciples; Faithfulness; Obedience; Giving; Church Service; Introduction to Missions; Hardship and Blessings; and Love for Others.”

Sincerely, Pastor Sunlight

Donna collects glasses

Dear Mama & Bush Mission,

“… Here is the photo of the 6 street kids I found - 2 girls and 4 boys…. They live with us. They are washed and nearly clean. I bought clothes and everything. They are very happy to sleep on new mattresses and blankets. They went with us to church for the first time. They were very quiet and attentive. My assistant Pastor Emmanuel asked all our children questions. The street kids answered better than our own church kids.

“Here are their names…: 1) Nerea, girl age 6; 2) Abigail, girl age 9; 3) Nevile, boy age 7; 4) Samuel, boy age 10; 5) John, boy age 9; and 6) Meshack, boy age 11. All 6 request, ‘We want to go to school … eat good food … shelter … clean water … clothes … shoes.’ We ask for prayer. ‘Let the children come to Me, do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.’ Mark 10:14’.”

In Christ, Pastor Patrick, Busia

LEER, SOUTH SUDAN

Piecekeepers’ "Sew Day" for dresses for Africa!

BITS-N-PIECES

· Continue to Pray for Pat! Last time we shared that our beloved mission treasurer/secretary, Pat Karsten, was in hospice receiving good care. Due to her condition only the pastor and family are allowed to visit. How I miss my sweet friend! We pray for a ‘touch from the Master’s Hand’.

· Attn. Prayer Partners! We just learned that a donation to BUSH TELEGRAPH, P.O. Box 39383, Phoenix, AZ 85069, was returned. Today I met with postal workers to correct the problem so it will not happen again. If your donation was returned, please RESEND. Our apology.

· Terry Hardy volunteered to serve as ‘temporary treasurer/secretary’ for the mission in Pat’s absence. Thus much of May was spent at banks and in meetings so the transition would flow smoothly. PTL!

· Passports & Mug Shots. I was about to send my Passport off for a Congo Visa when I noticed all the pages were full. The only place in Arizona where one can add extension pages is Tucson so Michelle and I made the trip. The officer explained, “Your Passport expires in 18 months … you’d be wiser to apply for a NEW one - not extension pages.” Off to Walgreens where Mr. Fotoman took two scary Passport mug shots. If you saw them, you’d want to adopt me! But at least I now have a new Passport with lots of pages.

· Family News. Michael, my eldest son, came for a visit before the State Fair in California starts – that’s his busiest time of the year. He a sort of ‘policeman’ there. His last day here was June 1st, my late son Richard’s birthday. So Mike, Michelle, Uncle Roy and I visited Rich’s grave in Mesa to pay our respects. “Lord … thank you for his 28 years.”

· New Steps. Our single-wide mobile home has three entrances with stair-steps that would be most suited at a haunted house. Our Guam kids surprised us with three new solid wooden stair- steps, one for each door. I’d happily run up and down them all day if I could. Even our kitties, Muffin, Snowball and Pepper, are smiling! PTL!

BACKGROUND: You recall the story of ‘The Oliver Twists of Africa’ wherein we told of 200 street kids living on a garbage dump at the Kenyan-Ugandan border. It was our earnest prayer to do something about this. Pastor Patrick met the challenge. Meet his 6 new street kids! It’s a beginning. I cried when I read his letter!

Jay’s donations!