Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
Dear Lord,
“We stand in prayer alongside our brothers and sisters in Persecuted Areas. We pray … that You will provide them with shelter, food and safety. ‘Hide them in the shelter of your wings.’ Strengthen Your church with … Your Word, mercies and compassion that are ‘new every morning.’
“In the midst of their trials, pour out Your grace that Your gospel might spill over into the lives of those around them, even their enemies. And, we pray for an end to war in Sudan that they might know peace and that those living in spiritual darkness, opposed to Christ, might repent. One day may Your Kingdom extend to every square inch of Africa!”
[Adapted from Open Doors]
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Thankfully Serving at ‘The Corner of Unhappy & Unhealthy’,
Charlotte
* Our Partners, Pastor Delphin of EDEN Church and
John with L2R, have worked tirelessly for months
preparing detailed charts to identify sites, areas and
names of the most vulnerable people: especially in
refugee camps (see opening story).
Jack & Janine at ICOM (Int'l Conference on Missions) in Oct-Nov
4. Praise to Carol & Jean Marie for sending out the last Prayer-N-Praise Report while I was in Africa;
and for sharing their hotel room at ICOM.
* My exciting mission outreach to Africa this year was shorter than usual for two reasons:
8. Praise to Laura for heading up the Prayer Warrior Team and forwarding Reports;
* Container #1 (Food) arrived in Goma amid many com-
plications due to Congo government rules and regs that
are out of our control; and unknown to our Partners
ahead of time.
BITS-N-PIECES
RWANDA FOOTNOTE:
Letter from Charlotte – ‘a GOD THING’.
Dear Praying Partners,
“A little over a week ago I was with Pastor Celestin and his precious family in Kigali. I was supposed to go to Rwanda BEFORE Congo. But due to the death his father, we changed the itinerary and I took the first bus to Congo. It turned out to be a ‘God Thing’ as serious issues had arisen concerning the 1st Container that demanded immediate attention. I needed to be there in person with my Congolese Partners to deal with Government officials in Goma. Things there were complicated beyond belief – and wheels turned slowly. ‘Lord … thank you for working in mysterious ways’.”
In His Service, Charlotte
7. Praise to Carol & Gloria for preparing the Prayer-N-Praise Report envelopes;
2) This year’s ICOM (Int’l Conference on Missions) in
Lexington, Virginia, usually held in late November,
was moved up nearly a month early. I arrived home
just in time to unpack and repack for ICOM. We'll
share that inspiring report next time.
9. Praise to Lisa, my sweet daughter-in-law, for a beautiful job on the mission website. Pray as John and
Lisa move from their Washington west coast base to a new Naval assignment in Illinois; and
3. Praise for your endless prayers, support and care in 2015. I wouldn't be where I am today were it not
for Him using you in my life. I appreciate and love you all so much!
Prayer ~N~ Praise
Report
ICOM opening night
Pastor Sunlight & Charlotte
Mama Josephine with three of her high school boys
UGANDA
Letter from Pastor David & Monicah who keep 12 former street kids plus their own 3.
Dear Bush Friends & Mama,
“… Thank you very much for coming to our home and our church. We were so blessed by your message. Thank you for the support you give to us…. We pray you reached well in Sudan and we pray that God may bless you so much. May He be with you wherever you go in Jesus’ name. We love you so much. Send our greetings to everybody.”
Thank you, Pastor David & Family
October & November
Pastor Delphin, far Rt., with Mama Elizabeth (his wife), and Zawadi, who usually served as my interpreter
Pastor Celestin & family with taxi driver (two children not pictured)
Carol making a super salad for Piecekeepers' sewers
"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart" psalms 111:1
Bush Telegraph Missions
© copyright 2015
USA. FROM THE MAILBOX
Encouraging words from Missionaries Jack & Janine Swanson of Chile. They are referring to the last Prayer-N-Praise Report forwarded by dear Laura:
Dear Charlotte & Laura:
“God's message was so clear and His call through you! Your health need, Laura, is in my prayer journal and in my heart, as is your Africa trip and needs, Charlotte.
“So many dark realities of life and praises to go with them: Schooling; orphanages of love; Jesus' huge Body in motion; violence; rape; hurt; starvation; corruption; persecution; faithlessness & faith; shipments of love and supplies; a new care-giving house; a special little Joseph and his need of a family's love and acceptance; a donation from the heart; mobilized U.S. Christians; ‘Home Fires’ of family and friends; and God's very presence in the Mahama Refugee Camp.”
In God's touch & healing through His world-wide body till Jesus' return,
Jack & Janine
John, 2nd from Rt, and Partners
6. Praise to Charlene for sending out Mama Josephine’s school reports;
1. There’s so much more to tell; I’m just getting started. Sadly I’m pressured for time having just
returned from Africa and immediately packing for ICOM. Oh dear, the house looks like a warzone!
USA: EARLY THANKSGIVING PRAISES
2. Praise for your most welcome emails which I read after returning home as I was beyond civilization
most of the time. What fun to find a full inbox of messages; encouraging words; and feel your love.
* Container #2 (Misc. Relief Supplies) just arrived in
Dar es Salaam, about 75 miles from the Goma,
Congo, border. It will be trucked by road, through
Rwanda.
Some of our CAAP partners present me with a beautiful dress
RWANDA
Letter from Pastor Celestin whose beloved father passed away.
Dear Bush Prayer Partners,
“My biological father, Pastor Laban, was sick on Monday. Tuesday I received a phone call from my nephew that I should come to take him to the hospital. I went and found he was taken already…. I was with him the since yesterday, all night and also today. He passed at 4 p.m. at Gihundwe Hospital.
“My father’s ancestral home is Cyangugu. It’s far from Kigali and where he lived with my mother, Susan, who is physically disabled. My father died at 80 years. He spent most of his life serving God as a pastor…. During his last moments I prayed with him for one hour, then his heart stopped. I called for my dear wife, Joyce, who joined me for the funeral in the home village. I also spent time with my mother to comfort her. I stopped all my work and annual vacation to be with my family, especially my mother. My father began pastoring … in 1959 and preached until the end.”
Pastor Celestin
1) Container #2 left for Africa only a few days before
me – I couldn’t leave the USA until it was en route to
Congo; and
2015
10. Praise to Michelle, my dear daughter, who had a long ‘to do’ list while Mom was away. She picked
me up at the airport asking, “Mom, what’s this? Only two suitcases - compared to the dozen you left
with?” I assured her that all supplies had blessed hundreds. At home, all was well – except for one
deader-than-a-doornail plant. “Sorry Mom … it was on top of the cabinet … didn’t see.” A final
praise to our adorable little Charlie for doggy licks and tail wags which said: “Welcome home.”
5. Praise to Marcia for keeping the mission books straight;
Dear Friends of the Persecuted Church,
Just back from ‘The Corner of UNhappy and UNhealthy’ – to borrow a popular Walgreen’s pharmacy slogan. Now why on earth would I say a thing like that? Because I’ve just returned from Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Congo and Rwanda – 5 countries in 3 months - by BUS – traveling thousands of miles, night and day. The following story sums up what we're talking about:
CONGO. Widow Mary Poppins, 70ish years old (she's not sure), lived in Chocolate Chip Refugee Camp (names are changed for security reasons). This camp is so deep into forests and mountains that even missionaries and NGO's can’t reach it. Roads, destroyed by rain, are not maintained. Plus missing or broken bridges; mud slides; and roaming rebel groups. The refugees I saw needed everything – where do you begin? So many people. So many needs. No one to help.
Our driver, Zaire, commented: “I was born in this area … drove these roads for 32 years.” We were in good hands in his 4 X 4. I prayed as we passed stranded vehicles along the way.
We entered Mary Poppin’s hut and squatted on large rocks. Zawadi, part of our Team, translated. “My husband and 12 children were killed in the war ... I have grandchildren but … don’t know where they are.” The hut was so small our knees touched; the grass wall brushed against our backs. I peeked through a rotting curtain to check out Mary’s bed: a torn, soiled mat and rags.
“I came from a village at the base of that mountain,” she explained as she pointed a shaky finger. “It’s called 'the place of gold' so there was war … rebels burned down our village. Those who survived ran away … I was naked when I arrived here 5 years ago. The Leader of Chocolate Chip Camp built me this hut…. I am wearing my only clothes. At night I wash them out (no soap) and put them back on the next day – even if they’re wet. I have no access to water or wood for cooking … so I climb a mountain … there’s a river on the other side with bushes; I cut them down and carry to camp.”
This was but one ‘Corner of UNhappy and UNhealthy’ where God allowed me to witness and share the Gospel. Our mission? To bring hope to the hopeless. The Lord, plus YOUR love and prayers, gave us the ways and means. Pray for Mary Poppins and thousands like her in Congo refugee camps. This Thanksgiving we thank God for the two Containers that will be distributed there.
* Praise God for our new partner, CAAP, who is
providing a secure compound for our two containers.
CAAP also provided transport during my time in
Congo and facilitated the Project in many ways,
including financially due to unexpected government
taxes. My wonderful translator, Zakawi, is part of the
CAAP Team.
SOUTH SUDAN/UGANDA
Letter from Pastor Sunlight of Sudan, studying in Uganda.
Dear Bush Telegraph Partners & Mama,
“Greetings in the Lord Jesus. We appreciate your loving concern for Angaim Village and community for the school project. [‘School Report’ on Insert page]. Last week I was at the South Sudan Embassy in Kampala, Uganda, to apply for two documents. Peter (friend) and I preached to the Director of Immigration who was issuing the Passport and National Identity card. When staff tried to enter, she told them to leave. Two hours later she confessed Christ in her office.
“I received a report from my friend Ezekiel Abraham about the Nuba Mountains in North Sudan.... He said that war … has displaced thousands of people affected by: 1) War; 2) Displaced from their homes; 3) Traumatized; 4) Malnourished children; 5) Disabled children; and 6) Many orphans.
“Ezekiel expressed his love for missions and for the ministry of Christ. He wants to study law but prayerfully hopes to welcome me in the Nuba Mountains for an assessment.” [Read more about Nuba Mountains in Open Doors’ Report on Special Insert Page.]
Thanks for your prayers, Pastor Sunlight
Pastor Celestin at his father's bedside
Pastor David, Monicah, 12 former street kids, their own 3 kids & one helper