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

Children play a game with bottle caps

UGANDA, KAWEMPE (outside Kampala)

Pastor David & Monicah have two prayer requests:


Dear Mama & Prayer Partners,

       “Thank you for every work you do. We request you to pray for the children: 1) especially the twins Johnson and Peterson. Their biological Grandmother Rose is very sick so they went to the village this morning to see her in Bushenyi District. 2) Also M________ was caught with a stolen phone. He still needs God’s mercy in that area.”

       [We wrote back immediately encouraging words; Pastor David replied as follows:] “Amen, thank you very much for the parental advice. May God bless you and thanks for prayers.” 

Thanks, Pastor David & Mama Monicah               

     [Note: they care for 12 former street kids plus their own 4]

 CONGO

I didn’t make it to Congo this trip, but not for lack of trying. There is a NEW rule that wasn’t posted on their website. By the time I learned about it, it was too late to apply. I would not have received my Passport back in time before flying on July 8th. Pray that our plans to go early next year work out.  

Mama Zawadi translates as Charlotte

teaches in Goma, Congo

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 Dear Father, 

      “We lift up our suffering brothers in prayer before You. You hear the cries of their hearts and work in unseen ways for their good and for furthering Christ’s kingdom. Holy Spirit, we pray for Your comfort to surround them; to remind them of our prayers on their behalf; and to place a hedge of protection around them. We pray for justice in the light of persecution. Strengthen our brothers with Your patience and grace that others might see You in them and turn to You in saving faith. May their suffering not be in vain, but bring much kingdom fruit.” 

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

 [adapted from Open Doors]

        That’s all folks. Check out our website www.bushtelegraphafrica.com for more terrific photos. Lisa does a beautiful job. Sending oceans of love and thanking God for your faithful prayers. Let us know your prayer needs too. Oh dear me, I just looked at my shoes – they’re so dusty! I look like the ‘old woman’ for sure, excuse me.

Planting Kingdom Fruit,

Charlotte

 LOVE NOTES FROM HOME .....

Are my favorite thing. They’re forwarded by sweet Laura. Here’s one:


Dear Charlotte:

     “Janine and I are writing to let you know of our prayers for every one of your visits to churches and to villages.  So hard to believe that you're time in Africa is half over.  So much to process, so much to pray for, and in it all so much to thank God for.  Personally, I am praying for strong churches with strong leadership.  The enemy is relentless, but the VICTORY is with Jesus and His church!”


Love you, Jack & Janine 

UGANDA, BUSIA

Letter from Charlotte on behalf of Mama Jospehine.


       “What fun the kids and I have had these past three busy weeks! The big news is construction of two new - and badly needed – rooms that we are adding onto the house!

* Combination study room (for all) & dorm (for ‘’Big Boys” only); and

* Combination Church & living room. For the past few years Sunday services were held in the old living room – it’s wall-to-wall kids; little room for chairs; and standing room only.

     “George the Builder and his Mighty Men began digging the foundation three weeks ago. Since then the walls are up; cement floors laid (complicated process); Egessa and his crew added 5 windows and 2 doors; and Wilson the Roofer is also busy. I’m proud of our ‘Big Boys’ who pitched in. PRAY that funds permit us to finish the project. I’ll be honest. It’s been a struggle to fund with school fees due; and other ministry obligations. We are trusting God. 

          “When I arrived two weeks ago, there was only one light bulb burning in the house; Mama Jo’s little shop was in shambles with no stock; she was two months behind in the water bill; and children’s bedding needed replacing (mattresses, sheets, blankets, nets) to name a few. For the first time we bought pillows for the Big Kids (they were using couch cushions). Yours truly had her work cut out for her. Add to that 7 new mouths to feed.

          “One of the new orphans is Rehema (a girl, age 10) and her brother Ojambo, age 5. Mama Jo attended a Church Conference and learned they’d been sleeping in the church for two months, not being cared for. Their parents had died of AIDS. Mama Jo cannot tolerate child neglect and brought them home. 

       “Baby Joan, 1 yr, and 3 siblings (Mirembe 8 a girl, Steven 4 and Elvis 3) were living with their grandma after their mother died. Then Grandma died last March. The four kids were living alone. Mama Jo to the rescue. 

       “Then there’s Hussen. He thinks he’s 12. He was living on the street but began taking lunch at Mama Jo’s. When Luz and I visited, he began staying the night. Now he’s part of this ‘Family Circus’. A sweet, loving boy.

       “We gave Mama Jo’s little store a ‘makeover’; restocked popular bulk supplies; sent Moses, the ‘boda-boda’, to the market for veggies. Beds are ready (the ‘Big Girls’ love their new flowered blankets). I took all 15 ‘Big Kids’ shopping for school, plus many other needs. After all, I’m their ‘American Mom’!  PTL - you made it possible.”

In His Service, Charlotte  

KENYA, KAKAMEGA

Letter from Pastor Bernard about his talented daughter!



Dear Bush Friends & Mama,

       “My 12-year old daughter, Annette, started teaching Sunday School … for the first time, using the 
flannelgraph you left us…. We made the ‘Teaching Board’ for her. Annette is a wonderful teacher. Also the Women’s Group received the 10,000 shillings ($100) … towards the purchase of the maize (corn) stalk crusher. Great thanks Mama, for the love you carry for Africa. We are blessed by your ministry.” 


Pastor Bernard, Kakamega

September

Distributing money to buy food to the starving community. $1 = 80 South Sudanese Pounds

SOUTH SUDAN

Pastor Sunlight shares the story of how YOU fed Angaim Village and Torit community.


Dear Bush Mission & Mama,

       “Recently we fed a large number of people in Angaim Village plus others who escaped war in Torit (see August Report for that story)…. In July we met with the Commissioner of Torit to see how we could bring a large quantity of food to the community. The issue was complicated because some were buying food to support the SPLA (led by Nuer VP Machar), enemy of President Kiir’s Dinka soldiers.  

       “I was accused of supporting the rebels because we wished to buy a large amount of food and transport it to the community. We were not allowed to do that. I was brought to National Security Officers. ‘You need documents to support such a massive feeding program,’ they said. We brought documents but no permission was given. I was about to be imprisoned by Kiir’s soldiers for offering food support to the needy community. 

       “The Mayor of Torit intervened ... and advised us not to buy food because government soldiers were hungry and would steal it. The community decided the only way to help them was to give money. Each person would buy their own food equal to the amount we had planned to distribute. We gave 500 Sudanese pounds per household; and reached 201 households in all….  We also paid teachers’ salaries and transport fees. $3,600 helped the starving community of Angaim Village and Torit. We … served all needy persons including elderly and widows. We also distributed the flip-flops you sent at school….

       “In late August I was finally able to leave South Sudan and took 15 orphans from Angaim Village with me. I left 5 kids in Ume Refugee Camp and 10 in Beyali Camp … in northern Uganda. My friend Thomas found 26 orphans from Didiga, Buya, Murule, Toposa and Otuho tribes who … he took to other camps. I bought sandals and clothes for 4 Didiga orphans with nothing to wear. I was also given children who were a burden to relatives who were sick, like Lucy Akaa who suffered a leg wound. Thanks for your financial support, prayers and lives saved.”

Yours faithfully, Pastor Sunlight            

[Note: Sunlight reached Kampala, Uganda, safely. He returns this week  to Refugee Camps to finish registering the 15 orphans].

Sunday services

       Take Mama Josephine. The size of her family jumped this year from 36 kids to 43 - give or take.  You ask, “So is SHE crazy?” The answer is simple. God gave her a unique gift - UNCONDITIONAL LOVE for orphans. If you know anything about African culture, you’d know that it is highly unusual for a mother to love – and care for – someone else’s child. Even if that child belongs to a woman’s husband. No mercy is shown. To the streets they are chased. 

         Mama Josephine’s home is the size of a VERY large shoe – size 443-C. It’s full of noisy kids so only visit if you’re deaf. Furniture is beyond worn; her kitchen serves ‘ugali’ 24/7.

SOUTH SUDAN

Letter from Rev. Stephen who keeps us updated on the situation there.

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

        “Here is new information about Leer. On Saturday government soldiers attacked the Nuer SPLA Headquarters of VP Machar, 25 km from Leer. They killed two elderly men; raped 15 women; and looted community property including 50 head of cattle….”

       “ … What happened last year in 2015 to Leer is happening again now. Many are leaving Leer to Panyinjiar County as it opened last year … people suffered from trauma. South Sudan is in trauma because the community is living in unjust political, economical and social conditions….”

God bless you, Rev Stephen, Moderator SWUNP/Leer  

[Note: he sent names of 9 pastors killed in the war.]

Congo Team, I'll see you next year!

Prayer ~N~ Praise

Report

Annette, age 12, uses flannelgraph (a gift from BTM) to teach

Sunday School.

Pastors Thomas & Sunlight brought a total of  42 Refugee Children out of South Sudan

      And that little girl who once thought the ‘old woman in the shoe’ was crazy? She grew up. Today she thanks God for all the Mama Josephine’s in the world - who care for and love orphans as their very own - as long as they wear beautiful new shoes.  

       Last week I said, “Kids, let’s go shopping for new school shoes!” So ‘my’ 15 ‘Big Kids’ and I went shopping (in small groups). Thank you my friends for helping to BUY these new shoes – and many other things Mama Jo’s precious children need – as you’ll read in the story below.

Rev. Stephen, his lovely wife Regina

&family members

My family today, plus amazing relatives

RWANDA

Pastor Celestin & Team had a successful Child Evangelistic Outreach.


Greetings in the Name of our Lord,

       “… Last month we had a beautiful house-to-house evangelism…. Afterwards … we encouraged families and single families. During our Evangelism Outreach we discovered a big issue about family divorce whereby a husband will remarry and the first wife and children are rejected and left to suffer. We try to reunite these families and encourage them in the Word of God. 

        “Also we used a big room for many children with help from our trainee teachers in Children’s Ministry…. We encouraged using God’s Word and prayed together. Joyce, my wife, is gifted with Children’s Ministry. We are close to the 3rd school term opening so we decided to give pens to children and shared bread and juice.

       “In addition to money from BTM left over last month, Guardian Angel Ministry contributed Francs. It was enough to buy bread, pens and juice. We appreciate [how] the Lord uses you to be a blessing to our ministry and others. We were happy to [meet] Sister Luz … she was a great blessing…. 

        “During August we scheduled: 1) Evangelism at Mahama Burundian Refugee Camp; and 2) Baptism of new converts at Byimana Church. We will be baptizing over 30 new converts. Pray for our trip to Mahama Refugee Camp and the Baptisms…. Thanks and we look forward hearing from you.”


Pastor Celestin, Guardian Angel Ministries

CONGO, GOMA

Inspiring letter of praise from Mama Zawadi of CAAP on Buleusa Refugee Camp.



Dear Mama & Bush Partners,

       “Thank you for the heart of our Lord Jesus and BTM Prayer Partners … and for caring for vulnerable people you have never known, but known to God. That is showing the love of God. I wish you were there to see what I saw in Buleusa, feeding thousands of people. Even community leaders were amazed at that distribution. May God bless … all the Prayer Partners. I’m speechless. I’m praying to God for you as we still need you. May the Lord bless what you are doing for people in need…. Congo … is not secure now…. We wish to see you again. This is in our prayer.”


God bless you, Mama Zawadi, CAAP, Goma, Congo

 [Note: see Buleusa Distribution Report Special Insert Page. The lists we received contained 1,449 names (each representing a household) with 52 pages of signatures; most used finger prints due to illiteracy.]  

Jack, Janine & Charlotte at 2015 ICOM, USA

Ten of Sunlight's 15 refugee children at Kirandongo Refugee Camp

       ‘It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood…” – in this case, here in Lubowa, Uganda, where I’m writing you from. Attention American kids - it’s back to school for you.  I can hear your mom shouting for joy from 10,000 miles away. Study hard!  

       Mama Josephine’s Kenyan orphans (there are 6) started back to school this week, however, the Ugandan orphans are on vacation until late September. Gentle reminder to their loving sponsors: that’s right, school fees are due. (Ugg! Hope that news doesn’t spoil your day?)

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)

Pray for our brothers in Leer, South Sudan

Mama Josephine, Charlotte & some of her children who live in the BIG BIG shoe

Bush Telegraph Missions

©copyright 2016

Mama Jo's 'Big Girls' love to shop for shoes & other things high school girls need

 When I was young, I thought “The old woman who lived in a shoe who had so many children…”  was crazy! “Who wants that many kids – and live in a SHOE?” I reasoned. Years passed. One day I woke up and realized I was a mother to 5 children. God gave me an elephant-sized love for them – and all kids - but forget about living in a shoe. 

       Over the years I’ve lived in everything from tents, campers and airplane hangers to huts, slums and refugee camps. Oh yes, even under the stars. But never in a shoe. What have I missed?