Serving the Persecuted Church in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa
Giving out clothes at Kakuma Refugee Camp."
"Sunlight & Charlotte board the bus in Kampala, Uganda."
"Pastor Patrick's 6 orphans plus one neighbor"
USA. PIECEKEEPERS HOST A SEW DAY!
Dear Prayer Partners,
“We wish you could have been a fly on the wall! Last Saturday 30+ busy sewing bees from several churches as well as Calvary Community, sewed dresses for ‘Little Girls for Africa! Machines were singing like a canary. The grand total? 90 and counting (some will finish at home). A fun day for Jesus!”
Thank you Piecekeepers & President Carol!
Walking & Riding - even on Buses - Through Valleys & Muddy Roads,
Charlotte
"The children fill the water containers."
UGANDA, BUSIA. Mama Josephine’s 46 children are all headed back to school as their holiday is over.
Dear Mama & Bush Friends,
“The children are home for the holidays and helping with house work. They go back September 18 for 3rd and final term. Those who sat for exams are Ajambo, Selina and Richard. They will not receive their report cards until the term opens. Attached are report cards of Ugandan children. Christine’s children struggled with studies due to the long time they were not in school. It was difficult for them to catch up with their school friends but next time they are going to study harder. Kenyan children began on August 28. Thank you so much for the wonderful work of Christ that you are doing.”
Yours in love,
Mama Josephine & Family
[Note. Total school fees for Josephine & Christine = $6,700.]
"Victor and family moved to Kiryandongo Camp."
"Charlotte, Vicky, Ramsey & family."
"Dozens of 18-wheelers in mud up to the axels - some overturned."
KENYA ELECTIONS. Update from Mission Network News.
Dear Friends,
“The losing candidate of Kenya’s recent presidential election has challenged the results in court. The results showed President Uhuru Kenyatta surpassing opposition leader Raila Odinga, of the National Super Alliance Coalition, by over one million votes. Suspicions of interference began when the official overseeing the process was found murdered just before the vote took place. Kenya’s Supreme Court announced that the results from August 8 would be nullified due to irregularities in the electoral process. A revote is scheduled for November. Pray that Christians will approach the ballots to take part in God’s plan for the next leader.”
Mission Network News
KIRYANDONGO REFUGEE CAMP. Pastor Victor, who works with Pastor Sunlight, is from Angaim Village, South Sudan. He and his family recently moved to Kiryandongo Refugee Camp to further his education.
Dear Mama & Bush Friends,
“Pastor Sunlight and I are doing a great ministry here. Last weekend 50 adults and 85 children received Jesus Christ in Bidi-Bidi Refugee Camp. During school holidays we are preaching in camps so that South Sudanese refugees will transform their communities when they return home after the war.
“I am here temporarily, Mama, with my family at the camp. I have a vision and plan to minister in rural communities, particularly Angaim Village, as the Bible is not an ordinary book. Pastor Peter is now the Principal at Zion School in Angaim Village. I will complete my high school education and get a diploma in theology. Thank you, Mama, I am proud of your encouragement. Keep holding us all up in prayer, that God’s plan will happen.”
Pastor Victor, former Principal, Zion Primary School, Angaim Village, South Sudan
"Thank you Nairobi Baptist Church for the clothes."
SEPTEMBER 2017
Bush Telegraph Missions
© 2017
KENYA, BUSIA. Pastor Patrick took his 6 orphans home to his village during the election to keep them safe.
“Thank you for praying for peace in Kenya before and after the election. A high school boy in Busia was killed by a mob after he said he knew the President would win. The 6 children began school today. I kept them at my home village where they were safe during the election. They enjoyed eating sugar cane, avocados and mangoes. The church continues door-to-door evangelism and having a village crusade. It is very small so some sit outside. Yesterday Elder Tom told old members to leave seats inside for guests. Old members are sitting outside. In two weeks we will have baptisms for new believers. May God bless BTM.”
Blessings,
Pastor Patrick
"Columbe, Pastor Delphin's daughter, with Baby Akila."
As we sped along the bus rocked dangerously back and forth. He dared not lose traction. “Lord! We’re going to roll over!” My toes, legs, eyes and hands were crossed in prayer. I couldn’t breathe. Sunlight slept peacefully on. Then it happened. The bus got stuck on the top of the ridge. 50+ passengers exited the bus (except for a few sleeping beauties and Sunlight) and gave a mighty push. We rocked the bus out of the rut and soon were on our way.
Well, this narrow humped ridge continued for perhaps a mile. Finally we reached the end of this hellish ‘sea of mud’ as our driver sped out onto a dry dirt road. “Lord … we’re still ALIVE!” Not another vehicle was in sight, coming or going. It remained that way for hours until we were 40-50 km outside Juba. Then and only then did we begin to see other vehicles.
"Pastor Delphin's younger children playing in Rugamba."
"New uniforms for 120 of the 430 students."
"Thank you Bush Telegraph for the rafia to make baskets."
Prayer-N-Praise
Report
KENYA, NAIROBI. Late last year we challenged Nairobi Baptist Church to donate clothes to Kakuma Refugee Camp. When I returned to the USA, Vicky and Ramsey Vule, missionary colleagues, took over the project; collected and sorted the clothes. Finally Ramsey took them to Kakuma Camp to distribute.
Hi Charlotte & Bush Mission Friends,
“Ramsey went to Kakuma Refugee Camp on August 20 to do translation work and clothes distribution. The clothes were such a blessing to the refugees. Ramsey called me from Kakuma last night and said that 60 new Sudanese refugee men walked into the camp on Friday. They started out with 100 refugees but 40 died along the way (even women) and 6 were taken. These 60 men arrived torn, sick and with bleeding feet. Ramsey was able to give them all new clothes from the distribution. What a blessing!”
God bless you my friend!
Ramsey & Vicky
We arrived in Juba about 6 am. I was exhausted; a bundle of nerves but Sunlight appeared smiling, rested and refreshed. We gathered our luggage; boarded ‘matatu’ (passenger van); and headed to Torit arriving about 9 pm. We rested that night at the home of Missionaries Jordan and Andrea. The next day we were off to Angaim Village on ‘piki-pikis’ (motorbike). No road. We aimed the bikes between trees, hills, rocks and bushes. But that’s another story.
This bus trip was both a physical and spiritual journey. It caused me to meditate on the physical and spiritual journeys our African brothers suffer in their daily lives – especially in war zones. With your help we take their hands and lead them to Jesus. Thank you for your love and prayers that makes future journeys possible. But don’t worry, you and the Lord are right there with us every step of the way!
My eyes never closed. About 2 am we reached THE SPOT. In the pale moonlight, as far as my eyes could see, there they were - dozens and dozens of large transport vehicles – 18 wheelers, huge trailers, oil tankers – in the mud up to their axels and higher. Some overturned. My heart went out to drivers and their crew wandering about in the dark.
"Sylvia is Mama Josephine's full-time helper."
"Elijah and the children at the Crusade in Western Uganda."
"Thank you Bush Telegraph for the new desks."
"Missionaries Jordan and Andrea welcomed us in Torit."
Parked at the edge of this ‘sea of mud’ was an impressive row of buses – who, like us, could go no further. Sunlight, of course, slept through it all. Our driver, perhaps inspired by that powerful prayer, was not to be deterred. “Lord … is this good or bad? Are you watching?”
Making matters worse (as if they could be), on either side of this washed-out road was tall marshy grasses. But beneath the grass was swamp water. Between the swamp and the washed-out road, was a narrow ridge, perhaps 5 ft wide and rounded at the top. Not flat. Our driver backed up and hit the gas, heading straight for this narrow ridge. I braced myself.
SOUTH SUDAN. Pastor Sunlight with news from Angaim Village School, his family & the refugee camps.
Dear Bush Mission Friends & Mama,
“Greetings from me and Pastor Peter in South Sudan. Students are on holiday for two weeks. They and their parents came to a meeting including the Payam Chief, Payam Education Inspector and others. I addressed them by phone from Kampala, Uganda. Everyone clapped. Pastor Peter brought a camera from Missionary Ray and took pictures. Parents promised to bring their children up in the Lord.
“We are grateful for every help given to support Zion School in Angaim Village. It is the only school now operating in the whole Payam [8 districts] out of 6 primary schools in Himodonge. We see fruits of taking the Gospel to Kakuma, Kiryandongo, Bidibidi and Baratogu Refugee Camps. The 15 children at the Kiryandongo Refugee Camp have done well at school. I will see them and send their Report cards later. They are the best children. Thank you for your support and prayers for them.
“Thank you also for your prayers for my family. Humo is in 1st grade; Dan in 3rd grade; and Peace Charlotte in Kindergarten. John is in 1st year of high school. We are so thankful to BTM for providing their school fees of 2,080,000 shillings ($570). I began my final term at Africa Bible University….
“Here’s how we used the money you sent Zion School: 1) 120 school uniforms; 2) clothes for 12 teachers (trousers, shirts, T-shirts); 3) printing name of school on uniforms; and 4) a phone for Pastor Peter so he can communicate from Sudan. Total: 1,846,000 ($500). One liter of fuel (gas) now costs 900 pounds ($143) on the black market. Peter has to keep gas in the motorbike for emergencies or if someone gets sick.”
Glory to God,
Pastor Sunlight
"Heart of Care School."
"The 'traditional ambulance' carries Mekusha to the clinic to have her baby."
UGANDA, KAMPALA. Mama Monicah’s children went on an evangelistic outreach during school holidays.
Dear Bush Friends & Mama,
“Our older children left for an Evangelism Mission in Western Uganda with Evangelist Elijah (who has been teaching them at home) during school holidays. They lead praise and worship, usher and sing. The girls who went are Salima, Monica and Evaline. A local pastor hosted them at his house. They went to Bushenyini and will come back in a week. They plan to take the gospel to villages as many there live in witchcraft.
“The children are also helping old people clean their homes, wash their clothes and pray for them. Many old people in Uganda are neglected with nobody to care for them, especially in villages. Please your prayers are needed for what the lord is doing in our children’s lives. Most pastors only preach in town because in the village they can’t get money. It’s a voluntary work for God. Pray for God's provision and grace to do the work. Evangelist Elijah just phoned to say that today he baptized more than 30 people. He had a good service teaching. Tomorrow he and the children are going door-to-door in the village. Thanks for prayer. We love you.”
Mama Monicah, Kampala
"50 adults and 85 children received Jesus!"
"New clothes for 12 teachers."
"Taking the 'piki-piki' to Angaim Village."
KENYA, GITHURAI. Pastor White tells how Heart of Care School began.
Dear Friends & Mama,
“The Heart of Care School began in January, 2014 with 30 children, but it has increased to 120 kids today. They are all vulnerable children from the community. That's two classes in one room. Hence a problem for teachers to teach properly as required by the Ministry of Education. The school operates in a small space. Also learning materials are not enough. Five kids share one text book. In previous years we used volunteer teachers which didn't stay long due to lack of pay. The total number of teachers required to teach is 10, but we only have 5. Pray God will open ways for us because we've a heart for orphans. Our Vision: ‘To give the lost hope to the orphans, vulnerable & destitute children in the community.’ We thank God for Mama Charlotte and Bush Telegraph who have been a blessing since we started.”
God Bless You,
Pastor White
"The Education Officer addresses the school."
"Swamps were on either side of the road."
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
CONGO. Pastor Delphin is a grandpa!
Dear Bush Mission & Mama,
“I arrived in Goma. Tomorrow we have the ‘Women-at-Risk’ meeting. We bought raffia so they can make baskets to sell in the market to support their families. My daughter, Columbe, had her first baby - a boy named Akila. My eldest daughter, Delch Nita, miscarried. She asked to return home as she was living with her husband in his parent’s home. We accepted. Pray that God heals her body and restores her soul. Thank you for your kindness to be close to us in such situations. My children need $150 for school at Rugamba Village. Johanan - 3rd year high school; Teddy - 1st year high school; Jabez - 3rd grade; Azur - 2nd. We also need $800 to finish building our house: we need timbers, cement and iron sheets. Stones and others things we find locally.
“At Rugamba Church, Mukesha (church member) had her baby last Sunday. It was a complicated delivery in a banana garden. She is Mama Jeanne Foibe's daughter-in-law. They put her in a ‘traditional ambulance’ (a straw stretcher) and four ladies carried her to the clinic. An hour later we received wonderful news – Mama Jeanne Foibe had a new grandson! Remember Felician, the elderly man I told you about? I can see him lying down in front of his house as he was very ill. Please pray for him. We will anoint him with oil.”
In His Amazing Grace,
Pastor Delphin
[Note. We are in the process of sending the money needed.]
PART 3. “THE BUS THAT ALMOST WASN’T”.
Last time I left you sitting on the edge of your seat! So there we were, Pastor Sunlight and I, barreling down a narrow dirt road towards Juba, South Sudan. Before departure the Conductor warned us: “The road to Juba may be washed out ….” Before leaving he prayed for us, ending with “In Jesus Name, amen.” Soon Sunlight nodded off, his head moving around like a bobble. I’ve learned that Africans can sleep even standing on their heads or any position, anywhere, any time.
"30+ gals sewed 90+ little girl dresses for Africa."
"30 people were baptized."
"Parents enjoy the program."
"The Women At Risk with Pastor Delphin meet at EDEN Church."
"Pray that the second election will be God's plan."