This one entitled “The Ancient War Cry” is a heart moving exhortation for us all to passionately and rightly proclaim the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost whom are enslaved by sin and Satan. Their only hope, as ours, is Jesus Christ!
"And He (Jesus) said to them (His disciples-you and me), “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."-Mark 16:15
This one entitled “Intercession” highlights the greatest intercessor-Jesus. A intercessor is “one who stands in the gap”. As followers of King Jesus we too are called to be intercessors… “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit…” (Jude 1:20).
"...praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,..." (Ephesians 6:18 )
Merry Christmas from Carol and me and from my Reaching Africa’s Unreached co-workers Patrick, Abraham, and Sam. May your Christmas be filled with the joy of Immanuel (God with us)!
For followers of Christ, Christmas is the celebration of something that historically took place, is miraculous—God humbling Himself to become man, and opens the way for the salvation of sinners like you and me. It is the day when we remember the birth of our Savior—our Savior, the eternal second member of the Trinity; at the same time He became a man who lived on this earth in complete obedience to the Father, died for sinners on the cross, was raised from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of God the Father! Note Jesus words in John 1:1-3 &14: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. . . . And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (literally “tabernacled among us”), and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Christmas is time for remembering these truths and rejoicing in our Savior!
God’s blessings have been with us! As many of you know, in 2010 several Ugandan pastors and I established Reaching Africa’s Unreached (R.A.U.)! R.A.U.’s expressed goal is to strengthen local churches and pastors through Biblical exposition in the fundamentals of the Christian faith so that they are better equipped to shepherd their flocks and plant churches in the many unreached villages of North Uganda, South Sudan, and Northeast Democratic Republic of Congo. On many occasions I have heard pleas from pastors for sound biblical instruction and quality Christian literature. We have had opportunity to hosts dozens of conferences, distribute several thousand good Christian books and distribute five hundred Study Bibles to church leaders. Discipleship is paramount in the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18-20). We hope to do much more of this by God’s grace!
One of R.A.U.'s many pastor's conferences.There is a great hunger for good solid Christian literature!2 Timothy 2:2
R.A.U. will also continue to seek to show the love of Jesus through various mercy ministries. There have been some very serious conflicts in all three of these countries for many decades. The Bible calls us to be “zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14)! The needs remain great and the Lord has positioned us strategically here to be His hands and feet. As my friend Kevin Turner, President of SWI, has aptly said, “We are called to bring a two fisted gospel (to passionately preach the gospel and actively participate in mercy ministries)!” The most important thing we can do during our lifetimes is to ardently and faithfully proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed!
There are many opportunities to show the love of Jesus!
I have had the privilege of making numerous relationship building trips to this region since 2006. They have been an extreme blessing in so many ways! Through these trips a rapport as been built with many Christian brethren, pastors, tribal leaders, and local/regional government leaders. The Lord has used these connections to open many doors of ministry for R.A.U.
In January of this year the Lord providentially granted us the opportunity to purchase 12 acres one mile south of the border of South Sudan and five miles north of Moyo North Uganda. South Sudan became the world’s newest country this last July. At our web site you can find the story of how the Lord connected the many “dots” to make this purchase possible. The Lord is to be praised! This land’s strategic location will enhance R.A.U.’s ability to bring in pastors, church leaders, church planters, and evangelists for retreats/conferences and for Biblical encouragement (See 2 Timothy 2:2). The R.A.U. compound will also serve as a base of operations to launch such conferences throughout North Uganda, South Sudan, Northeast Democratic Republic of Congo, and Lord willing further North. Furthermore, the twelve acres gives opportunity to have a Medical/Dental Clinic, Orphan Care Center, Christian Day School for children, and a Vocational Training Center for adults with Micro-Finance opportunities. It now also looks as if we will have an opportunity to purchase 3-4 adjoining acres. Our plan is to plant numerous fruit bearing trees (mainly Mango and Orange trees) on the 12-16 acres which would bring in a future income to help supplement our ministry efforts.
This past summer we began earnest work on the land. The Lord has granted us the means, through the faithful gifts and hard work of His people, to pour a slab for the Guesthouse, build a perimeter fence, and to construct a number of homes on some nearby land for refugee families which had been living on our newly purchased land. We have also have been able to build a traditional African home (tukalo) near the future Guesthouse for co-worker Sam Nyombi. Sam is a Registered Nurse and will live there to help watch over the property and aid in ministry outreaches. Pictures and details of this building work can be found on the “Picture” page on the website.
Working on the RAU Guesthouse slabCompleted Guesthouse slab
It is Carol’s and my hope that we will be able to move into the Guesthouse sometime in 2012. For this move to take place, the Guesthouse will need to be completed. This is where we will make our new home and begin to learn the local language, Madi, and to serve and participate in the local church. The Guesthouse will also allow us to host ministry teams and will be the headquarters of R.A.U. Carol and I know the Lord has been preparing us in numerous ways all of our lives for this calling. Please be in prayer for us as we work towards this move. The hardest part for us is leaving our many friends and dear family. With the birth of our first granddaughter this year this has been made even clearer to us. Thank you for your prayers, much grace is needed!
Our beautiful granddaughter !
With the inflation rate over 70% in South Sudan, over 30% in Uganda and a bad economy in the USA building has been challenging on this pristine piece of bush land. Nevertheless, the Lord has graciously provided for each step we have taken and I know He will continue to do so. To those of you who have sacrificially given –Thank you!
Below is a list of the most immediate needs/goals for your prayers. Please also pray about partnering financially with us. We commit to use each dollar faithfully for the Lord’s glory! When moved, Carol and I would love to host you in a short term ministry outreach!
Completion of Guesthouse: $30,000.00 +-
Drill a well/water storage tanks: $7-10,000.00
Durable used 4 wheel drive vehicle. This vehicle is a necessity for the type of ministry in which we will be involved. We have been told the best vehicle to get is a Toyota Land Cruiser with a snorkel breather (for crossing streams) and a winch. We will be selling our car and truck here ($15,000+-) to help pay for this vehicle. A used Toyota Land Cruiser runs from $30-40,000 …ouch!
Fruit Trees (They begin to bear fruit in about six years): $5,000.00+
Moving Costs: unknown at this time
All gifts are tax deductible. Information on how to give securely through PayPal can be found at our website. Checks may be written to “Lifegate Ministries-R.A.U.” and mailed to:
Jacob Lee-RAU
3063 North Highway 123 Bypass Apt. 415
Seguin, Texas 78155
Blessings,
Jacob Lee
Let us work together to spread the FAME of King Jesus throughout South Sudan, Northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and North Uganda!!
South Sudan’s foreign minister has warned his country is on the brink of war with Sudan following days of fierce fighting along the border.
Nhial Deng Nhial told the BBC Sudanese forces had invaded the town of Jau, which was in the south.
He urged the international community to intervene and said he hoped full-scale hostilities could still be avoided.
South Sudan seceded from the north in July following years of civil war in which some 1.5m people died.
The border between the north and south has not yet been officially designated.
Since July Khartoum and Juba have accused each other of supporting rebels in the border areas.
‘Tanks and aircraft’
Mr Deng Nhial said the clashes in Jau, which he said was a town in Unity state, were the biggest threat to peace since South Sudan’s independence.
“Although there have been frequent aerial bombardments of different places in the Republic of South Sudan, we think that Khartoum has raised this offensive to an entirely new level by committing ground forces to cross into the Republic of South Sudan,” he told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme.
“We are still very much committed to the principle of dialogue with Khartoum – we are still hopeful that we can pull back from the brink of outright war.”
Earlier, Col Philip Aguer, spokesman for South Sudan’s army – the South People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) – told the BBC that Khartoum had used tanks and long-range artillery in the offensive on Jau, which started on Saturday.
Outstanding secession issues
• Blue Nile and South Kordofan have not had popular consultations about their future, due before the split
• Abyei has not held a referendum on whether to join north or south, due before the split
• Sharing oil revenues
• Exact border demarcation
Antonov aircraft had also bombed the area, he said.
Southern troops had now recaptured the town, but Sudanese soldiers were still in South Sudan, he said.
“This is a war situation and if they don’t withdraw, the SPLA will force them out,” Col Aguer told the AFP news agency.
Across the border in the state of South Kordofan, Sudan’s army has for several months been battling rebels, who once fought against Khartoum during the civil war.
South Kordofan is one of several border areas which failed to hold popular consultations about their future ahead of South Sudan’s independence.
Mr Deng Nhial denied accusations that his government was supporting the rebels in the northern border areas, known as the SPLM-North.
“We had been associated with the SPLM-North during the years of our struggle. After independence we severed all military ties with our units in the north and we didn’t provide any additional equipment,” he said.
The foreign minister said it was important that the border be properly demarcated.
“Khartoum continues to drag its feet although we are agreed that close to 80% of the border is no longer in dispute,” he said.
Burning tyres sent palls of smoke over areas in Kinshasa loyal to Etienne Tshisekedi
There have been appeals for calm in the Democratic Republic of Congo following the victory of President Joseph Kabila in disputed elections.
Main opposition candidate Etienne Tshisekedi has rejected official results and declared himself the winner, raising fears of violence.
Mr Tshisekedi along with the EU, the US, Britain, France and former colonial power Belgium appealed for calm.
Riot police are patrolling the capital, Kinshasa, and gunshots have been heard.
The city, in the west of the country, is an opposition stronghold and columns of smoke were seen rising over districts backing Mr Tshisekedi as groups of young men burned tyres.
On Friday evening, election commission chief Daniel Ngoy Mulunda announced that President Kabila had gained 49% of the vote against 32% for Mr Tshisekedi.
Many shops and stalls in Kinshasa’s markets have been closed for most of the week as the country awaited the results, which were delayed by several days.
We have done our own calculations and I received 54% to Kabila’s 26%. His term is finished. I am the president”
Etienne Tshisekedi Opposition candidate
Meanwhile, in areas loyal to President Kabila, mainly in the east of the country, residents cheered and supporters staged victory parades.
“I reject these results, and in fact I see them as a provocation against our people,” said 78-year-old Mr Tshisekedi.
“It is scandalous and vulgar. We have done our own calculations and I received 54% to Kabila’s 26%. His term is finished. I am the president.”
Mr Tshisekedi later appealed to his supporters to “stay calm and peaceful”.
However, he added that he was waiting to see if diplomatic efforts would change the situation.
The army says it has about 20,000 soldiers on standby in Kinshasa. The atmosphere in the city is said to be tense.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for “any differences regarding the provisional results of the polls to be resolved peacefully through available legal and mediation mechanisms”.
The French Foreign Ministry appealed for peace, saying: “France calls on all Congolese political players to show restraint and a spirit of responsibility.”
US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Washington was calling on DR Congo’s leaders and their supporters “to act responsibly, to renounce violence, to resolve any disagreements they might have through peaceful dialogue”.
Who is Joseph Kabila?
40 years old
Born in a rebel camp in eastern DR Congo – where he enjoys most of his support
Spent his childhood in Tanzania
His father, Laurent Kabila, overthrew long-time ruler Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997
He first became president after his father’s assassination in 2001
Oversaw the signing of a peace accord in 2002 to end a five-year conflict involving several other nations
Became DR Congo’s first freely elected leader in 2006, winning a run-off poll with 58% of the vote
His campaign slogan was: “Five building sites of the republic”
The announcement of the results had been delayed since Tuesday, with election officials blaming logistical problems.
Four other candidates have said the election was rigged and should be annulled.
International observers said the vote was flawed but stopped short of calling it fraudulent. Most said the irregularities were not enough to change the outcome.
Deadly clashes marred the period leading up to the election and thousands of foreigners and Congolese have fled the country for fear of further violence.
Mr Kabila, 40, has been president since 2001 following the death of his father, Laurent.
In 2006 he won the first elections since the end of a five-year conflict and is due to be sworn in on 20 December for his second term.
But his victory must first be confirmed by the supreme court.
He enjoys greater popularity in eastern areas, where his origins lie and where he is credited with helping to end the war.
However, he is less popular in the west, partly because he is not fluent in the local Lingala language and because some see him as representing foreign interests.
Mr Tshisekedi has said he has no intention of taking an election dispute to the court, which he regards as “Kabila’s private institution”.
Earlier this year, the constitution was amended so that the candidate with the most votes would win the election, removing the need for a second round.
The BBC’s Thomas Hubert in Kinshasa says the move succeeded in dividing the opposition.
But it means Mr Kabila is bound to face legitimacy challenges as he has been re-elected with less than 50% of the vote, amid widespread suspicion of electoral fraud and with very little support in the west.
Although DR Congo is rich in minerals such as gold and diamonds, years of conflict and mismanagement mean it recently came bottom of a survey of living standards around the world.
Pointing to war? 
Four dead in DR Congo poll unrest
Burning tyres sent palls of smoke over areas in Kinshasa loyal to Etienne Tshisekedi
Reaching Africa's Unreached 