Jesus says, “Yumbe is Mine!”

I pray you all had a good Thanksgiving and are continuing with a spirit of thanksgiving in your hearts expressed through your lips and actions. Carol and I are grateful for the innumerable blessings we have received over the years. Most of all, we are grateful for God’s grace and mercy demonstrated to us through Jesus Christ! I am also thankful for my many African friends and my sweet wife being here with me. Through these lovely people and by God’s grace the sting of missing family/loved ones is lessened on days like Thanksgiving.

Last time I wrote you about an upcoming meeting with pastors in Yumbe. Yesterday (the 29th), Pastor Abraham, Nurse Sam , Alfred and I left in the morning and  returned in the evening to RAU. We met with the only three evangelical pastors of this city of 35,000. There were also several pastors from the district with us, as well as a few church  workers. Yumbe district has around 500,000 people and very,very few Christians.

Each person shared their hearts, praises,difficulties and hopes for their people to be reached with the glorious gospel.  Pressures against Christians in this district are constant and strong. I was humbled by the brothers and sisters great faith in Jesus in the midst of difficulties. What an honor to work shoulder to shoulder together with them for the glory of Jesus! You who partner with us are also linked to them!

I was told this was the first gathering for pastors from different denominations (Baptist, Pentecostal, Anglican, Calvary Chapel, Independent and Lifegate. [Lifegate is my home church which has sent us out. Lifegate is a member of Sovereign Grace Ministries ]) We gathered together with the expressed purpose of working together to see Yumbe town and District full of praise and worship of Jesus. Upon arriving home I had the following message from one of the attending pastors in my email: “Praise Jesus, dear father in the Lord! I hope you reached well. I praise God for finally remembering Yumbe people through RAU. I am praying with you for His will be done. Thank you. ______ from ______ Church. God bless you greatly.”  I had opportunity to share with them the vision and mission of Reaching Africa’s Unreached and how we can work together with them to reach Yumbe with message of redemption found only in Christ Jesus. I also told them about many people praying for them and the spread of gospel in Yumbe. They all were greatly encouraged!

Yumbe gathering November 29th
Yumbe gathering November 29th

Pastor Abraham’s older brother, Ponziano, wrote me an encouraging word along with a brief history of Yumbe. This is what he wrote, “That place Yumbe has been a stronghold of Islam in northern Uganda since from the time of Emin Pasha Relief Expedition of 1886 to 1889. It also became the backbone of Idi Amin’s regime because Amin, being a Moslem himself, trusted in the loyalty of people from Yumbe because of their religion and made many of them commanders in his army and gave them high ranking government positions, including the vice presidency. It came to be that young people from Yumbe despised higher education which they felt was not necessary to advance in the military and in the government of Amin. When the tides changed, the people of Yumbe had double the tragedy from the aftermaths of Amin’s atrocities: they not only suffered revenge from the rest of Uganda as did all of West Nile, but they also were the least educated of all the West Nile tribes and therefore most ill-prepared to re-integrate back into the fabric of civic participation at the national level. Evidence of this may still be apparent on the ground. Yumbe is therefore a virgin land for the gospel because neither the Catholic Church nor the Protestant Church who partitioned colonial Uganda between themselves ever established shop in Yumbe. So you guys are where Apostle Paul boasted of being – going where no one else has been to preach the gospel before, so that he would not be working on the foundations laid by someone else. So take pride in this privilege the Lord has accorded to you, taking care to lay a strong foundation with the workmanship of the Holy Spirit who has opened this door to you because of His great mercy and love for the people of Yumbe. And may God be with you and confirm His work with bountiful harvest of souls!”

West Nile Region of Uganda
West Nile Region of Uganda. Yumbe District is just above the #1 and Moyo District is just above the #2

I awoke early this morning with an extra energy in my step, I am physically tired but refreshed in my heart to see what the Lord is doing in Yumbe! I am grateful for you my friends…your prayers and support…thank you!  Romans 15:20 was indelibly printed upon my heart in 1977 by Leonard Ravenhill when he quoted it to me in his office. It brings great joy to my heart to hear Ponziano quote it in relation to Yumbe!

In February we will have a special retreat here at RAU for pastors/church leaders dedicated to Yumbe leaders and those called to minister in this Muslim district. Kevin Turner, who was just with us, will be bringing a team at that time to help us in the retreat as well as our outreach to Yumbe and Moyo Districts.

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There will be many future trips to Yumbe for discipleship and evangelism in the years ahead. I rejoice in that!

Jesus says, “Yumbe is mine”! We all say “Amen”. Can I get an “Amen” from you?!!

Godfrey has spent the whole week in Obongi discipling the new believers there. Please continue to pray for him and the new RAU church plant in Obongi town. Thank you for your prayers for our outreach to both Yumbe and Obongi. Please continue in your prayers and giving which enable us to do what we are doing.

Godfrey studying at RAU
Godfrey studying at RAU

There is no new news on the container. Thomas, our faithful brother who has been working with us, has been sitting in offices  days and keeps being told to come back the next day. We are in the process of asking the political leaders in Moyo, with whom God has given us favor, to be giving additional pressure for it to be released to us. Please keep praying for its release. We need it to arrive before we return to the USA for Christmas. Please also pray for its release and the $3000+ for clearing fees.

Over 1,100 Global Study Bibles and 3,500 christian books for distribution to pastors and others are on their way ..PTL!
Over 1,100 Global Study Bibles and 3,500 christian books for distribution to pastors and others are in the RAU container which is still being held in Kampala. Pray that is makes its 2 day trip north to us SOON!

There is a tremendous amount of water which comes off the Guesthouse roof which is lost. Water is a very precious resource to us, especially throughout the dry season. The dry season runs from December to March. I have received a bid to harvest this roof water. To dig an 80,000 liter in-ground tank, purchase strong gutters and a pipe system to bring the water to tank, with labor, is $9,000. This would be a secondary source to our well and could  gravity feed  the tukalu guest living quarters and be used for irrigation. It also could be pumped into our above ground tank for the Guesthouse if it is needed. When we have had groups here we have often run out of water and then are dependent on a generator. Fuel is much more expensive here than in the America and it is often difficult to get. I believe this water harvest system to be a wise investment and would be a helpful tool for many years to come.

Lots of water runs off this roof!
Lots of water runs off this roof!

We leave Entebbe for  Texas on December 17 to celebrate Christmas with family and friends. We sold our vehicles when we made our move to Africa. If anyone from the Seguin area has a vehicle we may use to get around in while Texas please let me know. Thank you!

Your prayers and support are as equally important as us physically being here. Only together can we advance the faith of Jesus where He is not known!

Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support.

  Jacob(for the both of us)

Web Site: www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.com
Blog: www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

——

Small packages and letters may safely be sent to:

Jacob & Carol Lee, PO. 55, Moyo Uganda, East Africa

Our “wish lists” may be found at Amazon

The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it. May the Lord grant each of us His followers the wherewithal to be obedient disciples!  Jacob Lee

Tax deductible  charitable donations may  be made via PayPal.  PayPal also has a way to make reoccurring monthly gifts. To do so  please click their link below. PayPal deducts  a small amount from each gift as a processing fee. All gifts given through PayPal are now tax deductible as Reaching Africa’s Unreached has 501 c3 tax exempt status as a charitable organization.  If you wish to write a check you may write it out to R.A.U. and mail it to Lifegate Missions, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin Texas 78155.

*If you have questions on donations please email me at JacobLeeRAU@gmail.com

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…”

God's promise over RAU
God’s promise over RAU

I hope this update finds you thankful for God’s blessings and presence in your lives.


“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change”

James 1:17

Being away from America and family makes me appreciate all the past Thanksgiving celebrations with friends and family all the more. I am deeply grateful for all of you and the love you have shown to us through your words of encouragement, prayers, and financial support. We would not be here doing what we are doing without the support of God’s people who have a heart for Jesus and His mission (John 20:21).


Thank you for your prayers for protection! One recent evening at about 11PM a man came running down our drive full speed, headed for the front door. One of our guards ready with his AK, had it  pointed at the man and ordered him to halt twice. When the man did not, instead of shooting the guard said “Stop in the Name of Jesus”  just as the man approached the veranda. The intruder immediately fell to the ground with a loud scream! Praise God for our  guards, Stephen and Aldo, who know Jesus and the power of His Name! After questioning the intruder it was determined he was most likely high on opium. Later he was escorted away by a local village counselor we know, who also is a brother. Carol and I are thanking the Lord for His protection and commented to each other that we must not ever become complacent! Thank you for your prayers!

As Carol recently wrote, we have had three teams from America come and go. Each came with their distinct giftings and were tremendous blessings to us and the people of Moyo and Yumbe Districts. The gospel was preached to the lost and people were saved, 31 pastors were strengthened through sound biblical teaching in our first RAU pastors retreat , discipleship took place, and people were shown love through ministry to their physical needs.

The Hall of Tyrannus
The Hall of Tyrannus

Seeing and being a part of this brings such joy to my heart. Often, when sitting on the front veranda, I think back to when I first drove by this piece of property in 2007 on the way to what was then still Sudan. It was on that very trip that the Lord placed this area on my heart and called me here. When the Lord calls all we must do is take a step at a time in obedience and He does the rest. Those of you who have kept up with my reports over the years know of door after door being opened and provision being given. What missionary, Hudson Taylor, once said is true, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” Praise be to the Lord God Almighty! Thank you for being a part of what the Lord is doing here!

As you know we are nearly finished with Phase 1 of our vision which has consisted in developing relationships with local pastors/leaders,purchasing land, securing a land title, seeking favor with government officials/law enforcement, receiving NGO status, receiving 501c3 tax exempt status, Carol and I making our move to RAU, having a ministry vehicle suitable for the area, shipment of a container with Bibles/literature/other ministry items,  having a Christ-exalting place to host ministry teams and pastors for training (Guesthouse and Hall of Tyrannus), and beginning to reach areas where there are no Christians or very few. We praise God for His wisdom and provision!

Here are specifics on what remains of Phase 1:

  • The container currently remains in Kampala and Lord willing it will be released from Ugandan revenue soon to resume its journey north to us. We have a pad ready for it. There are some remaining papers which have to be signed by government officials before it can leave Kampala. Pray the documents will be signed soon! Each day they delay costs us money. The clearing fees will now be over $3000.Help us in this if you can.
This is where the container will sit at RAU
This is where the container will sit at RAU
  • Patrick has had some “serious” discussions  with the Kampala auto broker with whom we ordered our ’99 Land Cruiser. Lord willing it should be in Kampala in couple weeks. Please pray! We have received a lot of false information in the past. We really are in need of this vehicle for ministry.
  • The four tukalu’s have been completely refurbished with a new African/American latrine and bathing station for guests. The four tukulu’s can sleep up to 17. The old tukalu kitchen has been demolished and our new four holed charcoal kitchen with attached living quarters for our cook Lucy is complete with the exception electrifying it off of the Guesthouse system, the water tower is completely finished, and the Guesthouse/Hall of Tyrannus just needs a few things. With our past guests and pastors’ retreat we have found out that our electrical system is not adequate. We need to add some more batteries for storage. We also need to be able to run our generator often to pump water while guests are here. We ran out of water often. We have  a small room under our tank where we would like to place the generator and run underground wiring to the Guesthouse where the pump connection is located. There are also some more furniture items needed. Need: $5000
Water Tower, Guesthouse, and Kitchen
Water Tower, Guesthouse, and Kitchen
Refurbished Tukalu's
Refurbished Tukalu’s
New latrine and bathing station
New latrine and bathing station
  • After spending 2 months here at RAU for discipleship, Godfrey has been spending Saturdays up to Tuesdays in Obongi with new believers. Obongi has a population of about 20-25000. After our last two evangelistic trips there have been 16 who have trusted in Christ as Savior and Lord who have joined the few other believers in Obongi town. Godfrey is working one on one with them along with Bosco and Asili who are leading small churches outside Obongi town. We have found a tukalu which we are renting for Godfrey and when we leave for Christmas break he will make his full time move to Obongi to shepherd these new believers in Christ.There is now at least one evangelical church in Obongi town and RAU’s first church plant! PTL! We will continue to visit often to strengthen Godfrey and the new believers. Pray that Christ’s church will grow in this Muslim dominated town as we press on with our evangelism there. There are some short clips of one of our several open air preaching events in Obongi here.
Godfrey
Godfrey at RAU getting ready for Obongi
Preaching in Obongi
Preaching in Obongi. Obongi now has an evangelical church in it’s town!

  • On Friday the 29th we will make our fourth trip to Yumbe. Remember Yumbe is a town nearing 35,000 people with less than 100 evangelical (called “born again” here) Christians. We were told this by a pastor who has worked for the past 8 years in Yumbe. When we first visited we thought there were around 300. We will have lunch with the three pastors in the town as well as 12 other pastors/leaders of Yumbe District. The District has over 500,000 with very,very few believers in it. One corner of the District has a number of believers in it but most of the rest of the district is 100% unreached and will remain that way unless some goes to them!We will work out strategies with the pastors in reaching Yumbe and I will share about ways RAU can help to strengthen the pastors of the district. Please pray for believers in Yumbe and our outreach there.
Yumbe's main mosque
Yumbe’s main mosque

  • We have been dialoging with several Congolese pastors who have had contact with the unreached Mbuti in the Iturie rain forest of Northeastern DR Congo. They have been checking out security issues in the area (there are number of rebel groups operating in the DR Congo) and the logistics of getting to this unreached group. The first trip will have to wait until I get back after Christmas. I will get back to you with further details and costs. Please continue to pray that the light of gospel can be brought to the Mbuti soon…”the Good News is only good if it gets there on time“!
The Mbuti
The Mbuti
  • We have more teams from America coming after the new year and we will be hosting more pastor’s retreats. We would like to have more housing for the pastors for these retreats. In our last retreat, we had to taxi pastors each evening, which is not an easy thing to do here for various reasons. If you would like to help with this let me know.
  • We have been actively clearing land so that we can start planting cash crops at the beginning of the next rainy season. Praise God we have a tractor coming in the container. However to till the land I will need to purchase a harrow. A new one can be purchased in Kampala and transported here for around $5000.
Clearing Brush
Clearing Brush

I hope that you do not tire in hearing about what we are seeking to do for Christ’s glory and the needs that lie before us. As we all lay everything before the feet of Jesus confessing that all we have, including our lives, belong to Him, the gospel will go forth to all those who do not have opportunity to hear the good news!

 

Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support.

  Jacob(for the both of us)

 

Web Site: www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.com
Blog: www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

——

Small packages and letters may safely be sent to:

Jacob & Carol Lee, PO. 55, Moyo Uganda, East Africa

Our “wish lists” may be found at Amazon

 

The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it. May the Lord grant each of us His followers the wherewithal to be obedient disciples!  Jacob Lee

Tax deductible  charitable donations may  be made via PayPal.  PayPal also has a way to make reoccurring monthly gifts. To do so  please click their link below. PayPal deducts  a small amount from each gift as a processing fee. All gifts given through PayPal are now tax deductible as Reaching Africa’s Unreached has 501 c3 tax exempt status as a charitable organization.  If you wish to write a check you may write it out to R.A.U. and mail it to Lifegate Missions, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin Texas 78155.

*If you have questions on donations please email me at JacobLeeRAU@gmail.com

Memories, Ministry, Malaria

Sunset at RAU
Sunset at RAU

Memories, Ministry, and Malaria

by Carol Lee

I hope this letter finds you well and hoping, not in the things of this world, but in things that cannot rust or be stolen and that have eternal value.  I also hope that, though long, this letter will excite you and not bore you. There is so much to tell!

Many times in the past, when days were flying by and life seemed hectic, I had often found myself thinking, “Stop the world and let me off!”  This is NOT the way I feel now, though the days are flying by and there are many things on the RAU daily agenda.  I am immensely blessed in being allowed to live this adventure we have been called to.  I am much more keenly aware that life is ministry and that it is about reaching out to include as many others as we can while we “hold on to [and hold out] the word of life.”

 “So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the One bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort – for the sake of His good pleasure – is God.  Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world by [emphasis mine] holding on to [in other translations: “holding out”]the word of life….”

Philippians 2: 12-16 (New English Translation)

I am being challenged more and more in the attitudes of my heart to do what these verses are exhorting – working out what God has worked in so that there is no hypocrisy, maintaining an awe and reverence for the One who is working in me so I don’t begin to think I deserve what only comes by grace, doing everything without grumbling or arguing because it is unthinkable that those who have received so much could be ungrateful or argumentative, and holding on to the word of life, because we are nothing without Christ, who is our life.  And, how can we hold out the word of life if we, ourselves, are not holding onto the word of life?   If these characteristics are not continually growing in us we cannot shine as lights in the darkness because we ourselves are in darkness.

I was bemoaning to Lucy (our cook) the other day, after receiving unexpected visitors and people with needs, and telling her that my heart is so unlike Jesus’ and that I need God’s help to be more open and willing to share what I have and not to grumble about those He sends my way.  I see others who have so much less than I do being so much more gracious and hospitable.  It is built into the culture here.  Even if I don’t want to hurt someone in my helping by just handing out money as if it’s the answer, [When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor by Corbett and Fikkert], I can at least be like Peter and John who said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you.” (Acts 3:6)  I can pray for them, I can offer tea and sincere concern, I can offer a job which will allow them to earn money and, sometimes, we can also give money if it is appropriate.  But my own heart needs to be filled with light and ready to shine in the darkness!

I am sorry that it has taken me coming to a foreign mission field to see this more clearly.  In America, it was all too easy to hide myself in work and home and busyness.

So here I am…in Northwestern Uganda…learning to love a new way of looking at the world – at those around me.  I am truly thankful!  But please don’t think that you have to leave where you are to live this out!

One of the biggest blessings of being here has been meeting awesome people as they come with their gifting and their love and desire to partner with us in what the Lord is doing in this part of the world.  First, there was our longtime beloved friend, Ron Zeiner.   Last week, it was our beloved “Tennessee Trio,” and this week it is beloved friends and brothers in Christ, Kevin Turner and Ron Day.  Jacob already knew them; I knew of them, “but now my eyes have seen them!”  And, oh! What a revelation it has been!

Kevin, Jacob, and Ron on their way to Yumbe
Kevin, Jacob, and Ron on their way to Yumbe
Great times of fellowship in the Hall of Tyrannus
Great times of fellowship in the Hall of Tyrannus

Meeting Kevin Turner for the first time is like standing in front of a gushing fire hydrant – intense!  But what a refreshing, intense blast it has been getting to know him!  His love for Jesus is intense.  His passion to make Christ known is intense.   His love for people and ability to show compassion is intense.  His knowledge about anything and everything is intense.  And…his silly antics…are totally and intensely hilarious.  We all have laughed so hard that I am sure our veins are coursing with pure endorphins.  Though, initially, some looked at him with wide-eyed wonder, they are seeing and appreciating his genuine love for Jesus and for them.  They are enjoying looking at the world and their own life in Christ through his eyes.  They are being encouraged in their faith, prayed for and cared for.  Thank you, Kevin, for your friendship and partnership and generosity!  Thank you for sharing with us what the Lord so uniquely and beautifully has done in and through you.

On the morning Kevin and Ron left three mambas were found 200 yards from the Guesthouse. Before they were killed Kevin gave us all a first hand lesson on them.
On the morning Kevin and Ron left three mambas were found 200 yards from the Guesthouse. Before they were killed Kevin gave us all a first hand lesson on them.

We are immensely blessed by Ron Day and his gift of film making.  God called him as a youngster to have an impact by capturing artistically and beautifully the works that the Lord is doing around the world through His people.  Ron’s hope and desire is that through well made films, people will hear the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, be moved and want to invest themselves in missions…and maybe even MOVE!  He has been generous with his time and resources and has been busy capturing on film the various places and activities in which RAU has been involved and getting glimpses of life and landscape so that all who see his film will feel they are right there with us.  We look forward to seeing the finished product!  Thank you, Ron, for serving Christ and us in this way!

Kevin and Ron arrived on Tuesday evening, November 12, ferried by Patrick Bukenya in his vehicle from Kampala.  They took the long and scenic route via Arua and were able to get some great footage along the way of some of the wild life…and no, I am not talking about Kevin!  While Sam and Kevin joined together in “harassing” the monkeys and calling their relatives names (“Your mother’s a monkey!” and, “You give birth to monkeys!”), Sam was praying that Kevin would not try the same shenanigans on the bull elephants that they stopped to film.

Having arrived late on Tuesday evening, we “allowed” them one recoup day – Wednesday.

On Thursday, Abraham took the crew to Metu Mountain for open air preaching in the market.  It had been raining and the roads were a mess. Immediately after preaching, Jacob began to feel sick with what was most certainly a bout of malaria.  The joy of being stopped by a husband and wife on the way back who wanted to respond to the message that was preached was more than enough to overcome the misery of malaria.  Back in Moyo, Jacob had his blood tested but, because the one who would read the test was not there, he started on Coartem immediately and went to bed.  The next morning the blood test  came back ‘negative’, but Nurse Sam says that was because he took it too early. All the symptoms that hung on for four days definitely pointed to malaria (which Jacob defines as “flu to the 10th power“.)

On Friday, Abraham, Jacob, Ron, Kevin,Alfred, and Sam took a day trip to Yumbe. (Yumbe is a city of 35,000 with less than 100 evangelical believers in it.) Though Jacob was ill with malaria, he felt he simply could not miss the landmark meeting with the few pastors of the city for strategizing effective ways of reaching out to unbelievers and also for the strengthening of the believers.  Jacob remarked afterwards that he couldn’t have planned it any better if it were his to plan.  He was thrilled with how the meeting went and was impressed by Pastor Ben (one of the three evangelical pastors in Yumbe), who has truly been a light shining in the darkness in his life of servanthood and integrity in the community.  Pastor Ben wrote Jacob an email which expressed his deep gratitude and the joy and encouragement he felt in having others come alongside in support.  He stated that the few believers there had felt very discouraged in their outreach to a difficult place, but the encouragement of partners was immeasurable.   The Lord knows our needs and He is building His church!  It is wonderful to be a part of that work.

Yumbe meeting
Yumbe meeting
Jesus has many which are His in Yumbe
Jesus has many which are His in Yumbe

On Saturday, Jacob stayed home while Ron and Kevin, Abraham and Sam took another trip.  The plan was for Ron and Kevin to experience a small village church, to do some preaching and to encourage the believers.  Ron, again, had opportunity to capture these experiences on film. On Sunday, Abraham picked up and delivered Kevin and Ron to the churches in which they would be preaching.  (Jacob and I stayed home.)  Kevin was a trooper in that, though suffering with a skull-splitting headache, he could not be held back from preaching…for two and a half hours!  “For the joy set before him…”  Ron had the joy of praying with a young teenage boy who wanted to receive Christ in response to his message.

Sunday night, Abraham, again, took Ron and Kevin to the open air meeting in the Moyo market.  It was a difficult evening, to say the least. First, Kevin, still with splitting headache, preached, stopped briefly to go behind the vehicle to vomit (pain-related nausea) and then preached some more!  Amazing.  Second, the crowd was less than attentive – they were there for buying and selling.  It was, however, an encouragement that several came forward to confess their need of a Savior.  One man, in particular, came forward resolutely, stating, “I really need to be delivered.  I need the Savior.”  Only on the other side of time will we know the full fruit of this effort…”the foolishness of preaching.”

 

It’s Monday now.  Jacob is feeling a bit better and has decided to go with the team to Obongi.  We had talked to him the night before about taking one more day to rest, but  he was resolute in declaring, “How can I ask people to be willing to suffer in delivering the gospel, when I am not willing to do so myself?!”  It’s Kevin’s turn to rest so he can be relieved of his massive headache and hypertension.  Ron is on task with his camera in tow.  Abraham’s vehicle has new shocks which he installed this morning.  And they’re off!  Once again, this is a strategic visit – to encourage and strengthen the few believers who are in Obongi and to strategize.  Godfrey, whom Jacob is helping to prepare to pastor there, has been in Obongi all weekend. A number of people were added to the church in Obongi during the evening open air preaching.  We look forward to enjoying the fruit of this effort.

Road to Obongi
Road to Obongi

It won’t be long and this team visit will also be a past tense experience.  One of the most difficult things in having people come to and go from RAU, as I mentioned before, is the “going” part.  There is a huge vacuum there that pulls us into a bit of a funk.  We are impacted by our visitors in what they give while here, but, also, by what is missing when they leave!

One sweet salve for this wound is that in  one month from now we will be back in Seguin and Texas to enjoy some sweet reunions with family and friends for Christmas.  It will be refreshment that will re-energize us to return in January and to refresh others as we ourselves have been refreshed!

Some things to pray about:

1.  We are still waiting for the container to be released so it can make its way up here.    Pray for safe transport here.

2.  We still do not know the exact location of the Land Cruiser.  The last we had heard, it had not yet left Japan.  Please pray that it, also, would make it to us safely.

3. Wisdom and funding for  church plants/evangelism in Muslim dominated Obongi and Yumbe. Discipleship of young men to be shepherds there.

4. Future pastor retreats at RAU and  more housing for the pastors when they are here.

Some praises:

1.  We had had some difficulty with the water pump and were worried that there might be a problem with it.  Praise the Lord, it turned out to only be a “switch” problem. Our generator is in Kampala for repairs so right now we are borrowing Abraham’s to pump water.

2.  Most of the building is done and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel  There will always be something that needs fixin’ or building, but we are happy, for the time being, to be done with the greatest portion of it.

Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support.

Carol (for the both of us)

Web Site: www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.com
Blog: www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

——

Small packages and letters may safely be sent to:

Jacob & Carol Lee, PO. 55, Moyo Uganda, East Africa

Our “wish lists” may be found at Amazon

The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it. May the Lord grant each of us His followers the wherewithal to be obedient disciples! 

Jacob Lee

Tax deductible  charitable donations may  be made via PayPal.  PayPal also has a way to make reoccurring monthly gifts. To do so  please click their link below. PayPal deducts  a small amount from each gift as a processing fee. All gifts given through PayPal are now tax deductible as Reaching Africa’s Unreached has 501 c3 tax exempt status as a charitable organization.  If you wish to write a check you may write it out to R.A.U. and mail it to Lifegate Missions, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin Texas 78155.

*If you have questions on donations please email Jacob at JacobLeeRAU@gmail.com

Sunrise at RAU
Sunrise at RAU

The Local Churches First Call Is Sending Not Seating!

The local churches first call is sending not seating!  Jacob Lee
The local churches first call is sending not seating!
Jacob Lee
 Thank you for your prayers and support.Carol has just written with lots of recent news. I second everything she said about our new friends whom I have affectionately nicknamed “The Tennessee Trio”. David, Michael, and Eric were  a great blessing to us and to believers throughout Moyo and Yumbe Districts.We love the same King and each of us love being a part of His mission (John 20:21). The only thing I hold against them is putting Tennessee orange on co-worker Sam. I prefer burnt orange on him!

In the Trio’s short time here they proclaimed God’s Word in various churches, in outdoor preaching venues in Moyo and Obongi, and in one on one situations in Moyo,Obongi, and Yumbe. In Obongi we rejoiced with the angels in the new found faith of many. Several who trusted in Christ were Muslims. There are several videos at the bottom of this page. For you Facebook friends, David posted a short clip of me preaching in Obongi.  ( https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202444645746859&set=vb.1515529516&type=2&theater ). The opportunity to  do such preaching thrills my soul!

We had the opportunity to spend one full day in Yumbe town. I wanted our new friends to have the joy of sharing Christ in a town with  few Christians and which is dominated by Islam. When we got there Abraham parked the truck at a busy intersection and we all got out and mingled with a good sized crowd. Each us pointed someone to Jesus. Stephen, one of our night guards, and a dear brother in Christ, came with us. He was off duty. He shared later with me that it was  his first time to share Christ with someone. I am confident this will not be his last time either! He is like a son to me and I have seen him and his partner Aldo grow leaps and bounds in their faith.Each evening we have opportunities to talk, pray, and worship with Stephen and Aldo. Eric, Michael and David also had time to share their lives and love with Stephen and Aldo.

Yumbe
Yumbe

We had a “Divine appointment” with a young man named Ben who has been a pastor in Yumbe the past eight years.Through his faithful service in local government (his money making job) he is greatly respected by officials in Yumbe. With Ben’s assistance we had the opportunity to meet  several government  officials. I sat across the desk from a federal government official and he gave us the “go ahead” to preach in Yumbe even though he is a Muslim. Praise God for His favor and sway upon unbelievers! Ben told us that  Yumbe has a population of around 35,000 with less than 100 (that figures out to be around .3%) evangelical Christians. We have a meeting set up with the 3 pastors in Yumbe and some of their leaders to lay out strategies to reach Yumbe town. Pray for us in our desire to lift Jesus high in  Yumbe,Obongi, and Moyo!

Yumbe Official's office
Yumbe Official’s office

Our building projects are all nearly finished. The tukalus have been refurbished and painted. The latrine /bathing station for our Tukalus is finished with the exception of a second coat of paint.The new outdoor kitchen and living quarters for Lucy, our cook and helper, should be complete early next week. Only trim work remains on the veranda tile. The water tower has been plastered and now is being painted.

Kitchen
Kitchen

Tukalu's are refurbished and Latrine/Bathing Station is finished.
Tukalu’s are refurbished and the Latrine/Bathing Station is finished.
Water Tower,  Container Site, and Sam's Quarters
Water Tower, Container Site, and Sam’s Quarters

We have a spot ready for the container whenever it finally makes it to us. The container has cleared the Ugandan revenue service and when we receive our tax clearance all we will have to do is pay the $2000 plus in clearance fees.

On Tuesday, good friends, Kevin Turner and Ron Day, will be with us for nearly two weeks. I look forward to spending time with them and seeing how the the Lord will use their stay with us. Kevin is president of SWI and Ron is a film maker. Please pray for a safe journey to us and a time of mutual encouragement and blessing while they are here. I greatly appreciate their love manifested in taking the time and their sacrifice to be with us to bring us encouragement and be vessels in King Jesus’ service.

Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon and be gracious to you!
Jacob (for the both of us)

Web Site: www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.com
Blog: www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

Small packages and letters may safely be sent to:

Jacob & Carol Lee, PO. 55, Moyo Uganda, East Africa

Our “wish lists” may be found at Amazon

The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it. May the Lord grant each of us His followers the wherewithal to be obedient disciples!  JL

Tax deductible  charitable donations may  be made via PayPal.  PayPal also has a way to make reoccurring monthly gifts. To do so  please click their link below. PayPal deducts  a small amount from each gift as a processing fee. All gifts given through PayPal are now tax deductible as Reaching Africa’s Unreached has 501 c3 tax exempt status as a charitable organization.  If you wish to write a check you may write it out to R.A.U. and mail it to Lifegate Missions, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin Texas 78155.

*If you have questions on donations please email Jacob at JacobLeeRAU@gmail.com

Video’s

 

Joyful Times

Joyful Times

by Carol Lee

The Tennessee Trio (as Jacob affectionately calls them), David Jones, Michael Lambert and Eric Williams, have come and gone.  What a blessing they have been and what a joyful time we had!  It’s simply amazing how the Lord can take us, who were strangers just a week ago, and, because of our union in Christ and unity of vision and priority, make us beloved family.  It has been hard to see them go… we are missing the activity and the laughter that echoed through the Guesthouse.  While they were here the front veranda became the RAU internet café where we would huddle with our devices (sometimes sipping some wonderfully aromatic Mexican coffee which David brought) to get connected to, not only our loved ones back home, but to each other as well.

At the Ugandan/South Sudan border with the "Tennessee Trio". Seated: David, Jacob,Officer in Charge of Afoji Border Crossing, Michael, Eric.Standing: Carol, Immigration Officer
At the Ugandan/South Sudan border with the “Tennessee Trio”. Seated: David, Jacob,Officer in Charge of Afoji Border Crossing, Michael, Eric. Standing: Carol, Immigration Officer

The “guys” brought many items that will serve the Guesthouse well in future pastor retreats:  twin sheet sets, TP, books, and Kindles from Delmar Hager in Texas.  Most of all, they brought with them a love for Christ and a love for the lost that was evident as they traveled with Abraham, Jacob, Asili, Godfrey and Stephen to Obongi and Yumbe (two towns that are mostly Muslim in population.)  Suffice it to say, all of them came back excited about conversations, contacts and opportunities.

Two cases of Paul Washer's book were brought for Pastors
Two cases of Paul Washer’s book were brought for Pastors

Stories of their encounters are exciting and best told first hand by those that were there. Jacob will update you in his next newsletter. After meeting with a pastor (one of three in the town), he was told by that pastor that “born again” believers in the city of around 35,000 people would not reach 100! Jacob and the RAU team will be meeting with the three pastors and some of their members for strategies in proclaiming the gospel in Yumbe.

Each of the trio also had the opportunity to preach at local churches on Sunday.

Church were Eric preached
Church were Eric preached

I don’t think I am putting words in Eric, David and Michael’s mouths in saying that, though the Tennessee Trio’s suitcases are emptier, they (the team) are going back filled!

Jacob and I and all who became acquainted Michael, Eric and David during their stay are left with the blessing of friendship and partnership in the Gospel.  Thanks so much, you guys!

As the Tennessee brothers leave we look forward and are preparing for the next team to come:  Kevin Turner and Ron Day who will arrive this next Tuesday.  Jacob and Kevin became great friends several years ago when we “happened” to see a piece on TV about Kevin and his work through SWI (Strategic World Impact) and subsequently made contact with him.  Jacob met Ron Day through his friendship with Kevin and quickly became friends with Ron. Jacob traveled twice to Pakistan for ministry with a number of others under Kevin leadership.  Kevin and Ron will be here for about two weeks before they fly back home.

Just a few weeks later, around December 13th, we will also be heading down to Kampala to fly back to the States for a wonderful Christmas reunion with family and friends.

I have had some moving experiences lately that center on ‘mothering’, and remind me that a mother’s work is never done…and I’m not talking about chores and housework.  There are young men and women here with whom the Father has surrounded me that I have had the joy of mothering in various ways, through love and affection, prayer, counsel and provision.  It is a joy for me to be useful in this and other ways.

Particularly today, my heart was filled with compassion for a young Muslim man of 18 or 19 who was abandoned as a child, doesn’t even know what tribe he is from, and who has found work here, as well as a family and community among all of us at RAU (including the day workers).  We are determined to love him to Christ through word and deed!  Because of his youth, we all have opportunity to ‘parent’ him and help him through this life, and, hopefully, the life to come.

In the midst of all these ministry opportunities, the building is continuing, although we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  It won’t be long until Lucy is in her new quarters and is using the new kitchen.  Other projects are in the finishing stages as well.  Saalongo and his crew have been working tirelessly in 12-14 hour days, seven days a week!  Since they are from Kampala, I am sure they are thinking that the sooner they get things done, the sooner they can return home.  They are doing a superb job.

Unloading of building materials
Unloading of building materials
Kitchen
Kitchen

Through your support, the Lord has graciously been providing the funds needed for the building process, and now, for the delivery of the container from Kampala to Afoji to RAU.  In a process we don’t fully understand, the container has been held in Kampala, where all the contents were unloaded and reloaded…TWICE!  Apparently, they had to go through everything with a fine tooth comb, which included pulling a tape measures out to its full length to ensure that the 25 ft. tape measures were actually 25 feet long and checking rolls of toilet paper to ensure that they met environmental standards for Uganda, and other such things!  Not in jest!  There are some fees ($2,000+) which will have to be paid, but, I believe we will see the container arrive sometime soon!  Praise the Lord! Please pray for its travel here.  The roads are not conducive to a smooth transit. Pray for God’s provision in this please.

We  received  bad news that the RAU ’99 Land Cruiser is still in a Japanese port. We have been given a lot of false information from the shipper. Pray for us as we work through this issue.

Words are not sufficient to express the thanks and wonder we feel to have supporters like you back home who are “holding the rope” in such tangibly experienced ways!  You all do not know, but may be able to imagine, the blessing of being supported in packages, prayers, letters, Facebook communication and financial giving.  You are so responsive to our needs and so ready to entrust us with the resources that you give to RAU and its mission.  Thank you…thank you…thank you!

Carol (for both of us)

Tax deductible  charitable donations may  be made via PayPal.  PayPal also has a way to make reoccurring monthly gifts. To do so  please click their link below. PayPal deducts  a small amount from each gift as a processing fee. All gifts given through PayPal are now tax deductible as Reaching Africa’s Unreached has 501 c3 tax exempt status as a charitable organization.  If you wish to write a check you may write it out to R.A.U. and mail it to Lifegate Missions, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin Texas 78155.

*If you have questions on donations please email Jacob at JacobLeeRAU@gmail.com