Don’t Grow Weary!

On November 19, 2015April 26, 2020 By Jacob LeeIn Discipleship, Evangelism, Missions

“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.”

12187941_10205199236396339_2512758449271377269_n — The hard work of getting the tractor “un-stuck” after the hard work of shredding.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Galatians 6: 9-10

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Hebrews 12:1-3

old age

Which one of us cannot relate to the reality of weariness – even in the pursuit of something holy and good? We all have, at some time, grown weary, lost focus, felt discouragement, fallen off the trail or felt like giving up completely.

As Jacob and I and the RAU team near the end of a very busy season, we have each, in some way, felt the dead weight of weariness, so I hope that this newsletter serves as a cheering voice from the sidelines, from among “the great cloud of witnesses,” to us (and to all who are running with us) to not lose heart or grow weary, but to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and to keep our focus on the joy that lies ahead.

Congo Group — Leaders from D.R. Congo, the 19th Retreat at RAU since 2013

Just last week, we completed our 19^th Leaders’ Retreat with a group from the D.R. Congo, who came from deeper within than the previous Congolese group. Several of them work with the Mbuti Pygmies.

mbuti-people — The Mbuti Pygmy Tribe in Northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo

mbuti-pygmies — The Mbuti Pygmies are coming to Christ through the faithful witness of Congolese believers.

The Congolese leaders arrived weary from traveling a very long distance, some having even walked miles to get to where the taxi would pick them up. I saw the importance for this “retreat” of making sure they started off with medications that would relieve symptoms of the hardships they experienced in coming. It’s hard to focus on learning when the body is crying out for relief!

DSCF4709 — Congolese leaders on their first day receiving their resource bag which include resources from the recently arrived container.

Once again, our aim is to equip and encourage and so each one gratefully received a resource bag in addition to the teachings that were presented. Pastor David Kabaale, from Kampala, along with Jacob and Emma, were the featured speakers and all did a wonderful job of teaching as well as inspiring. I have started, during testimony time on the last day, to do a short teaching about recognizing those (whether it be in the church or in an organization) whose ministry may be hidden (like the roots of a plant…or the part of the iceberg which is under water). This is a springboard to acknowledge the work of those at the retreat who may not have a visible role of ministry. Everything – the resources, teaching/training, service and care – make the retreat a “retreat” that strengthens and encourages those who attend. You who partner with us in your prayers and with your gifts are the unsung heroes of RAU!

11226064_10205209025161052_2291786658157276754_n — A final song of praise and a prayer for safety and blessing

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At the very end, when testimonies of God’s grace are given an opportunity to be shared, it is a reminder to us that information has not only been received but, in some measure, put into practice. After Jacob’s teaching on the “Parable of the Unforgiving Servant,” one gentleman got up and called his wife up to the front, apologizing to her and asking forgiveness for a wrong committed relating to the retreat. That is obedience! Such obedience helps us (as RAU) to keep our eyes on the prize when we know that our efforts have resulted in their benefit and joy.

11219650_1184917428188630_8804317262102258539_n — John and Vikki Wright, with YWAM, Arua, and their children and friend, John

I particularly enjoyed Saturday and Sunday when John and Vikki Wright (with YWAM, Arua) and their 3 kids (as well as a friend) came for the weekend to enjoy some unique hiking adventures. It was John’s birthday on Sunday and his particular wish was to see a rare species of Cycad which was discovered by a local gentleman, Alule Herbert. Herbert was our guide on a hike through the area where this Palm tree grows natively and exclusively.

12249761_10205215587725112_2199794966541722031_n — Alule Herbert, environmental specialist and discoverer of rare Cycad species

The following day, we all climbed up (ugh!) to the top of Otze Hill, where THE MOST spectacular view of the Nile River Basin can be seen for miles on either side! I am sorry to say that I and my cardiovascularly untrained body were nigh unto the last to make it to the top! But! Oh. Man! Was it ever worth it! Seriously, I need to do that more often!

11046360_10205216789395153_2698454480014145960_n — Nile River Basin not far from RAU

This week, thankfully, has been one of those stick-close-to-home weeks where housekeeping tasks can be caught up on!

Monday, we had an awesome time of fellowship with Emma and a friend of his with whom he will be leading a Bible Study on Sunday nights. It brought great joy to share the Word of God and it inspired hope for the next generation of the Church.

Jacob has been working on the perimeter fence with the men. He loves opportunities to use the tractor as, for him, that is a relaxing and enjoyable pastime and he enjoys passing on his expertise to those who are willing to learn.

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On the 18th, Jacob and Emma headed to Aya with Water Harvest International folks who, once again, surveyed for the drilling of a well. Over a year ago, money was donated for a bore hole and a community meeting took place, but the Ma’di/Kuku conflict brought the drilling to a halt. We are getting back on track with that plan.

DSCF4966 — Geological survey at Aya Baptist

Sometime this week Jacob will meet with local Afoji/Moyo Muslim leaders who approached him about meeting and having a Muslim – Christian dialogue after Jacob gave them Bibles and other resources. Please be in prayer for that meeting.

This has been an exciting season of open doors for Jacob in relation to sharing the truth of the Gospel in a friendly environment with Muslims of the region. Please be praying for a harvest and softened hearts and safety. Jacob has had the joyful privilege of sharing in the harvest. Be in fervent prayer for one man in particular as he grows in Christ and works out – with fear and trembling – the salvation which has been worked into his heart. He has a family for whose safety he is concerned. With open doors also comes opposition (See 1 Cor. 16:9). Jacob has a new page up at the the RAU website entitled Who Is Jesus? A Christian-Muslim Dialog and I encourage you to take a look at it.

This week we have a contractor here (who has built almost everything at RAU) to build a roof over the containers under which will be a workshop/storage area.

One week from this coming Saturday, the Youth Group from First Presbyterian Church, Kampala, will be here for about a week to be in ministry in Yumbe and Metu. They have been preparing themselves for loving and informed interaction with Muslims in Yumbe as well as mercy ministry in the Metu Mountain regions. We look forward to encouraging and giving the next generation of the Church opportunities to grow in knowledge and obedience and experience and to be encouraged by their zeal and desire to serve.

Our time with the Youth Group will be the last formal ministry event before Jacob and I return to the States for a break.

Both of us are yearning to be reunited with our children and grandchildren and all of our loved ones and friends in the United States. Our hope, though, is not to “get away” from ministry, but to be refreshed and strengthened to continue in the ministry – to find renewed strength and vision and partnership so that the prize on which we fix our eyes can be realized and our joy in it can be full.

Please be in prayer for the upcoming events and plans and consider participating financially to see that they happen:

*There are 3 ministry events in Yumbe district, starting this Sunday (Sunday – Wednesday – Sunday). The program will involve one on one evangelism, open air preaching, and showing of the “Jesus” film in Aringa: Kei – Sunday; Yumbe Taxi Park – Wednesday; Kuru – Sunday. Remember that this area is largely Muslim in population. There have been repercussions to Jacob’s involvement in the Muslim – Christian dialogue as emissaries have been sent from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Tanzania to strengthen Muslims in their beliefs against the influence of his teaching centering on “Who Is Jesus?”.

*There has been a harvest and we continue to expect an even greater harvest as the seed of the Word is sown. Pray for those that have trusted and will trust Christ. Yumbe is not an area where becoming a Christian is easy and without consequence.

*Knowing that a greater harvest is on the way, we feel it all the more important to have a Bible school at RAU where pastors can be raised up to care for the “sheep of other folds” as Jesus talked about. We cannot “birth” people into the Kingdom and then not provide for their nurture.

*We want Jacob to be able to focus on the evangelism and discipleship outreaches to Yumbe and Koboko Districts where very few have been reached with the Gospel. We ask for more partners to give on a monthly basis to see that this, the retreats and other ministry venues can continue. The cost of doing this is mainly in diesel for traveling and vehicle upkeep , printing out resources in English, Arabic and Kiswahili to be given to Muslims as well as church leaders in training, transporting leaders, and numerous other small expenses, all of which add up.

*As we are able we try to help, especially children, with treatment for various physical ailments which most often can be relieved through medications or surgeries. One of the young girls who is being sponsored at First Presbyterian’s Christian Primary School recently was diagnosed with a serious skin disease. We have provided funding for that. Such needs come up fairly frequently, so to have your generous support is very helpful.

*Jacob has been given the opportunity to preach on the radio station TBS (Trans-Nile Broadcasting Station) every other Wednesday Evening from 7-8 pm. It has a wide listening audience. Pray for listening ears and soft hearts and for effective communication.

*Right now, we have 8 children from the West Nile Region who were sponsored for this last school year to attend First Presbyterian Church’s Primary school in Kampala. The children have blossomed, are learning English very well and improving their grades. This education will open up significant doors to the children and their families in the future. Consider giving towards the next year’s tuition and fees. It costs $900 per student for the whole year and this includes all fees,lodging and requirements. The total for the eight children is $7200. If more funding were available there are many other children we would like to put in the program.

As we exhort ourselves to “not grow weary” in doing good, we ask you to not grow weary in hearing about our plans and need for financial support or in giving to the work of the Lord in the West Nile Region. Just like the Macedonians, give yourself, first, to the Lord where you will find an abundance of joy which overflows to those in need. (2 Cor. 8: 1-5) We pray for us ALL to have a war-time mentality when it comes to serving and giving so we can make the most of time and resources…because the days are evil and time is short.

Please pray about giving towards these projects and about becoming a monthly financial partner. It is helpful to have many small, monthly gifts in addition to special one-time gifts so that budgeting can be more effective.

Fighting the Good Fight,

Carol (Jacob) Lee

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Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

For those who have asked, 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 (Click on the “Wish List” link and type in our name or email address)

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 W. 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

Gospel Horse

“Plodding” Forward For God’s Glory

On November 5, 2015April 26, 2020 By Jacob LeeIn Uncategorized

“You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”

(2 Corinthians 1:11)

2 Corinthians 1:11 is a verse which gives Carol and me great comfort and encouragement! Living as missionaries in the midst of a foreign culture, seeking to be a part of strengthening God’s people (2 Timothy 2:2) and making it our ambition to take the gospel to those with little or no access to it (Romans 15:20) would be fruitless without your intercession and support! Without your prayers we might just as well go back to Texas to “piddle around” and enjoy our family and friends in the latter years of our lives. “You” (our fellow ambassadors) “must help” (a necessity) “us” (your co-labors in the faith) “by prayer” (essential to foreign missions as well as all of life) “so that” (connecting words) “many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us” (result of faithful prayer) “through the prayers of many.” (the reason for thanksgiving and blessing).

Andrew Murray rightly states, “Without prayer, even though there may be increased interest in missions, more work for them, better success in organization and greater finances, the real growth of the spiritual life and of the love of Christ in the people may be very small.” (Key to the Missionary Problem page 145). Prayer is the jet fuel for missions! At the RAU website I have a page entitled “How to Pray for Missionaries” as a guide in your prayers for us, Reaching Africa’s Unreached, and all those laboring to reach the lost. Thank you and may God richly bless you!

Since last writing we had retreat number 18. Most of the church leaders (pastors, deacons, evangelist, Sunday School teachers etc.) were from South Sudan near the border at Koboko, with a few from Koboko and Arua. There were some that were unable to come (who live right across the border from us) because of a road ambush and the funerals which were necessitated because of it. The details are still sketchy. Please pray for peace in South Sudan as the civil war continues. Pastor Patrick and I did the teaching. Emma spent one day in Ag Training. Nearly 100% of church leaders in the West Nile of Uganda and Southwestern South Sudan are bi-vocational and have gardens. Emma’s training is geared to empower them and their congregations (2 Timothy 2:2) with agricultural-colored glasses. Zorah, Carol, and the rest of staff are the unsung heroes of these retreats…they make up the large fraction of the iceberg which remains under the water and invisible to the eye! By God’s grace we have been able to host over 400 church leaders at our four day teaching retreats since our move in 2013. Next week we will be hosting another group of church leaders, this time from northeastern D.R. Congo. It will be our 4^th group from the Congo. Please pray for retreat number 19!

Pointing — Carol writes, “One of the aspects of introductions is telling about your family and how many children you have, if married. So far, the record goes to one man who said he had 20 children!!! So….Jacob likes to rattle their brains when he tells them we have a hundred children! Then, he points to the scripture on the wall (Matt.19:29) which says that whoever has left father and mother and children and lands for the gospel will have them 100 fold! That always produces a good laugh!”

“How to plant a church: (1) Pray. (2) Do the work of an evangelist. (3) Disciple converts. (4) Train elders and deacons. (5) Accept suffering”

Paul Washer

Please pray as the Lord continues to fling doors open to share the beauty of Jesus with Muslims, including their leaders. God is doing a wonderful work here in the West Nile (Northwestern) Uganda in the Muslim community! This week I received an invitation from the local Imam whose mosque is ¼ km from us and with whom I have been interacting, to meet with him and a group of other nearby Muslim leaders. They are requesting more Bibles and Christian literature. In the works is a meeting with leading Sheikhs and Imams from Koboko. In Obongi we have had numerous opportunities to share Christ with Muslims and their leaders. The Lord has opened the door for three separate meetings with Yumbe Sheikhs and Imams and with other meetings also in the works. The Sheikhs and Imams have been hospitable, friendly, and have freely given me time to preach. I have sought to speak forth the gospel winsomely, humbly and boldly all at the same time. They have listened intently and are reading the things given them. The materials given are in the picture. One-on-one discussions (my preferred way of sharing the gospel) and open air preaching in these places are happening too. I am not entirely sure what the Lord has ahead but I do know for sure He desires Jesus to be rightly worshiped and adored in all the earth and that includes the West Nile. We are walking forward or, better said in the words of my brother in Christ, Kevin Turner, “Running to the Battle“! Thank you for your prayers, friends!

Books for Muslims — Books top left-ESV Global Study Bible, Arabic Bible Arabic New Testament, Madi New Testament (Moyo area);Christian-Muslim Dialog,John Piper book in Swahili, Seeking Allah Finding Jesus , Aringa New Testament (Yumbe area), Adha in the Injeel (New Testament) and John Piper book in Arabic “50 Reason Jesus Died On the Cross”

The door has been open for more local radio preaching. At the Christian station, New Life, I have an open invitation to come back when I can. This Wednesday I was back at Moyo TBS radio station to preach. I was told that the last time I preached the listening audience was double from the normal Wednesday evening and they are considering giving me 2 hours every other Wednesday evening. The third station reaching our area is the Muslim operated Voice of the Nile. There are possibilities to preach on this station as well. It is a wonderful opportunity to share Christ. The combination of these three stations makes for a very wide audience of a variety of demographics. The only thing I am lacking is time…pray for “laborers”! Praise the Name of the Lord!

“We do not make the Bible relevant. We cannot make the Bible what it already is. We simply show its relevancy for daily life.”

Steve Lawson

Tuesday we left early to Arua to have more work done on the Land Cruiser and pick up supplies. Arua is the largest city in our region and, depending on road conditions and number of stops, is a 3.5-4.5 hour drive. Arua is nice and gives us little taste of city life. We ended up getting back around 9:30 PM because the Land Cruiser work took longer than expected.

We rejoice in the open doors the Lord continues to bring our way but, like ministry anywhere, missionary work is faithful a “plodding” day by day. Kevin DeYoung puts it this way, “…What we need are fewer revolutionaries and a few more plodding visionaries. That’s my dream for the church — a multitude of faithful, risk-taking plodders. The best churches are full of gospel-saturated people holding tenaciously to a vision of godly obedience and God’s glory, and pursuing that godliness and glory with relentless, often unnoticed, plodding consistency…” (“The Glory of Plodding”).

Our “plodding”, which is time consuming, involves things like fixing the Land Cruiser, buying supplies (purchasing anything here is far more tedious than in Texas), maintenance on the compound, gardens, and fields. Then tasks like coordinating events and the almost daily hosting of visitors (e.g. people needing medicines, pastor’s visits, and other community members etc.) fill the day. Living in the place of ministry does not allow us to go “home” but places us in the mist of activity 7 days a week. With all the activities I especially have to be careful not to allow study of God’s Word and prayer are not squeeze out.

Water Pump — Example of “plodding”…making sure there is water for our guests and ourselves

Just yesterday (the 4^th), two Moyo District officials were with us for most of the afternoon in good conversation. These daily activities help build good relationships within the community and build bridges for sharing the gospel. Both District officials left with Bibles and, the one who was a Muslim, with my booklet entitled, “Muslim-Christian Dialog.”

After more than two years of “plodding” the door has been open with the next door Mosque as mentioned above. I write all this just to say that being a “missionary” is, most importantly, being faithful in the small, daily activities. Pray that we remain faithful in such tasks!

All these “little” activities need prayer, cost money and are the structural backbone to retreats, meeting with Imams/Sheikhs, and evangelism in hard-to-reach places. It might seem nobler to pray and give for the “big events” but every “plodding” step is equally important. Carol and I rejoice and are very, very grateful for every prayer and gift to the ministry of RAU. What is most encouraging is to hear from friends that prayer for RAU (and us) is habitual and to see those that are faithful to give month after month … faithfulness in both the “small” and “big” is what is most important. The reoccurring monthly giving is God’s way, through you, for us to “plod” and walk through the “big” doors the Sovereign Lord has placed before us! Thank you to those who faithfully “plod” with us in their daily prayers and reoccurring monthly giving. At our website here are easy instructions on how to make reoccurring tax deductible gifts. It is an honor to partner with you for God’s glory in this gospel starved region of the world!

Continuing prayer requests:

Retreat number 19 and all our discipleship activities.
Our gospel witness with our Muslim friends and neighbors as well as all our evangelism activities both planned and unplanned.
Being faithful in our daily “plodding”.
Good health, protection, and continuing favor in the West Nile, especially Moyo, Yumbe, and Koboko Districts.
Our trip back to States for Christmas and the month of January. If you would like us to visit your church on a Sunday or Wednesday please let us know so we can put it our calendar to be with your church family. If anyone in the Seguin Texas area has a vehicle we can use during this time it would be much appreciated! We hope we can see many of you
Continuing grace to be given to RAU’s agricultural ministry in the community via Emma and M.A.R.S. This ministry is turning out to be a big blessing for the Body of Christ and relationships and development in Moyo District.
The building of two classrooms ($25,000) and the opening of Bible School in 2016
Heavy El Nino rains are expected throughout Uganda. Without dams and flood control programs this could make things very difficult throughout the country.
National elections are in February. Pray for a peaceful election process.

All For Jesus,

Jacob (Carol) Lee

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“Send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me.”

David Livingstone