“The United Nations has declared a famine in parts of South Sudan, the first to be announced anywhere in the world in six years….UN agencies say 100,000 people are facing starvation in South Sudan and a further 1 million there are classified as being on the brink of famine. This is the most acute of the present food emergencies. It is also the most widespread nationally. Overall, says the UN, 4.9 million people – or 40% of South Sudan’s population – are “in need of urgent food, agriculture and nutrition assistance….”. BBC Africa: “Why Are There Still Famines?”

The need is real and the fighting is real. Because we are located just two kilometers from border we have heard the exchange of gunfire, RPG’s, and  have seen tracer fire in the night sky. We are safe and secure on our side of the border.  Unfortunately, it’s not so for the ones on the other side!

The Lord has set us here in the the very midst of hundreds of thousands of refugees in our three district regions of Moyo, Yumbe, and Adjumani. He has also given you a direct connection to them through us and others “for such a time as this”!

Currently, we have begun construction on an enlarged “Hall of Tyrannus” with adjoining dining and study. This new structure will allow us to host larger pastor retreats. It will also help facilitate the hosting of groups from the community, as well South Sudanese leaders from Refugee Camps, for biblical and agricultural training. RAU’s focus is 2 Timothy 2:2, teaching faithful leaders who in turn will teach others who then, in turn, teach others.

Any financial help you can give in this building project would be much appreciated! We would like to complete the Hall as fast as possible so that we can begin using it soon.

Recently, I had a visit with UN officials and they are happy that we want to bring leaders from refugee camps here to RAU for agricultural and biblical training. They will be back for more discussions. RAU will endeavor to work with the Ugandan gov’t, UNHCR, and other larger NGOs in the region that have heeded the call to help.

We have been told that the South Sudanese refugees will probably be here for at least 5-10 years. RAU wants to, especially, be a part of giving developmental help to them through agricultural training with the gospel always being front and center. The enlarged “Hall of Tyrannus” (See Acts 19:9b-10) along with our 17 acre demo plot will help facilitate hands on training.

On RAU’s 17 acres we now have many bananas (6,000+/-) that will be in full production when the March rains begin; this can bring immediate food relief. Most of our 740 grafted mangoes are still too young to produce but, in a couple of years, they will begin producing as well. In the our upcoming first growing season, in between the rows of bananas and mangoes, we are looking to plant soybeans along with many different kinds of vegetables. We will use our  soybean seed stock which we harvested in May ’16 for planting. When harvested, our plan is to grind the soybeans into meal. Soybean meal is one of the most complete foods God has given us. It can be a great food resource for the refugees as well as the local community.

Long term, we want to help prepare and equip the refugees in the Word of God and in ways they can better care for their families and community through agriculture. The agricultural skills with which they are equipped at Reaching Africa’s Unreached can be taken back with them to their homes in South Sudan when peace returns; this is something we all pray will happen sooner rather later.

We commit to use funds given faithfully and wisely. We live here so we are “the boots on the ground” to ensure that God’s love is seen through you, his people.

With Love and Appreciation,

Jacob (Carol) Lee

http://www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org