​By Jacob Lee

On Saturday the 20th we finished a six oofday module using the text, “Helping Without Hurting in Africa”. Jonny Kabiswa Kyazze and Anthony Sytsma with Brian Fickert have put together the training manual which clearly lays out sound biblical principles for the best ways to help those who are materially poor, but defining poverty holistically (in terms of  lack in spiritual intimacy, stewardship, community and self) and helping students learn ways to help, especially contextualized for Africa. Authors Jonny and Anthony did an excellent job in teaching and leading very productive lectures and group discussions. We went through lessons 1-10 and they will return again later for lessons 11-20.

From an Amazon description: “Bestseller When Helping Hurts: How to alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself has changed the way thousands of church and ministry leaders approach poverty. Designed to equip you to begin effectively helping low-income people, When Helping Hurts articulates a biblical framework for poverty alleviation. Learn how to walk with the materially poor in humble relationships instead of just providing them temporary handouts.Now adapted specifically for African contexts, Helping without Hurting in Africa is a 400-page manual to guide the pastor and lay working alike to meaningful ministry. Helping Without Hurting in Africa is designed to inspire churches, pastors, community leaders, missionaries, development workers, NGOs, government institutions, and donors to foster transformation in their communities. This training teaches a holistic approach, explaining how to preach the gospel through word and deed. It aims at changing people’s mind-set and helping them apply biblical principles to care wisely and compassionately for poor people without unintentionally hurting them. Most Christians have a heart for poor people, but this training seeks to help Christians also have a mind for poor people. Helping without Hurting in Africa provides readers with the foundational concepts and tools in Christ-centered poverty alleviation and doubles as a ready-to-use facilitator manual that helps the reader and participants:

*Grow in their relationships with God, others, self, and the rest of creation.

*Gain a new focus on the kingdom of God in their ministries.

*Renew their love and compassion for the materially poor.

*Obtain knowledge about how to help low-income individuals and communities more wisely.

*Empower churches and ministries to bring lasting change, starting with their own resources.”

​ 

Sara Sytsma, Anthony’s wife, had a number of very beneficial breakout sessions as well which included dehydrating fruits and veggies, “No fire” beans, soil nutrition for farming and organic pesticides using locally available plants. Her hands-on training for the leaders was very, very helpful and she was given great appreciation at the end during evaluation!  Of course, it was a recurring theme to have her back for more in-depth training, especially helping communities identify the plants in their locales which can be used for pests and diseases.

Our attending group Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. were leaders from the Metu Mountains, Moyo, Yumbe and Koboko Districts as well as Sudanese (both South and North) from various refugee resettlement camps. Steve and Debbie Nutzmann, missionaries from Jinja, were also with us. It has been a joy to be with the Nutzmann’s, the teaching team, and the church leaders whom Carol and I have come to love much. Our RAU staff  did a stellar job caring for our guests as well as all the church leaders who were sleeping and eating at RAU.

This is from Carol:

“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” (Isaac Newton).We are so grateful to stand on the shoulders of many Greats, to be able to see further and to do more and to witness the inspiration of many to do more! This week of “Helping Without Hurting in Africa” has been insightful and inspiring! Jacob and I are so grateful for this team! Thank you, Jonny Kabiswa Kyazze and Anthony Sytsma for teaching faithfully and inspiringly. A special thanks to Sara  Sytsma for the Agricultural and Entrepreneurial expertise that you shared during this week! Thanks, Debbie and Steve Nutzmann for your supportive role and for what you are doing in “your neck of the woods”!

My prayer is that this training could be done throughout Uganda. The principles taught would serve missionaries, NGOs, Aid Organizations and short term ministry teams well. The church at large throughout our beloved Uganda, South Sudan and the Republic of North Sudan would do well to be transformed in their perspectives and mindset also.

Please be in prayer for Ron Zeiner who is traveling our way this week. On the weekend, he will be preaching in Ijujo in the Metu Mountains and from May 29th-June 2nd, teaching an Old Testament Survey module to church leaders in Reaching Africa’s Unreached Hall of Tyrannus. Ron is an Old Testament scholar and long time friend. It is not his first time to RAU. He and his wife Joanna were missionaries in South Africa for around 10 years. Ron currently is the pastor of Bread of Life church in Uvalde Texas. Bread of Life Church is one of RAU’s supporting churches.

Please pray for an increase in those who financially support RAU on a monthly basis. While we are very grateful for those who give to various projects we especially are grateful to those who give monthly. As the Lord has grown the ministry of RAU our monthly supporters are the ones who are carrying RAU’s Mission/Vision along like our 2 Timothy 2:2 modules, evangelism, church planting/discipleship and running the agricultural demo farm. If you are not giving monthly, would you please consider helping us in that way? Please take time to peruse our website and see how we have sought to be faithful stewards of the gifts given. It is our desire that any charitable gifts that are given to R.A.U. would not compromise what you are  ALREADY giving to your local church and/or to other cross-cultural foreign missionaries. At this link you can read about RAU’s philosophy on missionary giving and how to give—> https://reachingafricasunreached.org/donations/

Please continue praying for the vision of a FM Christian radio station, dental and eye clinics, and Bible Institute on the campus of RAU. Please pray with us and consider giving your dollars to help make this vision become reality.

Please also continue to pray for the Pryce family and the Langworthy family who are looking to join us long term at RAU.

​Thank you,

Jacob and Carol Lee

Above group photo with visitors: Jonny, Jacob, Carol, Sara, Anthony, Debbie & Steve

PayPal Link for donations: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WAR99DL4JFWXQ

Donations are tax deductible

Checks may be written to RAU and sent to our secretary Beth and she will deposit them into RAU’s account : Lifegate-RAU, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin, TX. 78155

Go to RAU’s Facebook page for up to date reports, pictures, musings, and exhortations: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

RAU’s YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRmHafoBSemE7jS8kEHCG6Q/videos

RAU’s Mission and Vision Statements/Statement of Faith: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/about/

The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it!

Sowing seeds of love and kindness should not be separated from preaching the gospel of sovereign grace but completely intertwined with it!

When at least 35% of the world; “the unoccupied fields”, have no access to the gospel, we (believers) must all do all we can to reach them. We who are saved owe the gospel to every lost person, most especially the 2.4 billion who will not hear unless someone breaks into their “unoccupied field” with no thought of their own life!

I am sure that none of us will say when in heaven that we prayed too much, we sacrificed too much, proclaimed the gospel too much, and were too passionate to get the gospel to those who have little to no access to this gospel of grace. Let us together press on to make it our  ambition to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named!

Our goal in our gospel witness is to take our eyes off the “risk” and place them on the cause for the risk. When God compels us like this he often will not tell us the risks…after all there are no risks for the all-knowing, all-powerful God. So let us be AMBITIOUS (Romans 15:20) to see that ALL are reached with the gospel of grace (Romans 1:16) in ALL places…there are no closed doors to the gospel, just some which are more difficult to go through!

Jacob Lee

By Carol Lee

“I give you a new law: Have love one for another; even as I have had love for you, so are you to have love one for another. By this it will be clear to all men that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.”

John 13:34-35

The physical well-being of the communities in the Metu Mountains has long been a source of concern–even since 2010 when Jacob first visited Aya. Each subsequent visit has only confirmed that medical assistance must be on our radar--it is an expression of love–it’s a language that everyone, everywhere understands and needs. Jacob and I not being gifted or called to Medical missions have, through RAU, tried to demonstrate that love in small ways–with medicines where supply is insufficient–and bigger ways–sponsoring children who require major surgery or supporting gifted people through medical training. However, the burden remains to do something substantial and on-going. Until we have provision on that “substantial” plan, we will do what we can in concert with others who have the same burden.

In our last newsletter, Jacob shared with you all about ABWE’s International Healthcare Ministry (IHM) team coming to help us assess and plan for the most needed aspects of healthcare which are not available in this region. After a survey of the several medical institutions in Moyo District, we were able to narrow down the plan to key areas (dental and ophthalmology) and to look at ways to implement the plan without forfeiting our highest goal of caring for the eternal and spiritual needs of the people we are here to serve (through strengthening church leaders, providing literature, sharing the Gospel and making disciples). The word which brought the most encouragement and hope to us during our debriefing was: “WE”!! I cannot count how many times Jacob and I heard that word and it was music to our ears and a comfort to our hearts. Collaboration is a lovely and necessary thing–especially if long-term change and benefit is the goal!

As we work towards the goals and plans discussed during the visit of the IHM of ABWE, we can continue to collaborate in many different ways–which describes well what happened last week.

On Wednesday, April 3rd, we received and hosted 51 visitors at the campus of Reaching Africa’s Unreached (RAU). Paul Ortega arrived with 8 other Texans from the USA and Dr. Esther and Dr. Edith (from Mbale) and Dr. Ronnie (from Kampala) came with 37 physicians and nurses from Mbale and Kampala. Several years ago, Paul’s ministry (E5 Outreach), Pearl Haven Church in Mbale (Living Water Ministries) and The Fellowship Church (Kampala) had partnered together to bring a medical team for ministry in the Metu Mountains. A second outreach was planned for the end of 2022, but the Ebola scare shut those plans down until this year. This year, there were no roadblocks!

Though we have never hosted such a big group before, the medical team and the Texas team made our role easy because of their gracious acceptance of the facilities and food we had to offer. When I apologized for any lack of convenience or provision, Dr. Edith, one of the TOP surgeons at Cure Hospital in Mbale, was quick to say that, when they have gone to remote places to provide medical clinics, they often go without eating all day and then have to cook their evening meal when they get back. Her humility and graciousness warmed my heart. It was all the more a joy to welcome and serve them.

Both teams joyfully and compassionately served the 1372 adults and children that came through over 3 days: On Thursday the 4th, the Clinic was at RAU campus, Friday, the 5th at Aya Baptist Church and Saturday, the 6th at the Arapi/Gbari community church. On each Clinic day, we had patients moving through 7 different stations: 1) Registration, 2) Triage, 3) Clinical exam, 4) Chiropractic therapy, 5) Counseling and prayer, 6) Lab and, 7) Pharmacy. On Day 2, at Aya and Arapi/Gbari, some of the Texas and Mbale crew provided special activities and ministry for the many children that came around. At the end of each day, the whole group gathered for debriefing and evaluation, sharing what happened, what went well, what didn’t go well and suggestions for improvement. I was so impressed with this process. It was done with humility and graciousness and a whole lot of wisdom.

The teams brought with them donated medications, lab tests and “Mama kits” (which are neatly packaged items that pregnant mothers need for delivery). Some items were borrowed from nearby clinics–such as scales, tables and chairs. Besides the medical team from South Central Uganda, there were a number of nurses/clinicians from Moyo District who came and helped and many interpreters and local pastors who were needed to bridge the communication gap.

Written records show that 209 made professions of faith. Names and contacts are recorded so that follow up can be done with them by pastors with the goal that they become a part of local church.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

The 3 days of ministry were long and arduous, made more difficult by the unrelenting heat. We truly felt bad for the hundreds of people who were waiting to be seen and, as they say here, “chasing the shade“. Though the teams were tired from traveling or a long day of work, each day started and ended with prayer and worship (see video).

This medical event gave me great hope that there are many who have a heart of service given freely. Many of the doctors and nurses were heard to say, during the debrief and evaluation, the words, “next time, we need to...”. That, also, is music to our ears!!

On Sunday morning, the medical team from Mbale and Kampala headed back home for their upcoming work week. The Texas team stayed on to spend the extra day with us back in the Metu Mountains for Arapi/Gbari Community Church’s service. Our hearts are turned toward them with compassion as their lives are so difficult and, yet the joyfulness with which they worship amazes us. Please keep praying for them (for all in the mountains and in the West Nile) that God’s goodness would overflow to them, especially through their ability to develop income-producing skills.

With just a week in between events, we are trying to recuperate and ready ourselves for “the next thing” in RAU’s Hall of Tyrannus. It begins on Monday, May 15th and continues until May 20th, as we welcome a teaching team (authors of the book) and around 50 attendees for “Helping Without Hurting In Africa”. Please be praying for this to be life- and perspective-changing for those that attend.

Pray for perseverance for us. We have another upcoming retreat May 29th-June 2nd. Ron Zeiner, long time friend and Old Testament scholar is teaching an Old Testament Survey module.

On Saturday, we had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Rebekah Bullen, a young lady who is giving her life to serve 200 children in Karamajong region of Uganda. Her desire to see a generation raised up from infancy/childhood to know the Lord and to hope in His good plans for them is an inspiration. We praise God for her (and her parents) and for all those who have joined together to raise up such a ministry in a difficult place. May the Lord bless those plans and do a great work of grace among those children.

A special thank you to all who financially support RAU. We encourage you as you are able to support the Pryce family and the Langworthy family who are joining us long term at RAU.

In His loving, sovereign grip

Jacob and Carol Lee

PayPal Link for donations: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WAR99DL4JFWXQ

Donations are tax deductible

Checks may be written to RAU and sent to our secretary and she will deposit them into RAU’s account: Lifegate-RAU, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin, TX. 78155

Go to RAU’s Facebook page for up to date reports, pictures, musings, and exhortations: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

RAU YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRmHafoBSemE7jS8kEHCG6Q/videos

RAU’s Mission and Vision Statements/Statement of Faith: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/about/

The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it!

Sowing seeds of love and kindness should not be separated from preaching the gospel of sovereign grace but completely intertwined with it!

When at least 35% of the world; “the unoccupied fields”, have no access to the gospel, we (believers) must all do all we can to reach them. We who are saved owe the gospel to every lost person, most especially the 2.4 billion who will not hear unless someone breaks into their “unoccupied field” with no thought of their own life!

I am sure that none of us will say when in heaven that we prayed too much, we sacrificed too much, proclaimed the gospel too much, and were too passionate to get the gospel to those who have little to no access to this gospel of grace. Let us together press on to make it our  ambition to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named!

Our goal in our gospel witness is to take our eyes off the “risk” and place them on the cause for the risk. When God compels us like this he often will not tell us the risks…after all there are no risks for the all-knowing, all-powerful God. So let us be AMBITIOUS (Romans 15:20) to see that ALL are reached with the gospel of grace (Romans 1:16) in ALL places…there are no closed doors to the gospel, just some which are more difficult to go through!

Jacob Lee