March 2025 – Reaching Africa's Unreached

By Carol Lee

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”

~~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.~~

One of the many benefits of taking a Short Term Ministry (STM) trip is that, if you have never been abroad before, by virtue of traveling you are expanding your mind, your perspective, your experience, your knowledge, and your heart, beyond their normal encapsulated boundaries. This is especially important for Church leaders in America who answer for the life and health of their “flock” and the trajectory and completion of the Church’s mission.

In that light, it was a joy to receive 7 men (Jason, Wayne, Billy, Garrett, Austin, James and David) from churches in Mississippi under the guidance of a well-seasoned STM traveler and trip leader, David Williams. The purpose of their visit was to stir the churches in Lincoln County, MS to a more far-reaching vision and participation in the Great Commission by participating in on-going ministry in another country–Uganda, and RAU particularly. David had brought another team years back and wanted to ignite this team by revisiting RAU and this region of northwestern Uganda.

In typical fashion, Jacob devised a plan to squeeze every ounce of ministry, experience and energy out of them, starting on Day 1 after arrival. They spent the first three days in the Metu Mountains (north end–Gbari, Arapi, Duku, Oyo– and south end–Aya, Ijujo, Cinyi, Oku, Lea). I opted to stay home because, a) the Land Cruiser was going to be filled to the rim or brim and, b) it was just too hot and, c) it was really hot! Ha! In Duku, they were able to witness the blessing of replaced steel water pipes with stainless steel pipes for the borehole and taste water fresh from the underground. In each spot, each of the men shared a word of encouragement to the gathered believers. I will let the pictures tell more of their stories.

On the third day in the Metu Mountains, they met at the Gbari/Arapi to gather with the two other churches in the area (Duku and Oyo). Garrett, from what Jacob told me, preached a wonderful message and with a special emphasis on baptism–for the 22 people who were prepared for baptism and would receive that ordinance and confirmation of their willing, confessed faith afterward in the stream in the valley. Pastor Tobious had told us earlier that he would have someone go down to the stream to scare away the pythons and other snakes that take refuge in or near the water during the hottest part of the day…yikes! Thankfully, the baptisms happened without a hitch–or a hiss!

On Monday–EARLY–we all headed to Yumbe and then on to Lodenga. Yumbe is home to the Aringa tribe who are primarily Muslim. According to the Joshua Project the Aringa are 1.9% Christian. We have described previously the challenges the believers in Yumbe have faced, and particularly in Lodenga where threats were made that the church would be destroyed and their land usurped. Since we first visited Lodenga, the oppression has heightened but so has the show of support from other churches. RAU has now had several trainings there. Our brothers from Mississippi spent about 3 hours teaching from Greg Gilbert’s “What is the Gospel?“. Many resources were handed out–numerous books and an Africa Study Bible (ASB).

Afterward, a meal was shared together.

From the expansive mango tree, shade cover at the Lodenga church property, we proceeded over rugged roads and terrain to Aniti, a small village where Market Day was taking place. Permission was received by the Local Councilman 1 (LCI) for our group to join the market place for one on one conversations about Christ, handing out dual-language tracts (Aringa/English), to explain and proclaim the Gospel and then to show the Jesus Film in Aringa. There were many who joined us from the various churches and sang joyfully with dance. The audience for the Jesus film was large–and probably larger than we could fully see due to darkness. Because of the anticipated late finish of this time of ministry, we had made reservations at a hotel in Yumbe town, and we arrived there at around 11:15 pm. From some reports, there were a few who professed faith in Christ.

We found out later that there were several Muslims who had joined the teaching time earlier, seeking to scope out the message and activities. They went away with Christian literature and, sometime later, others came back requesting a Bible also. One Muslim woman was present who showed an interest but was chased away by her husband. However, she joined the group at the Market place. When she returned home, her husband “turned her over to her relatives” in protest of her interest in the Christian faith. Another woman put her faith in Jesus Christ and is now seeking counsel as to whether or not she should leave her husband. These are very real, painful and complex issues. Women, especially, have great interest in Jesus but fear reprisals from their families and community.

On Tuesday, after a good breakfast, we went to Charles’ home where we received from him interesting historical information about the Aringa tribe (of which he is a member), about his ministry in the area, and his experiences in working in an environment that is potentially and strongly opposed to the growth of the Christian church in the area. It was jab to our consciences to hear him talk about his trust in God’s sovereignty over his life–whether that signifies ultimate suffering or ongoing struggles. It reminded me of this quote by Henry Martyn: “I am immortal until God’s work for me to do is done.”

Wednesday was “debrief” day which ended with a nice meal together at a local restaurant. We remained on RAU campus and spent the morning sharing our thoughts and experiences of the time together. Jacob and I were immensely blessed by this “band of brothers“, their love for the Lord, for people and for the message of the Gospel to reconcile people to God through Jesus Christ. Their words of encouragement buoyed us greatly. We loved their commitment to not allowing apathy to stifle the spiritual energy and vision that was generated during their visit. Jacob and I pray that their goal of kindling a fire for a “more far-reaching vision and participation in the Great Commission” will not be a pipe dream but a fleshed-out reality when they return to their homes and churches.

We sent the team off early on Thursday morning as they needed to reach Entebbe with enough time to do a small bit of shopping for their families, get a meal and some rest, and make it to the airport for the flight home. All are now safely back in Mississippi.

Following quickly after the departure of our friends, on Friday we received Wayne and Nancy Reigel who came to stay with us on the RAU campus for a month–to encourage us and to participate in the many things which are happening here. Wayne and Nancy have been traveling to South Sudan and Uganda for many years now on STM trips and, providentially, we met them at the Arua airport a number of years ago and have become dear friends. Their love for the Lord and the peoples of this region runs deep. Already they have plunged into RAU daily life, learning grafting of mangoes and sitting in on interesting conversations such as the following.

Yesterday, we met with a young woman who has been diagnosed with a cancerous growth in her right eye. Peter, a teacher in a school nearby, is a believer who is advocating for her. We met to discuss her case, provide some money which was given specifically for her and to strategize on how to inspire community involvement and help. Such surgeries and treatments are expensive, partially because the patient and family member must travel far to a hospital where appropriate care can be found and sustain themselves while there. We emphasized urgency due to the diagnosis (to minimize encroaching damage to surrounding tissue). Please be in prayer for “Christine” as they seek to raise the remainder of funds needed and pray for healing with minimal complications.

Since Jacob’s last post, we have some good news concerning our fundraising efforts for the Africa Study Bible (ASB). Jacob had written that we still needed $18,247.19. BUT! during the writing of this newsletter, we received word from our USA office that $11,800 had come in. This leaves us with only a remaining $6,447.19!!!! Praise the Lord. And thank you, to those who are cheerfully generous in your giving (2 Corinthians 9: 6-10).

We are pleased to see signs of Rainy Season chasing away the dryness and heat and dust. Soon, it will be time for planting (for the community and RAU demo farm) and then harvesting mangoes will follow. We already have people vying for the mangoes, even before they are fully developed. It is a testament to the surrounding communities that there is, indeed, a good market for grafted mangoes and that it is a viable Ag investment. That is our sincere hope–that many would latch on to this vision for their own empowerment and for a wider community benefit.

Though there is a natural season for fruit, in Kingdom life and Gospel work the key is to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). There is no downtime. No lollygagging. It’s always the right time to plow, prepare, sow, water, weed and harvest in God’s field. We anticipate this as we meet with those who come unexpectedly or look at the many upcoming events on our calendar: March/April discipleship training in Yumbe District and the Hill Country Fellowship Team, the Rocky Point Baptist Team and the Forest Hill Presbyterian Team–in April, May and June!!

Jesus’ last words were about an expanding horizon of grace to the nations and reconciliation to God through His redeeming work as recorded in Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” May Christ’s vision be expanded in us, breaking us free from our encapsulated thinking and desires–whether we are at home or missionaries abroad!

Gratefully,

Jacob and Carol Lee