March Gladness

On March 23, 2014March 23, 2014 By Jacob LeeIn Discipleship, News and Status Updates

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Philippians 4:4

The Lord continues to bless and open doors for us and enabling us in our pursuit to spread the fame of King Jesus where He is least known. Thank you for your prayers and support. I often think about the truth of 17th Century missionary William Carey’s “rope holder ” example, “Saving souls can be likened to a man drowning in a deep well and a volunteer can do nothing unless there are people who will hold the rope for him to be lowered till he reaches the drowning man, and then pull them up to safety… I will go to India as a volunteer to seek sinners drowning in the well of Sin. But I can’t do it alone. I need rope holders.” We, like Carey, will not nor can we be effective witnesses for Christ here in Northwestern Uganda and the nearby regions without your loving and sacrificial support. I thank you with all my heart!

We have an active, upcoming schedule in which we need your prayers for blessing,wisdom, and support. There are four pastors’ retreats at RAU on the docket and more to be planned. At these retreats we transport 17-20 pastors/church leaders to RAU and provide for them while they are here from a Tuesday to a Friday. We seek to provide an environment which is conducive to teaching, learning, and study of God’s Word. Because of the generosity of God’s people back in America we are able to provide each man with a Global Study Bible and numerous books which came through the Gospel Coalition International Outreach. Each retreat costs RAU around $1,500 making it a very inexpensive way to walk out 2 Timothy 2:2. If the the world is going to be reached it must be through multiplication not addition!

I am also working with local pastors to mentor young men in their congregations for leadership in their churches and for new church plants. This is perhaps the most exciting task I have as a missionary. To work one on one with men who are passionate about our Savior is a grand privileged! These men are not satisfied with just coasting through life. They want to see the church grow and become strong in the Lord and to see churches planted where there are none.

Sam and I with Godfrey before we send him off to RAU's first church plant. — Sam and I with Godfrey before we send him off to RAU’s first church plant in Obongi.

As I have written in the past, the two most unreached areas near us are Obongi and Yumbe. The Lord is blessing the work there. The new church in Obongi and its pastor, Godfrey, who was mentored here, are receiving much persecution in the midst of many coming to faith in Christ Jesus. I told the congregation recently that persecution is not necessarily a bad thing (Philippians 1:29 & 2 Timothy 3:12). They are pressing into a region where the prince of darkness has had his way for a long time.

March 29th and 30th I will be in there with Sam and Abraham for teaching throughout the days and baptisms on the 29th. Godfrey reports there are up to 40 new believers ready for baptism from the Obongi Town Church and several surrounding village churches!

Previous baptism in Obongi last November

The church is growing and the need for ongoing discipleship is very great. We have pastors/leaders from that region coming here to RAU periodically, but it is too far for them to come often. I feel the increasing need to go there to them as well, and more so when we have a vehicle. Three thousand dollars has already specifically been given to purchase land for a Hall of Tyrannus Obongi Branch. This is a wonderful start! After the Obongi Hall of Tyrannus Branch is built the Obongi Town Church could also meet there until the funds are raised to build a structure of their own. Currently, the new believers there have been meeting under a trees….it has been even hard to find a tree, at times, under which to worship and have teaching because of the opposition. The rains are about to begin which makes a tree a less desirable place for teaching and worship. Nevertheless, the teaching and worship will not stop… no matter what! Please pray with us for Obongi and the growing number of believers there.

In this town of 20,000+, besides the church which Godfrey pastors, there is only one Anglican church with a small group of believers. A piece of property in the town for a Hall of Tyrannus branch and church structure would help in discipleship and lessen the pressure from the unbelievers in the community who are opposing the work. Please lift up Obongi daily in your prayers and especially Godfrey as he faces almost daily, public ridicule and yet without growing bitter, but rather being patient and prayerful. He recently spent a few days with us here to talk over the issues and to have some time to be apart for reading and prayer and loving care. He also frequently suffers from physical ailments, including Malaria and GI troubles.

The Lord has opened doors in Yumbe as well. I have written in the past about Yumbe so I will not repeat myself. Something new in the works is the first ever New Testament in the Aringa language being published. It is being dedicated in June and I have been invited to be an official part of its dedication. Also, pastor Charles from Yumbe has translated John Piper’s tract, Quest for Joy, into Aringa and I just received permission from Desiring God to put it on the web page and publish it for distribution in Yumbe. An Aringa NT costs around $3 to publish. Here is an opportunity for you to help put a first edition Aringa New Testament into the hands of believers in Yumbe. RAU would like to get a good number of Testaments to use in our discipleship. 20,000 Aringa Quest For Joy tracts will cost around $1500+-. Doug Salser with Literature Ministries International has agreed to help us with this like he did with the Ma’di version of Quest For Joy. Lord willing, a short term ministry team will be able to bring them to us from the USA. The gates of hell cannot hold back the advancement of God’s Word!

There is only an Anglican and Roman Catholic church structure in Yumbe town which has some where around 35,000 people. The Muslims are upset that these churches are even there and it has only been by God’s grace these churches have kept their doors open. The Muslims are now even more militant in their position that no other churches or a Christian Organization be established in Yumbe town and will “severely” punish any fellow Muslim who rents or sells anything to a Christian. I have also been told that well over 90% of those who meet in these two churches are not even from Yumbe but are people working in the town from the outside…mostly government jobs. The Ugandan constitution allows the freedom of all religion in the country and the Lord using this to help us and others do Christian work in Yumbe.

This is main street Yumbe. It has a population of 35,000 with evangelicals numbering less than 1% — This is main street Yumbe. It has a population of 35,000+- with evangelicals numbering less than 1%!

In the the midst of this I received information that a Christian brother was willing to sell his plot in Yumbe town which already has two structures on it. There is also room for growth on the plot. There are very,very few Christian brothers who have any land in Yumbe town. He is willing to sell it for $6000 and it would take approximately another $6000 to refurbish the buildings and build a perimeter wall for protection. There are two nearby Mosques. Pastor Charles already rents and lives in one of the building and is watching over the property. He could do the same for us if we can get the property. Sam and I, along with pastors Ben and Charles, looked at it on the 19th and we liked it! RAU Africa board members Patrick and Abraham also think the property is an open door for RAU.

We are actively bringing pastors here from Yumbe and also young men for discipleship. For the work of God to grow in Yumbe there also needs to be active,regular, and ongoing discipleship there in Yumbe itself…training others who teach others is RAU’s main purpose . Pray with us and consider helping us spearhead this gospel work in Yumbe.

With these branch Halls of Tyrannuses in place we can go weekly or biweekly to train pastors and leaders along with also bring them to RAU for retreats. It seems the Lord has opened this door for us in Yumbe. Please pray with us and believe God with us for a Hall of Tyrannus Yumbe Branch where pastors,evangelists, and church planters can receive ongoing teaching in the Faith.

Last week I was in Kampala and personally, along with Patrick and Sam, met with the Ugandan broker who ordered the ’99 Land Cruiser for RAU from Japan last Fall. I urged the broker strongly that we are going to get a lawyer to enforce a refund if he did not repay RAU its money. The Ugandan broker is also a medical doctor and does this on the side. In the past, he has successfully handled over a dozen vehicle transactions with the same Japanese broker/company. I came to the meeting “loaded” and with simmering anger but, after meeting the broker and talking with him, I ended up rather liking him and having to repent of a bad attitude. The Ugandan broker has been working with Interpol and begged we give him one month more and so we agreed in writing that at the end of a month’s time if he has not received the money back from Japan he would have to pay RAUback personally the $15,000 we gave him for the Land Cruiser. We really need a vehicle, especially with our frequent travels to Yumbe and Obongi. Once we have the money back we will try to find a strong vehicle in Kampala this time fit for the rugged travel here. Please be in continue prayer in this matter….thank you!

Lastly, let me leave you with a link which has eight different maps which as the title of page suggest may “Change the Way you look at Africa”

May the Lord richly bless you, keep you, be gracious to you, and make His face shine upon you!

Thank You!

Jacob (and Carol) Lee

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

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 names)

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!

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.

Reflections

On March 4, 2014 By Jacob LeeIn Discipleship, Missions, News and Status Updates

Dear Loving and Praying Rope Holders,

There are a few things I appreciate about writing a newsletter. Notice, I didn’t say “love.” When Jacob reminds me that it is my turn to write there is usually a twinge of resistance. Writing well is hard work! And I am usually in the middle of something I don’t want to stop at the moment. However, writing does some important things for me: it makes me stop and think, look back with thankfulness and remember. In looking back and in looking forward writing helps me gain perspective. It gives me an avenue for creativity. Most of all, it allows me an opportunity to focus on YOU and think about what might be important and helpful to you as you remember us in love and prayer and support. That is, after all, the primary reason newsletters are written.

CAVEAT: This newsletter is more letter than “news.” If you are a “just-the-facts-ma’am” kind of reader, you might want to scroll down to the last two pages where you will be directed to the needs of the ministry! Don’t worry! I don’t think I’ll be able to find out who you are!

THANKFUL

Jacob has done a wonderful job of keeping you all in the loop with pictures, videos and short updates. Those are evidences that the seed of passion and vision that was implanted in his heart many years ago is continuing to grow and bear fruit. The opportunities for interaction with and feedback from pastors only fertilize that passion and vision even more! I am sure that his efforts in communicating have helped you all to visualize more clearly what we are doing and why it is vital. Thank you, Jacob, for your “stubbornness” in taking what could have been an ivory tower pipe dream and making it an in-the-trenches reality.

Thank you, Pastor Abraham, for sharing the vision and stirring it and putting “feet” to it so that ministry happens. You and Maggie were so warmly hospitable to Jacob on his many trips to Moyo. You have been an example of one who never grows weary in well doing and who is tireless in making the Gospel message available to so many. You are ever looking for new ways to embody Christ to the people around you. And, another thing, as a result of your efforts, we simply have the best cook around—Lucy!—and a perfect fit for RAU.

Thank you, Pastor Patrick, for being a faithful co-worker in the Gospel and a dear friend. You and Vickie have also been a family to Jacob and to me; we have enjoyed your hospitality, your home and family. You have been key in making things happen in establishing RAU: processing documents, researching, communicating, sending supplies, and much more. We and many others have benefited from your teaching ministry. Most importantly (for me anyway!) you have kept me connected to the world with SIM cards!

Nurse Sam, thank you for making a conscious, God-inspired decision to partner with us at RAU. You were in great demand by other medical personnel. You could have made more lucrative career advancements, but you chose to heed a calling from the Lord to join with us. You have been invaluable to Jacob as a friend, a great help to him in the day to day operations of RAU, and a member of the family for us. Your joyful faith and integrity strengthen and inspire us. It gives us a great deal of joy to tease you and induce that wonderful laugh. In the very near future, we want people to benefit from your compassionate nursing expertise.

Lucy, Stephen, Aldo and all the day workers here at RAU, though you will probably never get to read this, we thank you, too, because what we are doing for pastors we could not do without you and the benefits of your hard work!

Thank you, Rope Holders, for the constancy of your prayers and giving. We have other folks stop in for a visit occasionally and they have commented on the generosity of your support, from money for building and other resources to abundant coffee bean supplies! We are blessed! Jacob and I continue to be amazed that the flow of support never wanes! One might think that you all had a Father who owned the cattle on a thousand hills…or something! This physical support would not happen if you did not first identify strongly with the spiritual vision and mission of RAU.

REMEMBERING

It has been eight months since we arrived. Wow! It seems like we have been here much longer—almost like we have always been here. Time passes quickly when we have been fruitfully occupied.

When we first moved to RAU in July of 2013 and up to December there was a LOT of physical labor: building and fixing and furnishing. Thankfully, it did not keep ministry from happening. Kindles from our friend, Delmar Hager, and other resources were being made available. Jacob made the circuit of the local churches to preach and also to make it known that we were here to come alongside the pastors. We had our first Pastors’ Retreat with Ron Zeiner doing a superb job of teaching on Leadership as he worked through Ezra and Nehemiah. Our family grew as we welcomed two American teams here for ministry: the Tennessee Trio—David Jones, Michael Lambert and Eric Williams—and Kevin Turner (Strategic World Impact) and Ron Day. It was an encouraging, learn-as-you-grow season which left us looking ahead to a time of refreshing.

Sandwiched in between 2013 and 2014 was a much anticipated return to our hometown, Seguin. We arrived there mid December and left mid January. What a joy to be reunited with all of our children, Josh and Becca, Josiah, Anna and Kenny, and to hug, sing to, play with and rock our grandchildren! Reconnecting with family and our friends from Lifegate and the Seguin area was a great source of joy and encouragement. At the end of our stay trouble was brewing in South Sudan and, for a moment, it looked as if we might head back early. Changing our flight to an earlier date proved impossible and unnecessary—all the better to enjoy more time with family—but it helped us to transition our focus back to the place of our calling.

And suddenly…it is March 2014. Oh my goodness!

We already have another Pastors’ Retreat and the Yumbe outreach under our belt. Jacob, Patrick and Elder David from First Presbyterian Uganda had opportunities to strengthen the churches from Yumbe and Obongi. Sam’s, Jacob and my time in Yumbe itself was very fruitful. As Jacob has been so good about explaining, church ministry in these areas can be stressful and lonely; it does the pastors of these areas so much good to know that others are coming alongside to strengthen, encourage and stand with them.

LOOKING FORWARD

Standing on the precipice of future ministry is thrilling and scary! The calendar is filling up fast and these coming events are the ones we know about at this point!

March: we are continuing to work on the physical/structural projects of RAU. Now that the container has arrived, all of the contents need organizing and putting into place or good use. Jacob’s favorite project is getting his massive library in ready condition for pastor’s to come and prep for sermons and teachings. He is excited that they will have the best pastoral study library in the area—maybe even in Uganda! Pastor Abraham said today, “If you build it, they will come!” (Well, he did say, “they will come!) Starting March 17^th, Jacob will be going every Monday to Obongi for discipleship and market day preaching. There is a possibility that a dear friend may make a visit towards the middle of March. We will be heading to Kampala with Lucy later this week to meet up with Sam who has already gone for much needed dental work. Everyone (except me) has an appointment. YES!

April: We have scheduled two Pastors’ Retreats: April 8^th – 11^th for 18 Pastors from Adjumani, and April 29^th– May 2^nd for 17 pastors from the Moyo Baptist Association. April 19^th and 20^th we will travel to Yumbe where Jacob will preach at Pilgrim’s Anglican Church.

May: 18 Pastors and leaders from Obongi will come for a Pastors’ Retreat from the 6^th through the 9^th and the Yumbe Pastors will return on May 20^th and stay until the 23^rd.

June, July and August: have yet to be filled and most likely they will be! As we have always said, the pastors here are thirsty for teaching and resources. There is the grand possibility of some friends coming for a visit in August.

September: the youth group from First Presbyterian Uganda will be coming for the 2^nd week in September for ministry.

October: Hooray! We will head back to the States for itinerating and reuniting with family and friends.

November: We have the possibility of a team from America visiting.

December: open

Abraham and Jacob were discussing today the value of starting up a level I health clinic, even if it’s operating from a tent (which came in the container) or small structure. Abraham felt it was important to step out in faith and begin such a ministry even if we don’t have a clinic built and operating. The medical needs here are so great. Even providing screenings, assessments, referrals and simple meds can be a means of displaying that Jesus is still here in flesh and blood through His people. It gives us the opportunity to share the hopeful message of the Gospel and to do health education. So many health problems are preventable if the right information is given.

Be still my palpitating heart! It’s starting to sound very busy!

PERSPECTIVE

When I step back to look at RAU’s accomplishments, I can’t help but think of it as the building of a house that becomes a home.

The importance of a home’s foundation is a foregone conclusion. RAU didn’t just begin its work in July of 2013 when we made our move here. The foundation was being dug deep as Jacob became acquainted with pastors from Uganda, both in Kampala and Moyo. It was being strengthened with every visit to Moyo as Jacob was moved by the plight of pastors in the region and hearing their impassioned pleas to “come and teach!” them. The foundation was being built up as the plans were made for a campus and a building and put in to action from opposite sides of the world, plans that couldn’t have happened without an American and Ugandan team, plans that would not have materialized if not for persistent vision-casting and willing investors.

Our moving here in July was our merely moving in to a house that was made ready for life and ministry. This is home now—where we’re living life! It is not a short-term trip. By God’s grace, we will stick it out and accomplish all of the good for which this place was designed, and by God’s grace, RAU will outlast us as we implant a seed of biblical vision for a living, ever growing and vibrant Church in the coming generations.

ON-GOING MINISTRY NEEDS

1. Pastors’ Retreats: each retreat costs about $1500 and includes transportation, food and other amenities, supplies for the pastors, hiring extra help during the week of the retreat and even medicines for unexpected illnesses.

2. Travel expenses: having no vehicle means that we must hire taxis or bodas. This is a costly aspect of ministry here.

3. Vehicle: we are still in the process of trying to retrieve the $15,000 that we paid for a Land Cruiser. The dealer in Japan has not owned up to his end of the bargain by providing a vehicle and the broker in Uganda has not returned the money which was paid to him for transacting the purchase. We have had to contact the Ugandan police department who are in contact with Japanese Interpol. Patrick has found another vehicle which could serve us well, but we cannot move forward without the money.

4. Pray for the strengthening and growth of the Church in Yumbe and Obongi. It has for years been beleaguered by Muslim opposition as well as, unfortunately, by in-fighting along denominational lines. There is a new surge of hope and desire for the churches to work together, believing that there will be revival if the churches present a loving and united front.

5. Hall of Tyrannus-Yumbe and Obongi Branch: This idea was birthed by the fact that it is logistically difficult and costly to transport pastors here on a regular basis. Initially, the thought was to find already existing structures in those towns in which to meet for discipleship. This has proved to be difficult, if not impossible. In Yumbe, the only place available is the Anglican Church; however, this presents some difficulty when the aim is to provide care to an interdenominational group. The Pilgrim’s Anglican Church has been more than gracious in offering the use of its building, but for long-term discipleship and with the need to have resources available to all, another set up would be better. In Obongi, there are no buildings available to rent or purchase. Meeting under a tree will do, if necessary, but can present problems during rainy season and gives no place to store resources for the pastors and leaders for study.

6. Medical outreach: medications are available but funding is needed to purchase them.

We feel hopeful and blessed as we lay out our needs, knowing that it is God who is bringing forth in all of us both the desire and the effort, for the sake of His good pleasure, to accomplish these things.

Thanks for reading and being stirred, for allowing the Lord to move your heart.

Please write us back! You know what the Proverbs 25:25 says, “Like cold water to a weary person, so is good news from a distant land.”

Carol (for the both of Us)

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

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 names)

Over 1100 Global Study Bibles, over 3500 Biblical sound Christian books, over 40,000 gospel tracts are now ready to be placed into hands of pastors,evangelists, and church planters. Pray that the Lord would use these materials to strengthen His people and bring people into a saving relationship with God Almighty! — Over 1100 Global Study Bibles, over 3500 Biblical sound Christian books, over 40,000 gospel tracts are now available for pastors,evangelists, and church planters. Pray that the Lord would use these materials to strengthen His people and bring people into a saving relationship with God Almighty!

More ESV Global Study Bibles to Yumbe

On February 27, 2014February 27, 2014 By Jacob LeeIn Discipleship, Evangelism

Into the Lion’s Den

On February 21, 2014September 19, 2015 By Jacob LeeIn Discipleship, Missions

I continue to thank the Lord for your prayers and support. The last two weeks of ministry has been very fruitful and the things which were done could not have happened without your prayers and financial support. May the Lord pour out His blessings on you!

“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

In our last newsletter Carol wrote about the Yumbe pastors retreat here at RAU where 17 pastors from Yumbe and 2 from Obongi attended. After they all left RAU, Carol and I looked at each other, smiling, and said, “This is why we are here!” The pastors left full of joy and enriched through the teaching they received and materials they were able to take with them.

Most of this past week was spent in Yumbe itself. In past newsletters I have written much about Yumbe and our desire to see Jesus exalted there. Pastors Ben and Charles, as well as some pastors who were at the retreat, planned discipleship training in Yumbe town and an outlying, hard-to-reach sub county, called Kerwa. One day of medical outreach in Kerwa was also planned, along with open air preaching in a Kerwa market and Yumbe town itself.

(Pictures and video’s of the week are below)

On Monday, when we arrived, we checked in with the Yumbe police and the Criminal Investigation Department. These departments needed to be aware of our presence in the city and district for our protection. Plain clothes officers were assigned to us. These law officials were very kind and helpful! We also visited the District Director of Health Services. He is a Christian as well as a physician and happily received us, giving us permission for our medical outreach in Kerwa. He also found a vehicle to transport us. We just had to provide fuel and pay the drivers for the two vehicles we used from the District.

Tuesday we all headed to Kerwa, which is near the South Sudan border. The road to Kerwa would be virtually impossible in the rainy season unless one has a powerful vehicle.We had discipleship training in the local Anglican church. Anglicans, Baptists, and Pentecostals gather together. Some came from as far away as Juba. We had a wonderful time together in study of God’s Word and worship. One of the video’s which is posted below gives you a flavor of what our worship of the King of kings in Kerwa was like.Carol and Sam shared the love of Christ with many at the local medical clinic. This clinic serves a large population and the personnel were very grateful for all the help. We had purchased medicines in Kampala and they were given out with loving care and counsel. Most of the time, the clinic does not have the medicines they need. Those who needed care were many! It was a very exhausting time for Sam and Carol, but they were refreshed and invigorated by God’s grace. You would all be proud of both Carol and Sam in how they displayed Christ’s love.

At about 6 PM open air preaching began in the local market. It was market day and there many,many people there. Mosques cover Yumbe District like churches in “Bible Belt” of America! Romans 1:16 states, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”. The power of the gospel was evident in this Kerwa market as over 20 people openly chose to say “I follow Jesus”! Thank you for praying!

On Wednesday and Thursday we had discipleship training in Yumbe itself in Pilgrims Anglican Church and open air preaching. I have been greatly encouraged by the Anglicans in the West Nile of Uganda. Though there are not many who are born again in Yumbe District, of the ones which are, Anglicans number the most. They are some real, Jesus-loving brethren! At these discipleship sessions many pastors and leaders attended from all over the district with the exception Kerwa where we were on Tuesday. We had to facilitate their transport, food and lodging. It was so encouraging to open God’s Word with these hungry saints! We are believing for God’s Spirit to be poured out on Yumbe District. Please join us in this prayer.

Lord willing, we will be able to keep hosting pastors from Yumbe at RAU for retreats. There are a number of young men who want to come for mentoring in the fundamentals of the faith. Because of the difficulty of transport to RAU the Yumbe brethren and RAU would like to have a resource center and Inter-denominational training center in Yumbe, aka Hall of Tyrannus- Yumbe Branch. Pilgrim Church has agreed to allow something to be done on their plot of land. Some details still need to worked out between them and the RAU team but it looks promising. I will keep you posted.

I cannot express adequately how much I appreciate you. Your prayers, support, and words of encouragement mean so much to Carol, the RAU team, and me. Thank you!

Thank You!

Jacob (and Carol) Lee

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

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 names)

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

Since it is the dry season we hired a car instead of 4 wheel vehicle to take us to Yumbe. A vehicle this in the rainy season would not do. The vehicle was packed with us and supplies “African style”.

In the dry season one does not have to worry about getting stuck however the trade off heavy dust and heat is not much better.

On our way to Yumbe we went by village after village with NO church. They will not hear the gospel unless someone goes to them!

This is the Guesthouse Sam, Carol, and I stayed in while in Yumbe.

We were blessed to have several hours of electricity each evening via generator and flushing toilets — We were blessed to have several hours of electricity each evening via generator. We had flushing toilets too!

What a joy to be with Carol on this journey

Carol and Sam spent many hours in Kerwa clinic demonstrating Christ's love through loving care and dispensing medices RAU had purchased with donations from faithful givers — Carol and Sam spent many hours in Kerwa clinic demonstrating Christ’s love through loving care and dispensing medicines RAU had purchased with donations from faithful givers

Kerwa Health Center II. This clinic serves around 50,000 people with 2 RN's a midwife, and 2 nursing assistants. They have difficulties in keeping enough medicines there. The staff and all the patients were all very grateful for the care and medicines they received from RAU — Kerwa Health Center II. This clinic serves around 50,000 people with 2 RN’s ,a midwife, and 2 nursing assistants. They have difficulties in keeping enough medicines there. The staff and all the patients were all very grateful for the care and medicines they received from RAU

Many people waited for many hours to see Sam and Carol

Open Air Preaching in Kerwa Market

These pastor are praying and counseling those who have openly chosen to follow Jesus in this Muslim dominated community. — These pastor are praying and counseling those who have openly chosen to follow Jesus in this Muslim community.

Youth singing before open air preaching in Yumbe town

Discipleship training in Yumbe Town

Pastors and leaders from all over Yumbe district attended RAU's two discipleship training. — Pastors and leaders from all over Yumbe district attended RAU’s two day discipleship training in Yumbe town.

Pastors Ben and Charles did an excellent job heading up our four days of ministry in Yumbe District. Pllease continue to pray for the church in Yumbe district and RAU's call work alongside them. — Pastors Ben and Charles did an excellent job heading up our four days of ministry in Yumbe District. Please continue to pray for the church in Yumbe District and RAU’s as we work together for god’s glory..

Yumbe Pastor’s Retreat

On February 15, 2014September 20, 2015 By Jacob LeeIn Discipleship, Missions, News and Status Updates4 Comments

Greetings to all our rope-holding loved ones!

On Friday, the 14th, we watched the van loaded with 17 pastors from Yumbe District make a trail of dust as it left the RAU compound and we felt joy and satisfaction in all that was, by God’s grace, accomplished this last week. From the 11th, when the conference started, to its end on Friday, it was a steady effort to squeeze the maximum good that was possible out of this time. As goodbyes were said and hugs and handshakes were given on the last day, these were done with an appreciation all of us had in growing together in Christ. Jacob and I received a very special blessing in having these men gather around us, lay hands on and pray for us. This blessing was also extended to all those that work at RAU. What a way to end the retreat!

(Pictures and a video are below)

This special event had been in the works since last October. Initially, the plan was for our beloved brother and friend, Kevin Turner, with SWI (Strategic World Impact) to come for this time and bring his gifted friend, Jonathon Fletcher, with him to help us teach our brothers from Yumbe. The Lord apparently had different plans than ours. We have heard Kevin say, “God doesn’t have any plan B’s, only plan A’s,” however, we were saddened to hear that the reason for the change in plans was that Kevin’s wife, Tammy, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and would require immediate treatment. Please keep Tammy and the Turner family in prayer as she goes through rigorous and aggressive treatment. Understandably, this was a game changer for all of us.

Jacob called on our coworker, Patrick Bukenya (one of RAU’s directors) to help and he was gracious in accepting the invitation to come and teach alongside Jacob. Patrick also brought with him Kaabale David, an elder at First Presbyterian Church Uganda. Both men, as we learned, are excellent and inspiring teachers and served the pastors of Yumbe very well in teaching on principles of leadership! Jacob, Patrick and David each took 3 hour sessions each day and covered important topics of discipleship, leadership, suffering and evangelism. Not only did the pastors express appreciation for the teaching, but begged for future training. Between sessions there were many conversations around developing future events and opportunities and resources. This event was, by no means, the only one of its kind…there will be more with Yumbe leaders who represented different denominations.

One of the many blessings of the retreat was the opportunity to get to know these pastors a little more intimately and to identify the areas of difficulty in their personal lives as well as in their ministries in the context of living in a non-Christian environment.

One of the pastors at the retreat was a witness to the murdering of two American missionaries around eight years ago just outside of Yumbe, and he, himself, narrowly escaped. After the missionaries were bullied and then shot, this Yumbe pastor was locked in a hut which was then set on fire. He decided he would rather escape and be shot to death rather than be burned alive and found a way to climb out of the hut. When the armed men saw him, they told him to run and started shooting at him. By God’s grace he was able to escape without being hit by gunfire. Since that time there has been little help from the church outside of Yumbe. One pastor stated, “We thought that God had forgotten us!” Many times Jacob has been told that RAU is an answer to their prayers!

Part of the discussion during the retreat entailed helping them to strategize a respectful defense of their schools and property as well as giving them ideas to disciple their flocks so that everyone is prepared to give a humble, gentle and knowledgeable response to pressure tactics and a reason for their hope.

Among the prayer requests and accounts of challenges faced by the pastors, a very prominent issue is the low socioeconomic standing that most Christians have in the community. It is hard for them to keep their heads above water, economically speaking, and unexpected illnesses, educational needs and hardships can pull them under completely. This also means that a pastor cannot make his living by the Gospel and he must find means of supporting his family apart from pastoring.

Listed here are some of the specific requests by pastors for prayer: training and discipleship for church leaders, material/resources for training, people to come alongside them in their struggles, personal discipleship, financial resources to help the churches physically (buildings, transportation), illnesses in loved ones, financial resources for putting their children through school, prayer for the youth who are being drawn to the world or into Islam, wisdom in how to navigate, in a Christ-like loving way, political clashes and pressures and everyday living in an Islamic culture, unity among all the denominations that presents a positive answer to Islam, the joining together of all the churches as a united force in the region and so many, many more needs.

The pastors went away from the retreat with a renewed desire to reach their communities for Christ in a loving, gentle and powerful way.

As we move forward from here, this is what is in the works for RAU:

*On Monday, Jacob, Sam, Godfrey, and I will head to Yumbe town and District for a time of teaching, evangelism and medical outreach; this is being coordinated with pastors who were at the retreat. (See below the lists of medicines that were purchased for South Sudan refugees and for outreach in Yumbe this coming week) We will come back on Thursday.

*There is a plot of land available in Obongi for the same purpose of making a resource center and a location for interdenominational discipleship ( Hall of Tyrannus:Obongi Branch).

*There are a dozen or so young men in the pipe line for mentoring/discipleship at RAU for pastoring/church planting.

A few of the young men who want to be mentored at RAU

*We are closely working with the Kampala police and the Japanese Interpol to get our money for the ’99 Land Cruiser which we purchased from Japan refunded so that another one could be purchased. It is difficult and expensive to find vehicles that can take us to more rural areas. Please pray we can recover our money and find another vehicle soon.

*For the first time ever, there is an Aringa New Testament that is currently being published. Aringa is the main language spoken in the Yumbe area. For about $4 a copy (which must be ordered ahead of time) we could purchase Bibles to give out in outreaches to that area.

*Jacob did an interview with a Dinka tribesman and pastor from Bor, South Sudan, who narrowly escaped after hiding himself in the Nile for over a week. They were being shot at by rebel groups. Many drowned in the Nile trying to save themselves. He is now in a refugee camp in Adjumani. Jacob will be posting the video interview on the website. It is here.

*There are at least 3 pastors’ retreats that could be quickly be organized if funds were available. When hosting these retreats RAU transports the pastors to RAU and back to their homes, feeds and cares for them while at RAU, and provides resources for them. Please consider helping fund these retreats and consider coming to teach (if teaching is your gift and passion).

I have been thinking, once again, about how much people in this region need resource and development help from those who are rich in both. There are so many things that can be done in, not only pastoral training, but vocational training. If you are knowledgeable in any areas that could help people build life skills please consider getting a group together to come over and help! The women of the area are very involved in bringing income to the family. They are eager to learn skills that will help them do so.

Your ongoing prayerful support is very much appreciated. Please pray for our safety and health and for provisions for all of these plans. We entrust them to the Lord. May they be accomplished according to His will and purposes!

Carol (for both of us)

Web Site: www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.com

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 names)