I have recently returned from downtown Kampala with Sam: very tired, but happy. Our last two days were spent in government offices. Friday, I worked on upgrading my Uganda driver’s license to include motorcycle (Boda Boda). Sam worked on getting both a vehicle and motorcycle license.
I have good good news to report!
Your prayers and the prayers of many have been answered! I was at the Ugandan Revenue Authority (URA) customs office with Sam and Thomas most of today (Saturday). Thomas has been faithfully working the last two months for the release of the container. Thomas had been receiving a lot of push back and felt that it would be good for the URA officials to physically see me and receive my exhortations.
I acted like the widow who persistently knocked at the judge”s door (Luke 18:1-8). Today it actually helped that I was a white whiskered white man! Usually, my whiteness means much higher charges on most everything. By the mid afternoon the man I was dealing with was smiling and even laughing a bit with me in some of my conversations with him. He also “happened” to be from RAU’s working region, the West Nile. I did not bribe him. However because the URA deemed some items as assessed too low, such as the generators, I ended having to pay some extra in taxes. I placed the money in the URA’s bank account. About an hour later I heard the most delightful words.
The URA’s officials words, “your container is released,“ are forever etched in my mind. To God be all praise and glory!
Monday, our documents will be brought to the warehouse where the container is being kept so that a truck may take it to RAU. We still have to clear our “storage and handling” fees and the container still has to make its arduous journey to RAU. The journey may take up to three days so please keep praying! I want to stay here in Kampala to help push the the container out of the warehouse, if need be, so we may not make our bus trip north to RAU until mid week.
We will getting food stocks in bulk in Masindi where Abraham is picking up a good deal on beans and posho to help refuge’s in our area. We also plan on buying a bunch of medications in Kampala and batteries/inverter to strengthen RAU’s solar power system.
Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support!
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 deductibleas 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.
It is time for Carol and me to return to our home in Africa. We leave for Austin in the morning and arrive in Entebbe Tuesday evening. We have greatly enjoyed our three weeks with family and friends. The grandchildren have grown so much since we last saw them. Our going back is bitter sweet; on the one hand, it is hard to leave loved ones and at the same time we are compelled to return to people and the land where we are called to be. Having your faithful prayers and support gives us great encouragement as we know the Lord has called us on this journey with a faithful band of brethren who love Jesus. Thank you!
Carol and me with our grandchildren
Carol and I are very grateful for our Lifegate Church family who has sent us out. This morning was our last Sunday with them until we return for another visit in October. I believe the master key to cross cultural missions is gospel-centered, Jesus loving missionaries being sent out under the authority of gospel-centered, Jesus loving churches and being prayed for/financially supported by gospel-centered, Jesus loving people. Jesus’ mission (John 20:21) WILL NOT fail, His church WILL be built!
“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15
As you know we are located in Northwestern Uganda, one mile off the South Sudan border. Along with our evangelism, pastoral training, and church planting we will have a divine opportunity to minister Christ’s love to South Sudanese refugees fleeing the the fighting in South Sudan. At RAU we desire to show compassion and love to all who are suffering, most especially by proclaiming the gospel to those who who will suffer eternally if they do not trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
I have read reports that a 1,000 refuge’s a day are crossing the South Sudan border into Uganda fleeing the terror in their homeland. This is all happening now in dry season when food supplies are already low. In the dark times the light and love of Jesus shines most brightly. This link is a few days old but it will help you understand the situation we are walking into: Video: “South Sudan refugees flee to Uganda” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25689089#threeG
Please pray for peace to reign in South Sudan and for all of us at RAU to walk in the wisdom and the love of the Lord. Currently I have $1100 which has been given directly for relief work for the refuge’s. In consultation with my RAU co-workers we will work to buy food and medicines further south and ship them to RAU for distribution to refugees in need. Most are fleeing with little or no personal possessions. My preference would be to direct the aid first and foremost to children and mothers. If you want to give for this Sam, Patrick, Abraham, and I will personally see that it gets to those who need it and not into the pockets of those who may want to take advantage of the situation.
The last word I have received on the container is good. It looks like they are willing to drop the charges for taxes on it to $6,500. This is way down from the original $25,000 +- they were asking. I have wired the money for its release.Please keep praying as I have not yet had confirmation of its released. After it is set free it still has an arduous two day overland journey to RAU. I am hoping to be there for its unloading. The 1999 Land Cruiser still has not arrived in Kampala. Please keep praying for its delivery or, if necessary, the recovery of our money. We prefer to have the vehicle!
Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support!
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 deductibleas 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.
Over 1,100 Global Study Bibles and 3,500 christian books for distribution to pastors and others are still being held in Kampala!
Happy New Year!
I received an email late last night updating me on the status of the RAU container. From my previous reports you know the container has been held by Ugandan Revenue authorities since mid November. Because of fraudulent practices by a large Ugandan NGO which was abusing its tax exempt status other law abiding, tax exempt NGO’s containers have been held while the government reviews its policies.
RAU received its tax exemption last January and our container was shipped believing the government would honor the exemption they themselves gave. Even though the RAU container was sent before the fraud was discovered they are refusing to release it without paying taxes on its content and the on the container itself.The assessed taxes are in the neighborhood of $25,000.
After many personal and written appeals directly to government officials in charge they have repeatedly refused to release the container. The Ugandan President’s Representative for Moyo District (District in Northwestern Uganda where we are located), other brothers I work with, and I have had direct, face to face meetings with the undersecretary with no results.
Thomas, the faithful brother, who has been working tirelessly with us on this reported to me last night that it looks as if the government will release the container for $8000 (I have learned that nothing is certain). This does not include assessed storage fees and other “charges” which will likely be around $4000. Thomas will have a more exact number for me on Thursday.
This situation, along with the delayed delivery of 1999 Land Cruiser from Japan, has revealed a lot of sinful pride in my heart. I am struggling to overcome anger and to believe the very thing I teach so passionately – the Sovereignty of God in this particular turn of events. The Lord knows I am, in so many ways, a very prideful man…my life time of work ethic and willful determination in completing tasks combined with my sinful and deceitful heart make a very bad potion that can only be killed by a stronger potion—the cross.
The remedy of the cross is brokenness and utter dependence. I have to let go…I must let go….and lay hold of Jesus who has hold of me. His grip cannot be broken. His mission cannot and will not fail. To belong to Him and to His mission is more than I could ever have dreamed and by His grace and through the means of that grace I want to press on knowing that the joy set before me is greater than anything this world has to offer and anything Satan and evil men can muster. The container and its precious cargo, which also includes all of our personal treasures and belongings, first and foremost, belongs to the King of kings. I know that many of you, too, have sacrificed of your time and money to get this container to Uganda for the spread of Christ’s fame. He is the Sovereign of the universe and His will will be done!
While committing the container into the Lord’s hands and praying for the Lord to turn the hearts of the officials, we will continue with the means God has given us to place God’s things into the hands of His people and for His purpose…spreading the fame of His Name among His people and those unreached/unengaged peoples whom He calls to worship Him! May the Lord grant such grace and mercy! Please stand with us interceding before the throne of grace in our time of need!
At this point I see with my finite eyesight the possibility of three scenarios:
1. God chooses to soften the hardened hearts of government officials and they honor the tax exemption they gave us and the container is released with only the storage fees etc. This is what I continue pray for and what we are working for.
2. God provides the necessary $12,000+- needed for its release.
3. The government confiscates the container for lack of payment.
In closing, I would like to share some words sent to me by my good friend Kevin Turner who has spent much time in Africa. (He was recently visited us in Africa, along with Ron Day; Kevin will be coming back again with a team for most of February.) Kevin granted me permission share some of his words written to me early this morning which have encouraged and exhorted me:
“…Jesus desires to reveal Himself and in so doing, show us the Father! That does not take place on the set of TBN, it takes place on the planes of Africa with a man and a woman who ditched it all and pinched every penny and left every earthly love and tie, to spend the end of life rather than settle down and take rest.
… I don’t have the answers for you after my short sojourn and I don’t know what it all looks like. I just, like you, know what He looks like! That He is called faithful and true and as I mentioned before; From the cross pertaining to warfare and redemption and salvation and justification, Jesus did not say, “It has started”! Nope, He said, “It is finished”!
…Yours is to become the broken bread that It might perhaps offer nourishment to the nations.
As I look through my life and the short labors, it is less about miraculous deliverance and is more about salty, tear filled, stinging faces; that get re-calibrated by the Holy Spirit and head due north instead of East of Eden.
So, Reaching Africa’s Unreached? One does not have to ponder long as to why they are Unreached. Africa has not been waiting for a host of people to simply come and harvest her fruit, she has been waiting for a solitary man who comes willing to endure hardship and if Grace be given, but plough a strait row with no heads turned back.
Jacob, I mean no disrespect as I say this, Christ came to Africa before the container and He has been there while it was on high seas and He will be there, showing up, touching live, bringing regeneration with or without the metal box and the highly valued, needed and prized Items inside that Box.
The glorious and amazing work you and Carol do in and for the Name of The Lord is possibly even tertiary to the work He is doing in both of you.
I love, I stand in hope with you and I trust that God can work a way of release or a bundle of cash, to get what is needed on the Land He Owns. I don’t say that flippantly, nor crassly, I say it hopefully and realistically…”
Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support!
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 deductibleas 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.
As in years past the Lord has abundantly blessed Reaching Africa’s Unreached (RAU). All of us at RAU are grateful for God’s sustaining grace and for all who are standing with us with their prayers, encouraging words and gifts. It is an honor to press forward with Jesus’ mission in Northwestern Uganda, Southwestern South Sudan, and Northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The RAU vision and mission remain the same.
In January, 2011, land was purchased and in August of the same year building work on the RAU Guesthouse/Hall of Tyrannus began. Building in the bush of Africa, many miles from building supplies, has certainly been a challenge. However the Lord has been gracious in provision, wisdom and patience. We praise His holy Name! We have worked hard and have endeavored to spend every dollar/shilling wisely. The ultimate goal of the physical building is to facilitate the vision and mission of RAU in its geographical area for generations to come.
In July, Carol and I moved into the unfinished shell of the Guesthouse and helped in the ongoing work of making the facilities ministry-ready. In August we had our dedication of the Guesthouse/Hall of Tyrannus attended by officials, pastors, and the general public. It was an all day affair! Pictures and videos of the dedication may be found here. Building work continued through December. The water tower was completed, 4 tukalus (able to sleep 17, and with a latrine/bathing station for visiting pastors) were completed, beds (to sleep 29) were built (along with other inside furnishings), an outdoor charcoal kitchen (able to cook for 40+ people and with small attached living quarters for the cook) was finished, 17 acres of brush was cleared and is being made ready for planting soybeans (to bring funds in for the ministry), and a solar electrical system was installed.
RAU Guesthouse/Hall of Tyrannus/Kitchen/Water Tower- December 2013Refurbished Tukalu’sNew latrine and bathing station for pastor’s quarters
RAU now has a place to: host pastors for teaching retreats, the ability to host visiting short term mission teams, a facility to mentor church planters, and to be a launching pad for bringing the gospel to nearby unreached areas. May we be faithful in the charge given to us.
In late October we had the first Pastors’ Retreat with 31 pastors from various denominations in the Moyo area. Long time friend, Ron Zeiner, from Texas, was our guest teacher. In February, a retreat is planned for Yumbe pastors.
Most of the pastors from RAU’s first retreat.
Pastors in the region have little or no Biblical training. It is RAU’s expressed desire to help meet that need so that the local churches of the region can be strengthened and become multiplying churches. By God’s grace we will have many RAU pastor’s retreats each year.
RAU also hosted two other American teams who had a great interest in its vision for pastors and who wanted to investigate the possibilities of working with RAU to support and propel the mission forward. We appreciate the bond and partnership with our Tennessee friends, David Jones, Michael Lambert and Eric Williams, as well as with the SWI team of Kevin Turner and Ron Day.
At the Ugandan/South Sudan border with the “Tennessee Trio”. Seated: David, Jacob,Officer in Charge of Afoji Border Crossing, Michael, Eric.Standing: Carol, Immigration OfficerKevin, Jacob, and Ron on their way to Yumbe
A great joy of mine has been the opportunity to mentor young men in hopes of launching them out to pastor newly planted churches. One such man, Godfrey, has been sent to pastor RAU’s first church plant in Obongi town. Obongi has a population of 25,000 and had no evangelical churches in it. Now there is a growing church there with many new believers who have been recently baptized.
Making open proclamation in Obongi “I follow Jesus!”Sam and I with Godfrey before we send him off to RAU’s first church plant.
The RAU container reached Kampala in the middle of November and has been held there by the Ugandan revenue authorities. The reason it is being held centers around a NGO which was abusing its tax exempt status; because of this the Ugandan government is looking at all other tax exempt NGO’s very, very closely! RAU’s tax exemption was granted to us last January but the exposed fraud has increased the scrutiny on all tax exempt NGO’s. With one signature the container could be on its way to RAU. This container is loaded with ministry supplies and 1100 ESV Global Study Bibles/over 3500 Christ exalting Christian books for pastors. Pray, my friends, for its release!
The latest news on the ’1999 Land Cruiser which we purchased from Japan in September is that it is due to arrive in January, according to the broker. He continually has pushed the timeline back. Our getting around has been limited, but we have managed by using boda-bodas,taxi’s,buses and for trips to Obongi and Yumbe the goodness of Abraham in transporting us with his vehicle. The Land Cruiser will be a great asset to RAU’s ministry. Please remember this in your prayers!
As mentioned earlier, RAU is hosting a pastor’s retreat in February for Yumbe pastors. According to evangelical pastors from Yumbe, the city has less than 1% evangelical Christians in it and is 2 hours from RAU. To help effectively reach Yumbe with the gospel there needs to be ongoing and active evangelism and discipleship. With a Hall of Tyrannus: Yumbe Branch, RAU could have an accessible resource and teaching center for discipleship.
With Pastors Ben and Charles. These two pastors have been faithful witnesses Yumbe for many years.
The year has ended with turmoil in South Sudan. There has been a coup attempt and, as I write, ongoing fighting in the country which could erupt into a civil war. RAU is I mile from the South Sudan border and around 50 miles from the capitol city of Juba. At this point we do not how this will affect the ministry of RAU. There is a possibility of large numbers of refugees coming our way. May the God of peace bring peace to South Sudan for the sake of the Gospel.
RAU is south of Juba just inside the Ugandan border
In brief here is a list of ongoing ministry efforts for 2014. Please stand with us as we purpose to spread the fame of King Jesus in the West Nile region of Uganda, Southwestern South Sudan, and Northeastern D.R. Congo
1. By God’s grace we will continue to host groups of pastors for teaching retreats at RAU, walking out 2 Timothy 2:2. Most pastors in the area have had little or no Biblical training. We wish to equip them with sound teaching on the fundamentals of the faith and give them tools to strengthen them so that they in turn can strengthen their flocks with the ultimate goal of their congregations planting churches in their neighboring villages that have no witness for Christ. To make the Guesthouse fully operational we need to strengthen our solar electrical system and add some more functional furnishings:Need $4,000+-
It has been hard for our current water system to handle the groups we have had so we would like to harvest water off the roof of the Guesthouse by placing an in-ground 80,000 liter tank which could feed the tukalu’s where guest’s stay and provide a backup water supply for the Guesthouse itself. We have a bid for for the whole system (tank, gutters, pipes, labor) for $9,000.
We would also like to build more guest quarters for pastors as we did not have enough room for them all at our last pastor’s retreat. With $5,000 we could build to accommodate an additional 20 pastors.
2. As previously mentioned we been actively targeting neighboring Yumbe District and Obongi sub county of Moyo District. With many trips to the regions I have been increasingly burdened for the area. The few churches there and their pastors need the help and encouragement RAU can and is called to give. When we can,we will bring Obongi/Yumbe pastors to RAU for retreats. However, because of the logistics, it is difficult to bring them to RAU as often as needed. That is why we envision, first, a Hall of Tyrannus:Yumbe Branch and then, an Obongi Branch.
Yumbe’s main mosqueMain Street Yumbe
3. RAU has a new church plant in the center of Obongi town which we are calling Obongi Town Church. We are believing God for many more church plants. We strongly believe that along with our evangelism there must be a discipleship program for new believers. God’s primary means of discipleship is the local church. The vast majority of Obongi Town Church are new believers and few who were believers before the church was established had no church home. In my last newsletter I shared how we sent out Godfrey, who had been training at RAU for two months, to Obongi . We have 5 more young men in the pipeline who are potential shepherds for church plants. Also I have encouraged pastors to be on the look out for men in their congregations who are also potential pastors for church plants which we are willing to train at RAU. Our working plan for these new congregations is to help support them and their pastors in the beginning with the expressed understanding that financial support is not indefinite but will be available until the church is able to stand more surely on its own; however, as long as RAU exists it would be there for teaching and encouragement. RAU is not starting a new denomination. These new congregations could remain independent or join an existing denomination in the area. As you know, all this will cost money. Please pray for us in these efforts and consider helping us. Thank you!
Sending out Godfrey from RAU to Obongi loadedGodfrey’s load
4. We have actively been clearing RAU’s 17 acres with the hope of putting in two crops of soybeans per year on at least 10 acres. The first planting would be in the beginning of April. The goal is to sell the soybeans and use the money for ministry efforts. We have the tractor but we are still needing a plow/disk. The price for a new disk in Kampala is $5000 but I am on the hunt for a used one which would cost less.
With the brush clearing crew. Can you picture soybeans here?
Medical Care and Education are lacking in the area. Will you be part of the solution?
6. Then, there are the day to day expenses. These costs go up and down in relation to how many we are feeding and how many ministry outings we take. Transport costs here are much higher here in Uganda than in the US. Gas is over $6 a gallon and Diesel is just a bit less per gallon. We need those who will faithfully give each month. No gift is too small. Instructions on how to give a tax deductible charitable monthly gift may be fond at our donation page here.
Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers. There must be both sacrificial giving and going for gospel advancement. We are in a ripe harvest field and the Lord has swung open wide the door for us.
“Believers who have the gospel keep mumbling it over and over to themselves. Meanwhile, millions who have never heard it once fall into the flames of eternal hell without ever hearing the salvation story.” (K.P. Yohannan).
Let it be said that we are not one of these “mumblers“!
Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support!
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
Luke 2: 8-10
May your preparations for Christmas be centered in and around Immanuel and may your celebrations be blessed! Carol and I have slowly been making our way back to Texas for Christmas with family and friends. We leave Entebbe on Tuesday. Both Carol and I are very excited to be with our family and to start playing with and holding the grand kids. Our third grandchild Keira was born while we were here and I have not seen her yet.
Our bus trip this last Friday from Moyo to Kampala took 16 hours! From Moyo to Gulu was pretty rough with lots and lots of dust. From Gulu to Kampala it was not too bad, but when we got to Kampala we were held up in traffic for nearly 4 hours. I have had many a dusty, bumpy, African bus rides, but this one was the best because Carol was with me and by my side!
The best thing about the bus ride from Moyo to Kampala was being able to sit beside Carol for 16 hours!
It is good to be with Pastor Patrick Bukenya and his family. On Monday I have a meeting with federal officials who have had our container on hold now for 4 weeks. The reason it is being held centers around a NGO which was abusing its tax exempt status; because of this the Ugandan gov’t is looking at all other tax exempt NGO’s very, very closely! Pray that I can make a good case Monday morning with gov’t officials for RAU’s tax exemption. Our tax exemption was granted to us last January but the exposed fraud has increased the scrutiny on all tax exempt NGO’s. With one signature the container could be on its way to RAU. This container is loaded with ministry supplies and 1100 ESV Global Study Bibles/over 3500 Christ exalting Christian books for pastors. Pray, my friends, for its release!
The latest news on the ’99 Land Cruiser which we purchased from Japan:it is due to arrive in January, according to the broker. He continually has pushed the timeline back. Our getting around has been limited, but we have managed by using boda-bodas,taxi’s,buses and for trips to Obongi and Yumbe the goodness of Abraham in transporting us with his vehicle. The Land Cruiser will be a great asset to RAU’s ministry. Please remember this in your prayers!
I am overjoyed in what has been accomplished by God’s grace since we arrived in July. Your prayers and support are a part of the means of getting the gospel to the unreached. Thank you! When we moved into the Guesthouse/Hall of Tyrannus it was a shell and now it has because a center of ministry and a home. I have great hope for what God is going to do in 2014. As 2013 ends please consider Reaching Africa’s Unreached in your end of the year giving.
RAU Guesthouse/Hall of Tyrannus
Here is a list of ongoing ministry efforts:
1. By God’s grace we will continue to host groups of pastors for teaching retreats at RAU, walking out 2 Timothy 2:2. Most pastors in the area have had little or no Biblical training. We wish to equip them with sound teaching on the fundamentals of the faith and give them tools to strengthen them so that they in turn can strengthen their flocks with the ultimate goal of their congregations planting churches in their neighboring villages with no witness for Christ. To complete the Guesthouse we need to strengthen our solar electrical system and some more functional furnishings:Need$4,000+-
It was hard for our current water system to handle the groups we have had so I would like to harvest water off the roof of the Guesthouse placing an in-ground 80,000 liter tank which could feed the tukalu’s where guest’s stay and provide backup for the Guesthouse itself. We have a bid for for the whole system (tank, gutters, pipes, labor) for $9,000. We would also like to build more guest quarters for pastors as we did not have enough room for them all at our last pastor’s retreat.
2. We have been actively targeting neighboring Yumbe District and Obongi sub county of Moyo District. Workers on the ground there state that less than 1% of their population are evangelicals.With many trips to the regions I have been increasingly burdened for the area. The few churches there and their pastors need the help and encouragement RAU can and is called to give. When we can,we will bring Obongi/Yumbe pastors to RAU for retreats. However, because of the logistics, it is difficult to bring them to RAU as often as needed. That is why I envision, first, a Hall of Tyrannus:Yumbe Branch and then, an Obongi Branch. These branches would facilitate the strengthening of the churches there and the planting of other churches. I and others would go to Branches on a weekly basis. There are plots available for purchase. The estimated cost to purchase a plot on Yumbe’s main street and to build a small structure is $15,000. Renting is not a possibility as all the buildings are owned by Muslims and they will not rent to a ministry like ours.
Yumbe’s main mosqueMain Street Yumbe
3. RAU has a new church plant in the center of Obongi town which we are calling Obongi Town Church. We are believing God for many more church plants. We strongly believe that along with our evangelism there must be a discipleship program for new believers. God’s primary means of discipleship is the local church. The vast majority of Obongi Town Church are new believers and few who were believers before the church was established had no church home. In my last newsletter I shared how we sent out Godfrey, who had been training at RAU for two months, to Obongi . We have 5 more young men in the pipeline who are potential shepherds for church plants. Also I have encouraged pastors to be on the look out for men in their congregations who are also potential pastors for church plants which we are willing to train at RAU. Our working plan for these new congregations is to help support them and their pastors in the beginning with the expressed understanding that financial support is not indefinite but will be available until the church is able to stand more surely on its own; however, as long as RAU exists it would be there for teaching and encouragement. RAU is not starting a new denomination. These new congregations could remain independent or join an existing denomination in the area. As you know, all this will cost money. Please pray for us in these efforts and consider helping us. Thank you!
Sending out Godfrey from RAU to Obongi loaded
4. We have actively been clearing RAU’s 17 acres with the hope of putting in two crops of soybeans on at least 10 acres. The first planting would be in the beginning of April. The goal is to sell the soybeans and use the money for ministry efforts. We have the tractor but we are still needing a plow/disk. The price for a new disk in Kampala is $5000 but I am on the hunt for a used one which would cost less.
With the brush clearing crew. Can you picture soybeans here?
Medical Care and Education are lacking in the area. Will you be part of the solution?
6. Then, there are the day to day expenses. These costs go up and down in relation to how many we are feeding and how many ministry outings we take. Transport costs here are much higher here in Uganda than in the US. Gas is over $6 a gallon and Diesel is just a bit less per gallon.
Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers. There must be both sacrificial giving and going for gospel advancement. We are in a ripe harvest field and the Lord has swung open wide the door for us. “Believers who have the gospel keep mumbling it over and over to themselves. Meanwhile, millions who have never heard it once fall into the flames of eternal hell without ever hearing the salvation story.” (K.P. Yohannan). Let it be said that we are not one of these “mumblers“!
Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support.
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 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 deductibleas 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.
Reaching Africa's Unreached 