Imams and Sheikhs

On June 21, 2015September 19, 2015 By Jacob LeeIn Uncategorized

“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. (Emphasis Mine)”

2 Corinthians 1:11

I write with a heart that is full of joy “giv[ing] thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” I know many were praying and even set their alarms so that they would be sure to be interceding while we were in our Yumbe meeting….thank you!! Zora, Mindra, and I left RAU at 8 AM Saturday morning (June 19th) for Yumbe and arrived at Pilgrim Church at 9:45 to meet Charles. We then proceeded to a Muslim-run secondary school where we met by Brother Barnabas and Yaphad. Charles said the school is their “model Muslim school” in Yumbe. We waited under a tree for awhile and then were able to move all our things into a large classroom. By 11 AM most all the Imams and Sheikhs were with us.

There were 24 Muslim men at the meeting all of which were either Imams or Sheikhs. They, as well the school officials, were all very cordial and hospitable. We met in a large science classroom. Charles and Barnabas both interpreted for me. They all knew English but in varying levels of understanding.

The very first thing we did was to give reading glasses to those that needed them (about 90% did) using the Aringa New Testament’s to test for the right strength. The Aringa New Testament celebrates its first year this month. Three of the men were national Islamic leaders, a number were northern Ugandan regional leaders Some of the Imams were also “evangelists“. Most Muslims in Uganda consider Yumbe to be the center of Islam in Uganda. I believe it is fair to say that one would have to go to (North) Sudan to find as highly a concentrated number of Muslims as are found in Yumbe. These Muslim leaders all gladly received Aringa New Testament’s, ESV Global Study Bibles, Seeking Allah Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi and gospel tracts in English, Aringa, Arabic and Swahili. Throughout the meeting they pledged read the literature!

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After we all introduced ourselves I was given time to give my testimony and proclaim the gospel without compromise along with a passionate call to trust in Jesus. An outline of my message is at the bottom of this post. A number of them shared as well, asked questions, made challenges, and gave comments from the Qur’an. We are looking to meet again maybe next Saturday. Numerous ones commented that this type of meeting has never happened in Yumbe… a white Christian meeting with them together in their own setting. Truly, this type of gathering could not happen except it be sovereignly designed. Brother Charles was key instrument of the Lord in organizing it. Oh, how I love the sovereignty of God! God is BOTH “sovereign” and “loving“. Muslims fully believe the former but do not fully understand God’s sovereignty and love as co-existing. Keep praying for these men that they would see the beauty of Jesus!

Positive change has been occurring in Yumbe, especially in the last couple years. In a previous personal note to some of you I shared that Yumbe Town has a population of over 35,000. Our brothers from Yumbe town tell me there are under 200 Aringa who are born again in the town which makes them .6% of the population. In the rural areas (in small geographical pockets) there are more Christians but according to believers in Yumbe the number is far lower than government estimates. Whereas most of Uganda has many evangelicals, Yumbe District, along with neighboring Koboko and Obongi Sub-County is very different in this regard. These areas certainly fit the description of a harvest field with very very few followers of Christ.

Also as mentioned in previous newsletters, Yumbe Muslims are very ardent in their beliefs. We have had three separate groups of church leaders here at RAU for retreats and they have told me many of their personal stories of persecution. I have deep love and respect for Yumbe believers! It is an honor to count them as friends.

Since our arrival here in July 2013 we have had many opportunities to be in Yumbe churches throughout the country side as well as in Pilgrim Anglican Church in Yumbe town. The Lord has also opened the door for open air preaching in and outside the town along with one-on-one evangelism in the town and rural markets. We are grateful for the Ugandan constitution which recognizes freedom of religion. This gives us and others an open door to preach in Yumbe. I long for and sense that the Lord is going to bring many to faith in these districts. You, along with us, have the privilege to be a part God’s sovereign work!

Let me affirm again, for our mutual encouragement, that God is on the move in the Muslim world and I am excited about it. Since the beginning of Islam there have been 82 movements of Muslims to Christ with its shared history with Christianity. The first of these did not occur until 13 centuries into the Muslim-Christian encounter. Of these 82 movements, 69 (84%) have taken place since 2000. ( page 230 in A Wind In the House of Islam: How God is Drawing Muslims Around the World to faith in Jesus Christ ).

We sense the Lord doing the same thing in Yumbe and Obongi! The excellent book we have been giving to Muslim seekers is Seeking Allah,Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity. We brought about 30 back with us from the States. We now are almost out. The Lord is using it to open eyes and save. It has also been a great help to me in understanding the Muslim worldview and it was a delight to read about the power of God’s Spirit at work. If anyone is so led you could buy copies at Amazon and have them shipped to Lifegate-RAU (395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin TX. 78155). They would then be packed in the RAU container which is leaving Seguin for us on July 10th.

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Other encouraging and helpful works have been Any-3: Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime — Win Muslims to Christ Now! , DREAMS AND VISIONS: Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World? , Breaking the Islam Code: Understanding the Soul Questions of Every Muslim and The Global Gospel: Achieving Missional Impact in Our Multicultural World . Carol has read and been helped by the following books: Simple Ways to Reach Out to Muslims and Miraculous Movements: How Hundreds of Thousands of Muslims Are Falling in Love With Jesus. Most likely you have Muslims in your neighborhoods which you called to be a witness too. I know these books would be helpful to you too.

Please allow me to touch on a different but related topic. The Lord has put it on our hearts to establish an Interdenominational Bible School here at RAU which is adapted to our cultural setting. Since January of 2016 we have been a part of 7 new church plants and we see God pouring out His Spirit, establishing many more in unreached places, (e.g. Yumbe and Obongi.) The problem is that there is no place/opportunity in our region for local ones who are called to lead to get basic biblical training. Also the pastors who are here have had little to no biblically training as well. The Bible School would work hand in hand with our retreats and outreaches; RAU’s 17 acres has the perfect setting.

This how you can pray with us going forward. We are going to begin saving money little by little for two classrooms (turn key bid is at $25,000). We currently have 29 beds for students and a good library (books I have been collecting/reading since I was saved as well ones which have been given). The classrooms would help make the RAU facilities acceptable to the Ugandan gov’t so that we can give country wide acceptable certificates which is just another means of helping in the establishing new churches and strengthening current ones in our West Nile region. Please pray for us in this and be open to the Lord in helping us construct these classrooms.

Thank you for your encouragement, prayers, and support!

Jacob (Carol) Lee

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Below is the outline I used with the Yumbe Imams and Sheikhs

**Note: This outline leans heavily on the methodology found in Mike Shipman’s book **Any-3: Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime — Win Muslims to Christ Now! My adaptations fit it into our Northwestern Ugandan culture, bringing in the concept of honor/shame (See helpful treatment on this topic: The Global Gospel: Achieving Missional Impact in Our Multicultural World by Werner Mischhke) which is prevalent in the Majority World societies like ours and which is also common in the Bible. I also interpose the need for “inner cleansing”. There is great importance placed in Islam for outer cleansing. J.D. Greear in his book Breaking the Islam Code: Understanding the Soul Questions of Every Muslim has also been a great help.

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Thank you for your hospitality! Salaam Alekum!

Jacob William Lee Introduction: In September I will be 60 years old. I am married to Carol Ann for 34 years and have three grown children with two married. We have four beautiful grandchildren back in Texas USA. I grew up on an Iowa farm and worked as a builder in my 20’s. I went to University in my 30’s and received a Bachelor’s Degree. In my 40’s I received a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. I was a teacher and headmaster for many years as well a pastor in our local church in Texas.

When I was 20 years old I became a true follower of Jesus. Jesus took away my shame and debt of sin through His sacrificial blood. Jesus has delivered me from the power of evil and has given me abundant life. I was raised in a religious home. I used to try to be a good person, so I could please God. However, I was never quite good enough. One night, after having read our Holy Book, the Bible, to help me fall asleep, I had an experience of God’s forgiveness of my sins and I knew God wanted me to have a relationship with Him and live for His glory. Even at that time I had a feeling that God wanted me to tell others about Him who have never heard about His forgiveness. I was overwhelmed because I knew God is holy and I was not. It was a joyful experience to know that a Holy God would want me to be in a relationship with HIM.

(** See note above) God is in heaven and is holy, but we on earth are unholy. Through our religion, we try to please God with our good works, but it is never quite good enough. We climb, and then fall. Climb, then fall. It is frustrating, isn’t it?

Most religions are alike, aren’t they?

We are all trying to please God, to get our sins forgiven. We are all sinners aren’t we? Even good people sin. Sinning is easy, but paying off our sin debt to God is much more difficult, isn’t it? Our sin brings shame and inner uncleanness before a holy God, doesn’t it?

In your Muslim religion what are you doing: to pay off your sin debt? To remove your shame from sin and inner uncleanness? To please God?

1). Are your sins forgiven yet?

2). Is all your shame before God now gone? Is your inner man been made clean?

3). When will your sins be forgiven, your shame be gone, and your inner man be made clean?

4). On Judgment Day, do you know for certain that your sins will be forgiven or that you will be without shame of sin and your inner man completely clean?

What I believe is different. I know my sins are completely forgiven, my shame before God has been taken away and my inner man has been made perfectly clean. This is not because I am a good person, even though I do try to be good. My sins are forgiven because God Himself has paid for my sin. The outcome of this forgiveness is that my shame before a holy God is gone and I have been cleansed within from the filth of sin through Jesus’ sacrificial blood. Satan’s power over me has been broken in my life by Jesus. I have been set free through Jesus.

Part One: Jesus

Jesus, the Word of God, was in Heaven with God from the beginning. He was born into this world through the Virgin Mary. Both the Bible and the Qur’an teach this. Jesus never sinned, even though He was tempted in every way imaginable. Jesus overcame the desires of His flesh. He never married; never killed anyone; never gathered riches for Himself. Jesus once fasted 40 days and 40 nights while being tempted by the devil, yet He never sinned.

Jesus performed great miracles. He cast out demons; healed the sick and blind; Jesus even raised the dead.

It is interesting that, though Jesus was not yet old, He began prophesying about His death. To his followers He said, “I must die, but I will rise again.” Do you know why Jesus said, “I must die?”

Part Two: Why did Jesus have to die?

The answer is found in the Taurat (the first 5 books of the Bible). The Taurat tells us about the first persons God created, Adam and Eve. God put them in a perfect paradise, called the Garden of Eden. They were given great freedom to eat fruit from any tree in the garden except for the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God warned them that if they ate of that fruit they would die.

A covering for sin

One day, Satan visited Eve in the form of a serpent and tempted her to eat the fruit that God had forbidden. She ate the fruit, and gave it to Adam, who also ate it. Immediately, they were afraid, so they hid from God. But because God knows everything, He found them and punished Adam and Eve for their disobedience.

God’s Punishment

As punishment for their disobedience, God cast Adam and Eve out of the garden paradise, and eventually they did die. God’s desire had been for them to live forever, but because of their sins, they lost paradise and died.

It is interesting that the Taurat says Adam and Eve committed just one sin and it resulted in their judgment and death. Adam and Eve seemed like good people, probably better than us. Perhaps they had already done hundreds of good works. They hadn’t killed anyone, committed adultery, or stolen anything. But they disobeyed just once and it resulted in death. Sometimes we think that if our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds that our sins will be forgiven, but that is not what the Bible says.

Promised Savior and New Clothes

Yet God still loved Adam and Eve. So He made a way for their sins to be forgiven. After pronouncing His judgment on Adam and Eve, God also judged the serpent (Satan) who had deceived them. God promised that from the woman’s descendent a Savior would come who would crush Satan’s head, although Satan would also injure Him. Over the centuries that followed, many prophets of God foretold the coming of a Savior who would take away the sins of the world.

Then God did something very interesting. He changed Adam and Eve’s clothes. God replaced the clothes made of leaves that Adam and Eve had made with new clothes made from animal skins. Of course, to make these clothes, an animal had to die. The death of an innocent animal was the price that God paid to cover the sins of Adam and Eve. Because He loved Adam and Eve, God Himself offered the first sacrifice for the forgiveness of their sins. The Bible teaches us that apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22.) Since that first sacrifice all of our forefathers have offered sacrifices to have their sins forgiven: Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and others.

Part Three: “That is why Jesus had to die!”

And then Jesus came, born of a virgin, the descendent of a woman. Jesus lived a sinless life, and performed great miracles. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, a prophet named John looked to Jesus and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”

That is interesting, isn’t it? Jesus was called “the Lamb of God.” Why? Because a lamb is an animal used for sacrifice. Do you remember my question: “Do you know why Jesus said, “I must die”? That is why Jesus said, “I must die.”

Jesus came to be God’s sacrifice to pay for our sins, remove our shame from sin, and give us inner cleansing from the filth of sin. This is why He surrendered Himself to the Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers to be crucified. He was God’s sacrifice for your sins and mine.

As He was dying, Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” meaning that our sin debt had now been paid for. Then Jesus bowed His head and died. But on the third day Jesus rose from the dead, just as He had promised. For the next 40 days, Jesus appeared to more than 500 of His followers and then was taken up into heaven. We know that one day Jesus will return to earth as Judge over all mankind.

Conclusion

“That is why I know my sins are forgiven.” The Bible tells us that if we surrender our life to Jesus as Lord and believe that He has paid for our sins through His sacrifice and that God has raised Him from the dead, our sins will be forgiven. And that is why I know my sins are forgiven.

It makes sense, doesn’t it, that we cannot pay off our own sins but that God made a way for our sins to be forgiven through Jesus’ sacrifice”?

Do you believe that Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins and was raised from the dead?

The Bible says in Romans 10: 9-10 says “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

The way people usually surrender themselves to Jesus is through prayer. Prayer is speaking to God what is in your heart. Romans 10:9-10 is a good guide for a prayer of surrender.

May I pray for you and your personal needs?

Thank you and God bless you!

Salaam Alekum!

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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 name or email address)

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 W. 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 the PayPal link. 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

6,576 ESV Global Study Bibles and more to Africa!

On May 31, 2015September 19, 2015 By Jacob LeeIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Our time back in America is fast coming to a close. Carol and I are so grateful for many friends! The Lord has blessed us with wonderful times with supporting churches: Lifegate Church, Good Shepherd Evangelical Church, Seagrove Baptist Church,Rocky Point Baptist Church, Faith Lutheran Church, Amazing Grace Baptist Church,Dayspring Fellowship, and Gospel Life Church. Our last Sunday before leaving for RAU on Tuesday morning will be back with our home sending church, Lifegate. We have also had sweet fellowship with many dear friends and have made many new friends whose hearts are stirred for the Nations. Our time with family,especially the grandchildren, was very precious. We are sad and sorry about the many friends and family members we were not be able to be with. We return back for Christmas. During Christmas ’14 we we were with a beautiful Yumbe District church. Lord willing we will be able to connect with many on our next visit that we missed on this trip.

Enjoying the Grandchildren

The Lord has blessed in so many ways during our visit back here in the States. First, the Lord has graciously supplied the funds through His people for the ESV Global Study Bibles for which we have been trusting God . When I contacted the good folks at Crossway Publishing this week they said that because of close-out prices they would be able sell the Bibles for less than their first quoted price when we first started raising the funds last Fall. With the lower prices we are now able to get 6,576 ESV Global Study Bibles instead of 5,000 for the same amount of money! Some Bibles will be Hard Back and some TruTone Brown. Thank you, Crossway! Now I know what the disciples felt when Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes. Thank you to all who prayed and have given to bring these Bibles to the West Nile of Uganda. The bulk of them will be given to church leaders which exponentially increases their multiplication effect! Lord willing, the shipping container will start its journey the first part of July.

In addition to the Bibles, we have been able to purchase another 180,000 Search For Joy gospel tracts written by John Piper in English, which we have had translated into Madi, and Aringa, bringing the total number of tracts to be placed in the container 480,000! Keep in mind that when we give out a tract in our area it is read by multiple people. These tracts will be joining many rich theological and Biblically sound books donated by The Gospel Coalition International Outreach.. These books will be given to church leaders which also multiplies their effectiveness for God’s glory. Several churches have also donated many good books for the RAU library, among them are Spurgeon’s Metropolitan Tabernacle set! In addition, Delmar Hager, with Study To Be Approved, is sending back with us more Kindles for pastors. These Kindles have over 300 great books along with several Study Bibles loaded on them. They will join the many other Kindles which are already enriching pastors and furthering the gospel. The Gospel Coalition International Outreach and Study To Be Approved are ministries worthy of ardent support by the church of the living God!

Other resources have also graciously been provided for and will be shipped out in the container. As the Lord provides through His people I would like to see more of Grudems’s Bible Doctrine and more 9 Marks books. In addition I would like to place in the container Anyone, Anywhere,Any Time: Lead Muslims to Christ Now! This resource will help equip God’s people in reaching Muslims in our area. At our container blog link here you can read about how to help: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/fill-the-container-study-bibles-books-and-more/ If you prefer, you may send these resources directly to: Lifegate, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin, TX., 78155 and they will be placed into the container by our Lifegate friends.

The Lord is on the move in the West Nile (Northwestern Uganda) and it is honor to be riding the crest of His wave. Church leaders are being strengthened, lost souls are being reached and new churches are being planted, and the Lord is opening the hearts of many Muslims in Yumbe District and Obongi Sub-County! Your prayers are a part of breaking the hard ground and seeds of the gospel being planted. It is an honor to be partnered with you! What we do now for Christ in His love will echo throughout eternity!

With the Lord saving many and new churches being established, there is a need for a place where the Lord can train new shepherds for those He is bringing into the Kingdom of Light. We also are seeing what I believe is an outpouring of God’s Spirit in the Muslim areas of Yumbe and Obongi Sub-County. It has become a deep and increasing burden to me to establish a Bible School on the land which the Lord has given to RAU for the training of leaders. My thinking now is that it would be a short-term, 3 months of intensive training which would work in tandem with our 4-day retreat sessions. Currently, there is very very little access to in depth biblical training in our West Nile Region. This means more building but it can provide for ongoing ministry that will, Lord willing, endure for generations.

The first project would be to build two classrooms and then more housing where pastors would stay while in the Bible School. Because of the economic situation in the area we would need to get sponsors for the pastors. In the midst of this building we would continue our retreats and our discipleship and evangelism outreaches in cooperation with local churches. Please be in prayer for us in this! We are also in serious prayer for another couple or other team members who would share the vision and come and be a part of the RAU team. Together we can make an eternal impact in this area of the world for God’s glory!

We have the best friends!

In Jesus’ Sovereign and Loving Grip,

Jacob (Carol) 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 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

The greatest evil….

On April 9, 2015September 19, 2015 By Jacob LeeIn Uncategorized

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father”

Colossians 1:2

I hope this post finds you with your hope secure in Christ Jesus and your feet taking the good news of the Savior to whoever crosses your path. Carol and I and all of us here at Reaching Africa’s Unreached are forever grateful for your prayers, encouragement, and support in the mission of strengthening church leaders, bringing the gospel to unreached areas and demonstrating gospel love through medicines, medical care, and education. Because of your prayers and support the fame of King Jesus is spreading in this region of Africa. Thank you!

By God’s grace we have been able to have 13 four-day retreats at RAU for pastors and church leaders. The retreats help us walk out our theme mission verses, 2 Timothy 2:2 and Acts 19:9-10. Most leaders have come from the various districts of the West Nile of Uganda as well as several districts from Northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

A group of pastors getting ready to head back home from a RAU retreat with many helpful resources.

As a result of the retreats we have made many friends and have been extended many invitations to hold leadership seminars away from RAU. Thus far we have done so in Moyo, Yumbe, and Koboko Districts. Later, we are looking at more in the West Nile and as well as in the Congo and South Sudan. The new addition to the tukalu near the Guesthouse/Hall of Tyrannus is nearly complete. We are going to call it “Lydia’s House” based upon Acts 16: 15b, which says, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” It will allow us to host an additional eight leaders to our current 18 capacity. Twenty six will max out the Hall of Tyrannus.

Being able to place ESV Study Bibles and solid biblical literature into the hands of these leaders is great help in strengthening their churches and denominations. These materials are “missionaries” which never die and never tire. At this time, we have 50% of the funds needed for 5,000 ESV Global Study Bibles which will be shipped in a container to us. Because we are buying them in bulk we are able to get them for $10 instead of $30! Will you and/or your church help us get these bibles here? They all will be freely given to leaders as well as to believers in Muslim areas most notably Obongi, Yumbe, and Koboko. At the website there is a list of other things still needed. There are not many opportunities where you can place a study Bible into the hands of a believer where there is a theological famine!

Link for container information:

https://reachingafricasunreached.org/fill-the-container-study-bibles-books-and-more/

Recently, I had the pleasure of spending some time with two young men, Shiloh and John, from Koboko. I often have young men and pastors come by to “visit”. Shiloh and John are both on fire for the Lord and are maturing in their faith. Both of them of are voraciously reading everything I place in their care. We discussed several questions which had come up from their reading and study, but spent most of time on the theme of being saved by grace alone, through faith alone, and in Christ alone. I had an extra copy of the works of Jonathan Edwards and have been waiting for the right person to give them too. Shiloh is the man! He has become a good “Berean” and I see him as a potential “leader of leaders” in the West Nile. One of my greatest joys as a missionary is times like I had today!

Shiloh13 — Great fellowship centered around the Word of God

This week we closed a deal for one hilltop acre overlooking the beautiful Gbari/Arapi valley in the Metu Mountains. Amazing Grace Baptist Church, outside of Seguin, Texas gave the money for the land and the completion of all the legal paperwork. Carol and I have written much and shared many pictures the last months about how the Lord has been saving many people Gbari/Arapi and in other remote village areas in the Metu Mountains. The Lord is establishing His presence in these mountain tops in the lives of people and now in physical ways. The rains have begun and everything is greening up. I am told that at certain times of the year one can find gorillas, chimps, and all sorts of monkeys in the surrounding hills. The Lord has given a beautiful spot for this newly birthed church in Arapi. Gbari believers are close enough to fellowship together with Arapi believers. We would like to build a structure that can serve both communities, stand the test, and be a lasting testimony of the grace of God. We are looking to raise $6000. If you would like to help, you may go to our website and make a special notation on your gift: Gbari/Arapi Church Building…thank you!

Gbari7 — The Lord is saving many in these mountains

RAU partnering with Aya Baptist Church has started seven churches remote villages (Gbari, Arapi, Duku, Oyo, Chinya, Lea, and Oku) in these nearby Metu Mountains where there was not a single one. Three young men Aya Baptist have committed to help oversee the young churches under the supervision of Aya pastor, Tobias and Ijujo pastor, Pasquino. RAU is also facilitating training and financial help. When went to these villages via Land Cruiser and by walking and it was if they were ripe fruit ready for picking. The Lord has opened many, many hearts! Here are several short videos from recent evangelism trips in this area. Please pray for these young churches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EcQ5mT6CLg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UdvvsQzUpM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rDQ7giLx8I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmkpRzIn96Y

My heart is greatly burdened over the lack of pastors for these new churches and the many more that I believe will be birthed. While I trust that we will always have retreats I see also the great need also for more in depth training for those God is raising up to be shepherds. Please pray with us on the possibilities of how RAU could be part of the solution to this problem.

Soon Carol and I will make a short trip back to America to see family, friends, and share in a few churches. Most of our time will be in Texas. Please pray for us in our preparations. Like our last visit if there is anyone in the Seguin, Texas area who could lend a vehicle to us that would be greatly appreciated.

In God’s Loving and Sovereign Grip,

Jacob (Carol) Lee

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 name or email address)

What’s Going Up Is What’s Going Down…At RAU!

On January 20, 2015 By Jacob LeeIn Discipleship, Evangelism, Mercy Ministries, Missions, News and Status Updates, Uncategorized

What’s Going Up is What’s Going Down…At RAU!

by Carol Lee

“Progress results from persistence with purpose.“

– Frank Tyger

Jacob is good about putting posts on Face Book that keep people current on activities and projects here at RAU, but we realize that not everyone “does” Face Book. We want to lasso everyone “into the know” with this post and email.

It has been a season of projects and building and organizing. If there were no seed-sowing, fruit-bearing purpose, it would simply be busy work, but with Jacob there’s always a purposeful plan and he’s persistent, so…we make progress!

The perimeter security wall has been nearly finished. It is now just a matter of aesthetics. As you can see from the picture above, the wall serves not only a practical purpose, but pleases the eye as well.

Right on the heels of that project a second one has begun. Another room is being added on to “Sam’s tukalu” which will allow a queen-sized bed and a couple of bunk beds. We already have solar panels and a battery with which the tukalu can be “electrified.” The current tukalu already has a bathroom with toilet and shower. As we think about the ministry goals of RAU, Jacob is keeping in mind ways of increasing the number of people who may be served during retreat times. He is also thinking in terms of teams, especially couples, who may come to serve. This tukalu will serve both purposes.

102_6527 — Addition of a room to the Tukalu and the foundation for another container.

On the north side of the new room, the foundation is being laid for a platform for the 2nd container for which we are hoping, praying and planning. The idea here is that, between the two containers (which,in themselves, will allow for much storage) there will be a covered work/storage space. That Jacob! He thinks of everything! There is funding enough at present to purchase the container and send it. However, we still need the funding to fill the container with precious cargo – Bibles! It costs $10 per Bible. If everyone bought even one Bible it would help a lot towards meeting our goal. Please keep that in mind in your prayers and your budget. We have the details here: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/fill-the-container-study-bibles-books-and-more/

Jacob continues to walk through opening doors. Tuesday the 20th he will have an opportunity to preach over the radio airwaves via the local Christian radio station. At the end of the message people will be able to call the station with questions or comments. I believe we have mentioned before that this could become a regular event.

In the hills nearby the radio station, Aya Baptist Church has been busy reaching out to its neighbors in the remote areas of Gbare (pronounced, “Bar- ay”) and Arapi (pronounced, “Ah-rah-pee”). They are in the process now of discipling new believers in Jesus and sending one of their own to move to Gbare to pastor the newly formed church. Last Sunday there were 81 people who attended church in Gbare, at least 60% of which were new believers from the last month of evangelism. RAU is partnering with Aya Baptist Church to see a good work established and to see the roots of the church grow deep in love for and obedience to the Word of God. This coming week, on Wednesday, Jacob and Zora (our new ministry intern) will head up to Gbare for some time of discipleship and instruction as well as the basic good of some de-worming medicine. Please pray for this work.

102_6392 — Tobious (and the pastor from Ijuju Baptist Church) and Jacob in the Gbare area evangelizing tukalu to tukalu

On Sunday the 18th, Jacob, Zora and Mindra (one of the men who works here at RAU) drove to Yumbe where they were met by Charles. Charles took them to Ambelecu, one of the Church of Uganda (COU) congregations in Yumbe District near the Koboko border. The COU (also known as the Anglican Church) is a solid presence amidst a devout majority Muslim population. It is a very urgent and major goal of RAU to come alongside believers in an area where it is becoming increasingly dangerous and difficult to be a Christian.

102_6559 — Praying and thanking the Lord for safe arrival to Ambelecu COU.

102_6624 — Jacob preaching the Word and Charles interpreting.

102_6672 — Praying over those who responded to the message to forgive from the heart because they’ve been forgiven.

102_6693 — Honoring the women who cooked and served

On Sunday the 11th, Jacob, Sam and Zora went to Obongi to strengthen Pastor Godfrey’s congregation, Obongi Town Church, in the Word as well as to stand with Godfrey amidst some intense opposition which he has been experiencing. Keep praying for him and his flock. His experiences give us a current depiction of first century church problems such as are recorded in the Book of Acts where Paul went from place to place, experiencing hardship and opposition wherever he was. While Jacob and the guys were there in Obongi they took the opportunity to provide reading glasses, tracts and medicines to those who had gathered, most of whom were Muslims.

10922690_10152578570073053_1038904926047270147_n — Godfrey and Jacob

In one of the last posts, we had mentioned the need for education sponsorship for Richard, who has received surgery for club foot. Within two days, a brother came forward to offer the amount needed for Richard to attend First Presbyterian’s Covenant Junior School! When we told Richard’s father, he was thrilled, as you can imagine, for his young son (for whom life had thrown a curve ball) to receive such an opportunity.

14306_10152580550563053_6789232904349272194_n — Richard – he walketh!

In addition, Anzoa, the young girl who received corrective surgery for congenital cataracts, also received a sponsorship. A brother in America is working on meeting a goal to find sponsorship for 18 more local children. (For one year, it costs $600 to board and educate and provide uniforms for one child.) In America, we take a decent education for granted. Here, people struggle to find ways of getting their children into school and keeping them in school. The older the child, the more expensive and, therefore, the harder it is to keep them in school all the way through to graduation. If anyone is interested in sponsoring a child please contact us.

During the writing of this, a young father came with his child who has hydrocephalus (or some other congenital abnormality.) It is the most expensive of corrective surgeries in which we have been involved because it typically requires numerous follow up visits to the hospital and we rely on special donations for these medical needs that present themselves to us. If the Lord lays it on your heart, we would love to take part in helping this child’ s life and lot improve! You may designate a donation specifically for “the hydrocephalus child“. Thanks in advance for placing your life and resources at Jesus’ feet to be used for His glory in this child’s life!

Not long after, just today, a mother brought her little 6 month old baby girl, named Charity, who has a cleft lip and palate. She is asking for help to get the corrective surgery for this. We, in turn, are presenting this need to you all, hoping that your compassion may be kindled for this child. While the surgery is provided free of charge at CoRSU Hospital in Entebbe, the cost of transporting the mother and child back and forth 2 times as well as providing their up keep while there is what costs. From our past experience, the cost comes to about $800. Any amount that is left over will be kept for the next child who has a physical need.

We feel an empty space which Sam has left in his moving back to the Kampala area to further his medical education. We have been so blessed to have his friendship, his commitment to RAU’s vision and goals, and his talents. He has been a great help to Jacob and a great help in making the vision of RAU a reality. We are grateful for the Lord’s provision for Sam – getting a Bachelors Degree in Nursing is a three year process and is not cheap! The Lord is good. Sam, we wish you very well! We will miss your joyful heart and your beautiful voice leading us in praise!

1013251_10203524502809046_6471259240384171657_n — Nyombi Samuel Wilson

10171632_10203524503289058_5753422362849974391_n — An evening walkabout

10868073_10203534480578484_1257508740631464381_n — His last RAU papaya for a while

Providentially, the Lord has brought us a young man to intern with RAU – Achidrii Onet Zora. Zora completed a two year theological training at African Renewal University, a school which is greatly supported by Desiring God Ministries. Zora has shown himself to be servant-hearted, willing to put his hand to a broom or a hammer or the dishes, or to help Jacob organize books and other resources. He is an “eternal” student, one who likes to ask questions that open up great biblical discussions and who is humble in receiving insight as well as in adding his own insight to the conversation. Jacob has given him opportunity to prepare and give a teaching or a word of encouragement which he has not only done willingly, but with an earnest desire for feedback by which he can grow in serving in this area.

10921700_10203481842302560_912079484_n — Zora enjoying the library books! A man after Jacob’s own heart!

10917830_10203534334774839_3567808568755153616_n — Jacob has perfected his “Tom Sawyer skills” on Zora

10425873_10203534332014770_8184058965400041336_n — Getting resource bags ready for future retreats

10675746_10203534333734813_69356648726940163_n — Filing and organizing

10929550_10203534333014795_3164533758772249000_n — Handy with a broom, too!

This weekend we look forward to the return of our dear friend, John Howarton. He has already been ministering in Ethiopia and South Sudan. Shortly after he arrives we will be hosting another pastors’ retreat in which John’s teaching gift will be used and appreciated.

1425520_611839785538924_1892855207_n — John with his friend, Muhtar

I (Carol) am back to my “normal” self. We will leave out any description of what that word, “normal” might mean for me! On advice and reminder from my brother, Dave, I am staying home from the bumpy day trips to allow any unseen injury to heal which might have occurred from the jarring fall I experienced a few weeks ago. I am enjoying some time to work on my skill set: drawing/painting and my latest interest – ink.

10923240_10203518999271461_6350749641140623466_n — An ink drawing of my favorite tree in front of Aya Baptist Church

We hope that, as you read about our adventures (and misadventures!), and as you pray for RAU, you may also be asking the Lord if you can serve with us here on a more permanent basis. There is more than enough for one man to do and it would be awesome to have a others working together with us here. For starters, consider coming for a short stay to see how your gifts could be used in a greater way to serve the people of this under-served area.

The earthly formula at the beginning of this post could have you wondering if you have the wherewithal to take part in this mission and it places the burden on frail humanity: “Persistence + Purpose = Progress.” Who is equal to the task?!! BUT!….thanks be to God who does not make us His co-workers without equipping us! Remember I Corinthians 4:7: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” Philippians 2: 13 says, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” In Luke 24:49 we are reminded that Jesus did not leave without fulfilling His promise to give us the Holy Spirit. “And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work withing us, to Him be the glory…!” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

May the Lord bless you all! We pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you all with joy, obedience and eyes to see the joy beyond the Cross!

Carol (on behalf of Jacob and RAU)

Blog: http://www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org

Facebook: http://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

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Jacob W. Lee

“10 Reasons to Expect Great Things and Attempt Great Things” By David Sills

On January 5, 2015January 5, 2015 By Jacob LeeIn Uncategorized

A great word of encouragement from Dr. David Sills!

—————

10 Reasons to Expect Great Things and Attempt Great Things

By Dr. David Sills

“William Carey was a Baptist pastor in England toward the end of the 18th century. Reading Captain Cook’s journals, he was profoundly moved by the spiritual needs of the world. Specifically, he was burdened about the need to convert the peoples of India. However, Carey found that some of the other Baptist pastors in England believed that God would save the heathen in His own time without their help. Carey could not accept the decision to leave them in spiritual darkness. He challenged them through a sermon entitled, “Expect Great Things, Attempt Great Things.” He led the way by sailing to India in 1792 and launched such a remarkable missionary effort that he became known as the father of modern missions. In that day when many English Baptists considered the work God had given to them to do at home to be sufficiently challenging, going to another continent to minister among peoples of different languages, worldviews, and religions was too great a challenge.

If that sounds familiar, it’s because that mentality is alive and well and sometimes resides within us. Perhaps you wonder why should we go elsewhere when there are still lost people among us, indeed even in our own families. Why invest elsewhere when our own buildings need improvement or expansion? Why go to preach truth in places where people already have a religion and don’t want us to come? Why attempt such an audacious task? What hope do we have of success? What should we expect? The same Bible that spoke to Carey still speaks to us today. Why should we expect great things from God and attempt great things for God?

Sovereignty
There is no danger that attempting what our sovereign God has commanded His people to do will fail. I do not mean that every plan we devise will succeed in ways that we measure as success, but when we are prepared instruments in His hands seeking to bring Him glory, there is nothing that will prevent Him having His way in His world. Never be afraid that the Enemy’s gospel-hostile mean people will prevail against the sovereign hand of God. When you’re sure that that hand holds you, never fear to step out and walk by faith.

Mission
The mission we set out to accomplish is not our own, it is His. The mission Dei, encompasses more than we can fathom, but He shares a part of it with us. When you attempt great things, you are not inventing a missions idea and asking Him to bless it, you are joining Him in His mission. His mission will not fail. You are joining the mission of the invincible, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, omnibenevolent Creator and Ruler of all that is

Authority
In Matthew 28:18, Jesus said that all authority has been given to Him. With His authority He commands us to go to all peoples and obey all the Great Commission. Because He has all authority, no earthly pretender to authority can deny us or stay His hand. There are creative access countries in the world, including some that are mistakenly labeled as closed countries. “You can get into any country, but you may not be able to get out. There is no such thing as a closed country to one who does not care if he gets out again,” famously responded Bible smuggler, Brother Andrew, to a warning that his work was too dangerous to do in Communist countries. Brother Andrew understood that because Jesus Christ has all authority, no government ruler and no human heart can thwart His mission.

Imitation
Many of us live our lives wondering what Jesus would do in various situations we face. A better guide for us would be to look in to the Bible to see what Jesus did do, and then seek to imitate Him. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Christ cleansed the Temple when the court of the Gentiles had been appropriated for the ease and profit of the Jews, He healed those outside Judaism, and said that when He was lifted up that all kinds of men and women would come to Him. Jesus was and is concerned for the nations. Christ came to seek and to save the lost. Imitate Him.

Holy Spirit
We can attempt great things for God expecting Him to do great things through us because of His indwelling Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God lives within us to guide us, empower us, endow gifts, encourage, and bless our efforts to glorify Christ. Christian workers who seek to obey Christ’s command and walk in step with the Holy Spirit go forth in Jesus’ name and authority and in the power and fellowship of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. Such knowledge provides hope when discouraged, the needed word when we do not know what to say, and insight into all the truth we are to teach to others.

Calling
Everyone is not to be a mega-church pastor, serve in a soup kitchen, plant churches, be a pioneer missionary, or teach in a seminary. The unique and God-given mix of gifts and burdens, life experiences, opportunities, and His guidance leads each of us to the paths we walk in our Christian life. Some are more zealous to know and fulfill their role in God’s plan for the world than others. But no matter how God calls you to serve Him, you can serve Him with all you are to attempt great things. If He has called you to be a housewife in suburbia you cannot glorify Him more by being martyred in Somalia. The highest and best use of your life is to do what He has called you to do in the place He has called you to do it. When you know His calling on your life, embrace it fully in faith and obedience. Jim Elliot challenged the called ones in his generation, “Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation that you believe to be the will of God.”

Needs
The world is in desperate need of the gospel, of hope in the midst of hopelessness, and light in darkness. Lost and dying people need to hear the Good News that though God hates sin He loves us and gave His Son to save us. Over half of the world has not heard the gospel. Just in the Americas there are 999 people groups, with over 2/3 of them unreached and over 1/3 unreached of them unengaged. The numbers of peoples who do not know Jesus is heartbreaking. Many others may have heard but have no Christian churches with trained pastors to teach them the truth of God’s Word and help them apply it to their lives. Other crises are growing as well. Flesh trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry around the world. Tens of thousands of children die of starvation and hunger-related diseases daily. Thousands of people die from the lack of clean drinking water. Globally, millions of orphans live in the streets. Amy Carmichael said, “Missionary work is a grain of sand, the work untouched is a pyramid . . . Face it. Look and listen, alone with God. Then go, let go, help go. But never, never, never think that anything short of this is being ‘interested in missions’” There are so many needs, so little time, and so few responding to help.

Love
When asked to identify the greatest commandment, Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” If you love the Lord with your heart, soul, mind, and strength, you will want to see the peoples of His world bring Him honor and worship. And if you love your neighbor as yourself, you will want to see them find forgiveness and enter into eternal life, and be at peace with God through Christ. John wrote in his first letter, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” Let us attempt great things and expect great things because of the love of God that the God of love has put in our hearts—love for Him and love for others.

Obedience
We say we love the Lord. But to step onto a plane to leave the land of Walmart, family, friends, and all that is familiar seems a giant leap. Who would do that? Why would they do that? Because He commanded and true disciples obey Him. Prompt obedience has been a characteristic of God’s faithful servants since the days of Noah built the ark and Abraham offered up Isaac. The first disciples Jesus called left their nets and boats and obeyed His call to follow. Sometimes His call to us seems a bit too radical in a world that promotes comfort zones and safety. The last command Jesus gave us was the Great Commission. His word to His church is clear. Is our obedience as clear? Remember that you can say “No,” and you can say “Lord,” but you cannot say “No, Lord.” The minute you do, He’s not; you are. Prompt obedience is a mark of a true disciple. Jesus asked, “Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?”

Success
We should expect great things and attempt great things in full assurance that success is certain. Isaiah 11:9 prophesies, “for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” And a confirming repetition comes in Habakkuk 2:14, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Notice the absence of even a hint of “maybe” or “hope so.” I love the scene that John describes in the Revelation, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”’

We may expect and attempt great things because a successful end is certain.

God’s people make choices daily. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Decision magazine reminds us of the reality of Joel 3:14, “Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” What a cause for praise and thanksgiving we would have if the whole world had heard the gospel in a way that they can understand and now dwelled in the valley of decision. But they haven’t. And the sad truth is that God’s people have read the Great Commission, the Great Commandments, and the great compassion of Jesus in the Bible, and many have heard the call to give or go, spend or be spent, yet they remain in the valley of decision. Don’t waver any longer in indecision, if God is the Lord of all, commit today to expect great things and attempt great things. Here are ten reasons to do so. Hundreds more could be presented. Only one is needed. Who will expect and attempt great things for the glory of Christ and the advance of His kingdom?”

http://davidsills.blogspot.com/2015/01/10-reasons-to-expect-great-things-and.html

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“10 Reasons to Expect Great Things and Attempt Great Things” By David Sills

A great word of encouragement from Dr. David Sills!

10 Reasons to Expect Great Things and Attempt Great Things