“The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.” (Attributed to C.H. Spurgeon)
January 2024
November 2024








For our last furlough home, I made a short video expanding on an idea I had heard: that the difference between failure and success, between surviving and thriving is–Opportunity. Living in a country like the USA where every available resource, every “leg up“, every encouragement, and every right circumstance is taken for granted, we can glance suspiciously at people in other countries or places who aren’t “progressing” and wonder “what their problem is“, not recognizing that we are where we are because of the wealth of opportunities we have had at our disposal.
Imagine leading a church with only a New Testament (in your heart language, though not even with the tonal markings which give meaning to the words) and maybe a “regular” English Bible (without historical background, study notes and cross-references), teaching congregation members who have no Bible (and therefore cannot be Bereans who can search the scriptures to see if the spoken things are so). Yes, Jesus is building His Church, but He is doing it through His people and it is critical that these leaders have what they need to accurately and as purely as possible explain the truths of scripture–to take the congregation from milk-drinking to consumption of the meaty, whole counsel of God.
Recognizing this disparity in opportunity, Reaching Africa’s Unreached (RAU) has a mission–that pastors and leaders, especially in the more remote places of northern Uganda, as well as South Sudan and the Sudan, be given the opportunity to access and own resources that strengthen and encourage them in their own walk of faith so that they can strengthen and encourage the people they shepherd.


Due to remoteness and, in some cases, socioeconomic constraints, many pastors have had little opportunity to formally study the Bible or to be theologically and personally mentored in the tenets of the Christian faith. In this context, RAU’s passion (through Jacob) is to do all it can to obtain and distribute resources that can mitigate this lack of opportunity. We want the Church here in Uganda and in surrounding countries to succeed–to thrive–in the Great Commission and in joining Jesus Christ in His promise to build His Church.
For more than a decade, RAU has been distributing Bibles and Christian literature (which any pastor in the USA would be overjoyed to have in his library) to leaders in the northern region of Uganda, South Sudan and Sudan and even into the DR Congo. RAU seeks to create a reading culture by providing biblically sound reading materials and has been able to accomplish this in partnership with the many, many donors and in relationship with ChristianBook International Outreach, Crossway Global and Oasis publishing.
Excerpt from RAU’s Vision/Mission Statements:
“…Furthermore, we will endeavor to place ESV Global Study Bibles, ESV Study Bibles , Reformation Study Bibles, Africa Study Bibles, and high-quality doctrinally sound Christian literature into the hands of believers. R.A.U. also continues to partner with Study To Be Approved by placing Kindles loaded with Study Bibles and many sound books into the hands of key Christian leaders/Pastors in the region. In February 2022, a container of 20,861 ESV Global Study Bibles arrived to RAU campus. This brings the total which has come in previous containers and teams to nearly 30,000+ ESV Global Study Bibles for leaders. God be praised! Recently (in 2021), R.A.U. received 16,000 books and Arabic Study Bibles from The Gospel Coalition International Outreach and Christian Book International. Also 600,000 dual language tracts , Madi, Aringa, Arabic-English and nearly 7,000 Christian books for pastors arrived in 2022. In July 2024 20,000 ESV paper backs have arrive. We are now seeking by God’s grace to bring 23,040 Africa Study Bibles primarily for local church leaders. Another 13,000 theological books are arriving in August-September 2024…”


Much to our immense joy, 20,000 ESV Paperback Pew Bibles have arrived at the RAU campus, coinciding with our return from the USA! Since our return, we have distributed around 3,000+ of these precious pew Bibles, primarily to eager students in West Nile and those in the nearby refugee resettlement schools. Our heartfelt mission is to share these Bibles with schools, where every classroom welcomes the transformative power of the Bible! We are also reaching out to new believers and members of local churches who can read English, as English is the language of instruction from primary school to university. We praise God for the incredible container of 20,000 ESV Paperback Pew Bibles, which came through the support of Christianbook International Outreach. Thank you!









We will launch our second Reaching Africa’s Unreached (RAU) dental clinic, which will operate from November 18 to 22. Once again, Hope Smiles Dental Center in Jinja, Uganda, will send a Ugandan team to join us in demonstrating the love of Jesus through dentistry. The Hope Smiles team comprises well-trained, dedicated, and compassionate professionals. They prioritize quality care over large numbers. We will once again set up in RAU’s Hall of Tyrannus. The Hope Smiles team will bring all their equipment and medicines.




Last year, the dedicated team at Hope Smiles cared for 487 patients, delivering 243 deep cleanings, 56 simple cleanings, 323 restorations, and 425 extractions. We are aware that dental care is drastically limited in our region. Being just two kilometers from the South Sudan border empowers us to extend our compassionate services to Sudanese individuals, alongside our cherished Ugandan community members. Beyond the vital dental care we provide, our heartfelt mission is to share the gospel message with everyone the Lord brings our way, offering hope and unwavering support through the gospel of grace.

We are deeply thankful to everyone who generously donated to RAU, allowing us to welcome the Hope Smiles team to our community. We ask you to keep this upcoming week in your prayers. Your support means so much to us. For more information, please explore RAU’s Mercy Ministries: 1) Agriculture 2) Clean Water 3) Dental and Medical web page: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/agriculture-project/.
Lastly, I would like to give an update on our goal to bring 20,040 Africa Study Bibles to RAU’s resource center, which could become a pivotal initiative in our mission. In conjunction with the publisher, a decision has been made to transport the Africa Study Bibles in multiple trips as the funds become available, rather than all at once, allowing us to begin distribution earlier than if we waited for the full donation amount. A 20-foot container loaded with 6,400 Africa Study Bibles is currently en route to Reaching Africa’s Unreached (RAU) and is expected to arrive in about two months, bringing us one step closer to our goal. This is just the beginning of what we envision for the leaders of Uganda and Sudan, who are in desperate need of these resources to further their understanding and teaching of the scriptures. As of today, we are in need of $100,000 to bring the remaining 13,640 Africa Study Bibles to RAU. We invite you to pray with us during this critical time, consider contributing to this important cause, and passionately advocate among your friends, family, and church communities, so we can place these unique Bibles into the hands of dedicated Ugandan and Sudanese leaders who are ready to spread the word. Your support is essential in making a significant difference in these communities, and together, we can transform lives through the power of God’s Word.
Jacob and I thank God so, so much for you all who pray for us, give to the ministry, write notes of encouragement, come and work with us, host us when we are Stateside, hug our necks, feed us and so much more!!! The ministry of RAU is an outworking of the vision and mission of local churches and our raison d’etre (reason for being) is to come alongside what God is doing in local churches on this side–encouraging and equipping leaders of churches in the West Nile of Uganda, South Sudan and in the Republic of Sudan. We have often said that, as a ministry, we are simply a pipeline of blessings that come from your hands and heart and are delivered to the ones we are here to serve.
Because of providential reasons there has been a drop in regular monthly support. One of those “providential” reasons being that some of the monthly givers were our age or older (Jacob turned 69 last September) and have gone to be with the Lord. People’s financial situations change from time to time and so we understand that priorities have to be adjusted. It is the regular monthly support that keeps the ministry engine running for the glory of God. If you are are not giving monthly would you prayerfully consider partnering with us in that way, but without hurting your giving to your local church or other missionaries. We would be so grateful! Thank you!
Blessings, Prayers, and Appreciation!
“What we do now in the Lord and for Him will echo throughout eternity for His praise and honor….all else is dust in the wind!” (Jacob Lee)
All donations are tax deductible!
PayPal Monthly and/or one time giving link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WAR99DL4JFWXQ&ssrt=1702909444355
“It is our conviction that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16) and we have been entrusted to proclaim it passionately and rightly. Our dependence is upon the Holy Spirit for the power to preach, teach, live and endure all things for the sake of the elect. (1 Timothy 2:10). As Christians, we are called to lay down our lives so that the Gospel will be preached to all. As ones who are confident in God’s sovereignty and passionate for His glory we seek to reach the many that have never heard of the Savior and His work of reconciliation. We understand that this work cannot be accomplished in our own strength but only through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. The means He uses in His people are cross-centered living, sacrificial and loving service, Bible-soaked preaching/teaching, fervent intercessory prayer, and Christ-likeness.” (From Reaching Africa’s Unreached Mission & Vision Statement)
Checks also may be written out to “RAU” and sent to our secretary Beth and she will deposit them into RAU’s account : Lifegate-RAU, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin, TX. 78155
Mission & Vision Statements: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/about/
Mercy Ministries: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/agriculture-project/
Blog Posts: www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org
RAU’s YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRmHafoBSemE7jS8kEHCG6Q/videos
RAU Donation Page : https://reachingafricasunreached.org/donations/
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RAU is in partnership with ABWE
Our ABWE Personal Donation Page: https://give.abwe.org/worker/2125
Our RAU/ABWE Uganda Ministry Operations/Projects Page: https://give.abwe.org/projects/rau-uganda-short-term-teams
Carol and I are grateful to be Associate Missionaries with ABWE. Video Interview: What does it mean to be an Associate Missionary with ABWE?









































































































































































































































