Taste and See

by Carol Lee

Dear Friends and Family,

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!“

Psalm 34: 8

How many of us have cringed…or fumed…inwardly, while listening to a slick salesman trying to “sell us” on a product while making us feel utterly stupid for not “buying into” his sales pitch? If only he could understand how ineffective his method really is of luring us to buy what he is selling.

Now, think of that time when you listened to someone you knew or trusted rave about a product they were using…and…they showed you just how effective the product had been in achieving the desired results.  Big difference, huh?!!!  I bet you went right out and bought some yourself!

It is no different when it comes to “giving a reason for the hope you possess” in Christ Jesus.  The guard goes up the minute someone feels you are a “slick Willy“(Definition: a term that, upon hearing it, is understood to mean something uncomplimentary towards the person to whom it refers) trying to dupe them into buying “your product” with some ulterior motive other than genuine concern for them.

On the other hand, if you are a friend who is genuinely joyful, sincere and full of integrity in your walk with Christ and you want your friend or neighbor to experience that same joy and you explain how Jesus has changed you (and they can see it!) the response from them is likely to be genuine interest.

With each new dialog with Imams and Sheikhs we see more clearly how  much the motive of our hearts and the way in which we give a reason for our hope matters in the long run.  As Jacob and I reviewed our last dialog together we were convinced of the need to make very clear our goals in standing before these men, not as pressurized, slick salesmen, but as genuine friends who want others to “taste and see that the Lord is good“!

These goals, which are now part of the apologetic booklets which will be passed out, are distilled in the following points:  1) NOT to tear down (abuse) the other’s belief system, 2) NOT to tear down the person (who is made in the image of God), but to be 3) READY to give an answer to anyone who asks about our hope in Christ Jesus, 4) to PAINT a beautiful picture with words of who God is and what He has done and to 5) URGE each person to “taste and see that the Lord is good” because the Lord wants us to be in relationship with Him.  The last dialog was instrumental in helping us clarify our focus and purify our motive; we sincerely hope continuing open doors of deeper friendship and, ultimately, a brotherhood in Spirit and in truth.

Last Saturday, we went for another dialog to Yumbe with Pertti Soderlund and his friend, Jonas Walliser (a young German who uses his athletic prowess in football…soccer…to engage with youth about his love for and belief in Christ).  Both of them shared engaging testimonies of God’s grace and power in their lives.  It was a complementary blessing to the clear and beautiful picture which Jacob painted, as he shared from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 2, verses 1-12, on “Who is Jesus?“.

Hearing from the Imams, particularly one who stands as their spokesperson, always helps us discern areas where they have a false understanding of what Christians believe and then address those issues the next time.  This time, one of the Christians stood to request that, in the future, the Muslims spend some time talking about their beliefs and experiences from a personal viewpoint in addition to highlighting where they think Christian teachings are inconsistent.  These dialogs are insightful and helpful as we hear first hand more fully what Muslims believe about God.

The week previous to this dialog was busy for Jacob.  He continues to oversee the building of our new  Teaching Hall of Tyrannus.  Upcoming retreats and new opportunities to open the teaching hall to other venues keep Jacob pushing to ensure the building gets done in a timely manner.  As stated in the last letter, we eagerly await a Texas team from “Reaching and Teaching”.  We will be hosting about 30 leaders for the second module of their “Hearts, Heads and Hands“ course.

Last Tuesday, Emma  and Jacob went to the Metu Mountains to encourage church leaders there to get inspired about how they can contribute to their own improvement and successes through Agriculture.  Jacob highlighted the many resources that are available to them and tried to capture their interest, focus and energy to think in an entrepreneurial way.  One of the local men shared his success story with the group, hoping that the others might also taste and see the possibilities.

On Thursday, we received Pertti and Jonas as our guests.  What an awesome time of breaking bread together, sharing stories and laughing together!  We are grateful for all the goodies that Heidi (Pertti’s wife) keeps sending along for us!  Talk about tasting and seeing that the Lord is good!!!

On Friday, March 10th, Jacob took Pertti and Jonas to the Metu Mountains so they could experience first hand what Aya Baptist members are doing in partnership with RAU to strengthen new believers in remote villages.  They also took note of the “water holes” which were being used by the villagers.  Our hope is that, in partnership with our supporters and other well-drilling NGOs, we might be able to get more bore holes to these remote areas.  It was a long and tiring day of driving and hiking, but, I believe, it was rewarding for our friends to get a taste of God’s goodness in that region.

On Tuesday, March 14th, Emma and Pastor Henry took the RAU boda to Aya for an Ag Demo plot training.  They also went to Gbari/Arapi to look at the potential site for demo plot in their area.  Our sincere hope is that the leaders and believers in the Metu Mountains will be able to revolutionize their lives and economic status by seeing farming as a business and putting into practice the wealth of information shared and demonstrated by Emma.

God’s people are not only called to tell of Him and His greatness with words, but to display the goodness of Him in their lives.  Titus 2:14 testifies of a God “[W]ho gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” As I have heard it preached before, Christians are not just saved from something (the wrath of God towards sin) but saved for something (lives that reflect grace and the many attributes of God and that bring God glory). “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16.  Our good deeds are another way of inviting the world  to not only  hear of God, but “taste and see” that He is good.

How glad we are to be linked in love through the Spirit, prayer and financial support to so many of you.  Thank you for hanging in there with us!

Please be praying for these upcoming events:

• Jacob travels, again, to Arua for mechanical repairs on the Land Cruiser and to accomplish other items of business. Pray for safety and timely accomplishment of everything.
•  Saturday, March 18th, is another dialog in Apo (Yumbe) with possibly as many as 100 participants.
• Dr. Stephen McConnell comes for a fact-finding mission on March 25th; pray that he will get a clear picture of the needs and a clear guidance for ministry.
• April 1-2, a team from IMB (Baptist) will be staying with us and using RAU as a base of operations for their ministry outreaches.
• April 30th to (possibly May 4th), a Baptist group from Mississippi will be with us for ministry
• April 6-16th, the team from Reaching and Teaching comes for training.

http://www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

By Carol Lee

Dear Praying Family and Friends,

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Matthew 10:28

“Men go to far greater lengths to avoid what they fear than to obtain what they desire.”

What do we desire and what do we fear?  What do we, Christians,  want our lives to look like?  What do we want to accomplish?  From what are we being held back because of fear?   Where are our energies being invested, in avoiding what we fear or in obtaining what we desire?

Fear is a thief, robbing us of all the fruitful possibilities that might have been if perfect love had been around to bind the intruder.  Perfect love believes that God loves us. Fear robs us of peace in God’s presence.  Perfect love believes that God is good and His plans for us are good.  Fear robs us of the courage to take risks that will result in experiencing God’s goodness in and through us. Fear keeps us from enjoying all the gifts of God’s grace and ensuring that those gifts benefit others, too.  But…perfect love gives us a captivating vision of the redeeming plans God has for us and others and gives us courage to take risks to realize these plans.

God, the Father, so perfectly loved us that He sent His risk-taking Son, Jesus, to overcome His fears (“Father, if there be any other way…not my will, but Yours be done”) and to prioritize the glorious reward of risk-taking love (“who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross…”).  WE are the reward upon which His eyes were set – bringing many sons to glory! This is the captivating vision the Holy Spirit is at work in us to produce. Let us pray to be like Jesus, the author and the perfecter of our faith!

The Lord has put before us (RAU and its partners) amazing opportunities to be a part of His redeeming plan among the Aringa tribe in Yumbe District.  In many parts of the world, especially the United States, the thought of going into a predominantly Muslim community and meeting, on a regular basis, with a large group of Muslim leaders can muster a fear and hesitancy because of what “might” happen. Stories in the news have thrown fuel on the fire of our fears. We, here, have experienced the fear of “what ifs” and the trepidation based on negative stereotyping.  Thankfully, the perfect love which the Father has for his “lost sheep” among the Aringa has captivated Jacob’s heart and has bound any fear which might keep him from realizing fruitful, redeeming possibilities.  And his courage has spawned courage in many others, including me!

This last Saturday (March 4th), Jacob and the RAU team headed to Aringa County in Yumbe District, to Govuli.  This was our first visit there.  Here is what Jacob wrote about the experience on Face Book:

“Many thanks to all who prayed for our dialog with Sheikhs and Imams in Govuli, Yumbe District today. It is the birthplace of Islam in the District. I had brought Bibles and materials for 50 and we ran short. Fortunately, I was able to make arrangement to get Bibles to them next weekend. All the leaders were very kind and hospitable to us. God loves them and so do I !

The meeting went beyond my expectations. The Khard said, in the beginning, that he did not want a dialog this time. He wanted me to teach the whole time! I preached/taught for over 2 hours and the Sheikhs and Imams listened intently. They are pushing for me to come back again for more.

http://www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org

 

 

 

 

“The United Nations has declared a famine in parts of South Sudan, the first to be announced anywhere in the world in six years….UN agencies say 100,000 people are facing starvation in South Sudan and a further 1 million there are classified as being on the brink of famine. This is the most acute of the present food emergencies. It is also the most widespread nationally. Overall, says the UN, 4.9 million people – or 40% of South Sudan’s population – are “in need of urgent food, agriculture and nutrition assistance….”. BBC Africa: “Why Are There Still Famines?”

The need is real and the fighting is real. Because we are located just two kilometers from border we have heard the exchange of gunfire, RPG’s, and  have seen tracer fire in the night sky. We are safe and secure on our side of the border.  Unfortunately, it’s not so for the ones on the other side!

The Lord has set us here in the the very midst of hundreds of thousands of refugees in our three district regions of Moyo, Yumbe, and Adjumani. He has also given you a direct connection to them through us and others “for such a time as this”!

Currently, we have begun construction on an enlarged “Hall of Tyrannus” with adjoining dining and study. This new structure will allow us to host larger pastor retreats. It will also help facilitate the hosting of groups from the community, as well South Sudanese leaders from Refugee Camps, for biblical and agricultural training. RAU’s focus is 2 Timothy 2:2, teaching faithful leaders who in turn will teach others who then, in turn, teach others.

Any financial help you can give in this building project would be much appreciated! We would like to complete the Hall as fast as possible so that we can begin using it soon.

Recently, I had a visit with UN officials and they are happy that we want to bring leaders from refugee camps here to RAU for agricultural and biblical training. They will be back for more discussions. RAU will endeavor to work with the Ugandan gov’t, UNHCR, and other larger NGOs in the region that have heeded the call to help.

We have been told that the South Sudanese refugees will probably be here for at least 5-10 years. RAU wants to, especially, be a part of giving developmental help to them through agricultural training with the gospel always being front and center. The enlarged “Hall of Tyrannus” (See Acts 19:9b-10) along with our 17 acre demo plot will help facilitate hands on training.

On RAU’s 17 acres we now have many bananas (6,000+/-) that will be in full production when the March rains begin; this can bring immediate food relief. Most of our 740 grafted mangoes are still too young to produce but, in a couple of years, they will begin producing as well. In the our upcoming first growing season, in between the rows of bananas and mangoes, we are looking to plant soybeans along with many different kinds of vegetables. We will use our  soybean seed stock which we harvested in May ’16 for planting. When harvested, our plan is to grind the soybeans into meal. Soybean meal is one of the most complete foods God has given us. It can be a great food resource for the refugees as well as the local community.

Long term, we want to help prepare and equip the refugees in the Word of God and in ways they can better care for their families and community through agriculture. The agricultural skills with which they are equipped at Reaching Africa’s Unreached can be taken back with them to their homes in South Sudan when peace returns; this is something we all pray will happen sooner rather later.

We commit to use funds given faithfully and wisely. We live here so we are “the boots on the ground” to ensure that God’s love is seen through you, his people.

With Love and Appreciation,

Jacob (Carol) Lee

http://www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org

 

Dear American evangelical Christian,

Please….PLEASE!! Watch this message and let it change your heart and your thinking and your obedience! This message was given in context of the current refugee crisis which is the worst it has ever been all around the world!

Here are some key points from the message that, I hope, will inspire you to live differently in these coming days and weeks and years:

The road to and from Yumbe is becoming very familiar these days!  A person can almost anticipate every turn, every pothole, every rock on the way – that is, if one could see the road through all the dust! Oh! How we long for the rainy season to start.  Of course, that will have its challenges, too, by turning the roads into mud pits!

A Danish proverb says, “The road to a friend’s house is never long.” In the same way, in spite of the rough, hot and dusty ride, our reason for traveling to Yumbe overcomes the distance and discomfort and finds us happy to engage in yet another meeting with Aringa Imams and Sheikhs or working in partnership with Charles and Pilgrim Church in ministry to the Yumbe District community.

This last Tuesday, Jacob, Emma, Zakeo and I returned to Yumbe (Apo Sub-county).  At Apo Seed Secondary School (a very nice facility), we met with 45 Imams and Sheikhs. There were to be 60; however, a well-revered, elderly Imam from the nearby Mosque passed away and many were attending his funeral.

As always, the meeting started out with introductions and a couple of very short speeches by key leaders from the community.  We also passed out some gift bags and literature, all of which the attendees were eager to receive.  At every Dialogue, there is that reminder that we are, indeed, having a dialogue and not a debate; we are not trying to undermine each other, but to understand each other.  So far, this approach has worked well.  Though we have known of a few who oppose our coming, that we just had our 12th Dialogue is proof positive that the opposition is in the minority.  We have always been warmly welcomed.

“I believe in language even though it has been wounded, deformed, and perverted by the enemies of mankind. And I continue to cling to words because it is up to us to transform them into instruments of comprehension rather than contempt. It is up to us to choose whether we wish to use them to curse or to heal, to wound or to console.” – Elie Wiesel

Jacob is typically given the first slot of time to present his words (most of which focus on who Jesus is according to Christians).  This time, because we were also offering  an Ag extension portion, Jacob took less time and decided to explain the Gospel in story form – a story he created to describe creation, the fall of man (in the Garden), redemption (through Christ) and consummation (being reunited with the Father).  It was a particularly effective story (in which the audience seemed sincerely engaged) with its setting being a rural village and…a latrine pit; the story line was something to which everyone could relate.

Emma “grabbed the baton” after Jacob and presented “Growing Bananas as a Business”, a topic which had been requested by several Muslims at the last Dialogue.  Agriculture nearly and dearly touches these people’s lives.  For many, it is one of the only means of potential income-generating activity.  To each participant, a booklet of agricultural principles and practices (written by Emma) was provided.  A bunch of RAU grown Matooke bananas was brought as a gift and for inspiration (given that the banana came to fruit during the dry season due to the way in which it was planted and managed) – instructions included.  Emma concluded by answering their many questions.

Part way in to Emma’s Ag session, we noticed that people were coming and going.  The facilitator said the men were taking turns to go outside for their noon prayers.  Rather than anyone missing parts of the teaching, we stopped for a short while to allow them the opportunity for their ritual washing and prayers and then resumed the Ag teaching.

The Yumbe Muslims also have their “go-to” person whom they respect and call upon to represent their faith.  This time, he was feeling poorly due to a bout of Malaria (we had the opportunity to give him anti-malaria meds and pain pills), but he did not let the opportunity pass him by to very graciously offer his perspectives and clarifications about Islamic beliefs.  He shared about a common belief we have:  being rude to the person to whom you are explaining your beliefs does no good thing in winning them to your side.  He expressed appreciation that Jacob has maintained a gracious mode of sharing what Christians believe.

It was a long day – without a lunch break! (We provide them a small amount of money to cover a meal and transport.)  However, not a time goes by when we don’t leave these meetings with a pleasant sense of accomplishment and growing friendship and favor.  During the meeting, one of the very top leaders offered Jacob several opportunities to meet again with Imams and Sheikhs in the area.  We praise God for this friendly platform from which to share who Jesus is from a biblical perspective and to clear up misunderstandings which Muslims have about our beliefs.  Our sincere and loving hope is that, one day, many, if not all, will have their eyes opened to see the beautiful Savior, Jesus – the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!

With Love and Appreciation,

Carol (Jacob) Lee

http://www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org