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“You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”

(2 Corinthians 1:11)

2 Corinthians 1:11 is a verse which gives Carol and me great comfort and encouragement! Living as missionaries in the midst of a foreign culture, seeking to be a part of strengthening God’s people (2 Timothy 2:2) and making it our ambition to take the gospel to those with little or no access to it (Romans 15:20) would be fruitless without your intercession and support! Without your prayers we might just as well go back to Texas to “piddle around” and enjoy our family and friends in the latter years of our lives. “You” (our fellow ambassadors) “must help” (a necessity) “us” (your co-labors in the faith) “by prayer” (essential to foreign missions as well as all of life) “so that” (connecting words) “many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us” (result of faithful prayer) “through the prayers of many.” (the reason for thanksgiving and blessing).

Andrew Murray rightly states, “Without prayer, even though there may be increased interest in missions, more work for them, better success in organization and greater finances, the real growth of the spiritual life and of the love of Christ in the people may be very small.” (Key to the Missionary Problem page 145). Prayer is the jet fuel for missions! At the RAU website I have a page entitled “How to Pray for Missionaries” as a guide in your prayers for us, Reaching Africa’s Unreached, and all those laboring to reach the lost. Thank you and may God richly bless you!

Since last writing we had retreat number 18. Most of the church leaders (pastors, deacons, evangelist, Sunday School teachers etc.) were from South Sudan near the border at Koboko, with a few from Koboko and Arua. There were some that were unable to come (who live right across the border from us) because of a road ambush and the funerals which were necessitated because of it. The details are still sketchy.  Please pray for peace in South Sudan as the civil war continues. Pastor Patrick and I did the teaching. Emma spent one day in Ag Training.  Nearly 100% of church leaders in the West Nile of Uganda and Southwestern South Sudan are bi-vocational and have gardens. Emma’s training is geared to empower them and their congregations (2 Timothy 2:2) with agricultural-colored glasses. Zorah, Carol, and the rest of staff are the unsung heroes of these retreats…they make up the large fraction of the iceberg which remains under the water and invisible to the eye! By God’s grace we have been able to host over 400 church leaders at our four day teaching retreats since our move in 2013. Next week we will be hosting another group of church leaders, this time from northeastern D.R. Congo. It will be our 4^th group from the Congo. Please pray for retreat number 19!

“How to plant a church: (1) Pray. (2) Do the work of an evangelist. (3) Disciple converts. (4) Train elders and deacons. (5) Accept suffering”

Paul Washer

Please pray as the Lord continues to fling doors open to share the beauty of Jesus with Muslims, including their leaders. God is doing a wonderful work here in the West Nile (Northwestern) Uganda in the Muslim community! This week I received an invitation from the local Imam whose mosque is ¼ km from us and with whom I have been interacting, to meet with him and a group of other nearby Muslim leaders. They are requesting more Bibles and Christian literature. In the works is a meeting with leading Sheikhs and Imams from Koboko. In Obongi we have had numerous opportunities to share Christ with Muslims and their leaders. The Lord has opened the door for three separate meetings with Yumbe Sheikhs and Imams and with other meetings also in the works. The Sheikhs and Imams have been hospitable, friendly, and have freely given me time to preach. I have sought to speak forth the gospel winsomely, humbly and boldly all at the same time. They have listened intently and are reading the things given them. The materials given are in the picture. One-on-one discussions (my preferred way of sharing the gospel) and open air preaching in these places are happening too. I am not entirely sure what the Lord has ahead but I do know for sure He desires Jesus to be rightly worshiped and adored in all the earth and that includes the West Nile. We are walking forward or, better said in the words of my brother in Christ, Kevin Turner, “Running to the Battle“! Thank you for your prayers, friends!

The door has been open for more local radio preaching. At the Christian station, New Life, I have an open invitation to come back when I can. This Wednesday I was back at Moyo TBS radio station to preach. I was told that the last time I preached the listening audience was double from the normal Wednesday evening and they are considering giving me 2 hours every other Wednesday evening. The third station reaching our area is the Muslim operated Voice of the Nile. There are possibilities to preach on this station as well. It is a wonderful opportunity to share Christ. The combination of these three stations makes for a very wide audience of a variety of demographics. The only thing I am lacking is time…pray for “laborers”! Praise the Name of the Lord!

“We do not make the Bible relevant. We cannot make the Bible what it already is. We simply show its relevancy for daily life.”

Steve Lawson

Tuesday we left early to Arua to have more work done on the Land Cruiser and pick up supplies. Arua is the largest city in our region and, depending on road conditions and number of stops, is a 3.5-4.5 hour drive. Arua is nice and gives us little taste of city life. We ended up getting back around 9:30 PM because the Land Cruiser work took longer than expected.

We rejoice in the open doors the Lord continues to bring our way but, like ministry anywhere, missionary work is faithful a “plodding” day by day. Kevin DeYoung puts it this way, “…What we need are fewer revolutionaries and a few more plodding visionaries. That’s my dream for the church — a multitude of faithful, risk-taking plodders. The best churches are full of gospel-saturated people holding tenaciously to a vision of godly obedience and God’s glory, and pursuing that godliness and glory with relentless, often unnoticed, plodding consistency…” (“The Glory of Plodding”).

Our “plodding”, which is time consuming, involves things like fixing the Land Cruiser, buying supplies (purchasing anything here is far more tedious than in Texas), maintenance on the compound, gardens, and fields. Then tasks like coordinating events and the almost daily hosting of visitors (e.g. people needing medicines, pastor’s visits, and other community members etc.) fill the day. Living in the place of ministry does not allow us to go “home” but places us in the mist of activity 7 days a week. With all the activities I especially have to be careful not to allow study of God’s Word and prayer are not squeeze out.

Just yesterday (the 4^th), two Moyo District officials were with us for most of the afternoon in good conversation. These daily activities help build good relationships within the community and build bridges for sharing the gospel. Both District officials left with Bibles and, the one who was a Muslim, with my booklet entitled, “Muslim-Christian Dialog.”

After more than two years of “plodding” the door has been open with the next door Mosque as mentioned above. I write all this just to say that being a “missionary” is, most importantly, being faithful in the small, daily activities. Pray that we remain faithful in such tasks!

All these “little” activities need prayer, cost money and are the structural backbone to retreats, meeting with Imams/Sheikhs, and evangelism in hard-to-reach places. It might seem nobler to pray and give for the “big events” but every “plodding” step is equally important. Carol and I rejoice and are very, very grateful for every prayer and gift to the ministry of RAU. What is most encouraging is to hear from friends that prayer for RAU (and us) is habitual and to see those that are faithful to give month after month … faithfulness in both the “small” and “big” is what is most important. The reoccurring monthly giving is God’s way, through you, for us to “plod” and walk through the “big” doors the Sovereign Lord has placed before us! Thank you to those who faithfully “plod” with us in their daily prayers and reoccurring monthly giving. At our website here are easy instructions on how to make reoccurring tax deductible gifts. It is an honor to partner with you for God’s glory in this gospel starved region of the world!

Continuing prayer requests:

•        Retreat number 19 and all our discipleship activities.
•        Our gospel witness with our Muslim friends and neighbors as well as all our evangelism activities both planned and unplanned.
•        Being faithful in our daily “plodding”.
•        Good health, protection, and continuing favor in the West Nile, especially Moyo, Yumbe, and Koboko Districts.
•        Our trip back to States for Christmas and the month of January. If you would like us to visit your church on a Sunday or Wednesday please let us know so we can put it our calendar to be with your church family. If anyone in the Seguin Texas area has a vehicle we can use during this time it would be much appreciated! We hope we can see many of you
•        Continuing grace to be given to RAU’s agricultural ministry in the community via Emma and M.A.R.S. This ministry is turning out to be a big blessing for the Body of Christ and relationships and development in Moyo District.
•        The building of two classrooms ($25,000) and the opening of Bible School in 2016
•        Heavy El Nino rains are expected throughout Uganda. Without dams and flood control programs this could make things very difficult throughout the country.
•        National elections are in February. Pray for a peaceful election process.

​ All For Jesus,

Jacob (Carol) Lee

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“Send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me.”

David Livingstone

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 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

Carol and I, as well as the whole R.A.U. team, count it a privilege to partner with you as Christ’s ambassadors here in Northwestern Uganda, a.k.a. “the West Nile”.  Thank you for your prayers and support!

As believers in Christ you, too, are Christ’s ambassadors and heralds where the Lord has set you! Heralds and ambassadors do not proclaim their own message (Acts 10:42, 17:3; 2 Cor.5:16-21). They speak on behalf of the one who sent them. We, as Christ’s followers, ARE His heralds and ambassadors. We ARE sent (John 20:21) to proclaim the one and only gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). This will be the passion of everyone who is captured by the Savior’s love. If this is not the case something else has captured us! Let us press on my fellow followers of King Jesus!

As Carol wrote in the last letter we had a group of YWAM youth with us from October 8-18. They ministered in many ways here at RAU and in the community. They helped get all the Bibles and books moved and organized in the container which arrived just a few days before their coming. They broke up into evangelism teams and went out into the neighboring villages sharing Christ. They also ministered in two Sunday morning worship services. We look forward to a continued partnership with YWAM in the future.

“Don’t let the sands of time get into the eye of your vision to reach those who sit in darkness. They simply must hear.” (Missionary Martyr Jim Elliot)

On the 15^th and 16^th, Zorah and I took along two of the YWAM team, Protais and Samuel, to Koboko for a church leaders’ seminar. Koboko is the capital of the neighboring district which goes by the same name and is the home of former Ugandan President, Idi Amin, and I am told by our Koboko Christian brothers that it is around 80% Muslim. Zorah, Protais, and Samuel gave their testimony and I taught. There were over 100 leaders in attendance. We gave out materials from the newly arrived container (ESV Global Study Bibles and books), my booklet “Christian-Muslim Dialog”, and reading glasses with covers.

What a joy it was to be with these men and woman who love Jesus and labor in very difficult situations. At the beginning of the second day they decided they wanted to give me a nickname in their local language. The Kakwa name they gave me was “Anyole“, which means “joy” in English. At the end of second day of teaching I sat exhausted but was almost immediately refreshed, body and soul, by leaders who spoke words of appreciation on behalf of the others “…we do not want you to leave…you have so much more we need to hear…please, please come back again… we want to squeeze every bit of knowledge the Lord has been imparting in you all these years…” It was hard to hold back the tears of joy. Your prayers and support make these 2 Timothy 2:2 times possible. Thank you!

On Monday, October 19^th, Zorah, Emma, and I spent most of day in the Metu Mountains in the remote village of Oku. We left late in the day for home (Reaching Africa’s Unreached) and had to drive in the thick bush and steep hills in the dark with rain but the bush lights mounted on the rack of the Land Cruiser are strong and were very helpful. My 60 year old legs felt like putty on Tuesday morning from all the mountain walking! Families of Oku and Lea were encouraged from the Word as Zorah preached, and received agricultural help/future hope from Emma. The people reported how the medicines which we brought with us on our last visit helped and they requested more, especially some snake bite medicine (injectable hydro-cortisone) which we will try to get to them next trip (in remote Arapi/Gbari over a ridge from them two lives were saved from Cobra bites from injectable hydro-cortisone). Your donations help us supply medicines in these remote villages.

Here are two YouTube Videos from our ministry trip in the mountains. Hang on!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejKGCMUDukw&feature=youtu.be&t=13s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mePI6GJPmO0

Since we have only been able to place one Ma’di Bible in Oku/Lea with a man who can read, I encouraged them to meet in the mornings under the same tree we were at for public Bible reading (1 Timothy 4:13 ) before going out to their fields. They happily agreed! Pray for these new believers and those who still have not come to faith! Along the way back up the ridges I paused often which gave good excuses for the mountain boys to rest too. While walking, I was told of two other villages over some ridges which have not been touched with the light of the gospel. They must be reached too! We will go…will you pray? Bless you!

Metu Mountains

You prayer warriors…here are a few things to be praying for:

* We are soon hosting a group 25 church leaders from South Sudan and another 25 from D.R. Congo for retreats.

* My fourth meeting with leading Yumbe Imams and Sheikhs was pushed back to November 7^th. These leaders want to continue hear to from me and I am very eager, all be it with fear and trepidation, to lovingly proclaim the gospel and point them to the beauty of Jesus as portrayed in the Bible.  We also have an open door for open air preaching/one on one witnessing in the Yumbe taxi park in downtown Yumbe and another day in nearby trading center, Kuru. These are unprecedented opportunities the Lord has given to be Christ’s ambassador among a tribe, the Aringa, who are 99% Muslim. Thank you for being a part of what God is doing with a people He loves!

* Please continue to pray for good health and protection for the RAU team, Carol, and myself.

* On December 21^st we head to Texas for a visit and will be in the States through January. Carol and I are excited to see our family whom we miss so very much (pray for us in this). We recently received the news that our fifth grandbaby is a girl. She will be joining sisters, Eliza and Vera, brother Ben, and cousin Keira. If anyone in the Seguin area has a vehicle they could loan us during our visit that would be greatly appreciated.

In God’s Loving Sovereign Grip,

Jacob (Carol) Lee

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 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

Remembering the Works of the Lord

By Carol Lee

“I will remember the works of the Lord.  Yes, I will remember the amazing things you did long ago!  I will think about all you have done; I will reflect upon your deeds!” 

Psalm 77: 11-12

Life seems to have gotten busier and it has been difficult to take time to stop and “remember the works of the Lord,” but it is our joy to “remember…think…reflect…and be amazed!”

It has been several weeks since the last newsletter and much has happened that needs to be recounted.

September 15^th through the 18^th brought us the great joy of hosting a group of men and women from the D.R. Congo.  They came a long way and brought a lot of laughter, celebration and color to RAU!  I thoroughly enjoyed trying to save my little bit of French from complete extinction by using it among the Congolese.  Between our collective efforts of French, English and interpretation into and from Lingala, we got along just fine and were able to bond and enjoy our time together with them.

Pastor Bob Gad came all the way from Kampala to help teach and encourage the group.  We have always appreciated Bob’s way of communicating and his own experience in the ministry.  He brings a lot of wisdom regarding leadership within the church.

Apiku was a blessing in sharing his expertise in Agriculture with our retreat group.  We were wondering how the ladies would do with the practical aspect of gardening, but, much to our happy surprise, they quickly changed out of their fancy Congolese fashions and got very much involved.

I received a beautiful Congolese dress from one of my sisters, Sarah.  We had a blast doing a photo session and modeling our dresses.  These ladies were full of love and affection and it was easy to love them, too.

The very next day, Saturday, September 19, Jacob, Zorah and Mindra headed to Yumbe to meet for the third time with the Imams and Sheikhs.  He continues to be so encouraged and blessed at how those meetings are going.  There is a true spirit of dialogue which is especially protected by the Khard who is over all the Imams. Jacob continued with the theme, “Who Is Jesus?” A mutual respect has been displayed between Jacob and the leaders who have gathered.  This time they also shared a meal.

The following week, on September 23, we celebrated Jacob’s 60^th birthday by inviting friends and coworkers for a meal.  It was a blessed event where we shared some amazing food and laughter and words of encouragement. Some of the stories that our guests retold reminded me of “A Roast” as we know it in the States.

The very next day 18 men from the Metu Mountains came for a two day Agricultural Retreat to glean from Emma all that could help them improve their situations in the remote villages in which they live.  It was a great opportunity for them to receive some much needed instruction which came with the exhortation to not keep it to themselves but to use it and teach it to others (2 Timothy 2:2)

The following Sunday, September 27^th, Jacob, Zorah and Mindra headed to Yumbe District again, this time for open air preaching in a trading center called Wollo which is predominantly Muslim.  Jacob states that the people were warm and receptive as Aringa tracts and Aringa New Testaments (for Imams) were handed out.  Many youth from Pilgrim’s Church in Yumbe town joined the effort, doing one-on-one with the large crowds gathered there and providing worship music which also draws a crowd.  Jacob and Charles climbed the Land Cruiser where Jacob, through Charles’ expert interpretation skills, preached from Mark 2:1-12.  The last thing was the showing of the Jesus Film which threatened to be shut down by rain.  The crowd was eager to see the film and fortunately the weather cooperated.

This last week we had to take a trip to Arua to conduct some business.  One of the highlights was meeting up with Sid Harper, from YWAM.  During the conversation it was decided to pursue an opportunity with one of their visiting DTS (Discipleship Training) teams.

On the way back from Arua, Jacob could feel the effects of another bout of malaria hitting him.  The drive home was miserable for him but he made it without having to stop.  He took some medication right away and, fortunately, he was able to overcome it in record time!  Thanks for all who prayed for his recovery.  While Jacob has had six bouts of malaria, by God’s grace, I have continued to remain malaria free.  Generally, we are very grateful for good health.

During the writing of this newsletter the container arrived.  It is never a simple affair to get a container offloaded and set in place and it requires a lot of engineering and brawn!  Before we could even think of pulling the container off of the truck we had to offload the contents to make the container as light as possible.  It was all hands on deck for that – including me!  The type of trailer on which the container was set posed some problems.  After numerous tries, darkness forced us to wait and try again in the morning.  In daylight it was easier to assess and determine what the “hang-up” was and to find a solution.  The tractor and a large crow bar came in handy in lifting the front end of the container up enough to wedge some pieces of metal under neath so that the container could be pulled off the truck.  The back end of the container was tied to a Mango tree and came off quickly once it was found out where the sticking point was.  Emma, our Agricultural Extension Officer, successfully located someone in Moyo who had a machine big enough to move the container on to the cement pad where its permanent home will be.

We appreciate Nicholas Olowo and Patrick Bukenya and their hard work in getting the container processed through the URA in a reasonable time frame.  Pastor Patrick has been a vital point man for the ministry of RAU on Kampala side, helping us to accomplish what we have by working on issues from that end.

Two days after the container was set, the YWAM team arrived.  Thank you, Sid Harper, for your brilliant idea of teaming up for the glory of God and the blessing of the people in this area. This multi-generational group is awesome and immediately we felt a kinship in the Lord.  Right now, the team is helping Jacob carry all the boxes of Bibles back into the container.  We appreciate Zorah’s particular help in keeping the resources organized and ready to go. On Sunday Jacob will take the team to Obongi to minister in Pastor Godfrey’s church.  Starting on Monday, Odendi, one of the men who works at RAU, has organized a schedule of ministry in the immediate surrounding villages which will allow the YWAM team to put their gifts to use, whether it be to serve in physical ways or to teach and preach.  We look forward to a future of partnering with YWAM as teams come through.

Jacob put the team to work two days after they arrived placing the Bibles back into the container, sorted and organized.

It was such a joy to meet our Lucy’s baby Frank when they came to visit.  The Lord answered prayers for a safe delivery and healthy mother and child.

Please remember to pray for all the following upcoming ministry opportunities:

1. During the time that the YWAM team is here, on October 15-16, Jacob will be involved in a two-day teaching session with leaders from Koboko. He will spend the night there and will be accompanied by Zorah who has been a tremendous help and encouragement in the ministry.

2. October 24^th: Jacob will meet with Yumbe Imams and Sheikhs for the fourth time. The theme again will be “Who Is Jesus?” Thankfully, the container brought several boxes of Arabic New Testaments and complete Bibles which Jacob will be happy to share with them.

3. During the last week of October (27-30) we will host our first Leaders’ Retreat group from South Sudan.

4. November 10 – 13 will be another retreat for leaders from the D.R. Congo.

5.On November 21^st will be the first ever open air preaching in downtown Yumbe with a showing of the Jesus film in Aringa.

6. November 29^th: Open air preaching for the second time in Kuru near Yumbe town.

7. November 28^th to December 5^th: Youth Group from First Presbyterian Church, Kampala

We are leaving the rest of December open for our preparations to return to the United States near the end of December.

Jacob and I want to very specifically thank all those who give generously to support the ongoing ministry of RAU.  We never tire of remembering that we could not do what we are doing without the fuel which your gifts supply.  Because of our monthly supporters (who provide a steady income for keeping operations running) as well as other generous gifts, we have not spent time worrying how we will sustain what the Lord has started – His provision has been timely and abundant through you, our partners in Christ!

For those who are interested in supporting us on a regular basis, even small, consistent amounts are helpful when budgeting.  It has been helpful for many to use PayPal as a means for monthly payments. There are instructions at our donation page on how to make recurring monthly donations. All gifts are tax deductible. With that said, every gift given in any way is welcome and appreciated!

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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

On Saturday, the 19^th , I headed to Yumbe with Zorah and Mindra. We picked up Charles at Pilgrim Church. I was given a third opportunity to speak with leading Imams and Sheikhs from Yumbe and Northwestern Uganda. Our topic was, once again, “Who Is Jesus?”.  The Muslim leaders were very kind and hospitable, just like in our previous two meetings. They came with a heart to learn more of what we believe about Jesus. The school we met in was in the shadow of Yumbe’s biggest  Mosque.

I rejoice in the “open door” to meet like this with these Muslim Yumbe leaders. I am told this kind of meeting has never taken place before. The Lord is doing a great work in Yumbe and I am thankful for the courage of these Imams and Sheikhs to be the first for this kind of dialog. This is not an easy thing to do on their part.

A lot of credit, on the human side, goes to my dear friend Charles and the Khard. The Khard is the leader of all the Imams and other Sheikhs in Yumbe. I have seen, over our three meetings, a great deal wisdom exhibited by this leader. I count him a friend and I hope he does the same with me. At the end he encouraged everyone to continue to read the materials given to them, especially the booklet, Adha in the Injeel, as they are soon to celebrate AL ADHA (Surah 37:99-111). This small booklet in both English and Arabic insight-fully compares this Muslim celebration with Passover and Jesus as our sin bearer.

In the beginning of the meeting we gave out a number of reading glasses to those who were not present in the last meetings (extras as well) and one dose of malaria medicine to each man. In the middle of our 5 hours together we shared delicious, local meal, compliments of R.A.U.

In the beginning we also gave out a number of new resources we did not have with us for the last meetings which included Adha in the Injeel, Is the Injeel Corrupted?, For My Muslim Friend, A Series of Answers to Common Questions Asked By Muslims, The Son of God in the Bible and the Qur’an, personal notes-Who Is Jesus?- and outlines of my messages. If they did not receive it at earlier meetings, an Aringa New Testament, the book, Seeking Allah Finding Jesus:A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity,  , and a John Piper book in Swahili were given.

Seeking Allah Finding Jesus:A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity

I spoke first and sought to point them to beauty of Jesus as found in the Bible. My text was Mark 2:1-12. Charles did an excellent job of interpreting.

They listened intently and respectfully.

Then, after eating, a number of them spoke and I listened respectfully.

After that there was some short back-and-forth dialog.  They earnestly sought for me to become a Muslim. I sought to point them to Jesus as the only way of salvation and passionately painted Him as beautiful and the only one who cleanses us from our sin through His blood. I know they are hearing and reading things they have never heard before.

I believe in the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16) and the power of God’s people praying for open eyes. The seed of the Word is being planted and watered and due season the Lord will bring a harvest. I hope that I can see that harvest but even if I do not I will press on knowing that the Lord’s Word does not return void. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for these leaders. We are already working on a fourth meeting. Please pray that the Lord would continue to give us opportunity to proclaim the Jesus of the Bible with these leaders and the people of Yumbe District.

Thank you!

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

Entering In Like Jesus

by Carol

“Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us.”  John 1:14

“When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”

―Henri J.M. Nouwen, Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life

This quote poignantly describes one aspect of a good friendship.  What stands out is the idea of “sharing in” or “entering in to” someone’s pain as opposed to merely speaking to it from the outside.  While Mr. Nouwen is referring specifically to grief and suffering and how a true friend can come alongside another, I want to expand its application to a wider range of experiences – OURS!

Jacob and I and all those who are a daily part of RAU activities and interactions are blessed to experience people’s “entering in to” our lives in a myriad of ways.

Who has friends who will (through monthly gifts, heartfelt donations, fund raisers, exuberant responses to needs made known) share in and help bear the daily cost of keeping a vision alive and real? – We do!

Who has friends (on the other side of the world) who will prioritize their time, muscles, expertise and resources to ensure that we can continue our mission and have the resources we need? – We do!

Who has friends that will set their alarms so they can wake up and enter in to our concerns through vigilant prayer? Or who will Skype? Or write letters? Or immerse themselves in our experience even if only through our Face Book posts? – We do!

AND…who has friends who will travel around the world to very personally enter in to our experience? – We do!

Such is the tangible blessing we enjoyed in the visit of David Jones, Eric and Kara Williams to RAU from August 27^th to September 4^th.  (During some of this time we still had the pleasure of Ron Zeiner’s company, too!)  Let’s see…they endured long, cramped flights, bumpy, dusty roads, jet lag, a hike to far away villages, a daily diet of beans and rice and uncomfortable mattresses with morning back aches (except for Eric and Kara!).  On the other hand, we had more than our fair share of laughter, camaraderie, and games of Rummy and Spoons (which has been described by some Ugandans as a very violent game!).  It was a joy to have Nurse Sam, who was on holiday, back at RAU while our visitors were here.  He not only was a great help in doing some medical outreaches but it was so good to hear his voice and laughter echoing through the Guesthouse.  Eric said that they came mainly to encourage us…and encourage us, they did!

We were encouraged by their gifts of teaching – David did a great job of helping people see and appreciate the sovereign grace of God in adopting us as His children.  Eric reminded all of us of the personal nature of a relationship with the Lord: “taste and see that the Lord is good!” (with the help of a Hershey’s Kiss – you’ll need to ask him about that sometime).

We were encouraged by their Jesus-like hearts as they served the folks who were attending the retreat.  David, Eric and Kara —ALL showed their skill in dish washing in addition to the many other ways in which they served.

We were encouraged in their friendship. We learned that Eric is a great hammock hanger and occupier, as is David. David is a loving father (he helped his son to transition to college life…from afar!)  Kara is a gifted singer, guitar player and card shark as well as a Registered Nurse.  Ron is an encouraging friend and a great resource of knowledge for anyone with questions.

There is only one disappointing thing about their visit – it was TOO short!  Jacob and I both had feelings of emptiness and sadness in the wake of their departure, but are so grateful to reminisce about their “entering into” our lives and experience.  Thank you Ron, David, Eric and Kara for sharing in our lives and calling, even if for a short while! You were and are a blessing to us!

The loss of their company makes us appreciate even more the daily presence of our RAU family, Zorah and Emma and all who work with us to keep RAU moving forward in its mission.  We have been blessed with these young men who are intelligent, hard-working and skilled.  We consider it a privilege to invest our friendship, energy, resources and time into their lives and we are strengthened by their gifts.  They give us hope for godly, future leadership in this country and in the Church.

As we move forward, please be praying for upcoming events:

*This week we will welcome a group of leaders, men and women, from D.R. Congo for a 4-day retreat which will be our 17th.  Pray for them as they travel here and back.  Pray for Jacob, Pastor Bob Gad, Emma and Zorah who will be involved in leading this week’s retreat.

*A third meeting has been planned for Jacob with the Imams and Sheikhs from Yumbe on Saturday, September 19^th.  These men continue to desire and ask for meetings with Jacob to discuss the topic, “Who is Jesus?“.  The last two meetings were during the month of Ramadan when the Imams/Sheikhs were fasting.  This time, they will all enjoy a meal together, courtesy of RAU.

*The container has reached Kenya and is on its way to Kampala to be reviewed by the URA (Ugandan Revenue Authority).  Please pray that it will not be delayed there and that no major tax will be imposed and that it will make its way safely here to RAU.  The resources within that container are central to the mission of RAU.

*Once again, we want to place the goal before you of erecting a two-classroom building which will be the start of a more formal Bible training school for key individuals in this area, especially in anticipation of (what we believe will be) a large influx of believers in the West Nile Region and the equally large need of having well-trained pastors to lead these new believers.  If you would like to give specifically towards this please indicate on your donation.  We have a turn-key bid of $25,000 from our builder.

Thank you for “entering in” through your monetary gifts, resources, prayers, love and friendship.  We are blessed!

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