May your Christmas be blessed! In this time of celebration let us remember those who are suffering and in need of the Savior’s presence and gracious help.
I earnestly request your prayers for South Sudan. Some of you may have been keeping up with the news. It has been covered here, in the United States, somewhat, but not as thoroughly as BBC Africa. This past week there was a coup attempt in South Sudan and the violence has been increasing. South Sudan is the newest country in the world; it has not had a smooth start.
RAU is just on the Ugandan side of the border between Uganda and South Sudan, around 50 miles south of Juba, the capitol city. As refugees flood into Uganda we want to be able to show the love of Jesus to them. As Christians we are called to go to and not away from those who are in the midst of suffering. My dear friend, Kevin Tuner, has often exhorted me, “Jacob,run to the battle!” That is our calling. Please pray for us too as we seek to demonstrate the love of Christ! We fly back to to Entebbe Jan. 13th and then travel by bus to RAU.
RAU is south of Juba just inside the Ugandan border
Carol and I are enjoying our time with family and friends. Holding and playing with the grandchildren has been a precious gift from God. In the midst of this joy my mind often goes to place of our calling and all the more so with what is happening in South Sudan. Any gift you give for relief efforts for refugees coming our way would be much appreciated. I will “be on the ground” to make sure your gift is not wasted on “administration” costs and used wisely ( See: When Helping Hurts)
The only way things ultimately change is by the gospel of grace changing people from the inside out. God’s means of doing this is through strong local churches preaching and living out the gospel in their communities and planting other Christ exalting churches where there is no church.There are so many such places in Northwestern Uganda and South Sudan!
Our calling at RAU is to strengthen the pastors of these churches so that they can be multiplying churches and to plant churches in unreached areas The Lord has strategically placed us in this area and at this time! Please continue in your prayers and help us financially if you can. In my last newsletter I presented some of our needs. You can review them here: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/2013/12/15/christmas-in-texas/
With our accumulated air miles we have room to take back with us resources for pastors. A favorite of mine to give to pastors is Wayne Grudem’s Bible Doctrine. It is one resource for pastors which helps them equip their congregations with sound Biblical teaching. If some of you could send several to Lifegate/RAU (395 Lifegate, Seguin,TX.78155) we will take them and personally give them to a pastor. It would have to arrive before Friday Jan. 10th. It is a gift which will keep on giving! Here is where it can be purchased at Amazon: https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox?compose=14324e2b760ee9f6
Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support.
The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it. May the Lord grant each of us His followers the wherewithal to be obedient disciples!
Tax deductible charitable donations may be made via PayPal. PayPal also has a way to make reoccurring monthly gifts. To do so please click their link below. PayPal deducts a small amount from each gift as a processing fee. All gifts given through PayPal are now tax deductibleas Reaching Africa’s Unreached has 501 c3 tax exempt status as a charitable organization. If you wish to write a check you may write it out to R.A.U. and mail it to Lifegate Missions, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin Texas 78155.
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
Luke 2: 8-10
May your preparations for Christmas be centered in and around Immanuel and may your celebrations be blessed! Carol and I have slowly been making our way back to Texas for Christmas with family and friends. We leave Entebbe on Tuesday. Both Carol and I are very excited to be with our family and to start playing with and holding the grand kids. Our third grandchild Keira was born while we were here and I have not seen her yet.
Our bus trip this last Friday from Moyo to Kampala took 16 hours! From Moyo to Gulu was pretty rough with lots and lots of dust. From Gulu to Kampala it was not too bad, but when we got to Kampala we were held up in traffic for nearly 4 hours. I have had many a dusty, bumpy, African bus rides, but this one was the best because Carol was with me and by my side!
The best thing about the bus ride from Moyo to Kampala was being able to sit beside Carol for 16 hours!
It is good to be with Pastor Patrick Bukenya and his family. On Monday I have a meeting with federal officials who have had our container on hold now for 4 weeks. The reason it is being held centers around a NGO which was abusing its tax exempt status; because of this the Ugandan gov’t is looking at all other tax exempt NGO’s very, very closely! Pray that I can make a good case Monday morning with gov’t officials for RAU’s tax exemption. Our tax exemption was granted to us last January but the exposed fraud has increased the scrutiny on all tax exempt NGO’s. With one signature the container could be on its way to RAU. This container is loaded with ministry supplies and 1100 ESV Global Study Bibles/over 3500 Christ exalting Christian books for pastors. Pray, my friends, for its release!
The latest news on the ’99 Land Cruiser which we purchased from Japan:it is due to arrive in January, according to the broker. He continually has pushed the timeline back. Our getting around has been limited, but we have managed by using boda-bodas,taxi’s,buses and for trips to Obongi and Yumbe the goodness of Abraham in transporting us with his vehicle. The Land Cruiser will be a great asset to RAU’s ministry. Please remember this in your prayers!
I am overjoyed in what has been accomplished by God’s grace since we arrived in July. Your prayers and support are a part of the means of getting the gospel to the unreached. Thank you! When we moved into the Guesthouse/Hall of Tyrannus it was a shell and now it has because a center of ministry and a home. I have great hope for what God is going to do in 2014. As 2013 ends please consider Reaching Africa’s Unreached in your end of the year giving.
RAU Guesthouse/Hall of Tyrannus
Here is a list of ongoing ministry efforts:
1. By God’s grace we will continue to host groups of pastors for teaching retreats at RAU, walking out 2 Timothy 2:2. Most pastors in the area have had little or no Biblical training. We wish to equip them with sound teaching on the fundamentals of the faith and give them tools to strengthen them so that they in turn can strengthen their flocks with the ultimate goal of their congregations planting churches in their neighboring villages with no witness for Christ. To complete the Guesthouse we need to strengthen our solar electrical system and some more functional furnishings:Need$4,000+-
It was hard for our current water system to handle the groups we have had so I would like to harvest water off the roof of the Guesthouse placing an in-ground 80,000 liter tank which could feed the tukalu’s where guest’s stay and provide backup for the Guesthouse itself. We have a bid for for the whole system (tank, gutters, pipes, labor) for $9,000. We would also like to build more guest quarters for pastors as we did not have enough room for them all at our last pastor’s retreat.
2. We have been actively targeting neighboring Yumbe District and Obongi sub county of Moyo District. Workers on the ground there state that less than 1% of their population are evangelicals.With many trips to the regions I have been increasingly burdened for the area. The few churches there and their pastors need the help and encouragement RAU can and is called to give. When we can,we will bring Obongi/Yumbe pastors to RAU for retreats. However, because of the logistics, it is difficult to bring them to RAU as often as needed. That is why I envision, first, a Hall of Tyrannus:Yumbe Branch and then, an Obongi Branch. These branches would facilitate the strengthening of the churches there and the planting of other churches. I and others would go to Branches on a weekly basis. There are plots available for purchase. The estimated cost to purchase a plot on Yumbe’s main street and to build a small structure is $15,000. Renting is not a possibility as all the buildings are owned by Muslims and they will not rent to a ministry like ours.
Yumbe’s main mosqueMain Street Yumbe
3. RAU has a new church plant in the center of Obongi town which we are calling Obongi Town Church. We are believing God for many more church plants. We strongly believe that along with our evangelism there must be a discipleship program for new believers. God’s primary means of discipleship is the local church. The vast majority of Obongi Town Church are new believers and few who were believers before the church was established had no church home. In my last newsletter I shared how we sent out Godfrey, who had been training at RAU for two months, to Obongi . We have 5 more young men in the pipeline who are potential shepherds for church plants. Also I have encouraged pastors to be on the look out for men in their congregations who are also potential pastors for church plants which we are willing to train at RAU. Our working plan for these new congregations is to help support them and their pastors in the beginning with the expressed understanding that financial support is not indefinite but will be available until the church is able to stand more surely on its own; however, as long as RAU exists it would be there for teaching and encouragement. RAU is not starting a new denomination. These new congregations could remain independent or join an existing denomination in the area. As you know, all this will cost money. Please pray for us in these efforts and consider helping us. Thank you!
Sending out Godfrey from RAU to Obongi loaded
4. We have actively been clearing RAU’s 17 acres with the hope of putting in two crops of soybeans on at least 10 acres. The first planting would be in the beginning of April. The goal is to sell the soybeans and use the money for ministry efforts. We have the tractor but we are still needing a plow/disk. The price for a new disk in Kampala is $5000 but I am on the hunt for a used one which would cost less.
With the brush clearing crew. Can you picture soybeans here?
Medical Care and Education are lacking in the area. Will you be part of the solution?
6. Then, there are the day to day expenses. These costs go up and down in relation to how many we are feeding and how many ministry outings we take. Transport costs here are much higher here in Uganda than in the US. Gas is over $6 a gallon and Diesel is just a bit less per gallon.
Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers. There must be both sacrificial giving and going for gospel advancement. We are in a ripe harvest field and the Lord has swung open wide the door for us. “Believers who have the gospel keep mumbling it over and over to themselves. Meanwhile, millions who have never heard it once fall into the flames of eternal hell without ever hearing the salvation story.” (K.P. Yohannan). Let it be said that we are not one of these “mumblers“!
Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support.
The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it. May the Lord grant each of us His followers the wherewithal to be obedient disciples! Jacob Lee
Tax deductible charitable donations may be made via PayPal. PayPal also has a way to make reoccurring monthly gifts. To do so please click their link below. PayPal deducts a small amount from each gift as a processing fee. All gifts given through PayPal are now tax deductibleas Reaching Africa’s Unreached has 501 c3 tax exempt status as a charitable organization. If you wish to write a check you may write it out to R.A.U. and mail it to Lifegate Missions, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin Texas 78155.
With Pastors Ben and Charles on the main street of Yumbe. These two pastors have been faithful witnesses Yumbe.
I had a great day in Yumbe on the 10th with Sam and pastors Ben and Charles from Yumbe town. Sam and I took public transport. At any given point there were 10-13 of us packed into a small mini van. With the many stops and slow going what is typically an hour trip one way was 3 hot and dusty hours one way.The hot/dry season has begun.
Oh boy! It was worth it though! We all had a very good time of fellowship with Ben and Charles. I was able to get a good interview with them on the general state of Yumbe and plans for Reaching Africa’s Unreached working with the few but zealous pastors of the Yumbe District in proclaiming Jesus.
I hope you have been encouraged to pray and support our work in Yumbe!
In February we will hosting 17 pastors/church leaders here at RAU from Yumbe. We have an excellent team visiting from America to participate in this ministry week. To make our ministry even more effective in Yumbe we need to have a more constant presence in there.
RAU would like to see a small Reaching Africa’s Unreached Hall of Tyrannus teaching/resource center on main street. We would try to come on a weekly basis for teaching and encouragement for local pastors and those called to shepherd new church plants in Yumbe District. Since it is difficult for them to come here to RAU often this would put us in a position to go them often. Only as the church is grounded in the Word will it prosper and grow in Muslim dominated Yumbe!
We want all of Yumbe District to hear the gospel just as Asia did in Paul’s Day.
I woke up this morning with a keen awareness that we have rounded the corner and we are now on the home stretch towards our visit to the States! We are planning to leave Afoji this Friday. I was telling Jacob that the Lord gave me a wonderful grace to be where we are and do what we are doing, but now that we have set our sights on our visit home, my eagerness to be on our way is growing daily!
We couldn’t be leaving on a better note, though. What a beautiful day we had yesterday! We attended prayers at Abraham’s church in Moyo where Jacob preached an excellent sermon of exhortation to build our eternal legacy with gold, silver and precious stones by investing in the only truly eternal thing – people! He reminded us of Jesus’ words to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust cannot destroy by laying down our lives to invest into the lives of others. It was a most excellent exhortation and we always feel exuberantly welcomed at this church!
Following prayers, we enjoyed an afternoon of food and fellowship with all of our day workers and their wives, some of whom have also worked on projects here. In five months we have become the beneficiaries of some great friendships and of some wonderful opportunities to speak of and display the gospel of grace. We have a deep confidence that one of the workers, who is a Muslim and Inman, will be won to the beauty of Christ and His gracious legacy. It is a joy to show Christ’s love to this young man and his very young, expectant wife. We enjoyed getting to know our neighbors on a more personal level.
Before our gathering came to a close, Jacob and Sam left to meet Abraham at the Moyo Market for another outreach (Jacob’s second heartfelt sermon for the day, which left him feeling physically drained but emotionally high…the hot/dry season is definitely here), while I stayed and ended up doing a small health fair for our guests.It was nothing more than hearing their complaints, taking their blood pressures, and offering some analgesics for their aches and pains; however, there were a few problems identified, for which a visit to a Ugandan health care worker was strongly advised. I think everyone left happy, satiated and feeling cared for!
Reflecting in some quiet moments afterward, I wrote the following post on Face Book: “I’m telling you people…we have it so good in other parts of the world. We have the means to improve our lives and we have the education to advance our situations if the desire is there. There is so much suffering that is endured here on a daily basis. Life is hard. It makes me appreciate these precious people all the more, because they keep going in spite of their pain and trials. I am blessed to have the opportunity to be right here, right now, and to be able to show the love of Christ and speak of the lovely Christ to those around me. Lord, help me to do as I heard Jacob Lee preach today, to spend/invest my life, my time, and my resources in people. Everything else will be left behind!”
I am looking forward to being able to share with many of you in greater detail and in person the stories of the people we have come to love here in Uganda.
So, as we count down to our day of departure, here is what our week ahead looks like:
Monday: We enjoyed lunch at Maggie and Abraham’s home. We also got some news of the RAU container being held in Kampala. Because of the recent abuse of the Red Cross and their tax exemption benefit (items were being brought in and then sold) other tax exempt NGO’s are suffering. We would have to pay over $20,000 if we did not have tax exemption which was granted to us last January. This is a note we received from brother Thomas in Kampala who has been faithfully working on the release of the RAU container: “As a follow up on our appeal to the government,this morning i was supposed to meet State Minister for gender and culture (Hon Lucia Nakadama), after the Resident District Commissioner’s (RDC) introduction last week. This meeting never took place because the ministry is meeting this week to decide on the issue of paying taxes for organizations because of the of-recent abuse from NGOs...I met the under secretary this morning, and he asked us to be patient and wait for their response. he noted that it is not RAU alone at the crossroads, even Watoto Ministries, Vision for Africa, and many other organizations are suffering the implications of Red Cross. He advised me to check on them on Thursday;The RDC is continuing to liaise with the minister on this matter; so lets continue praying, and applying all capital that we have at our disposal...We are using all avenues to see that we get our container; and please be hopeful we shall get it.”
Pray for the container and the $4000+- needed for its release.
Continue praying that this will be parked at RAU soon!
Tuesday: I will be doing a teaching session with some women from one of the local churches. Please pray for me – this is totally out of my comfort zone and I have no idea what to expect or what would be most helpful to them. I shall soon find out! Jacob and Sam want to make a follow up visit to Yumbe to meet with Pastor Ben and hopefully some other church leaders. (Jacob received an email from Ben last week, thanking Jacob for books and for the Kindle, which Pastor Ben describes as “the best gift” he has ever received. The Kindle has over 100 great Christian books and the ESV Study Bible on it)
Wednesday: Plans need to be finalized for Godfrey’s move to Obongi. Please pray for RAU’s church plant there and that it will be the first of many,many more! Pray for the needed funding to get these churches established.
Thursday: We will be packing and getting ready to go.
Friday: Currently, our plan is to travel by bus very early in the morning to Kampala where we will stay with Patrick and Vickie. [It will be a joy to see Gabbie again; Vickie’s aunt was able to bring her back from California. It is amazing to see how improved Gabbie is following her open heart surgery. Prior to surgery, her SP02 (oxygen level) was in the 70’s and now it is 100% or very close to it. She is talkative and full of energy!]
Our flight to the States will be on the 17th and we will arrive in Texas on the 18th.
Doesn’t it seem like the days before a long journey always manage to get filled to the brim so that you’re already tired before the long journey begins?! Pressure!
The container is adding a good measure of pressure in our getting ready to go. The longer it stays in Kampala, the more storage fees will rack up. This (in addition to the arrival of the vehicle) has put our faith in the Lord’s timing and plan to the test. We know He is faithful and wise, but it is certainly evident that His ways are not our ways and our ways are not His ways! Please continue to pray over the safe arrival of the container and the vehicle! And pray that we would be at peace in trusting the Lord’s provident timing.
To all those in the Seguin/Stephenville area…we shall, Lord willing, see you soon! To those we are leaving behind…we shall, Lord willing, see you, again, soon!
May the Lord bless and keep all of us for the good works he prepared in advance for us to do!
Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support.
The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it. May the Lord grant each of us His followers the wherewithal to be obedient disciples! Jacob Lee
Tax deductible charitable donations may be made via PayPal. PayPal also has a way to make reoccurring monthly gifts. To do so please click their link below. PayPal deducts a small amount from each gift as a processing fee. All gifts given through PayPal are now tax deductibleas Reaching Africa’s Unreached has 501 c3 tax exempt status as a charitable organization. If you wish to write a check you may write it out to R.A.U. and mail it to Lifegate Missions, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin Texas 78155.
It is honor to be with believers like Peter. He has been faithfully preaching Jesus in Muslim dominated Obongi for years. He showed me the scars he has from the beatings he has received because of his faithful witness. He along with other faithful ones have opened the way for today’s new believers being baptized and the growing church in Obongi!
Peter studying the Word with us.
We had a wonderful day in Obongi. After arriving we had several sessions of teaching on the gospel and baptism. We then had a nice meal of cassava (boiled and roasted), beans, and chicken. Next 16 new believers were baptized in the River Nile. We then returned to our shade tree for more teaching. I rejoice in how the Lord is building His church in Obongi! Praise God Reaching Africa’s Unreached gets to be a part of it! Thank you for your prayers and support!
These new believers are hungry for the Word of GodLunch timeMaking an open proclamation “I follow Jesus!”Baptismal GroupGodfrey (far left) playing a local instrument during the song part of our worship service. Godfrey, who has been in training at RAU, will be leading RAU’s first church plant. The church meets under this tree and is the only evangelical church in this Muslim town of 20,000+. Please pray for Godfrey and Obongi Town Church.Outside Godfrey’s rented tukalu. It is not far from the tree the church meets under.The neighborhood of Obongi Town churchPray for us and help us make sure that the upcoming generation hears the gospel. Most of their ancestors did not hear the gospel because there was no one in their midst to tell them (Romans 10:12-15)!
Reaching Africa's Unreached 