The Local Churches First Call Is Sending Not Seating!

On November 9, 2013November 10, 2013 By Jacob LeeIn Building Projects, Evangelism, Missions, News and Status Updates

Thank you for your prayers and support.Carol has just written with lots of recent news. I second everything she said about our new friends whom I have affectionately nicknamed “The Tennessee Trio”. David, Michael, and Eric were a great blessing to us and to believers throughout Moyo and Yumbe Districts.We love the same King and each of us love being a part of His mission (John 20:21). The only thing I hold against them is putting Tennessee orange on co-worker Sam. I prefer burnt orange on him!

In the Trio’s short time here they proclaimed God’s Word in various churches, in outdoor preaching venues in Moyo and Obongi, and in one on one situations in Moyo,Obongi, and Yumbe. In Obongi we rejoiced with the angels in the new found faith of many. Several who trusted in Christ were Muslims. There are several videos at the bottom of this page. For you Facebook friends, David posted a short clip of me preaching in Obongi. ( https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202444645746859&set=vb.1515529516&type=2&theater ). The opportunity to do such preaching thrills my soul!

We had the opportunity to spend one full day in Yumbe town. I wanted our new friends to have the joy of sharing Christ in a town with few Christians and which is dominated by Islam. When we got there Abraham parked the truck at a busy intersection and we all got out and mingled with a good sized crowd. Each us pointed someone to Jesus. Stephen, one of our night guards, and a dear brother in Christ, came with us. He was off duty. He shared later with me that it was his first time to share Christ with someone. I am confident this will not be his last time either! He is like a son to me and I have seen him and his partner Aldo grow leaps and bounds in their faith.Each evening we have opportunities to talk, pray, and worship with Stephen and Aldo. Eric, Michael and David also had time to share their lives and love with Stephen and Aldo.

We had a “Divine appointment” with a young man named Ben who has been a pastor in Yumbe the past eight years.Through his faithful service in local government (his money making job) he is greatly respected by officials in Yumbe. With Ben’s assistance we had the opportunity to meet several government officials. I sat across the desk from a federal government official and he gave us the “go ahead” to preach in Yumbe even though he is a Muslim. Praise God for His favor and sway upon unbelievers! Ben told us that Yumbe has a population of around 35,000 with less than 100 (that figures out to be around .3%) evangelical Christians. We have a meeting set up with the 3 pastors in Yumbe and some of their leaders to lay out strategies to reach Yumbe town. Pray for us in our desire to lift Jesus high in Yumbe,Obongi, and Moyo!

Yumbe Official's office — Yumbe Official’s office

Our building projects are all nearly finished. The tukalus have been refurbished and painted. The latrine /bathing station for our Tukalus is finished with the exception of a second coat of paint.The new outdoor kitchen and living quarters for Lucy, our cook and helper, should be complete early next week. Only trim work remains on the veranda tile. The water tower has been plastered and now is being painted.

Tukalu's are refurbished and Latrine/Bathing Station is finished. — Tukalu’s are refurbished and the Latrine/Bathing Station is finished.

Water Tower, Container Site, and Sam's Quarters — Water Tower, Container Site, and Sam’s Quarters

We have a spot ready for the container whenever it finally makes it to us. The container has cleared the Ugandan revenue service and when we receive our tax clearance all we will have to do is pay the $2000 plus in clearance fees.

On Tuesday, good friends, Kevin Turner and Ron Day, will be with us for nearly two weeks. I look forward to spending time with them and seeing how the the Lord will use their stay with us. Kevin is president of SWI and Ron is a film maker. Please pray for a safe journey to us and a time of mutual encouragement and blessing while they are here. I greatly appreciate their love manifested in taking the time and their sacrifice to be with us to bring us encouragement and be vessels in King Jesus’ service.

Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon and be gracious to you!

Jacob (for the both of us)

Web Site: www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.com
Blog: www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

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

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! JL

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.

*If you have questions on donations please email Jacob at JacobLeeRAU@gmail.com

Video’s

Joyful Times

On November 7, 2013December 27, 2013 By Jacob LeeIn Missions, News and Status Updates2 Comments

Joyful Times

by Carol Lee

The Tennessee Trio (as Jacob affectionately calls them), David Jones, Michael Lambert and Eric Williams, have come and gone. What a blessing they have been and what a joyful time we had! It’s simply amazing how the Lord can take us, who were strangers just a week ago, and, because of our union in Christ and unity of vision and priority, make us beloved family. It has been hard to see them go… we are missing the activity and the laughter that echoed through the Guesthouse. While they were here the front veranda became the RAU internet café where we would huddle with our devices (sometimes sipping some wonderfully aromatic Mexican coffee which David brought) to get connected to, not only our loved ones back home, but to each other as well.

At the Ugandan/South Sudan border with the "Tennessee Trio". Seated: David, Jacob,Officer in Charge of Afoji Border Crossing, Michael, Eric.Standing: Carol, Immigration Officer — At the Ugandan/South Sudan border with the “Tennessee Trio”. Seated: David, Jacob,Officer in Charge of Afoji Border Crossing, Michael, Eric. Standing: Carol, Immigration Officer

The “guys” brought many items that will serve the Guesthouse well in future pastor retreats: twin sheet sets, TP, books, and Kindles from Delmar Hager in Texas. Most of all, they brought with them a love for Christ and a love for the lost that was evident as they traveled with Abraham, Jacob, Asili, Godfrey and Stephen to Obongi and Yumbe (two towns that are mostly Muslim in population.) Suffice it to say, all of them came back excited about conversations, contacts and opportunities.

Two cases of Paul Washer's book were brought for Pastors — Two cases of Paul Washer’s book were brought for Pastors

Stories of their encounters are exciting and best told first hand by those that were there. Jacob will update you in his next newsletter. After meeting with a pastor (one of three in the town), he was told by that pastor that “born again” believers in the city of around 35,000 people would not reach 100! Jacob and the RAU team will be meeting with the three pastors and some of their members for strategies in proclaiming the gospel in Yumbe.

Each of the trio also had the opportunity to preach at local churches on Sunday.

I don’t think I am putting words in Eric, David and Michael’s mouths in saying that, though the Tennessee Trio’s suitcases are emptier, they (the team) are going back filled!

Jacob and I and all who became acquainted Michael, Eric and David during their stay are left with the blessing of friendship and partnership in the Gospel. Thanks so much, you guys!

As the Tennessee brothers leave we look forward and are preparing for the next team to come: Kevin Turner and Ron Day who will arrive this next Tuesday. Jacob and Kevin became great friends several years ago when we “happened” to see a piece on TV about Kevin and his work through SWI (Strategic World Impact) and subsequently made contact with him. Jacob met Ron Day through his friendship with Kevin and quickly became friends with Ron. Jacob traveled twice to Pakistan for ministry with a number of others under Kevin leadership. Kevin and Ron will be here for about two weeks before they fly back home.

Just a few weeks later, around December 13^th, we will also be heading down to Kampala to fly back to the States for a wonderful Christmas reunion with family and friends.

I have had some moving experiences lately that center on ‘mothering’, and remind me that a mother’s work is never done…and I’m not talking about chores and housework. There are young men and women here with whom the Father has surrounded me that I have had the joy of mothering in various ways, through love and affection, prayer, counsel and provision. It is a joy for me to be useful in this and other ways.

Particularly today, my heart was filled with compassion for a young Muslim man of 18 or 19 who was abandoned as a child, doesn’t even know what tribe he is from, and who has found work here, as well as a family and community among all of us at RAU (including the day workers). We are determined to love him to Christ through word and deed! Because of his youth, we all have opportunity to ‘parent’ him and help him through this life, and, hopefully, the life to come.

In the midst of all these ministry opportunities, the building is continuing, although we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It won’t be long until Lucy is in her new quarters and is using the new kitchen. Other projects are in the finishing stages as well. Saalongo and his crew have been working tirelessly in 12-14 hour days, seven days a week! Since they are from Kampala, I am sure they are thinking that the sooner they get things done, the sooner they can return home. They are doing a superb job.

Through your support, the Lord has graciously been providing the funds needed for the building process, and now, for the delivery of the container from Kampala to Afoji to RAU. In a process we don’t fully understand, the container has been held in Kampala, where all the contents were unloaded and reloaded…TWICE! Apparently, they had to go through everything with a fine tooth comb, which included pulling a tape measures out to its full length to ensure that the 25 ft. tape measures were actually 25 feet long and checking rolls of toilet paper to ensure that they met environmental standards for Uganda, and other such things! Not in jest! There are some fees ($2,000+) which will have to be paid, but, I believe we will see the container arrive sometime soon! Praise the Lord! Please pray for its travel here. The roads are not conducive to a smooth transit. Pray for God’s provision in this please.

We received bad news that the RAU ’99 Land Cruiser is still in a Japanese port. We have been given a lot of false information from the shipper. Pray for us as we work through this issue.

Words are not sufficient to express the thanks and wonder we feel to have supporters like you back home who are “holding the rope” in such tangibly experienced ways! You all do not know, but may be able to imagine, the blessing of being supported in packages, prayers, letters, Facebook communication and financial giving. You are so responsive to our needs and so ready to entrust us with the resources that you give to RAU and its mission. Thank you…thank you…thank you!

Carol (for both of us)

*If you have questions on donations please email Jacob at JacobLeeRAU@gmail.com

First RAU Conference

On October 27, 2013October 27, 2013 By Jacob LeeIn Discipleship, Missions

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! I am happy to report to you that we have finished our first Reaching Africa’s Unreached Pastor’s Retreat. Pastors from a number of different denominations and churches started arriving Tuesday morning and left Friday afternoon. We ended up having 32 pastors who attended the sessions.

My heart is bubbling over with joy! So many have been working towards this since RAU’s founding in 2010. This vision has been in my heart since my first trip here in 2007. It has brought tears to my eyes to see these pastors soaking in the Word like sponges and eager to receive solid biblical teaching. When we minister to pastors their congregations are also ministered to as well. Part of RAU’s mission and vision statement says, “…We hold that the primary work of missions is to plant local churches which in turn plant other local churches. Our goals, therefore, are to see new churches planted in unreached areas and to assist operating local churches through Biblical exposition which is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17). As much as possible we will seek to instruct church leaders who can faithfully teach others (See: 2 Timothy 2:2 & Acts 19:8-10)…”

The pastors were appreciative for the teachings and literature given to them. They are going back to congregations encouraged and enriched. A double blessing of the retreat was bringing the pastors together to a place where they could fellowship and encourage each other and commit together to spread of the gospel. I was told that this was the first time in this area where pastors from different denominations came together for the sake of the gospel. We have begun our own “Gospel Coalition” here!

A wonderful, encouraging song was also brought to life by one of the young pastors who composed it based on the Great Commission. Hopefully, soon we will be able to post a clip of that!

Thank you for your part in helping make RAU’s vision and mission more than just a dream!

Ron Zeiner, fellow Texan, pastor and former missionary, taught on proper biblical interpretation, leadership principles from Ezra/Nehemiah, and on the family. His excellent exposition of the scriptures brought much light and had the pastors thirsting and hungering to study Scriptures. Everyone, including myself, is hoping for him to return soon (and Carol hopes he comes with his wife)! There is a special hunger for Old Testament teaching as the Old Testament still has not been translated into Ma’di.

I had the joy of teaching several sessions, encouraging the pastors in the importance of discipleship and reaching out to plant churches in the many unchurched villages of the area. They, too, are eager to see the gospel expand here and to neighboring unreached areas.

During the whole retreat construction work continued. The latrine near the tukalus was finished Wednesday and made usable on Thursday. The tile on the front of the Guesthouse veranda was completed. The cooking for the conference had to be done in the old tukalu kitchen. The new charcoal kitchen next to the Guesthouse should be done in 3-4 days. We were able to get the beds for the tukalus done by Monday evening and put mattress on them Tuesday morning. However, with our numbers, we still did not have enough room to sleep the pastors who wanted to stay. The rains made it difficult for pastors to leave for the night. Abraham who was taxiing pastors back to their homes on one evening got stuck and did not even make it home; he ended up staying with one of the other pastors. Pray with us for the funds to build at least 5 more tukalus. That would give us the ability to sleep 20 more pastors for future retreats. It is very hard for me to turn away pastors who eagerly want biblical teaching! Making these tukalus a bit taller than our original ones would make their cost about $600 each. We are also in need of funds to bring about the completion of on going projects.

On Saturday we went to Obongi where we met for several hours with a small handful of believers. Obongi is one of the areas I told you about in my last newsletter. This Sunday morning Ron preached in Abraham’s church and in the evening we both preached in the Moyo market which had many people in it. Ron leaves Monday and then on next Saturday, three mission minded brothers from Tennessee will be joining us for several days of ministry. A little later in November my good friend Kevin Turner with SWI and, possibly several others, will be coming to share their passion and love for the Savior with the people of this area.

The RAU container’s arrival to Kampala should be any day now. After its arrival in Kampala it takes about a week to clear customs and then its trip here from Kampala will take several days. Please continue in your prayers for its safe arrival. The Land Cruiser is STILL in transit from Japan. Al-Shabab’s activities have apparently put a kink in the ship’s offloading in Mombasa, Kenya. Keep praying my friends!

Thank You!

Jacob (for the both of us)

*If you have questions on donations please email me at JacobLeeRAU@gmail.com

Ron Zeiner taught on proper biblical interpretation and Leadership Principles from Ezra/Nehemiah and on the family.

My theme center around 2 Timothy 2:2 — My theme centered around 2 Timothy 2:2

Pastor Abraham did most of our interpreting

Pastors had reading assignments each day

Fellowship

The unsung heroes of the retreat--Sam, Carol, Gracie, and Lucy. — The unsung heroes of the retreat–Sam, Carol, Gracie, and Lucy.

I and many others are praying for Ron's soon return. — I and many others are praying for Ron’s soon return.

2007 Reformation Study Bibles

On October 20, 2013October 20, 2013 By Jacob LeeIn Discipleship1 Comment

I had the privilege to preach in a nearby village church today. Just before preaching I spotted two well worn Reformation Study Bibles. My heart was filled as it was back in 2007 when funds were provided for me to bring 500 to Uganda. Before we had brought them a brother from our church, Lifegate, said he had dream and in it an African pastor had worn out Reformation Study Bible in his hands. I think the picture below may have been the Bible in His dream 🙂 .

The True Nature of Preaching

On October 13, 2013October 13, 2013 By Jacob LeeIn Discipleship, Missions1 Comment

I have the privilege of preaching on Sundays and throughout the week. On this Sunday afternoon I have been reminded afresh that this is the greatest privilege I have as a missionary. I pray and I ask for your prayers that I would never dismiss or take lightly this grand privilege.

James Steward has rightly said that the aim of preaching is “to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God” (Quoted in John Piper’s The Supremacy of God in Preaching page 19). The Apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians 2:1-9 the kind of preaching God blesses:

“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimonyof God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him” …”

I ask not only for prayers for myself but also for all preachers here in Northwestern Uganda, Southwestern South Sudan, and Northeastern D.R. Congo. The preachers I know in this land love Jesus dearly and seek to proclaim His Word. The Lord has established R.A.U. to come alongside such men, to encourage them in sound doctrine and passionate preaching. On October 22-25 we will host our first group of pastors in what I hope will be the first retreat of many. I pray that the Lord would set a blaze, in this part of Africa, Christ exalting preaching in the church, streets, gardens, and among every unchurched village and people group.

My discipleship times with Godfrey, Leonard, and Alfred have also been encouraging. They are the kind of young men who thrill my heart! Without prodding or poking they are pursuing King Jesus and studying His Word with an urgency which only comes from the Holy Spirit. These men and others are ones the Lord will send our way from local churches to help equip as church planters. As I have posted before, our eyes are currently set upon Yumbe, Obongi, and the Mubuti Pygmy Tribe. The Mubuti are across the border in Northeaster D.R. of Congo and Yumbe and Obongi are only a couple hours away. Please continue in your prayers for these endeavors.

With Leonard and Alfred...2 Timothy 2:2 — With Leonard and Alfred…2 Timothy 2:2

We are closing in on the final phases of getting RAU ready to do the things which the Lord has laid before us. We are still needing about $5,000 to get our facilities to a place where we can host and disciple those God sends our way. Pray and believe God with us for these funds. Help if you can…thank you!