By Carol Lee

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

St. Augustine

“The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”

Maya Angelou

“At the end of the day, it isn’t where I came from. Maybe home is somewhere I’m going and never have been before.”

Warsan Shire

“These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return. But they now desire a better place — a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”

Hebrews 11:13-16

Jacob and I are almost at the close of 3 months on furlough in the USA during which we have experienced a broad spectrum of emotions and thoughts as we visit family, friends and supporting churches: adventure and new sights, people, food and sweet fellowship with dear friends (old and new); longing for stillness, space to breathe, longing for home (which one?), enjoyment of creature comforts; out-of-place feelings; hopes of serving, inspiring, and prodding the Church towards faithful service.

How does one sift through all these longings and find peace in them all? That has been our quest, particularly this time around.

The focus of Jacob’s message (Hebrews 11:13-16) to the churches has been to remind us of the “long view” and of filtering every human experience and desire through the lens of what matters most from heaven’s perspective. When we have seen our lives through such a lens, we have been able to find greater peace (and joy).

If earthly longings steer the ship of our earthly experience, we will shipwreck all the plans God has for us; but, as Jacob quotes C.S. Lewis in his sermon, if you “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you will get neither.” We praise God for adventures, sensory delights and friendships–He has given us all good things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17); we do our best to prioritize some times of stillness and space, recognizing our finiteness (Sabbath is a gift from the Lord–Exodus 16:29); but we long for home (a place of true belonging) which is not here in the States or in any other earthly country. We are still traveling and transient as we await a better country–a heavenly one. That is what keeps us on course when competing desires wrestle within us.

Jacob and I arrived in the States from Uganda on July 2nd. In our first week, we rested and prepared for our doctrinal interview with ABWE Africa Director, Ron Washer, along with the leaders of our sending church, Lifegate (in Seguin, TX) and RAU Board of Directors. Next, we traveled to Harrisburg, PA, where the International Headquarters for ABWE is situated, for 6 days of Missionary Orientation so we could formalize a partnership with ABWE as Associate missionaries. We remain missionaries with Reaching Africa’s Unreached (RAU). We have written in the past of our desire to collaborate with a like-minded, long-standing mission sending agency. ABWE has existed and ministered well for nearly 100 years with around 1000 missionaries who are cared for by them. The Lord, in his grace, has put us together, ABWE has Christian International status and RAU is a Christian Ugandan NGO. We firmly believe RAU can be more effective for the Lord’s glory for generations as we minister in collaboration with ABWE in our Ugandan West Nile Ma’di, Aringa, and Sudanese (South and North) brothers and sisters in Christ.

Our next joyfully anticipated destination was Colorado where we had planned to gather as a family–all 17 of us–for 5 days in Winter Park. It was a delight to be together in one place–our 3 children and their spouses and our 9 grandchildren! The last time we were all in one place was at Josiah and Unyae’s wedding in 2018. It was every bit the memorable celebration we had hoped for!

After spending some extra days with Josh and Becca and their children, we traveled back to Texas where we also spent time with Anna and Kenny and their 3 kids and our Rocky Point Baptist Church family whom we have grown to love and appreciate as they faithfully intercede and partner with RAU financially and by sending teaching teams.

The month of August found us mostly in Texas, enjoying the homey space provided by Lifegate church members, Mary and Gerard Lopez, in their guesthouse. We traveled most every weekend to someplace in Texas to gather with one of the many churches who support the ministry of Reaching Africa’s Unreached (RAU). On weekdays we met up with friends and fellowshipped over a meal, met in home groups, squeezed in dental, health and business appointments–and enjoyed some very relaxing times (naps and reading or not doing much of anything).

What a privilege and joy to be back at our home and sending church, Lifegate, where both of us shared in Adult Sunday School and then Jacob preached during the service!! We have been members of Lifegate since 1982. Jacob served as elder from 1986 up until our move to RAU. The warmth of love and celebration was present from start to finish, ending with a tasty potluck lunch and catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. We look forward to receiving a team from Lifegate to RAU and pray that all the necessary pieces of the puzzle will fit together to make it happen soon!

Praise God for the many churches in Texas who are linking arms with their intercession and giving which empowers the ministry to continue and to thrive: Home/Sending Church Lifegate in Seguin, Rocky Point Baptist Church in Stephenville, Bread of Life in Uvalde, Gospel Life Fellowship in New Braunfels, Mission City Fellowship in South San Antonio, One Hope Church in Geronimo, Hill Country Fellowship in Burnet,  Amazing Grace Baptist Church near Seguin, The Country Church in Marion, Nixon First Baptist Church, Nixon Methodist Church (Jacob taught at Nixon HS), Comfort Baptist in Comfort , Cross Church in Seguin, and and Faith Lutheran Church (LCM) in Seguin!! Our out-of-state-supporting churches include Forest Hills Presbyterian (PCA) Church in Forest Hill, Maryland (see more about our time there below) and Valley Bible Church in Pleasanton California. We are also very grateful for the many individuals, families, and other para-church ministries throughout the country who intercede and support RAU’s 2 Timothy 2:2 mission and vision. As you can see from this paragraph, the Lord has been and is most gracious in bringing together his people in collaboration for the spreading of the Lord Jesus Christ’s fame in Uganda, South Sudan, and the Republic of (North) Sudan. 

One exception in August to “staying in Texas” was a short trip to Peabody, Massachusetts, where Christianbook International Outreach is located. Over the years, Jacob has developed a friendship and partnership with the Director of the Christianbook International Outreach who has been instrumental in getting the 20,000+ ESV Global Study Bibles and other wonderful theological resources to RAU’s campus. We are happy to report that this partnership will continue and broaden in the near future.

Jacob and I enjoyed a delightful visit in Chattanooga, Tennessee with our beloved Josiah and Unyae (son and daughter in law). We took extra naps, did walkabouts and other activities in downtown Chattanooga and, in the evening, we met for food and fellowship with our family. We are proud of and grateful for the two of them. Such times are priceless to us and a high priority as we travel about the country.

From Chattanooga, we traveled to Forest Hill, Maryland, where one of our supporting and partnering churches is located. We have grown to love our church family from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church and appreciate their sending a team 5 times over the 10 years we have been in Uganda. They are bringing, Lord willing, another teaching team in early January. Joel and Dawn Raiber and their family welcomed us into their home and, as always, gave us the best room in the house! We enjoyed Sunday Service and then, in the evening, one of our absolute favorite events–a “WELL-ATTENDED-by-young-and-old” Hymn Sing at the Raiber home. Forest Hill Presbyterian has come on-board in a big way with RAU’s ministry. We love and appreciate them so much!

Flying from Maryland, we went to Iowa to stay with Jacob’s sister, Jackie, and to meet up with many of his family members, particularly his Dad, who is nearing 93 years of life. It is a certain destination for us as we cannot but wonder “if this might be the last visit“. We honor Jacob’s Dad (Keith) as one of those foundation stones upon which Jacob’s life has been sturdily built–upon whose shoulders Jacob stands. We were also able to meet with some of my family (John and Nancy Mayer). Such are rare and precious opportunities to reconnect!

We never miss a chance to spend time with our dear friends, Edward and Jennifer Heinze, in Louisville, Kentucky, where we travelled next–the last leg of our journey eastward. It is an “obligation” of love and joy to prioritize that every year. The Heinze’s spoil us with royal treatment, but mainly, we enjoy sweet kinship and fellowship–and, well, pizza and ice cream, too! We were blessed to meet Edward’s parents who had recently moved to Louisville. Jacob brought along an extra, small suitcase to accommodate his treasures from the Southern Seminary bookstore.

We also had a wonderful breakfast/fellowship time with good friends Wayne and Nancy Riegel. Wayne had invited Alex and Sarah Tibit, Jamin and Kristen Eben (with Teaching Truth International) to join us. Both Alex and Jamin are graduates of Southern Seminary. Also joining us were Dr. Steve Wellum and his wife, Karen. Dr. Wellum is a professor at Southern Seminary. He is the author of a number of books, most of which I have in my library at RAU. At some time in the future, Lord willing, my library will be part of an accredited Bible Institute at RAU. We would love to have this group come and teach at one of modules in the RAU Hall of Tyrannus.

Back in home territory, Jacob preached for his final time (during furlough) at Hill Country Fellowship in Burnet, Texas. Hill Country Fellowship is an amazingly mission-minded church with impactful outreaches into the surrounding communities as well as globally to various places around the world. In April of 2024, they plan to send several of their leaders and a few other members to Uganda for a survey trip to discern the most fruitful ways they can partner with the mission of RAU. We have been warmly welcomed and cared for by them and, specifically, by Ben and Margaret Ward who opened their home to us. We appreciate the church’s commitment to the Great Commission.

Our last Sunday, October 1st, in America we will be with Lifegate and we will be sent off once more by them. “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10: 14-15)

We are now looking wide-eyed and a bit “panicky” at the FIVE DAYS we have left before we travel back to Uganda where we will, once again, hit the ground running.

Please be praying for:

*Safe passage with all our tubs and suitcases and for favor and support as we check in our bags and then retrieve them in Entebbe, Uganda and transport them north to RAU. Please for God’s grace to be with us as we leave. One would think it would get easier to leave each time, but it does not. There is “rejoicing and sorrow” (2 Corinthians 6:10) at the same time in our hearts.

*Our very first Dental Outreach in the Moyo community at the end of October and into November in partnership with Hope Smiles, from Jinja, Uganda. We hope to have 3-4 clinics per year. The clinic will be done in RAU Hall of Tyrannus. Hope Smiles are bringing a team of eleven along with all their dental equipment! Photos below (provided with permission) are from other Hope Smiles clinics in Uganda. To our knowledge this will be the first ever dental clinic in our area.

*Favor to receive an FM Gospel/Agriculture Station operating license from the UCC in Uganda. Radio South Sudan has promised the radio tower, radio equipment and free training as long as RAU gets a license from the Ugandan government, uses the radio station for the Gospel and maintains the license.

*Granting of Land Titles for RAU newest properties purchased so that, at the right time, buildings can be built for a Dental and Eye Care clinic as well as a tutoring center for children and Accredited Bible Institute. Also the provision for the buildings.

*Timely support for our two families, the Pryce’s and Langworthy’s, who still long to join us at RAU for increased breadth and depth of spiritual care in our region (West Nile) among the Ma’di, Aringa, and the Sudanese and South Sudanese (in Refugee Settlements) as well as their contacts in both countries.

*For ongoing partnership with Christianbook International Outreach for more bibles and sound theological books for church leaders. There continues to be great demand in our West Nile region of Uganda, South Sudan, and the Republic of (North) Sudan. Large numbers of refugees from the Republic of Sudan are pouring out of the country to surrounding countries, including the Nuba Mountains and South Sudan because of the war in the Republic of Sudan. Pray for Sudan! It has been reported to me that there is ongoing persecution for Christians. Nevertheless, the gospel continues to go forth…pray, pray, and pray!

*Continued evangelistic outreaches in Yumbe among the Aringa and Ma’di in the Metu Mountains. We would like to see new churches planted in both places and leaders trained up to shepherd them. There is renewed interested in starting up again our Christian-Muslim dialogs with Sheikhs and Iman’s.

*As the Lord opens the way we want to continue with RAU’s mercy ministries: agriculture trainings with RAU’s demo farm, more water wells drilled, and another medical outreach with Pearl Haven Ministries & E5 as we had earlier 2023.

*The purchase, shipping, and distribution of Pearl Audio Bibles from the Digital Bible Society. They would contain the New Testament in Ma’di, Aringa, Bari, English, and Sudanese Arabic. We also would like the Digital Bible Society to print interlinear gospels of John in these languages.

*We would like to complete the Arapi/Gbari Community Church building. It would also be used as a training center for the northern Metu Mountain church plants. It’s counterpart, Aya Baptist Church, has a completed building which can be used for a training center for southern Metu Mountain church plants. The Ijujo Church needs some basic repairs as termites have destroyed the the wooden poles. We would like to help them put in concrete poles to replace the termite eaten ones.

*Most importantly we hope to have 5-7 pastoral/leadership module trainings in the RAU Hall of Tyrannus in 2024.

We are very grateful for your prayers and support. Please consider giving as you are able. We need more and more rope holders as the ministry grows and we definitely need more team members to join us long term. We commit to be good stewards, using your God-prompted gifts in the above areas (and others which may come up) for the proclamation of the gospel, being zealous in good works, and doing our God-given part in Jesus building HIS church in the West Nile of Uganda, South Sudan, and the Republic of (North) Sudan. Thank you.

Your fellow Pilgrims and Co-laborers in Christ,

Carol and Jacob Lee

PayPal Link for donations: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WAR99DL4JFWXQ

Donations are tax deductible

Checks may be written to RAU and sent to our secretary Beth and she will deposit them into RAU’s account : Lifegate-RAU, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin, TX. 78155

RAU’s YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRmHafoBSemE7jS8kEHCG6Q/videos

RAU’s Mission and Vision Statements/Statement of Faith: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/about/

Since our last post we have been busy with ministry activities. We pray that these “activities” will prove to bear fruit that remains (John 15:16).

We are soon to be traveling to the States for a few months. When we first arrive back to Seguin, Texas we are having a doctrinal interview on July 7th with our Lifegate elders (Lifegate is our home sending church) and ABWE leaders. Then, July 9th, we travel to ABWE headquarters in Harrisburg for missionary orientation as Associate ABWE missionaries. RAU and ABWE are coming together in a closer partnership which we we pray will bear much godly fruit until Jesus’ return. We need faithful ones to who we may pass on the baton and have come to the conviction through God’s providential orchestrating that it is with ABWE. Please keep praying for the Pryce family and the Langworthy family who are ABWE missionaries looking to join us long term at RAU.

After missionary orientation as Associate ABWE missionaries, we have a family time together at an Air bnb in Colorado. There will be 17 of us–Carol and me, our children and their spouses and 9 grandchildren–in one big house! We have not all been together in one place since 2018 for Josiah and Unyae’s wedding.

Following this precious family time, we will be doing a lot traveling, visiting supporting church’s and friends. Where I have the opportunity to preach, the text I am seriously studying is Hebrews 11:13-16 along with 11:1. Oh my! what a passage! Please pray with me that I will preach faithfully, rightly, and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…. (13)These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.  If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” ( Hebrews 11:1,13-16 )

Now on to what has been happening here at RAU on the Ugandan/South Sudan border. Shortly after our teaching module, “Helping Without Hurting in Africa”, we welcomed long time friend Ron Zeiner to RAU. What a blessing it was was to have Ron with us for eleven days. Ron and I have been friends since before I was married to Carol and that is soon going to be 42 years. It was a grand blessing to have him teach over 50 church leaders for five days in RAU’s Hall of Tyrannus. The module was an Old Testament Overview. So far we have had around 50 of these module trainings for church leaders in the Hall of Tyrannus since our move to RAU in 2013.

Ron also ministered in two local churches during the two weekends he was with us. What a joy and encouragement it was to have him join us! Many thanks to his wife Joanna, and the Bread of Life Church in Uvalde, Texas where he is the pastor. Bread of Life Church is one of the churches we will be with during our visit to the States.

Throughout the week, the church leaders had access to ESV Global Study Bibles which they took back with them to their places of ministry for their fellow church leaders, e.g. elders, deacons, Sunday School teachers, evangelists, youth leaders etc.. We also had visitor come by who would be taking some of these study bibles to a Bible School in Juba during that week. The following weeks more were distributed to several other ministries. Since our last post, well over 2,800 have been distributed and are going to places as far north as Blue Nile State and Nuba Mountains in the Republic of (North) Sudan, various places in South Sudan, Yumbe District, Obongi District, various nearby refugee settlements, Moyo District and the Metu Mountains. Many biblically sound books have also been placed into the hands of church leaders as well as Yumbe Sheikhs since last writing. Praise God for these books which have come to RAU as well!

A special thank you to all who prayed and contributed so that we could receive the 20,861 ESV TruTone Global Study Bibles and the container in which they came which now sits on the RAU campus…praise God! Because of our Lord’s gracious hand and God’s people’s loving support, with this last shipment, we have had, in total, around 30,000 ESV Global Study Bibles come to RAU to be distributed. Pray that we can continue to get them into the hands of church leaders.

Recently, Carol’s and my dear friend, Kevin Kolb, went to be with Jesus. Kevin was one of the Reaching Africa’s Unreached Board Members. He was instrumental in RAU getting its 501c3 status. His friendship, wisdom and guidance will be greatly missed. Last year he set about getting a good number of Sudanese Audio Bibles which we placed into the hands of those who would take them in the Republic of (North) Sudan, South Sudan, and to Sudanese refuges in our nearby refugee settlements.

Ron Zeiner carried them to us here.. They can be solar charged or plugged in. In the picture below are some of our Sudanese brothers who were with us for the O.T. Survey module training with Ron. I told them Kevin’s story with a few tears in my eyes. Praise God for Kevin and his vision to get these audio bibles!!

We are are also grateful for more Chapin Living Water drip bucket irrigation kits that Ron carried to us from Doug Neal and M.A.R.S.. M.A.R.S. has been a great supporter of RAU on the agricultural side of RAU’s ministry since our move here in 2013! The Chapin link above has a story where they refer to Reaching Africa’s Unreached.

Speaking of agriculture, below is a picture of me with my good friend, Zakeo, and some of RAU-grown grafted mangoes! He has been a trusted and reliable friend since our move in 2013. He and five others (along with others who joined later) put their backs and brains into making RAU’s 25+ acres into a beautiful biblical training center and demo farm. It was previously bushland. Our co-workers have been and are a gift from God! Our good Lord has added others to give wise counsel in many ways, especially in cultural matters.

This year’s grafted mango harvest has been our best so far. I jokingly tell people in our area and the groups which visit that, “I preach grafted mangoes second only to the gospel“.

We recently planted more grafted mangoes bringing the total to around 1,000. Zakeo has been instrumental in this. Grafted mangoes are perfectly suited to our area. They are the most reliable, long-term income source for our community. If our community at large will plant–a juicing plant will come to Moyo! That is the hope, anyway–and that would bring jobs and other benefits to this region.

Our agricultural training has been extending beyond our church leaders to our community and to other organizations. For instance, we recently received around 120 Moyo Secondary students (morning group and afternoon group) along with some of their teachers who were at RAU for a tour of the demo farm.

On. June 7th, we hosted a wonderful group from “Pipeline Worldwide” who have been very generous for the good of Moyo District, especially toward Moyo Referral Hospital. Their mission: “Our Mission is to make sustainable impact in East Africa’s most vulnerable communities through the donation of time, talent, and resources.“

The following weekend, they had a ground breaking on some property outside of Moyo town where they are looking to build Lonyi Village. “The Lonyi Village will be a 4-acre humanitarian short-term lodging and training center built with sustainability in mind, designed to improve the lives of the people of Moyo, Uganda across Development, Healthcare, Education, and Economic Empowerment.“

They were also interested in what other groups and individuals are doing for the Moyo Community and asked to take a tour of our RAU campus. Zakeo and I explained the vision and mission of RAU and, particularly, the good things happening on the Demo Farm and how they can impact the community. I had the joy of collectively planting a grafted mango from RAU on their new land. We wish Pipeline Worldwide blessings and wisdom as they push forward on their many projects.

Let me close with a few exhortations. As John Piper has wisely stated, “Missions exists because worship doesn’t”. As Christians we are to be “fishers” of men and women (Matthew 4:19).The bait we have is superior to all others and the only one that is effective (Romans 1:16). Our rods and reels are potent means of getting the bait to the fish, e.g. one on one witnessing, gospel literature, open air preaching, and “Jesus” film in the native tongue. This ,along with fellow fisher’s (Matthew 4:19) support and encouragement (prayers), the fish will be drawn to the bait (John 6:44 and 65), their mouths will be opened (Acts 16:14) to bite the bait (John 1:12) and they too will follow their master (Revelation 1:8) and begin to fish in streams where there are very many fish (Matthew 9:35-36) and few who fish for them (Romans 15:20). We go (Matthew 28:18-20) knowing success is guaranteed (Isaiah 55:11) at some point ( 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 ).

“Remember that, every hour we live, we are getting nearer Heaven, and sinners are getting nearer hell. The time in which we can serve Christ by winning souls is constantly waxing shorter. Our days are very few, so let us use them all for God.” (Charles H. Spurgeon)

“Christ has called us to reach the inconveniently lost and go to inhospitable destinations and unwelcoming populations. Missions is not simply sharing Christ with a neighbor or co-worker. That is evangelism, a daily witness of our faith, a responsibility of each believer. Instead, missions is purposely crossing the chasms of geography, culture and language to share Christ with those who have never heard.” (Andy Raatz)

This is the mission, vision and heart of Reaching Africa’s Unreached! Read our Mission and Vision Statements here:

https://reachingafricasunreached.org/about/

Please pray for the church in the Republic of (North) Sudan. Pray that peace would come and the civil war be stopped. The situation continues to deteriorate. My heart especially breaks for our brothers and sisters in Christ there. For years now we have been sending Arabic Study Bibles, books, and Kindle Fires loaded with Christian materials. Reports were coming back through our contacts the church was growing. In fact I had tentatively planned to visit brethren in northern Darfur–BUT then! this war! This is a note from our co-worker, Joshua Abraham, who currently lives in a nearby refugee settlement who is originally from northern Darfur: “Things in Sudan special in Darfur is very bad, we communicate with some believers some of them made their way to the refugees camps in south Sudan and Chad but some still within Sudan, praying for them always” Christ is still building his church there. Let us intercede on behalf of the church in the Republic of (North) Sudan!

Please pray for an increase in those who financially support RAU. While we are very grateful for those who give to various projects we especially are grateful to those who give monthly. As the Lord has grown the ministry of RAU, our monthly supporters are the ones who are carrying the daily ministry of RAU’s Mission/Vision, e.g. 2 Timothy 2:2 modules (it cost RAU around $40 per church leader per module; e.g. cost sharing in transport, sleeping arrangements at RAU and feeding them for the week), evangelism outreaches, church planting/discipleship and running the agricultural demo farm. If you are not giving monthly, would you please consider helping us in that way? Please take time to peruse our website and see how we have sought to be faithful stewards of the gifts given. It is our desire that any charitable gifts that are given to R.A.U. would not compromise what you are  ALREADY giving to your local church and/or to other cross-cultural foreign missionaries. At this link you can read about RAU’s philosophy on missionary giving and how to give—> https://reachingafricasunreached.org/donations/ Thank you!

Please continue praying for the fleshing out of the vision of a RAU FM Christian radio station, dental and eye clinics, and Bible Institute on the campus of RAU.

​Thank you,

Jacob and Carol Lee

PayPal Link for donations: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WAR99DL4JFWXQ

Donations are tax deductible

Checks may be written to RAU and sent to our secretary Beth and she will deposit them into RAU’s account : Lifegate-RAU, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin, TX. 78155

Go to RAU’s Facebook page for up to date reports, pictures, musings, and exhortations: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

RAU’s YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRmHafoBSemE7jS8kEHCG6Q/videos

RAU’s Mission and Vision Statements/Statement of Faith: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/about/

The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it!

Sowing seeds of love and kindness should not be separated from preaching the gospel of sovereign grace but completely intertwined with it!

When at least 35% of the world; “the unoccupied fields”, have no access to the gospel, we (believers) must all do all we can to reach them. We who are saved owe the gospel to every lost person, most especially the 2.4 billion who will not hear unless someone breaks into their “unoccupied field” with no thought of their own life!

I am sure that none of us will say when in heaven that we prayed too much, we sacrificed too much, proclaimed the gospel too much, and were too passionate to get the gospel to those who have little to no access to this gospel of grace. Let us together press on to make it our  ambition to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named!

Our goal in our gospel witness is to take our eyes off the “risk” and place them on the cause for the risk. When God compels us like this he often will not tell us the risks…after all there are no risks for the all-knowing, all-powerful God. So let us be AMBITIOUS (Romans 15:20) to see that ALL are reached with the gospel of grace (Romans 1:16) in ALL places…there are no closed doors to the gospel, just some which are more difficult to go through!

Jacob Lee

​By Jacob Lee

On Saturday the 20th we finished a six oofday module using the text, “Helping Without Hurting in Africa”. Jonny Kabiswa Kyazze and Anthony Sytsma with Brian Fickert have put together the training manual which clearly lays out sound biblical principles for the best ways to help those who are materially poor, but defining poverty holistically (in terms of  lack in spiritual intimacy, stewardship, community and self) and helping students learn ways to help, especially contextualized for Africa. Authors Jonny and Anthony did an excellent job in teaching and leading very productive lectures and group discussions. We went through lessons 1-10 and they will return again later for lessons 11-20.

From an Amazon description: “Bestseller When Helping Hurts: How to alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself has changed the way thousands of church and ministry leaders approach poverty. Designed to equip you to begin effectively helping low-income people, When Helping Hurts articulates a biblical framework for poverty alleviation. Learn how to walk with the materially poor in humble relationships instead of just providing them temporary handouts.Now adapted specifically for African contexts, Helping without Hurting in Africa is a 400-page manual to guide the pastor and lay working alike to meaningful ministry. Helping Without Hurting in Africa is designed to inspire churches, pastors, community leaders, missionaries, development workers, NGOs, government institutions, and donors to foster transformation in their communities. This training teaches a holistic approach, explaining how to preach the gospel through word and deed. It aims at changing people’s mind-set and helping them apply biblical principles to care wisely and compassionately for poor people without unintentionally hurting them. Most Christians have a heart for poor people, but this training seeks to help Christians also have a mind for poor people. Helping without Hurting in Africa provides readers with the foundational concepts and tools in Christ-centered poverty alleviation and doubles as a ready-to-use facilitator manual that helps the reader and participants:

*Grow in their relationships with God, others, self, and the rest of creation.

*Gain a new focus on the kingdom of God in their ministries.

*Renew their love and compassion for the materially poor.

*Obtain knowledge about how to help low-income individuals and communities more wisely.

*Empower churches and ministries to bring lasting change, starting with their own resources.”

​ 

Sara Sytsma, Anthony’s wife, had a number of very beneficial breakout sessions as well which included dehydrating fruits and veggies, “No fire” beans, soil nutrition for farming and organic pesticides using locally available plants. Her hands-on training for the leaders was very, very helpful and she was given great appreciation at the end during evaluation!  Of course, it was a recurring theme to have her back for more in-depth training, especially helping communities identify the plants in their locales which can be used for pests and diseases.

Our attending group Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. were leaders from the Metu Mountains, Moyo, Yumbe and Koboko Districts as well as Sudanese (both South and North) from various refugee resettlement camps. Steve and Debbie Nutzmann, missionaries from Jinja, were also with us. It has been a joy to be with the Nutzmann’s, the teaching team, and the church leaders whom Carol and I have come to love much. Our RAU staff  did a stellar job caring for our guests as well as all the church leaders who were sleeping and eating at RAU.

This is from Carol:

“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” (Isaac Newton).We are so grateful to stand on the shoulders of many Greats, to be able to see further and to do more and to witness the inspiration of many to do more! This week of “Helping Without Hurting in Africa” has been insightful and inspiring! Jacob and I are so grateful for this team! Thank you, Jonny Kabiswa Kyazze and Anthony Sytsma for teaching faithfully and inspiringly. A special thanks to Sara  Sytsma for the Agricultural and Entrepreneurial expertise that you shared during this week! Thanks, Debbie and Steve Nutzmann for your supportive role and for what you are doing in “your neck of the woods”!

My prayer is that this training could be done throughout Uganda. The principles taught would serve missionaries, NGOs, Aid Organizations and short term ministry teams well. The church at large throughout our beloved Uganda, South Sudan and the Republic of North Sudan would do well to be transformed in their perspectives and mindset also.

Please be in prayer for Ron Zeiner who is traveling our way this week. On the weekend, he will be preaching in Ijujo in the Metu Mountains and from May 29th-June 2nd, teaching an Old Testament Survey module to church leaders in Reaching Africa’s Unreached Hall of Tyrannus. Ron is an Old Testament scholar and long time friend. It is not his first time to RAU. He and his wife Joanna were missionaries in South Africa for around 10 years. Ron currently is the pastor of Bread of Life church in Uvalde Texas. Bread of Life Church is one of RAU’s supporting churches.

Please pray for an increase in those who financially support RAU on a monthly basis. While we are very grateful for those who give to various projects we especially are grateful to those who give monthly. As the Lord has grown the ministry of RAU our monthly supporters are the ones who are carrying RAU’s Mission/Vision along like our 2 Timothy 2:2 modules, evangelism, church planting/discipleship and running the agricultural demo farm. If you are not giving monthly, would you please consider helping us in that way? Please take time to peruse our website and see how we have sought to be faithful stewards of the gifts given. It is our desire that any charitable gifts that are given to R.A.U. would not compromise what you are  ALREADY giving to your local church and/or to other cross-cultural foreign missionaries. At this link you can read about RAU’s philosophy on missionary giving and how to give—> https://reachingafricasunreached.org/donations/

Please continue praying for the vision of a FM Christian radio station, dental and eye clinics, and Bible Institute on the campus of RAU. Please pray with us and consider giving your dollars to help make this vision become reality.

Please also continue to pray for the Pryce family and the Langworthy family who are looking to join us long term at RAU.

​Thank you,

Jacob and Carol Lee

Above group photo with visitors: Jonny, Jacob, Carol, Sara, Anthony, Debbie & Steve

PayPal Link for donations: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WAR99DL4JFWXQ

Donations are tax deductible

Checks may be written to RAU and sent to our secretary Beth and she will deposit them into RAU’s account : Lifegate-RAU, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin, TX. 78155

Go to RAU’s Facebook page for up to date reports, pictures, musings, and exhortations: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

RAU’s YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRmHafoBSemE7jS8kEHCG6Q/videos

RAU’s Mission and Vision Statements/Statement of Faith: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/about/

The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it!

Sowing seeds of love and kindness should not be separated from preaching the gospel of sovereign grace but completely intertwined with it!

When at least 35% of the world; “the unoccupied fields”, have no access to the gospel, we (believers) must all do all we can to reach them. We who are saved owe the gospel to every lost person, most especially the 2.4 billion who will not hear unless someone breaks into their “unoccupied field” with no thought of their own life!

I am sure that none of us will say when in heaven that we prayed too much, we sacrificed too much, proclaimed the gospel too much, and were too passionate to get the gospel to those who have little to no access to this gospel of grace. Let us together press on to make it our  ambition to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named!

Our goal in our gospel witness is to take our eyes off the “risk” and place them on the cause for the risk. When God compels us like this he often will not tell us the risks…after all there are no risks for the all-knowing, all-powerful God. So let us be AMBITIOUS (Romans 15:20) to see that ALL are reached with the gospel of grace (Romans 1:16) in ALL places…there are no closed doors to the gospel, just some which are more difficult to go through!

Jacob Lee

By Carol Lee

“I give you a new law: Have love one for another; even as I have had love for you, so are you to have love one for another. By this it will be clear to all men that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.”

John 13:34-35

The physical well-being of the communities in the Metu Mountains has long been a source of concern–even since 2010 when Jacob first visited Aya. Each subsequent visit has only confirmed that medical assistance must be on our radar--it is an expression of love–it’s a language that everyone, everywhere understands and needs. Jacob and I not being gifted or called to Medical missions have, through RAU, tried to demonstrate that love in small ways–with medicines where supply is insufficient–and bigger ways–sponsoring children who require major surgery or supporting gifted people through medical training. However, the burden remains to do something substantial and on-going. Until we have provision on that “substantial” plan, we will do what we can in concert with others who have the same burden.

In our last newsletter, Jacob shared with you all about ABWE’s International Healthcare Ministry (IHM) team coming to help us assess and plan for the most needed aspects of healthcare which are not available in this region. After a survey of the several medical institutions in Moyo District, we were able to narrow down the plan to key areas (dental and ophthalmology) and to look at ways to implement the plan without forfeiting our highest goal of caring for the eternal and spiritual needs of the people we are here to serve (through strengthening church leaders, providing literature, sharing the Gospel and making disciples). The word which brought the most encouragement and hope to us during our debriefing was: “WE”!! I cannot count how many times Jacob and I heard that word and it was music to our ears and a comfort to our hearts. Collaboration is a lovely and necessary thing–especially if long-term change and benefit is the goal!

As we work towards the goals and plans discussed during the visit of the IHM of ABWE, we can continue to collaborate in many different ways–which describes well what happened last week.

On Wednesday, April 3rd, we received and hosted 51 visitors at the campus of Reaching Africa’s Unreached (RAU). Paul Ortega arrived with 8 other Texans from the USA and Dr. Esther and Dr. Edith (from Mbale) and Dr. Ronnie (from Kampala) came with 37 physicians and nurses from Mbale and Kampala. Several years ago, Paul’s ministry (E5 Outreach), Pearl Haven Church in Mbale (Living Water Ministries) and The Fellowship Church (Kampala) had partnered together to bring a medical team for ministry in the Metu Mountains. A second outreach was planned for the end of 2022, but the Ebola scare shut those plans down until this year. This year, there were no roadblocks!

Though we have never hosted such a big group before, the medical team and the Texas team made our role easy because of their gracious acceptance of the facilities and food we had to offer. When I apologized for any lack of convenience or provision, Dr. Edith, one of the TOP surgeons at Cure Hospital in Mbale, was quick to say that, when they have gone to remote places to provide medical clinics, they often go without eating all day and then have to cook their evening meal when they get back. Her humility and graciousness warmed my heart. It was all the more a joy to welcome and serve them.

Both teams joyfully and compassionately served the 1372 adults and children that came through over 3 days: On Thursday the 4th, the Clinic was at RAU campus, Friday, the 5th at Aya Baptist Church and Saturday, the 6th at the Arapi/Gbari community church. On each Clinic day, we had patients moving through 7 different stations: 1) Registration, 2) Triage, 3) Clinical exam, 4) Chiropractic therapy, 5) Counseling and prayer, 6) Lab and, 7) Pharmacy. On Day 2, at Aya and Arapi/Gbari, some of the Texas and Mbale crew provided special activities and ministry for the many children that came around. At the end of each day, the whole group gathered for debriefing and evaluation, sharing what happened, what went well, what didn’t go well and suggestions for improvement. I was so impressed with this process. It was done with humility and graciousness and a whole lot of wisdom.

The teams brought with them donated medications, lab tests and “Mama kits” (which are neatly packaged items that pregnant mothers need for delivery). Some items were borrowed from nearby clinics–such as scales, tables and chairs. Besides the medical team from South Central Uganda, there were a number of nurses/clinicians from Moyo District who came and helped and many interpreters and local pastors who were needed to bridge the communication gap.

Written records show that 209 made professions of faith. Names and contacts are recorded so that follow up can be done with them by pastors with the goal that they become a part of local church.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

The 3 days of ministry were long and arduous, made more difficult by the unrelenting heat. We truly felt bad for the hundreds of people who were waiting to be seen and, as they say here, “chasing the shade“. Though the teams were tired from traveling or a long day of work, each day started and ended with prayer and worship (see video).

This medical event gave me great hope that there are many who have a heart of service given freely. Many of the doctors and nurses were heard to say, during the debrief and evaluation, the words, “next time, we need to...”. That, also, is music to our ears!!

On Sunday morning, the medical team from Mbale and Kampala headed back home for their upcoming work week. The Texas team stayed on to spend the extra day with us back in the Metu Mountains for Arapi/Gbari Community Church’s service. Our hearts are turned toward them with compassion as their lives are so difficult and, yet the joyfulness with which they worship amazes us. Please keep praying for them (for all in the mountains and in the West Nile) that God’s goodness would overflow to them, especially through their ability to develop income-producing skills.

With just a week in between events, we are trying to recuperate and ready ourselves for “the next thing” in RAU’s Hall of Tyrannus. It begins on Monday, May 15th and continues until May 20th, as we welcome a teaching team (authors of the book) and around 50 attendees for “Helping Without Hurting In Africa”. Please be praying for this to be life- and perspective-changing for those that attend.

Pray for perseverance for us. We have another upcoming retreat May 29th-June 2nd. Ron Zeiner, long time friend and Old Testament scholar is teaching an Old Testament Survey module.

On Saturday, we had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Rebekah Bullen, a young lady who is giving her life to serve 200 children in Karamajong region of Uganda. Her desire to see a generation raised up from infancy/childhood to know the Lord and to hope in His good plans for them is an inspiration. We praise God for her (and her parents) and for all those who have joined together to raise up such a ministry in a difficult place. May the Lord bless those plans and do a great work of grace among those children.

A special thank you to all who financially support RAU. We encourage you as you are able to support the Pryce family and the Langworthy family who are joining us long term at RAU.

In His loving, sovereign grip

Jacob and Carol Lee

PayPal Link for donations: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WAR99DL4JFWXQ

Donations are tax deductible

Checks may be written to RAU and sent to our secretary and she will deposit them into RAU’s account: Lifegate-RAU, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin, TX. 78155

Go to RAU’s Facebook page for up to date reports, pictures, musings, and exhortations: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

RAU YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRmHafoBSemE7jS8kEHCG6Q/videos

RAU’s Mission and Vision Statements/Statement of Faith: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/about/

The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it!

Sowing seeds of love and kindness should not be separated from preaching the gospel of sovereign grace but completely intertwined with it!

When at least 35% of the world; “the unoccupied fields”, have no access to the gospel, we (believers) must all do all we can to reach them. We who are saved owe the gospel to every lost person, most especially the 2.4 billion who will not hear unless someone breaks into their “unoccupied field” with no thought of their own life!

I am sure that none of us will say when in heaven that we prayed too much, we sacrificed too much, proclaimed the gospel too much, and were too passionate to get the gospel to those who have little to no access to this gospel of grace. Let us together press on to make it our  ambition to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named!

Our goal in our gospel witness is to take our eyes off the “risk” and place them on the cause for the risk. When God compels us like this he often will not tell us the risks…after all there are no risks for the all-knowing, all-powerful God. So let us be AMBITIOUS (Romans 15:20) to see that ALL are reached with the gospel of grace (Romans 1:16) in ALL places…there are no closed doors to the gospel, just some which are more difficult to go through!

Jacob Lee

By Jacob Lee

Carol and I appreciate your prayers and support. Carol’s and my first ministry trip to Uganda was in 2006 and my first ministry trip to the Moyo area was in 2007. Our permanent move to RAU in Fodia/Afoji was in 2013.  We are so grateful to those who have stood with us from the beginning and those who have joined us along the way. Thank you!  The Lord has been providentially leading and guiding. It is easier to see this when looking back. Most often, we do not not see God’s providence in the present but there are times that God does grant us that privilege. That is the case currently and I want to share these “providential moments” with you so you, too, can rejoice with us and pray together with us.

“From Genesis to Revelation, the providence of God directs the entire course of redemptive history. Providence is “God’s purposeful sovereignty.” Its extent reaches down to the flight of electrons, up to the movements of galaxies, and into the heart of man. Its nature is wise and just and good. And its goal is the Christ-exalting glorification of God through the gladness of a redeemed people in a new world.”

John Piper in his book “Providence“

In our last newsletter entitled “The Welcome Hope of Spring” Carol reviewed God’s beautiful hand of providence. She wrote of training pastors in the Hall of Tyrannus, the launching 9 more books of the Bible into Aringa, and the delivery of the rest of 600,000 dual language tracts and the arrival of thousands of theological books for church leaders. After sending out “The Welcome Hope of Spring” newsletter, we are continuing to see the hand of God’s providence at work in various ways.

                   1 Chronicles 29:11 says, “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.”

A fellow missionary who lives in Moyo sent us a message that she had met an interesting team passing through Moyo and had given them a ride across the border into South Sudan. She told us that their mission was to put in gospel radio stations. I have shared with some of you in the past that establishing a gospel radio station at RAU has always been on my missionary “bucket list“. Nearly everyone all day long listens to the radio on their phones. The next day, I was thinking more about it. Carol and I prayed about it in our morning devotions: “Lord, it would be wonderful to have a gospel radio station here at RAU…we could do so much with it, advancing the gospel…would you provide a way to meet these people?”  Almost immediately after our prayer, our missionary friend called and said the team wanted to come to RAU and visit. Michael Gwartney, who heads “Radio South Sudan,” and his team came to RAU and we had a wonderful visit. Shortly after their arrival I told Michael about always desiring a radio station here at RAU. Michael, a fellow Texan, said “Jacob, if you get a radio license from Uganda and promise to run and care for it we will put up the radio tower, give you the equipment and teach your team how to use it.” Truthfully, I was taken aback at such a generous offer. He did also say that it is not easy to get a license and it is costly. Then, he looked at our water tower and said that the antenna could be attached to the tower and brought up higher and he looked at the covered lean-to next to the container and told me that it could be made into a perfect studio. We continued talking while touring around the RAU campus. Before he left I told him I would look into getting that license. The next day I contacted Thomas, RAU’s CFO. He immediately wrote a letter to Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) and began assessing costs of getting a license. Thomas has shared what he had heard from the UCC accounting section. The first time costs/taxes/consultations, as well as one-year license (which has to be renewed yearly) is right at $13,000. My estimate to get the studio built and ready is around $5000, making the total on RAU’s side to be $18,000 (give or take). Michael and team, with Radio South Sudan, would set up the station and give the equipment and train the staff. RAU’s goal would be to use the station for gospel preaching, biblical teaching, gospel and Christ-centered music and community development such as agricultural teaching and health training! Does this sound like an act of God’s Providence? If you think this might be a good investment, would you be a part of God’s provision for the $18,000?

Carol wrote in our last newsletter about receiving another team from ABWE–members of their International Healthcare Ministries (IHM) and leaders within ABWE–with the goal being able to benefit from the collective wisdom gleaned from their decades of combining Evangelism, Discipleship and Healthcare around the world. The team has come and gone. What a wonderful four days we had with them! The fellowship was sweet, and the wise counsel they gave was priceless! We did a ministry survey of our area with the plan of discussing together how RAU can keep ministering to the people of our area with the Gospel and all that goes with it—loving people who are on their way to an eternity without Jesus unless they repent and believe the Gospel and who are suffering in many ways because of their lack of access to services that we take for granted. We came away with the short term plan of trying to provide some much needed dental care and also, potentially, some eye care (ophthalmology/optometry). The Moyo district officials (whom we met with at RAU) said they would be so very happy to see such care given in Moyo District. Caleb Mitchel, our missionary team member and ABWE’s Regional leader who lives in Jinja, told us about a dental clinic there called, “Hope Smiles“, that is doing a wonderful ministry of going to remote places and providing dental clinics and doing oral hygiene teaching. He met them while getting some dental care in their clinic in Jinja…another act of God’s providence. They were excited about coming to RAU! They would plan to come to RAU 3-4 times a year. On our side we would like to see if they are interested in setting up more of a permanent clinic on our property. In their week-long mission, they would bring four dentists, assistants, chairs and all their equipment! Any dental team would be most welcome to join them when they are with us. In our area, the only dental care is basically extraction! Our hope is that between ABWE (our partner organization who is sending us 2 long term missionaries, the Pryce’s and Langworthy’s) and RAU, we can raise the money to do the 3-4 clinics per year. Caleb is working to raise $5000 for each clinic visit. That would cover all costs for Hope Smiles plus give some extra to facilitate getting people to RAU from places too far to walk. If your heart is touched to help us with these dental clinics please consider giving a financial gift to assist us. Thank you!

Let’s continue the story of providence. After leaving RAU, three members of the ABWE leaders’ team traveled to Tanzania to meet with ABWE missionaries in Tanzania. On the plane ride, Caleb sat next to a lady who lives in Kampala and  is program manager for The Fred Hollows Foundation in Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi. Their main focus is eye care. They train high-level Ugandan nurses in eye care. They also do outreaches and major eye surgeries. She was so excited to hear about RAU and the goal of helping people in Moyo. Hmmm…another example of God’s providence? Caleb and I are looking into bringing them to RAU to chat about short term and long term ministry care and if we could interest them (both Hope Smiles and The Fred Hollows Foundation) in setting up a joint base on RAU land. “If we build” the clinic buildings, “they will come“??!! We are going to at least ask. Pray with us please! Perhaps you are one who’s touched to help us build the clinic buildings.Please pray with and for us as we seek to add dental and eye care to the pastoral and agricultural training at RAU. 

Speaking of agriculture….I think this is going to be the best mango season we have had at Reaching Africa’s Unreached!  I jokingly tell people that I preach grafted mangoes second only to the gospel–telling visitors and leaders that if they plant grafted mangoes the market will come to them. And true it is. Someone from Kampala came and wanted all the mangoes we have and now others who are closer are coming as well and seeking to out-bid the others.

In our agricultural training, we want to keep teaching and promoting grafted mangoes as long term income for our local community–an investment that keeps on giving. This last Thursday, we had four of the top political leaders in the district come and see (box gardens and grafted mangoes) and they said this is what the President of Uganda actually spoke about some years ago when he visited Moyo. RAU currently has 640 grafted mangoes at various stages. We have a new 5.6 acres on which we are planting another 270 grafted mangoes. It has been a lot of work. In a couple of the pictures you can see the holes that are dug in this new land along with the current mango grove in the background. We are seeking to empower our local community through these efforts. Looking back, we see how, in God’s providence, our mission organization has been able to purchase the current 25.6 acres. Buying land in Africa is not an easy task. The RAU location is alongside a dirt road which is going to be tarmacked and will become  a major trading route between Uganda and Juba the capital of South Sudan. Being able to purchase this land was surely an act of God’s providence.  Please pray with us in this! We are grateful for M.A.R.S. who has supported RAU for nearly 10 years in the agricultural side of the ministry.

Also, in our discussions with ABWE, the survey team saw that the new 5.6 acres which is attached to the campus would be an ideal place for Bible Institute for long term, in-depth training of church leaders. Pray with us that this vision would receive God’s blessing, direction and provision. It was Providential that RAU was able to get the land. We wonder, is it part of God’s providential purpose to establish a Bible Institute to supply pastors in our Sub-Saharan area where the church is growing fastest in the world?

Please be in prayer for these upcoming events in May:

1)  May 4-6th we are hosting three medical outreaches sponsored by our gospel friends with Pearl Haven Ministries and led by Paul Ortega, a dear friend from Texas. A few years back, they came for the same type of ministry event; many were cared for and a good number of people trusted Christ as Lord and Savior. Medical care as well evangelistic proclamation will be happening one day at RAU, one day at Aya Baptist Church and one day at Arapi/Gbari Community Church . Check out their Uganda ministry page here: https://pearlhaven.org/uganda-medical-mission?fbclid=IwAR0c5JXwTzto14acZZQWrkIjs-6ncf8FimCP9wmDzO5nu2iC946vQzguLtE The team will lead a worship service at Arapi/Gbari on Sunday the 7th. Nine members of the team will be coming from Texas and around 35 Ugandan health care workers are from Mbale, Uganda. Pearl Haven and Paul Ortega’s ministry have purchased many medicines and are financing the ministry. Praise God for Pearl Haven’s heart for the people of Moyo! Thank you Pearl Haven! We expect to minister the love of Jesus to hundreds. God’s loving providence in action! Please pray for us!  

2) On May 15th-20th we are hosting a Module training using the workbook “Helping Without Hurting in Africa. We have the workbooks printed out for the students. Author and Ugandan economist, Jonny Kabiswa Kyazze, and missionary Anthony Sytsma will be leading the teaching sessions. Anthony’s wife, Sara, will do breakout sessions on a fireless cooker (a way to prepare food like beans using little firewood/charcoal), using plants to protect beans/maize from pests in storage, why it is important to care for the soil and how to do so, different ways to manage pests, using green manure cover crops to improve the soil, and nature ways of dehydrating fruits. How is it that such gifted teachers would be with us? It is part of God’s providential plan for them and our students to be together.

3) We have an Old Testament pastoral module May 29th- June 2nd. Long time friend and Old Testament scholar, Ron Zeiner, will be with us. He also will be in local churches the two weekends he is with us. Carol and I have known Ron and his wife Joanna since the early 1980’s. They served a number of years in South Africa as missionaries. What a blessing and gift Ron will be to those who sit under his exposition of the Old Testament–he has painstakingly distilled each book of the Old Testament to its core message in God’s story. Currently, Ron is the pastor of Bread of Life Church in Uvalde, Texas. Bread of Life Church has been a faithful supporter of Reaching Africa’s Unreached. In God’s providential plan, we met the Zeiners in the early 80’s and now he is soon to arrive back to RAU to teach!

4)  Please be in special prayer for the Republic of (North) Sudan. Geographically, the Republic of Sudan is quite a bit north of us.The country of South Sudan is between us in Moyo, Uganda and the Republic of Sudan.  We have many friends from there who have come to module training’s at RAU over the years. In God’s providence, they have sat in the RAU Hall of Tyrannus and are now back among their tribes which have very very few Christians. These men are what I have called refugees twice removed. First, they fled to South Sudan and then, when the civil war broke out in South Sudan, they had to flee to the refugee settlements near us in Uganda. Many have gone back to tribes which are, in most cases, 99% Muslim. Through these brothers and the contacts we have through them, we have been able to send 100’s of Study Bibles, books, gospel tracts and Kindle Fires loaded with books and Arabic gospel films. Most of the materials have been in Arabic but there have also been some English ESV Global Study Bibles. One brother who is Khartoum has been sending me reports from the ground that the situation is bad. Another brother from Darfur said the situation is continuing to get worse. A.S. Ibrahim has a good article in World magazine on the conflict entitled, “A Civil War in the Making”  If you want to keep up with events related to Islam in the world, in the USA , and on our gospel call to reach Muslims, he is, in my opinion, the key Christian voice to hear. His “Concise Guide” books are great . I have had the privilege of sitting in his office several times and visiting one of his classes at Southern Seminary. Pray, pray and pray!

In closing, let me share some of my personal thoughts on our hope for the future for which we have been earnestly seeking the Lord’s mercy, grace, and guidance. In previous posts, we have shared  that we (Carol and I) see our calling to the Sub-Saharan region as being “road builders”, laying down foundations, helping pave the way for future generations of long term missionaries who have the passion of working side by side with our African brothers and sisters, carrying forward RAU’s vision in walking out 2 Timothy 2:2 (teaching faithful ones who will teach others). Though I would like to think we have many years, even decades ( I am ready to be buried here), still ahead of us, we have tried to be realistic and biblical in recognizing that our days are numbered and we must, therefore, prepare for the time when we are not able to serve or are not around to serve! Just as Moses raised up “his Joshua” and Paul “his Timothy“, if lasting and sustainable impact is to be felt, we MUST prepare. It would be a travesty to come to the end and have no one to whom we can pass the baton, no one who will continue the race and fulfill all that God, through RAU’s efforts, has planned for the West Nile region and beyond. In light of that, we have prayed earnestly for ones to whom we can pass the baton. In all our searching, the Lord has providentially seen fit to bring ABWE into view and into our lives in such a way that RAU and ABWE recognize that we are all about the same mission and having the same doctrine. We each love what the other is doing! ABWE has 100 years of experience as a mission organization and cares for around 1000 missionaries. Of most importance to Carol and me is the primacy of the local church in missions. This is also the heart of ABWE. In the context of being a foreign NGO in Uganda, we have often wondered what would happen to RAU if Carol and I were not around since we are the vision-bearing and fund-raising “arm” of the organization–that is, until we met missionaries and leaders within ABWE and experienced their encouraging desire to partner with us and find the right ones to whom we could hand over leadership and vision. We have seen with our eyes the kind, providential, loving hand of God and our hope has been fueled! As we return to the USA for furlough and fundraising/visiting/encouragement in July, one of our first engagements is to attend ABWE’s New Missionary Orientation so that we can become Associate missionaries with this missionary sending agency. Before the orientation Carol and I will have an oral doctrinal examination by ABWE’s Africa director in the presence of our local sending church leaders at Lifegate in Seguin, Texas. It is done with all their incoming missionaries. I see this as a very positive thing!  As Associates, we remain “RAU” and two separate entities but this category allows us to work more closely together and to be invested together in the future of RAU.  Our trust is in the Lord, but also in the means of his providential guidance and we are so grateful. There are still many unknown paths and processes to discover and work through, but at least we KNOW this!–God has providentially seen to it that our “Joshua’s and Timothy’s” are actively working to get here! Praise the Lord!! We covet your prayers in all this! Thank you!

As I was writing the paragraph above, the article below came to my email inbox. Just another gracious glimpse of God’s providence!

Jon Bloom’s article is entitled: “Appointed and Disappointed: Four Lessons for Passing Leadership”

“…for every calling we embrace, there will eventually be a corresponding calling to release…John (the Baptist) was more in love with the God of his calling than his calling from God. What gave him joy was seeing the bride increasingly drawn to the bridegroom. And when his role in helping make that happen began to diminish, it didn’t diminish his joy. He quietly and happily began to step aside. John the Baptist taught me to love the increase of Jesus’s glory more than my role in that increase. And he taught me that the way a leader relinquishes his role for Jesus’s sake might just speak loudest of his love for Jesus…”

A special thank you to all who financially support RAU. We encourage you as you are able to support the Pryce family and the Langworthy family who are joining us long term at RAU.

We welcome and would greatly appreciate any others who would pray and consider financially linking your arms with ours in spreading the fame of King Jesus in our West Nile of Uganda, South Sudan, and the Republic of (North) Sudan.

In His loving and sovereign grip,

Jacob and Carol Lee

PayPal Link for donations: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WAR99DL4JFWXQ

Donations are tax deductible

Checks may be written to RAU and sent to our secretary Beth and she will deposit them into RAU’s account : Lifegate-RAU, 395 Lifegate Ln., Seguin, TX. 78155

Go to RAU’s Facebook page for up to date reports, pictures, musings, and exhortations: www.facebook.com/ReachingAfricasUnreached

RAU YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRmHafoBSemE7jS8kEHCG6Q/videos

RAU’s Mission and Vision Statements/Statement of Faith: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/about/

The greatest evil is having the gospel and not doing everything within our power to get it to those who do not have it!

Sowing seeds of love and kindness should not be separated from preaching the gospel of sovereign grace but completely intertwined with it!

When at least 35% of the world; “the unoccupied fields”, have no access to the gospel, we (believers) must all do all we can to reach them. We who are saved owe the gospel to every lost person, most especially the 2.4 billion who will not hear unless someone breaks into their “unoccupied field” with no thought of their own life!

Sowing seeds of love and kindness should not be separated from preaching the gospel of sovereign grace but completely intertwined with it!

I am sure that none of us will say when in heaven that we prayed too much, we sacrificed too much, proclaimed the gospel too much, and were too passionate to get the gospel to those who have little to no access to this gospel of grace. Let us together press on to make it our  ambition to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named!

Our goal in our gospel witness is to take our eyes off the “risk” and place them on the cause for the risk. When God compels us like this he often will not tell us the risks…after all there are no risks for the all-knowing, all-powerful God. So let us be AMBITIOUS (Romans 15:20) to see that ALL are reached with the gospel of grace (Romans 1:16) in ALL places…there are no closed doors to the gospel, just some which are more difficult to go through!

Jacob Lee