by Jacob Lee
Carol and I have decided, after consulting with our immediate family, our home church, Lifegate, the RAU board of directors, and our sending agency, ABWE, to postpone our departure for furlough for the third time—from November 16 to late June. This Ebola strain is spreading quickly in eastern D.R. Congo (DRC). Poor medical care, rebel activity, mining camps, mistrust of treatment centers, inadequate payment for medical workers, and traditional burial practices in the DRC have intensified the crisis. Because many cases may go unreported or unconfirmed, the actual number of infections and deaths is likely much higher. As of November 12 there have ben 11,042 cases and 5,387 deaths since the outbreak was declared in mid-May.
Uganda responded swiftly in June and remains the best-prepared country in East Africa in preventing Ebola to spread within the country. Uganda’s efforts deserve recognition for a quick and serious response. Uganda’s western border with eastern DRC presents significant challenges. Reports from Kenya and Nigeria underscore the limitations of relying on screening alone to detect Ebola. On November 1, the United States strengthened its entry requirements for USA citizens arriving from Uganda. As Jesus teaches, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and must act responsibly to do no harm to our “neighbor”.
Another important consideration moving our stateside trip is that family members and grandchildren are in school during the months we were planning to be there, so they have very limited time off. Additionally, traveling in America during the winter months can be especially challenging.
It will soon be two full years since we were last in the States. This has been an incredibly difficult decision, especially as our ten grandchildren are growing up so quickly, but we believe it is the wisest, most prudent, and loving choice at this time. Please keep us, our children, their spouses, and our grandchildren in your prayers. Thank you for praying for us.
Here are a few ministry updates:
Village Churches in the Metu Mountains
Nine village church plants in the rural, rugged Metu Mountains continue to move toward joining the Baptist Union of Uganda. RAU has partnered with Aya and Ijujo Baptist churches to reach these villages since our arrival in 2013, and the congregations have now voted to join the Union.
Church plants should not remain dependent on those who planted them, and they need the blessing of being connected to the church at large, so this step brings us great joy. RAU remains ready to come alongside these churches with encouragement and discipleship whenever invited.Please pray for growth in health and numbers.
Logoba Baptist Church: Teaching and a Growing Need
Whenever we are not in the Metu Mountains or Yumbe, Carol and I look to worship in nearby Logoba Baptist Church, just a couple of kilometers from us. The church is led by Pastor Ochan Sam, who has attended several RAU training modules in the Hall of Tyrannus.
Pastor Ochan Sam
Pastor Ochan Sam provides solid, engaging teaching. He preaches through entire books of the Bible, considers the context rather than cherry-picking passages, addresses the congregation’s questions, and uses the resources provided. He also asks members to read the assigned text before the following week’s service. Carol has been attending the weekly Bible study on Thursdays in addition to meeting with one of the members, Rose, for conversational Ma’di.
Current Logoba Baptist Church structure. Corners are set on the 1.5 acres of church land.
The congregation has outgrown its small meeting structure, which offers inadequate protection from the weather as the tarpaulins are riddled with holes. Thankfully, the church has 1.5+- acres available for a new house of worship and community fellowship and outreach. If you would like to help us build a lasting structure—one that can serve until Jesus returns—please message me: JacobLeeRAU@gmail.com
Encouraging Road Developments
Road Improvements in Moyo and Yumbe
We are greatly encouraged by the roadwork in Moyo and Yumbe Districts, which is making our travel faster and much much less bumpy. Our speed has now even changed from 5-10 kilometers per hour to over 70 kilometers per hour.We have anticipated these improvements since plans were announced around the time of our arrival in 2013. Now we are seeing—and feeling—the results!
Celebrating Zorah’s Graduation
On November 6, our co-worker Onette Zorah was awarded a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Organizational Leadership by Africa Renewal University. Congratulations to Zorah on the hard work that led to this achievement. His degree is an asset both to him and to Reaching Africa’s Unreached.
Equipping Church Leaders
Each week, we continue to distribute resources to church leaders which include:
- Africa Study Bibles:Remaining 8,000+- of the 16,000 received in the last 18 months
- ESV Outreach Bibles:408 remaining of the 83,000 received via Global Christian Book Fund last two years
- ESV Global Study Bibles: 160 remaining of the 35,000+ via Crossway International in the last 13 years
- Dual-language tracts and booklets :Began with 600,000 received 6 years ago and Message of Hope 8,000 printed by Ekisinga Publishing
- Africa Statement on the Prosperity Gospel and Word of Faith Movement booklets
- Sound theological books: Many 1000’s over the years
Ministry and Fellowship in Yumbe
Worship at Pilgrim Church
On November 7 and 8, we visited Yumbe town and district. After the Sunday church service on the 8th, we enjoyed lunch at Aringa co-worker Charles’s home. I affectionatly call him my Aringa Maedonian man. Carol and I were reflecting on what a one-of-a-kind friend he has been to us here in Uganda. We have worked closely with him since 2013.
Pilgrim Church, a strong evangelical Church of Uganda, has grown to offer three Sunday services. I had the privilege of preaching from 1 Corinthians 3:5–15 at the 8AM service:
- 6:00 AM: A packed English-language service
- 8:00 AM: A service (English) with standing room only
- 11:00 AM: A local-language service
The congregation’s passion and eagerness to hear the Word preached is unlike much of what I have seen in West Nile. I would estimate that 80% of those attending were under 40 years old.
I was told that some Muslims in Yumbe are becoming deeply concerned about the growth of Christianity among the Aringa. The Aringa are registered as an unreached people group.
Bible Study at Pilgrim Church and Evangelism Outreach in Lomunga
On Saturday, November 7, Carol and I spent about four hours with 50 eager “Bereans.” Carol taught them how to study the Bible and use the Africa Study Bible (ASB). The session was held at Pilgrim Church. Each participant received an ASB, a packet of books and booklets, and notes from our lessons. I led an in-depth study of 1 Corinthians 3:5–15.
At about 3 PM, we went to Lomunga, just outside Yumbe town, for one-on-one and open-air evangelism. The outreach was intense: many Muslims stayed to hear the preaching, asked for Bibles, and read our dual-language gospel tracts. With a smile, I approached Muslims who held strong convictions and whom the team had initially been hesitant to engage. We had good conversations.
For 13 years, RAU has worked in Yumbe through gospel proclamation and friendly dialogue with local sheikhs and imams on “Who Is Jesus?” These friendships with senior Muslim leaders have opened opportunities for conversation with them and with Muslims in places such as Lomunga.
Continued Vision for an RAU Branch in Yumbe
RAU’s primary calling is to come alongside local churches through theological training in the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. As churches grow, leaders need training to help their congregations remain healthy and rooted in these essential truths.
That growth is happening in Yumbe, and we want to do our part. Our passion for getting the RAU branch fully up and running has only increased since this last weekend.
Please join us in two ways:
- Pray with us for this vision to become a reality.
- Prayerfully consider giving to help put “flesh” on the vision.
- Feel free to contant me, Jacob Lee, with any questions: JacobLeeRAU@gmail.com
Read a detailed overview of the Proposed RAU Yumbe On-the Ground Branch here: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/new-proposed-rau-yumbe-on-the-ground-branch/
Thank you for standing with us, for taking an interest in, and for partnering with us in all we seek to do!
“Reaching Africa’s Unreached” was placed on our hearts in 2007. We know we are standing on the shoulders of many who have gone before us! Carol and I are very grateful for your prayers, words of encouragement, and support.
We ask for your continued prayers and financial support!
*Information on giving to Reaching Africa’s Unreached: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/donations/
RAU YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@jacoblee2082/videos
At our website, www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org , are many pictures, videos, blog posts which help flesh out our mission and calling from our Lor and Savior Jesus.
“There is no success without sacrifice. If you succeed without sacrifice it is because someone has suffered before you. If you sacrifice without success it is because someone will succeed after you” Missionary Adoniram Judson (1788-1850)
Love and blessings from both of us!
Jacob and Carol Lee
