By Carol Lee
Hello, family and friends!
This is a long overdue update on the RAU ministry and the comings and goings of Jacob and Carol Lee! Sorry for that. We were traveling from the middle of June until the first week of October. Sincerely, we are overjoyed to be back in our home on the RAU campus. And, while all the travel was physically taxing, my often spoken phrase was, “the travel is hard, but the destinations and the people are wonderful!!“. We thank God for the many reunions with family and longtime friends and for the new friends we met along the way. In all our travels we are grateful to the Lord for safety–from mid-June up to our travel back here in the beginning of October.
Here is an overview of the places and faces:
Our first stop was beautiful Cape Town, South Africa, where we gathered with other missionaries from ABWE (our partnering Mission Agency) to retreat, be refreshed, get acquainted and worship and grow together in the Lord. What a privilege! Our time there was an enjoyable mixture of fellowship, deeper friendship, and enjoying the natural beauty of Cape Town.
Over the course of our 3-month furlough in the US, we traveled to at least 18 different destinations (some close by and some far away). Our first and last Sundays are always our hometown of Seguin, TX, with our home and sending church, Lifegate. Over the last 3 years the Lopez family has given us the gift of a home away from home in their backyard cabin and they have been the best of neighbors, loving us so graciously.
Jacob had the privilege of preaching from Acts 26:15-23 at Lifegate on our first Sunday back. In my books, there is nothing as close to heaven as worshiping in your mother tongue with rich and beautiful “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” and do so with people you have known and loved for decades. The church provided a much anticipated “potluck” lunch — an opportunity eat a broad choice of yummy foods, to hug necks long known and to acquaint ourselves with new members–which, as always, never disappoints–either the food or the faces!
After some days to get our time zones switched, we took off to Burnet, Texas, where we were reunited with brothers and sisters from Hill Country Fellowship (HCF)–we knew the lead pastor, Scott Frerking, when he was just a lad! We were able to catch up with the team which HCF sent for a “come and see” visit and were welcomed in the home of Ben and Margaret Ward (though Ben was in the hospital at the time–thankfully, all went well for him). On Sunday, Jacob preached from Romans 15:20 and 2 Timothy 2:2/Acts 19:10 on having godly ambition, encouraging each listener to take advantage of every opportunity to share the Gospel message just as the Apostle Paul did–in ease or the uncertainty of prison. The flood of support afterward from the congregants is evidence of the priority HCF has for cheerful participation in Kingdom work, especially toward our fundraising goal for 20,040 Africa Study Bibles.
During our Stateside visit, RAU initiated a fundraising effort towards 20,040 Africa Study Bibles. Oasis Publishing and Christian Book-International Outreach jump-started the effort with $50,000 each toward the total purchase price of $278,832. HCF contributed generously in the same spirit!
Being so near to Stephenville, it was an easy drive from Burnet to see our daughter, Anna, and the 3 children. Kenny was away on a short term mission trip to Bolivia, using his building skills there. Jacob and I enjoyed precious time with them–short, but knowing we would visit again in August when Kenny was back.
From Stephenville, we stopped to visit with my brother, Dave and his wife, Tanya, and their daughter and 4 kids (in Stonewall, Texas)–a very delightful time–it was much too short!! Traveling on to Comfort, Texas, we spent time with our dear friends and partners in mission, Stephen and Maddie McConnell and Eric and Brenda Vordenbaum. It gave us an opportunity to also give greetings to the church which they attend: Comfort Baptist Church. These two families have stood with us from the beginning and we praise God for their love and prayers for us and the RAU ministry.
After one “down day” in Seguin, we headed to Colorado to see Josh, Becca and their 6 kids. While there, we packed in the maximum amount of fun possible, taking walks, getting treats, going on a fun adventure to Scheels, hiking beautiful mountain trails, and eating good food. After finishing our favorite traditional Lord of the Rings movie trilogy on our last night, we anticipated the “water works” (which included us) as we said our yearly goodbyes. As painful as the goodbyes are, a heartening aspect of those tears is the realization that you only cry and grieve the loss of something or someone you love–and there was a lot of love!!
Again, another “down day” in Seguin–and we were headed back to Stephenville–this time, to see Kenny and family and our Rocky Point Baptist church family. Jacob was given the opportunity to preach on Sunday and then, that evening, a number of our Rocky Point friends invited us to share our needs, and then prayed over us. A highlight for Jacob during our stay with Anna and Kenny each time is the frequent walks that Jacob takes with the girls to the corner gas station where they have been building a friendship with the managers who are from Nepal and sharing the Gospel. The Danleys have been able to follow up with Nepalese Christian literature and invite them to church. We enjoyed many outings to parks and restaurants and to the homes of mutual friends–together! I enjoyed “beauty salon treatment” by one of our granddaughters.
The most endearing aspect of our visits with our children (and their children) is having a snapshot of “normal, everyday life” with them. Even mundane things done with them is a joy.
The month of August was spent primarily in Texas, with the exception of two short trips to see friends and supporting churches in other States. We visited One Hope Church in Geronimo–one of the churches that has supported us from the very beginning. It is encouraging to see their faithfulness and fruitfulness as their church grows. Gospel Life Fellowship in New Braunfels is another church that has stood with us from the beginning. They are teaching their young ones to prioritize and pray for us and other missionaries and ministries. The fruit of that is a jar full of dollar bills and coins collected by the children while we are away and handwritten letters of love and prayers! On the last Sunday of August, we got to travel with some of our favorite people, Becky and Susano Galvan, to Mission City Fellowship–a church plant from Lifegate–on the south side of San Antonio. A benefit of being away for a while is that you see evidence of faithful outreach and of the “one another” verses that describe the church’s life together being lived out.
In the middle of August, we flew to Maryland to visit dear friends and church family from Forest Hill Presbyterian church. That is a yearly “trek” we enjoy to the hilt–a posh ensuite bedroom (Joel and Dawn give it up for us!!), delicious food and fellowship, and (because of Jason Van Bemmel’s planning) one of our all-time favorite activities–a hymn sing at the Raiber home. This year there were between 65 and 70 people there, from the very young to the more “vintage” ones like us (and maybe even a few more vintage than we are!!). Each year, Forest Hill sends Pastor Jason and Bob Brown along with others (including some of their teenage children) to teach a module for pastors on the RAU campus. Whenever we have a ministry project or idea, they are enthusiastic to support us!
Straddling August and September was our first time to Graniteville, South Carolina, where we met–in person–one of the two families that is raising support to join us at RAU–the Pryce’s (Ben and Sara) and the 4 of their 7 kids. An additional sweet treat was being picked up at the airport by Ron and Ann Washer, former missionaries to Togo and (Ron) former Africa Director for ABWE (with whom we are associate missionaries). There was no scarcity of conversation as we got to know not only the Pryce family better, but also their home church, Siloam Baptist Church, which we trust will, one day, be sending them over to us with their blessing!
As there were not enough Sundays to go around for all the churches we wanted to visit, we had two Wednesday night gatherings arranged–one at The Country Church in Marion, Texas and the other at PromiseLand Church in San Marcos, Texas. We are amazed at the way the Lord makes a way through the people we know to partner together in Kingdom work. The “flavors” of churches vary like night and day, but it is the same Lord we worship, the same Body to which we all belong, and the same goal of glorifying God that we seek.
September was an intense season of travel starting with Iowa where we stayed, first, with Jacob’s cousin, Gary and his wife, Marlene Aspenson, attending their church, Heartland, and having lunch after church with Gary, Marlene, lead Pastor David and his wife Kathy. They and their church have a heart to get the gospel to the nations. It was a delightful time of fellowship. In the afternoon/evening reuniting with other family members of Jacob was a rare and enjoyable event. With the use of one of the Aspenson’s vehicles, we made our way to West Union where we met up with Jacob’s sister, Jackie, and visited with his father in the Nursing home (always accepting that this could be the last time we see him on this earth). Following a short visit with Jacob’s brother, Jeff, we headed in a completely new direction–northwestern Iowa.
Most often, my brother John and wife, Nancy–along with one or two of their daughters–would drive from Albert City, Iowa, to meet up with us for a visit at Jackie’s home or somewhere nearby. This time, we decided to travel to their home in Albert City, Iowa where Rachael and Ruth also joined us. Though it was a short visit, it was impactful and joyful and so very worth the effort of traveling off the grid of our normal destinations.
The rest of our time in Iowa was spent in Marion, where Jackie lives For every visit, Jackie has been a wonderful host, organizing get togethers and giving us a comfortable place to lay our heads. On the Wednesday that we were there, she arranged for a gathering at her home, attended by other family members of Jacob. And who can go wrong with pizza?!!!
On a very early flight from Cedar Rapids, we flew to Chattanooga to visit our middle son Josiah and wife Unyae. Our Lyft driver to the Cedar Rapids airport was originally from an African country (as has been the case very often when we need “a lyft“). At the airport, Jacob felt compelled to give him an Africa Study Bible. The driver literally jumped up and down saying, “Wow! This is the best gift I have ever gotten!” He had said he was Muslim, so his reaction was a happy surprise.
Our time with Josiah and Unyae was particularly precious as they had recently announced that they were expecting their first child! And delight upon delight, Unyae’s best friend had organized a baby shower for them while we were there and during which we found out that they will be having a….BOY!! Once again, the greatest privilege was “just hangin’ out“, doing “stuff” together, having meaningful conversations, enjoying some great food and marveling with them at the progress of their new home build.
Our final visit this furlough was Louisville, Kentucky, where dear friends, Edward and Jennifer Heinze and Wayne and Nancy Reigel live and with whom we have a unique Uganda connection. Wayne and Nancy kindly picked us up from the airport and almost immediately upon our arrival at the Southern Seminary campus, Edward and Jennifer had arranged for me to be seen in the campus clinic. I had been suffering increasingly with a non-COVID cough and they were able to get me on medication that ensured that the rest of our visit was enjoyable. And we surely did enjoy our times together with both couples!! Dr. Stephen Wellum, professor at Southern Seminary, kindly drove us back to the Louisville airport. Jacob and I feel enveloped and superintended by love when we visit them.
A final visit from Kenny and Anna Danley and family! There were lots of tears and hugs when they went back to Stephenville! Again, tears = love!
We had one more “BIG EVENT” looming ahead of us once we returned to Seguin–packing the tubs and suitcases and getting ready to travel back to Uganda! After having had a bad cough for so long, and weary from traveling, I was dreading the process of filling tubs, weighing them precisely to be within the 50 lb. limit and labeling them for the final destination. Prayer, at this point, was not perfunctory, but a desperate plea for help. Graciously, by the time packing was a must, the Lord gave me wellbeing and energy, but Jacob started to feel poorly. As our final day approached, he needed to rest and I needed help. A wonderful sister in Christ, Susan Livernois, from our home church ,Lifegate, came to help and we “got ‘er done“!!
It was not only the weight of the tubs that concerned us but the weight of making it through several “obstacle” courses from the Austin Airport to the Entebbe Airport in Uganda. First, getting the tubs TO the airport–for the last several years, Mike Mercer and helpers (this year it was John Mashl) have lightened our load by transporting us and our luggage to Austin. That, alone, is a gift which goes beyond a dollar value. Second, getting our tubs checked in at the Delta airlines counter–will they weigh too much? Will they give us trouble about the number of luggage pieces? Will the people behind us roll their eyes at the wait? So much depends on the Agent at the counter. This year, a wonderful woman named Humble Koryan, an immigrant from Liberia (who had to flee from civil war) was our agent. Her feathers were not ruffled by our many cases. She was pleasant and got everything taken care of in a timely manner. Huge weight lifted!! Third, arriving in Entebbe, making it through customs and collecting our cases. No problem! The only glitch was that one tub was missing, but the Baggage Claim officer was able to identify its whereabouts and let us know that it would be on the next flight. And it was! The airport delivered it to the Guesthouse in which we were staying.
The journey from Entebbe to Moyo was long–15 hours–delayed by traffic, potholes, a “million” speed bumps and a 40 kms/hr speed limit through the Murchison Park detour which we had to take on account of the Karuma Bridge being under repairs. At least, I got a few good wild animal shots out of it!
So here we are–at the RAU campus, looking back at all the amazing people and places we visited since the middle of June. Often, folks ask us how our vacation was. Well, though we always have much in which to rejoice–as described above–we have never seen or thought of it as a vacation. It is part of the ministry to which we are committed: connecting with partners or those who wish to partner with us for what we believe is a significant Kingdom work as well as reconnecting with our family. When we reach RAU here in northwestern Uganda, we feel the weight lifted and we are home–in our own bed and routines and among people we also call family.
Jacob and I praise the Lord for Onette Zorah, and all those who remain here and keep things going while we are away. Zorah was and has been a faithful manager, keeping Jacob well-informed of the activities and issues that arise. The big project during our absence was the preparation of the 4 containers for all the resources that have come and will be coming soon. One of the earliest containers had been overtaken by termites and, unfortunately, had feasted on some of the books. That was a great loss. The solution was to remove all the wood flooring in the containers and fill them with a cement flooring. Termites will always pose a serious threat here, but at least the men have done their level best to make an unfriendly environment for them in the future.
Please pray for the following:
The Hope Smiles Dental clinic November 18th through the 22nd. Pray that we would be able to host more than one a year. It costs about $5,000 per 5-day clinic, including hosting the team here at RAU during that time.
Our work permits will need to be renewed in November. This time we are working for 10-year or permanent permits. We will have to briefly exit Uganda into South Sudan before the permits can be granted and then we will have to travel to Kampala to pick them up. We are grateful for our COO, Bukenya Patrick and our CFO, Kalunda Thomas who manage RAU’s organizational affairs at the home office in Kampala.
Continue to pray for and participate in the fundraising efforts for the 20,040 Africa Study Bibles. It is an impactful resource for pastors and leaders.
Jacob and I thank God so, so much for you all who pray for us, give to the ministry, write notes of encouragement, come and work with us, host us when we are Stateside, hug our necks, feed us and so much more!!! The ministry of RAU is an outworking of the vision and mission of local churches and our raison d’etre is to come alongside what God is doing in local churches on this side–encouraging and equipping leaders of churches in the West Nile of Uganda, South Sudan and in the Republic of Sudan. We have often said that, as a ministry, we are simply a pipeline of blessings that come from your hands and heart and are delivered to the ones we are here to serve.
Because of providential reasons there has been a drop in regular monthly support. One of those “providential” reasons being that some of the monthly givers were our age or older (Jacob turned 69 last September) and have gone to be with the Lord. People’s financial situations change from time to time and so we understand that priorities have to be adjusted. It is the regular monthly support that keeps the ministry engine running for the glory of God. If you are are not giving monthly would you prayerfully consider partnering with us in that way, but without hurting your giving to your local church. We would be so grateful! Thank you!
PayPal Monthly and/or one time giving link:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WAR99DL4JFWXQ&ssrt=1702909444355
Blessings, Prayers, and Appreciation!
Carol and Jacob Lee
www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org
What we do now in the Lord and for Him will echo throughout eternity for His praise and honor….all else is dust in the wind!
All donations are tax deductible–> https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WAR99DL4JFWXQ&ssrt=1702909444355
“It is our conviction that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16) and we have been entrusted to proclaim it passionately and rightly. Our dependence is upon the Holy Spirit for the power to preach, teach, live and endure all things for the sake of the elect. (1 Timothy 2:10). As Christians, we are called to lay down our lives so that the Gospel will be preached to all. As ones who are confident in God’s sovereignty and passionate for His glory we seek to reach the many that have never heard of the Savior and His work of reconciliation. We understand that this work cannot be accomplished in our own strength but only through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. The means He uses in His people are cross-centered living, sacrificial and loving service, Bible-soaked preaching/teaching, fervent intercessory prayer, and Christ-likeness.” (From Reaching Africa’s Unreached Mission & Vision Statement)
Checks also may be written out 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
Mission & Vision Statements: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/about/
Mercy Ministries: https://reachingafricasunreached.org/agriculture-project/
Blog Posts: www.ReachingAfricasUnreached.org
RAU’s YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRmHafoBSemE7jS8kEHCG6Q/videos
RAU Donation Page : https://reachingafricasunreached.org/donations/
Our ABWE Personal Donation Page: https://give.abwe.org/worker/2125
Our RAU/ABWE Uganda Ministry Operations/Projects Page: https://give.abwe.org/projects/rau-uganda-short-term-teams
RAU is in partnership with ABWE
Carol and I am grateful to be Associate Missionaries with ABWE.
Video Interview: What does it mean to be an Associate Missionary with ABWE?
Reaching Africa's Unreached 