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Osajai Busia 2005

Picture December 2005 of Timothy making Wordless Bracelets for Osajai's first VBS

"Osajai Bible School, the second theological school that we almost totally support, has brought the beginnings of a powerful revival to that Uganda border area. Seven additional Bible Schools have received substantial material helps from you and us during 2005. The relief container with tens of thousands of dollars worth of goods continues to help those schools and many Christian families. Six weekly children's classes over the city have been effective. The prayers of God's people will make these efforts and materials count for eternity." Howard - December 24th 2005

From: Howard and Bonnie Carlson
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2005 5:04 AM
Subject: Osajai Report

"We just talked to several who went to Osajai for a week of VBS training. Seven trained teachers went to Osajai to train the SS and VBS teachers of the churches there. They were amazed when 35 SS teachers showed up for the training sessions. Four days the trainers worked with the local teachers and then had a day of VBS practice. This is a huge first step and should dramatically improve the churches in the area. There were virtually no Sunday Schools operating and certainly no VBS work. A second session of training is planned for April.

Osajai Teacher's Training Session

NOTE: This good report for Osajai would not have been possible except for GO! Mission’s provision for transportation and expenses, and the many prayers offered up for the Uganda and Teso believers.

It is a Praise to our Heavenly Father for His answers to prayers.

These churches are in drought conditions and have nothing, but when undergirded by prayer and enabled by a gift, Howard said:
"they didn't hesitate to get right to the heart of the work of equipping their own for reaching children for Christ."

Osajai Busia

“…In 1994 we had a ground breaking for Estep Memorial Chapel. Rev. James Estep was my circuit rider preaching grandfather of long ago. We feel his many years of preaching the Gospel, until he was 87 years old, are worthy of a memorial. ..Raymond

“So we built the wall…for the people had a mind to work.” Nehemiah 4:6

After five journeys over the border and with the Lord’s help Raymond was given local government permission to hold Gospel services in Uganda. The churches are small and the people are extremely poor. They need our prayers and support. The Osajai Bible School courses offer Bible, Carpentry, and Tailoring. Pastors and their wives come to learn new skills and are Biblically trained.

The Carlsons were always on the look out for the old-fashioned treadle machines that could be used without electricity. Mrs. Ethyl Bradley from Tacoma, Washington, donated a lovely 1800’s model, and several others were found. One of the pastor’s wives became certified to teach the class.

In a 2004 report, FCB Student Joel N. wrote

"On reaching Osajai, I became speechless for what Raymond Carlson has done about Osajai Bible School, with the committee of that church. Actions speak louder than words. There were a lot of classes, teachers, and also a big church."

Current News at Osajai:

September 2004

"This is a picture of the partially completed Staff House. The thatch-covered round house is for the Principal. The new building will have two apartments 20 feet by 20 feet and will be a great addition. We were able to adjust the funds we had on hand to pay for almost the completion of the building. This Bible School, built by Raymond, now has 5 preacher students with two new applications. It is a beacon light in this area." Howard
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2004 10:43 AM


Staff house in the stages of completion.

“For they all made us afraid, saying,

Their hands shall be weakened from the work,

that is not done.

Now therefore, O God,

Strengthen their hands.”

Nehemiah 6:9

On May 16, 2004 A TRAGIC LOSS AT OSAJAI

Far right - Pastor Eppa and his wife

PASTOR EPPA STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

"Pastor Eppa Imaidoyi was struck by lightning and died in the hospital. Eppa was the first in his family to accept Christ. He was pastor of the largest church in the Teso area, lecturer at Osajai Bible School and also treasurer of the Bible School and effectively helping to extend the Gospel message into Uganda. God is in control of all and has a master plan which is good and will bring glory to His own name. We need to pray for our pastors and churches built on either side of the Ugandan border." Howard

On September 13, 2004 - NEW TESO LEADER AT OSAJAI

“David Okware is the principal of Osajai Bible School. He is a graduate of Faith College of the Bible and a gifted administrator. He is really pulling the Osajai School together. His salary as principal of the Bible School is about $45 per month. His rural church pays him a bit more. He does not complain at his poverty. He left a government school to take this job.” Howard - Monday, September 13, 2004 10:43 AM

Osajai Photo Album

Email note from Howard

“Raymond is the one who opened this whole area and led many to Christ.” Howard

Osajai 1971 - Some of these children were the future pastors!

In 1971 a student invited Raymond to evangelize amongst their people during a term break. It began with one student and grew to eleven.

This church in Western Kenya among the Teso people was started in 1972 as a result of a weekly prayer meeting in one of the church member’s houses… this school will become a center for our work all over western Kenya and into Eastern Uganda.”

The photo to the left are the first members in 1971. Lamu, a current 2005 student at FCB is likely a baby in this picture, being held in his mother's arms to the far right, and Moses O. also at FCB is the far left child in front row.

“Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the times to come;

that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1Timothy6:19

As Winston Churchill described UGANDA as the ‘Pearl of Africa.'

Raymond calls OSAJAI the

'Door to Uganda'

“

This first church structure above, made of sticks and mud, finally fell down, and it was again time to build.

		When the people of Tseo were allowed to open their own IPC Bible School Raymond taught classes in the Theological department. A great deal of his time was consumed with building a home base in Western Kenya for the IPC. This was strenuously carried out at Osajai. The funds mostly came from Raymond’s pocket and immediate family members.
		First a large church was built on top of a hill. Afterwards three rooms were built for a Bible school, and a small room for sleeping. Next was a thatched round traditional house, followed by a three room guest house. .It didn’t end there. A carpentry building was set, and lastly there are bricks and footings dug for a clinic, cooking, or dining. The work is staffed by 4 national (African) teachers, and is completely self-sufficient. Raymond works to provide equipment, supplies, and scholarships, but asks them to help pay salaries.

The Pastor's Room

Carpentry Classroom

The Congregation of Busia and their new church

The Osajai choir family

.Raymond and Howard at a meeting with the men at Osajai

Raymond with Moses and his family. Moses was a graduate and pastor at Osajai.

1999 Osajai Graduation.

Howard with (r to l) Lamu, Joel and Rueben

Below - The FCB Student Evangelism Team at Osajai

Summer - 2004 The FCB Evangelism Team visited and rested at Osajai on their way to Uganda.

Joel N wrote:

"God is great, for He really helped us to go there throughout the night [Nairobi to Malaba on a rough, all-night bus trip].... Lamu, our leader, booked eighteen bicycles [boda bodas with drivers] to take us to Osajai. When we were going, I thought of how missionary work needs a lot of dedication."

Another FCB Student wrote:

"We started our journey from the college at 5 pm July 22 and got to Nairobi bus station at 6 pm where we boarded a night bus to Malaba. The journey took us 13 hours and we arrived at Malaba town at dawn. We waited until 6:30 am to take breakfast at a hotel, after which we hired the bicycles (Boda Bodas) to Osajai,...

"When we got to Osajai Bible Institute we found the watchman and a few ladies who were awaiting us. We rested there for the whole day since everyone was very exhausted from the long journey [and had been taking final exams up to the day of leaving].

"We thanked the Lord so much for the journey mercies, and in the evening Pastor Moses Omoding invited us to go and pray with his family since the wife was sick. We had a very blessed fellowship, and Pastor Yaban preached. That night many people came to fellowship with us at the school."

Pray for the Osajai Bible School and Church and all who abide there in Christ. Raymond confides that no where else does the enemy fight harder than in this area, but victory is sure with the Lord’s help.

---The full Uganda Evangelism Reports and photos can be viewed on the FCB 2005 Pages ----

"Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure;"

2Thess1:2,3,4

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