October 15, 2014

Sharing an old story and a new story this week, stories which taught me more of my Saviour’s desire for me to know Him and to more fully know how to share His story of love and salvation. The first story happened five years ago when we travelled to western Kenya for Jack to teach Church Planting Methods to a small group of pastors and church leaders in a village church.

As I routinely do upon arriving at a church, I went to find the women. The only two present were busy cooking and chopping more wood to cook even more food. I silently questioned if they were expecting lots more people for the training, but only one or two more church leaders arrived by lunch time.

The men enjoyed their lunch of sukumawiki (greens), ugali (cooked corn meal) and beans and I had been correct, there was lots of food still in the pots. Chai (sweet, hot milky tea) was then served and as expected the men went outside, but they soon returned with the group of kids from the village that had been playing all day, even though it was a school day, in the open area beside the church.

The kids acted surprised, but entered the church, filling up the pews on one side. Then a few of the men joined the women in offering warm water and soap to the kids and helped them wash their dusty hands before providing full bowls of food to the obviously hungry bunch.

Photo captured this week is a great reminder of
why we always need your prayers for safety in travel!

I remembered this story as I searched for a photo to use last Sunday as Southern Baptist churches celebrated World Hunger Sunday. Once again, I was reminded of how these men who desired to plant churches where discipled Believers could be strengthened and encouraged as they made more disciples, took the time from their training to minister to a group of hungry, dirty kids who were playing outside. Often people assume that missionaries are always the ones teaching and guiding, but the truth is we are continuously learning how to be true disciples of our Saviour from our African brothers and sisters.

The second story happened on Monday and you will have to visit today’s Nudge to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples  to view how God reminded a photographer (yes, it was me) how our focus on Him can be diverted. It was also a very vivid reminder of the blessings I know I often miss because of not keeping my eyes and especially my heart focused on experiencing all God offers to me! (Nudge at (https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples.)

And yes, I did capture another photo this
week of the cows moving along the road
as we headed to church on Sunday!

Join us this week in praying for Jack as he begins interviewing new students for classes beginning at the Kenya Baptist Theological College in 2015. Pray for wisdom and patience in the next few weeks as Jack focuses on completing government and other forms (including an IMB ‘challenge’) for helping KBTC become the resurrected place we know God needs for training His children to share His love and salvation throughout our continent and world.

Yet another 'random' photo - and YES,
things do fall off, but not as often
as you might expect!!

My prayer request is for creativity, strong internet and time to write and edit photos – all needed to share what God is doing among Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Pray especially for me as I seek to compose several stories for the upcoming Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

Lots of things have changed in Kenya, but the
stalls selling veggies and fruits are still
along the road to Nakuru and RVA!

Our praises this week include a great weekend with one of our Missionary Kids from Botswana who crashed at our house during his mid-term break at Rift Valley Academy. Jack is praising God for the encouragement that he receives from the KBTC staff, a group of very dedicated Believers. My praise is for a special time last week with our workers from South Sudan. It was a true joy to hear how God is blessing the work in the newest country in our world and the opportunities for the Gospel to reach their peoples.

I know I say this often, but I cannot close without thanking you for how you support us. We could not be doing what we know God has called us to do without your prayer support, your financial gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Cooperative Program and your coming as or sending co-workers our way. BERT YATES
--- --- --- --- ---
Sunday’s Nudge to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples can be viewed by anyone, not only Facebook members, at https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples/photos/a.389236874487638.90503.100173880060607/723134777764511/?type=1&theater.
Today’s Nudge to Action is at https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples/photos/a.389236874487638.90503.100173880060607/724991154245540/?type=1&theater.

View as we drive to church each Sunday.