Yates - IMB - Kenya

February 15, 2012

2012-02-15T16:39:00.000+03:00

Another week of days of no electricity and poorinternet! It took hours, instead ofminutes today, to post an album of photos, which means this update will fly (orcreep) later than usual today through the internet never-never-land! As Jack brought me lunch as I worked, he asked if I could skip today’s photos. My answer: No, I want to share a view of our lives, my attempt to make “Psalms 36and 37 alive and active with views spotted on one afternoon in East Africa,which included returning a group of Rift Valley Academy students to schoolafter their mid-term break in Nairobi.” RVA is the boarding school in the Great RiftValley attended by many of our missionary kids and where our son boarded forgrades 8-12 while we lived in Nakuru. Weare guardians for two families of kids from Tanzania and it is a three daydrive home for one girl, so she spent the break at our house. The photos are not great as most were takenfrom the back seat of our car on Monday afternoon, but these give a great viewof our daily experiences – SO please take time to view “Yourlove, LORD, reaches to...”

Another frustration this week was reminders of Africanpoverty found in a local news article. “Deaconsto quit Dar market after five-year loss” (Daily Nation, 2/13/12, p. 26) told ofa store closing in Tanzania due to their “target market – the middle to upperincome – being very small compared to other countries. Tanzania’s middle class, those earningbetween $2 and $20 per day… just 12 percent of the total population, which issmaller than Kenya’s 44.9 percent and Uganda’s 18.7 percent of the population” and7% in Rwanda. Did you catch the partabout middle income including those living on $2 per day? I have been in theKenyan Deacon’s shops and I’m not sure how those on these salaries shop thereas most items are much more than $20!

I thought the lower earning numbers defining middle classwas incorrect, but research proved it was not! I found many quotes from those making the shilling equivalent of $2-$4daily (50% of the middle class) sharing their frustrations of barely survivingand lacking adequate food, housing and education! I looked for the percentages of those inupper class and finally gave up, but I do know that it is estimated that morethan 50% of Kenyans live on less than $1 per day, with a greater percentage inneighboring countries. Another “Why am I sharing this?” Because this is the world in need of ourFather’s love and salvation!

Now for some good news! In last week’s photo album, “Activity,Colour, Variety and Extremes,” I shared that our new church has lots ofcollege students and kids, but very few teens! Last Sunday, I discovered howsome older kids are finding their place by helping in the preschool class! I loved watching one young man retrievinglittle ones roaming from their open-air class, his inspiring the little boys toact-out the songs (photo above), and especially his trying not to laugh when the teacher toldthe story of Jonah and asked, “What does it mean to obey?” One little one’sreply: “You better obey your Mommy or God will send a big whale to eat you up!”I will close this update with a thanks foryour obeying our Father and your involvement and support of His work in Hisharvest field, BERT

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“Yourlove, LORD, reaches to…” is at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150775994625130.508717.685050129&type=3&l=407dcac196

2012Prayer Nudges from East Africa –http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/or find the Prayer Nudges and other updates from East Africa on Facebook – BertYates (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or become a Facebook Friend of Imb

EastAfrica ( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa )

You can find last week’s at “Activity,Colour, Variety and Extremes” – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150754353430130.506490.685050129&type=1&l=4f5f0908c3

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T07:00:00.002+03:00

Not sure a tub of shortening/ fat has our best interests at heart, BUT we know who does - Our Heavenly Father! Praying today that we always make Him the heart of all we do, experience, think, say, etc., and yes, the heart of every meal (Acts 2:46)! Thanking God today for our partnership in the faith and your desire for a deepened “understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given us (and our co-workers) great joy and encouragement” and refreshment of the heart – A true Valentine’s gift! (Philemon 6,7) PHOTO: East African wall advertising

February 12th Prayer Nudge from East Africa

2012-02-12T07:00:00.016+03:00

From an East African missionary 3rd grader: "One of the things I love is having new friends … I like being an MK! One of my favorite things is I get to have my mom as a teacher. I love doing art projects and horse-riding along the Nile River. Uganda has so many different animals… I really love the beautiful birds and silly monkeys in our backyard. Please pray for me and my little sister to do well in school, be responsible and show kindness to everyone. BYE”

From the girls' Mom: Thanking God for homeschool books that the IMB has shipped around the world to us!
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You can easily follow the daily 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa (http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ ) by going to the blog and subscribing to it, or by becoming Bert's friend on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or become a friend of Imb EastAfrica on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa )

February 8, 2012

2012-02-08T15:00:00.005+03:00

It happened again this week, twoverses ‘jumped out’ from the pages of my Bible during my time of devotion! I have read both verses many times, yet thistime the words were extra alive and active – “If my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by myeyes … What will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account?” (Job 31:7, 14)

Had these verse ‘jumped-out’ toJack this week, he would understand as he spent the week reviewing his work of2011 and perfecting his plans for 2012! Even he was astounded by the totals that appeared in his final 2011report: 108 teaching assignments in 94associations; 1929 persons in attendance from 624 churches which resulted in1799 times of witnessing during the trainings, 560 decisions and 160 baptisms, 23new church plants, 5 preaching points, 10 new small groups, 39 new disciples ofhis disciples – and this is only the immediate results from the teachingsessions and not later additions which would greatly exceed these totals! Oh, I can’t overlook the last group of 2011tallies: Teaching in 6 new Bible Schoolswith 85 students!

I can’t fully explain why theseverses spoke so loudly to me, but it does relate to issues missionaries faceconstantly. Our eyes see so much that affectsour hearts – good things such as spiritual growth and answered prayers, as wellas evil things such as inequalities and injustice. Our ‘pockets’ never match the needs weencounter daily, so we do face guilt/questions related to when/ how we should respond. We are constantly searching for the rightbalance of matching what our eyes see to what our hearts can and should respond– which explains why most missionaries spend lengthy times in devotion notbecause we are so spiritual, but because to stay sane we must be in communicationwith our Father and rely totally upon Him for direction!

Don’t worry, all this philosophizingtoday does not imply a bad or difficult week – There have been difficulties anddisappointments, but the positives have far outweighed the negatives, and itwas truly amazing to watch God either work things out or provide the needed strength/wisdom we needed! One positive wasspending time last night with two young youth ministers, one from the Atlantaand the other from Kenya! We had never heard of either until Monday, yet noware both dear friends and we are excited about (yet feeling a littleapprehensive for them) as they bring a volunteer group of 100 to Kenya thissummer!

Another positive this week was attending a Leaders Retreatlast Saturday of our church, Parklands Baptist Church Mombasa Road, with 30plus of our friends! Jack and I are atleast 10 years older than any of the others and double the age of many! One of the most exciting parts was linking somany of these well discipled African Believers to former missionary colleaguesand Kenyan pastors and leaders! It’struly awesome to see what God is doing in East Africa, how He has blessed thepast work of His children and is blessing the current work! To share part of our joy, we invite you toview “Activity, Colour, Variety and Extremes” or “A day in the life of two IMBmissionaries in East Africa filled with hijackings, joys and prayers!” I promise these photos and captions willleave you praising God with us for the opportunity we have to watch Him at workin our part of the world! BERT Yates

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To view ourweekend view of God at Work, go to “Activity,Colour, Variety and Extremes” – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150754353430130.506490.685050129&type=1&l=4f5f0908c3

For the 2012 Prayer Nudges from EastAfrica – http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/or find the Prayer Nudges and other updates from East Africa on Facebook – BertYates (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or become a Facebook Friend of ImbEastAfrica ( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa )

February 5, 2012 Prayer Nudge from East Africa

2012-02-05T09:36:00.000+03:00

Shared by a missionary in East Africa: “While ministering in a village our daughter went out to play with the kids. She just went out and sat down ... 2 seconds later one came close... 10 seconds later they were all gathered around her giving high 5's... singing and playing. When we returned to the van, our 9 year old informed us that while we were with the family, she had her own ministry outside. She told all the children about Jesus.” Added by a missionary aunt: “She had all the children doing whatever she did - no language barrier here.”
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You can easily follow the daily 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa (http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ ) by going to the blog and subscribing to it, or by becoming Bert's friend on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or become a friend of Imb EastAfrica on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa )

February 1, 2012

2012-02-01T14:27:00.001+03:00

I plannedto complete this week’s update early, but “Iwas defeated” yesterday by yet another day of no electricity! I was frustrated, but as I read a note from anEast African coworker I realized it is a good reminder of what many people inour world, including missionaries, face daily. Some East African co-workers, and not just those in rural areas, havelearned to adjust to only a few hours of power and/or water each and every day. Others have no need to budget for electricityand water bills as electricity lines and piped water have yet to arrive intheir part of the world!

As I ran(actually walked) errands yesterday – my back-upplan – I realized that one of the tensionsshared by most missionaries, is that as we plan our days, we always need back-upplans. Sometimes these are on-paperback-up plans, such as planning two menus, especially when guests are coming –one relying upon electricity, the other for no-electricity days, such as buyingbread when fresh bread is planned. No-waterdays? A plan with few messy dishes! Back-upplans also include ministry options according to how many expected/ unexpected peoplearrive, their ages and whether you can meet in the hoped-for spot!

More ofyesterday’s realizations: Most often I’m not aware I have a back-up plan until itarises when needed from the special back-uppart of my mind! As I thought of friends in places with no orlimited resources, I remembered that the ‘lack-of things’ often require extrawork! My friend who wrote yesterday hasno water or electricity in their new home in another East African country and limitedthings available to buy, such as no fresh vegetables, fruit, milk, etc. So rather than she and her husband focusingfully on their work of sharing our Father’s Good News with Unreached PeopleGroups, they must spend major time in surviving – such as learning to use asolar cooker, extra time preparing a nutritious meal, and locating suitable waterfor cooking, drinking, and bathing!

I’m notsharing all of this today to cause you to feel sorry for us and our friends,but to emphasize our need for your support! We want to be focused on sharing our Father’s Good News with those inneed of His Eternal Gospel, but our focus is often elsewhere due to shortagesand things such as political unrest, as well as dealing with lots of the devil’s‘plans’ – missionaries know he is also a planner with un-limited back-up plans –so we definitely NEED your prayer support!

Jack’sspecific prayer request this week continues to be for wisdom and strength as heand the other members of the Board of Governors of the Kenya BaptistTheological College make and carry out plans for guiding KBTC as our seminary serves our Father. Prayfor me as I become involved in two ministries away from the computer, anestablished ministry to kids who have just finished high school and planning anew ministry for strengthening and encouraging a group of Kenyan ‘home missionary’women. Trust me, an important part ofany of our plans is depending upon your PRAYER SUPPORT! BERT

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A large part of Bert's ‘planned work’ is connecting East Africa viathe Internet (sharing the stories/ praises/ needs of co-workers withone another and with our supporters and also as a tool to encourage andstrengthen them) is the daily Prayer Nudges which appear on a blog and on FB. 2012 Prayer Nudges from EastAfrica can be found at http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/or find the Prayer Nudges and other updates from East Africa on Facebook – BertYates (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or become a Facebook Friend of ImbEastAfrica ( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa )

January 29, 2012 Prayer Nudge from East Africa

2012-01-29T07:00:00.013+03:00

"From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise." (Matthew 21:16) When was the last time you excitedly praised God? When did you last follow the example of the little Ugandan boy and 'look' for someone in need of the joy of being a child of God, someone in need of the stronghold against enemies that comes from acknowledging, “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens?” (Psalm 8:1, 2)

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You can easily follow the daily 2012 Prayer Nudges fromEast Africa (http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ )by going to the blog andsubscribing to it, or by becoming Bert's friend on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) orbecome a friend of Imb EastAfrica on Facebook( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa )

January 25, 2012

2012-01-25T12:21:00.003+03:00

Two friends sent me messagesthis week. One wrote, “I wonder how youare able to share the Prayer Nudges* every day.” The other asked, “How do you think up all the prayer nudges?” My reply, “ I wonder also! To be honest, Idon’t know how I ‘see’ the nudges, which makes me very alert to the fact thatGod is the one doing the nudging! I do spend hours on the internet each dayreading the blogs, newsletters and Facebook posts of colleagues, but I amcontinually amazed by how God brings all the thoughts and ‘pictures’ in my mindtogether.”

The time on the computer doesget tedious and I do get lonely for real friends, yet I feel so, so blessed tohave my ‘job’ which allows me to focus on what God is doing in our part of the world. Last week in a down moment, I questioned ‘why I do what I do?’ Is it just a passion for writing? Am I addicted to the computer? As always when these questions arise , the same answer surfaces: It is a passion! How can one not be passionateabout sharing what God is doing in East Africa! When I hear so much good news or even not-so-good news in need ofsupport, I simply cannot keep it all to myself – I HAVE TO SHARE IT withothers! I also sometimes question if I’mrudely pushing the prayer nudges on others, but I find the ‘good news’ I hearis SO EXCITING and in need of added praise and support, that I MUST find new warmbodies, new audiences to share this news!

And when I question if anothermotive for my work is self-glory, God keeps me in check via His Word! This week, He reminded me that rather thanfocusing on the ‘battles’ that I and other East African Believers are facing, Imust remember, “Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Remember: These battles renot ours, “BUT God’s.” Rather than worry, we must take up our positions (whichrequires staying in close touch with our Father through His Word, prayer andfellowship with other Believers) and “stand firm and see” what HE IS DOING! And there is another critical step, one Ioften forget: “Sing to the LORD... praise him for the splendor of his holinessas” we do His work, even that which leaves us confused, overwhelmed, or feelinginadequate! (2 Chronicles 2:15-22)

One more question you may bethinking: WHY is Bert sharing this today? My answer: I really don’t know, but when God keeps bringing something tomind and guides my fingers as I type these updates (and today is a little morehurried than some as we are without electricity for the second day this week), Ihave learned to trust that this is HIS work/ battle/ difficulties and not mine andI must trust Him!

I will close this week with a special joy Jack and Iexperienced last Sunday. The choirat our church, Parklands Baptist/ Mombasa Road, led us in singing “I Surrender All” this past Sunday notat the close of our worship service, but before the sermon during thepraise/worship time. We quickly realizedthat the familiar hymn takes on a whole new meaning when it is sung as a declaration of what we are doing and as asource of praise for what happens when we do surrender all (our lives,resources, work, plans, etc.) to Him! Andas if that wasn’t enough to excite and encourage us, we ended the song bysinging it in Swahili, “Yote kwa Yesu… EeMwokozi, Natoa sasa.” Jack’s act ofsurrendering at the moment is grading seminary tests! He is passionate about teaching, but… Prayalso for Jack and the Kenyan Baptist Believers on the Board of Governors of theKenya Baptist Theological College as they spend hours helping KBTC enter2012 with newness of life, a new creation able to serve our Father. Prayfor me as I surrender to hours on the computer and seek God’s guidance inencouraging and strengthening my East African co-workers as I find ways to share their walk with our Father. BERT

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* A large part of my workConnecting East Africa via the internet (sharing the stories/praises/ needs of co-workers with one another and with our supporters and also as a tool toencourage and strengthen them) is the daily Prayer Nudges which appear on ablog - 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa – http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ and on FB at Bert Yates (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or become aFacebook Friend of Imb EastAfrica ( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa ).

January 22, 2012 Prayer Nudge from East Africa

2012-01-22T07:00:00.009+03:00

“Returning from a school trip, one of my girls says, ‘... and we swam in this river by our campsite. There were hippos in it, so we had to wait before we could get in to make sure there were not any under the water ......’ Times like this - I realize what a different childhood my children are getting than I had. Keeps a mamma's prayer life intact!” Praise God for the special experiences that Missionary Kids (MKs) experience. Pray for peace and wisdom for missionaries who are parenting kids as they serve our Father.

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January 18, 2012

2012-01-18T14:54:00.004+03:00

What is the difference between a PG,UPGand UUPG? And what is CPM? What does GAP stand for in Closing the ‘GAP’? WHY must we know these things? BECAUSEour Saviour told Believers to “Go andmake disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and ofthe Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I havecommanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Trust me, more than a few ‘professionalmissionaries’ are confused by the words/acronyms used as we proclaim theeternal gospel to all “who live on theearth — to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6), so today’s Update is “Bert’s Simple and Hopefully Understandable Definitions.”

PG—People Group“is a group of people who have thesame language, culture, history, customs and family/clan identities … throughwhich the gospel can flow without encountering significant barriers ofunderstanding and acceptance.” Want to adopt a People Group? Go to http://www.imb.org/main/lead/page.asp?StoryID=4518&LanguageID=1709. For a more technical People Group definition,go to http://public.imb.org/globalresearch/Pages/PeopleGroup.aspx.

UPG — “AnUnreached PeopleGroup is a peoplegroup in which less than two percent of its population is EvangelicalChristians.” (1) Unsureof the meaning of Evangelical Christians? Go to: http://public.imb.org/globalresearch/Pages/FAQs.aspx#seven.

UUPG — A People Group is called an Unengaged UnreachedPeople Group “when there is nochurch planting methodology consistent with Evangelical faith and practice underway” (2) or simply said, these PeopleGroups have not yet been touched by or had an opportunity to hear our Father’sGood News!

CPM — “Church PlantingMovement… is a rapid and multiplicative increase ofindigenous churches planting churches within a given people group or populationsegment.” (2) This is Jack’s assigned work as he teaches CPM in the churches and associations ofthe Baptist Convention of Kenya (BCOK)and at our seminary, Kenya Baptist Theological College (KBTC). Yes, abbreviations/ acronymsbecome an additional language for missionaries, but do pray for Jack as heseeks to entrust the responsibility of CPMto “reliable people who will also bequalified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). Pray for him also as he andothers on the KBTC Board ofGovernors continue seeking for ways for the school to fully serve our Father.

GAP — "The Global Analysis Project" explores demographic trends, political dynamics, economics themes, religiousaffiliations, human needs and more. The project also identifies barriers thathinder the spread of the gospel as well as bridges that may facilitate it.” (2) For those who desire to know more of how they can be apart of this mission task, go to: http://public.imb.org/globalresearch/Pages/GAP.aspx.

Another definition of GAP covers my work – one found inEzekiel 22:30. Pray for me as I seek to findand inform those who can stand in the GAP before our Father in prayer, in witnessingand supporting others on mission on behalf of those in East Africa and ourworld who are still without His eternal gospel!

One way that I do this is by sharing daily Prayer Nudges from EastAfrica, which leads me to one more acronym which Jack and I encountered thisweek while visiting with the Sema Leatherworksstaff – CBS – which has nothing todo with television, but Chronological BibleStorying (3), a method of sharing stories inan understandable way with those who have no knowledge of our Father’s love andsalvation! For more on how to pray forlast week’s Bible Storying training, go today’s 2012 Prayer Nudgefrom East Africa! (4) Thanks for standing in the GAP with us, BERT

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(1) http://public.imb.org/globalresearch/Pages/FAQs.aspx#five– More definitions are found at http://public.imb.org/globalresearch/Pages/FAQs.aspx and at http://www.joshuaproject.net/definitions.php

(2) Global Research – IMB connecting – Helping churches knowand reach the peoples of the world – http://public.imb.org/globalresearch/Pages/default.aspx

(3) Orality Strategies/ IMB connecting – http://www.oralitystrategies.org/strategies.cfm?id=1

(4) 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa – http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ or for Prayer Nudges/ other updatesfrom East Africa on Facebook, find BertYates (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or Imb EastAfrica ( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa )

January 15, 2012 Prayer Nudge from East Africa

2012-01-15T07:00:00.017+03:00

From a missionary and Journey-girls working with university students: “Pray as we meet today with 20-25 students, all strong believers, for fellowship and getting to know one another. We want to understand their and their friends’ struggles, hopes and plans for the future. Pray that we will find partners among these students – partners who can open doors to campuses where we can connect with students for discipleship and training to reach the unreached. Our vision is to train students to be home missionaries and even reach out beyond our East African borders to the ends of the earth.”
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Photo is of New Year’s Eve dinner shared with some of these students: Collards (sukuma wiki), cornmeal dish (ugali), salad (kachumbari), and roasted goat (nyama choma/mbuzi) – For more on East African foods and recipes, GOOGLE the Swahili name of the food, followed by recipe! Or check out http://allthingskenyan.com/food.html or http://www.kenyankitchen.co.ke/kenyan-kitchen-features14.php

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January 11, 2012

2012-01-11T10:17:00.002+03:00

A few days ago, I needed a ‘signature’photo for my upgraded Facebook page. Shortof time, I decided to choose quickly from flowers photographed last month atthe Brackenhurst Baptist Conference Centre. Thankfully, I did peruse the photostaken as we returned home to Nairobi that day – and I spotted the perfect visual description of life in East Africa.The chosen ‘title’ for this photo? SIMPLE and COMPLEX!

Why? Because guests passing through this village see a ‘simple’ way of lifeand it would not surprise them to learn that the residents likely rely uponhauled water and kerosene lanterns. Yet,it is also likely that the people in this village have phones in their pockets,which they use to call around the world, pay their kids’ school fees or access the internet to apply for jobs, bookplaces for long trips on local buses. Plus, a few likely use their phones to access digital satellitetelevision or to chat with friends on Facebook – THUS the need for both SIMPLEand COMPLEX when describing the view!

It seems that God is trying to teachme something about these dissimilar words, because yesterday we went toBrackenhurst for a meeting and on this return trip home, I captured the photofor today’s 2012Prayer Nudge from East Africa. The prayer nudge drawn from this photo:
“Lifein East Africa – SIMPLE and COMPLEX. Somewould say these words are contradictory, but possibly CONTRADICTORY is an evenbetter word to describe East Africa! The sofas being delivered by the donkeycart were likely made without any electrical tools, yet they may be headed fora home with wide screen TV s, IPADS, IPODS and IPHONES! Pray for East Africa Believers as they seekto ‘go and make disciples … baptizingthem … and teaching them to obey everything’ (Matthew 28:19-20) commandedby our Saviour among people from all ranges of education, incomes, sociallevels and spiritual backgrounds!”

A critical part of the contrast seendaily in East Africa is the complexity of ministering and sharing our Father’sGood News with those we encounter. Within our borders there are East AfricanPeople Groups, as well as refugees and those of other faiths who have neverheard of Jesus. There are also peoplewho spend hours in ‘worship’ services where God’s Word is not reliably taught.There are also many spiritual ‘shepherds’ who do not direct their followers toglorifying and honoring God, but to themselves or other things. Thankfully,there is also a growing number of well discipled East African Believers whotruly desire to be ambassadors of their Savior and shine like stars sharing andholding “firmly to the word of life.” (Philippians 2:15, 16)

Once again, you may wonder “Why am Isharing all of this today?” My purposeis to help you pray for Believers in East Africa as we proclaim the eternalgospel, as well as guiding your prayers for those in need of our Father’s GoodNews.

My purpose is also to strengthen and encourage your prayers for Jack andme. Thank you for praying for lastweek’s Board of Governors meeting at Kenya Baptist Theological College. Jackfelt that decisions will enable KBTC to enter 2012 with newness of life, anew creation able to serve our Father. Pray that all the decisions madelast week and in coming weeks (the next meeting will be on the 18^th)will be guided totally by our Father and in line with His purposes! My continuing prayer need is for wisdom andstrength as I share how God is at work in East Africa via the internet,especially as I explore/ develop new opportunities. BERT

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Find the “2012Prayer Nudges from East Africa” blog at http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/. To Receive these daily Prayer Nudges bye-mail, submit your e-mail address in the FOLLOW BY E-MAIL area on the right ofthe blog. You can also view thePrayer Nudges on Facebook on Bert’s page, https://www.facebook.com/bert.yatesor at Imb EastAfrica ( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa ).

January 8, 2012 - Prayer Nudge from East Africa

2012-01-08T07:00:00.017+03:00

Pre-teen East African Missionary Kid during her first week of Stateside Assignment: "Mom, I like those things you push the button and water comes out. And… you can drink it!!!" MK in her mid-20’s: “Me, too, drinking from water fountains was one of my FAVORITE things to do upon arriving in America as a kid.” Missionary ‘Aunt’ also on Leave: “And the toilet paper is so soft, and the dish soap is so sudsy, and the paper towels are so sturdy, and the roads are so smooth…” Pray today for the adjustments, as you praise God for the blessings of missionaries on Stateside Assignment (furlough) in the US.
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"Mitumbo Fresh" (right shop) is considered a delicacy by some in East Africa - translates 'politely' to Fresh Tripe.

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January 4, 2012

2012-01-04T14:09:00.005+03:00

Have you ever felt that youcould use a special assurance that you are doing exactly what God wants you todo? It may surprise some, but missionaries often experience this, andYES, I did last week and God provided one of His miracle moments on the exact daythat I was discouraged, frustrated and exhausted!

Late last year, in my excitementto talk with old friends at a large church, I left my 30 year old NIV Bible onthe pew and the Bible ‘ walked away.’ I have a great Study Bible fordevotions at home, but I would likely have back problems if I hauled the heavyBible to church. Plus, my home desk space is tiny, so I only use the hugeStudy Bible at my desk when its special helps are needed and usually relied onthe smaller older Bible while working.

Soon after the Bible ‘walked’, Ishared the news with you in an update, but deleted it for fear that someonewould ask to replace the Bible – which was not my purpose. My purpose wasto share the reaction of my Kenyan Christian friends when they learned I hadlost 30 years of notes added in the margins, atop maps and blank pages of myBible. Their response: “God will use your notes to speak to the onewho ‘borrowed’ your Bible. He will use it to bring that person to Him!”

THEN the week before Christmas,we visited a mall we seldom visit to purchase Christian music gift vouchers forthree special missionary kids. With our vouchers and receipts in hand, wespotted a table to register for ‘rewards’ for shopping at the mall over theholidays. Jack never wins anything, but he completed the requiredforms.

Soon after Christmas we received a message that he was a ‘winner’– so we returned across the city to collect his ‘gift’, fully expecting astore give-away calendar! To our amazement, we won vouchers for 5000KSH($60+) of shopping at the mall! We could only think of one thing weneeded that day, so we headed to the Christian bookshop for a 2012calendar. I had no intention of looking at the Bibles, knowing their highprices and that I was rather picky in what I wanted, but then I spotted theexact Bible – a brown/tan one – that Ibegan to purchase in the States last year, but decided it was an un-neededpurchase! And yes, the gift vouchers covered the cost of the Bible andthe needed calendar and a special lunch at a favorite restaurant!

Why am I sharing all of thistoday? I like sharing my good news! Second, I know your ‘general’prayers led to my unexpected Bible blessing. And most importantly, I wantyou to know that as much as we need specific prayers, we also need general onesas we serve our Father in East Africa. So, our request today is that youdo pray specifically for things, such as tomorrow’s Board of Governors meetingat Kenya Baptist Theological College. Continue praying with us that KBTCwill enter this new year with newness of life, a new creation able to serve ourFather. My request continues to be for wisdom and strength as Ishare how God is at work in East Africa via the internet, especially as Iexplore/ develop new opportunities. But do pray also for the needs thatwe and our friends choose not to put into newsletters due to sensitive orpersonal reasons – especially our need for affirmations that we are obeying ourFather and a sense of joy as we face difficulties/ frustrations/discouragements which we cannot openly share! BERT

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The new “2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa”blog can be found at (http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ ). To view these daily Prayer Nudges by e-mail, submit your e-mail address in theFOLLOW BY E-MAIL area on the right. To see today’s Prayer Nudge onFacebook, go to Bert’s page, https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates.

New blog: 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa

2012-01-01T07:00:00.017+03:00

Yesterday during an East African missionary’s last devotion of 2011, God used, “This is the day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves” (2 Kings 7:9) as an “active and alive” (Hebrews 4:12) challenge to penetrate her heart. Join her in praying that Believers in East Africa will begin this new year with a renewed commitment to share our Father’s Good News not only with the people we encounter, but we will move out of our ‘comfort zones’ to find ALL the people in East Africa who need our Father’s love and salvation.
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You can easily follow the 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa ( http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ ) by going to the blog and subscribing to it, or by becoming Bert's friend on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or become a friend of Imb EastAfrica on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa )

December 28, 2011

2011-12-28T12:49:00.002+03:00

It is notsnowing outside our equatorial home as I write, but there are sounds ofdripping from unseasonable heavy rains, thus I am wearing a sweater and havetraded my sandals for ‘real’ shoes! After 33 years in East Africa, one wouldthink we would have adjusted to celebrating Christmas with summer weather, but… We did have a great Christmas.

And, yes, we did miss our kids, but SKYPINGis a true gift for missionaries – which included watching our granddaughter openher gift from us, a little kitchen set, and joining her in ‘eating/ drinking’ her firstmeal prepared on it! We also enjoyed spending Christmas with our mission family,which included sharing Christmas Eve lunch with a family experiencing theirfirst Christmas in Kenya and Christmas breakfast with a couple and their twoyoungest kids who are ‘home’ for Christmas, two young men whom we have knownsince they were infants and proudly claim as our nephews!

Today’sPrayer Nudge from East Africa (photo on left) shares a bit of our experiences on Christmas EveEvening – “PURE JOY: The reaction of kidsto the twirling/ blinking lights, colours and sounds at a Christmas Eve Concertat a Baptist church in Kenya’s capital city. A missionary's reactions: Disappointment when the first songs were not 'traditional' Christmassongs – followed by a realization that after one sings praise and worshipsongs, including "Here I am to worship… to bow down… to say that You're myGod,” with representatives of many nations, tribes, peoples and languages,singing songs about the angels, shepherds and wise men bowing down to worshipour Saviour is indescribable PURE JOY!”

Thisservice at Parklands Baptist Church began with the worship leader askingrepresentatives of different People Groups to share what Mary would be called intheir heart languages. There were repliesfrom people from many African (including Mariamu/Swahili), European and Asian People Groups. I cannot begin to share how exciting it was to include this in acelebration of our Saviour’s birth. Thisservice as well as our worship service on Christmas day at Parklands Baptist– MombasaRoad, included a time of praising God and thanking Him for sending His Son, thegiver of new life. As on the previousnight, many of the songs included praises and thanksgiving for our Saviour’s deathand resurrection – which truly adds to an appreciation for the birth of ourFather’s gift to us, His Son!

We are restinga bit more this week, but we still need your prayers. Jack is preparing for the next Board of governors meeting at Kenya Baptist Theological College, on January 5^th,with extra meetings next Wednesday. Continue praying with us that KBTC will enter 2012 with newness oflife, a new creation able to serve our Father. My prayer need is for wisdom and strength as I continuesharing how God is at work in East Africa via the internet, especially as Iexplore/ develop new opportunities in 2012 to share how thankful we and ourcolleagues are for you and how we do depend upon you as you support us throughthe Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program and through yourprayers and sending personnel. We are also praying for you, specificallythat 2011 ends well for you and for a blessed 2012, BERT YATES

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Don’t forget to view this weeks 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA – http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/,and yes, a new blog, 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa will appear nextSunday! The Prayer Nudges and other bits of our lives can be found on myFacebook page (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates),and I am always looking for new friends!

Christmas Eve/Day 2011

2011-12-24T07:00:00.012+03:00

Krismasi Njema from East Africa! Thanking God today for the good news of great joybrought by the angel that was and is for all people - the birth of our Saviour,who is Christ the Lord. Joining the great company of the heavenlyhost which appeared with the angel to the shepherds in praising God and saying,"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on who his favourrests." (Luke 2:9-14)

Today's photo is agift for you - a gift guaranteed to make you smile: The view of anelephant found among the shrubbery outside the entryway into our home in Nairobi, Kenya!

December 21, 2011

2011-12-21T13:58:00.007+03:00

"Why are you still inKenya? You could have retired long ago. Are you sure this isn’tyour ‘comfort zone’ and you should leave?” A friend recently askedJack and me these questions. Our answers: Yes, with IMB policies, wecould have retired long ago. Yes, although sometimes the ‘going isrough,’ we are more accustomed to life in East Africa than North Carolina. Yes,we have asked God many times if we have stayed too long on this mountain (Deut.1:6 is appropriate as Nairobi is a mile high), but even when we would prefer aYES, we know in our hearts that the answer is “No, this is where I amcalling you to be at this time.”

So, once again we will celebratean equatorial Christmas dressed in our summer clothes, with poinsettias notdisplayed as ‘extra’ decorations, but as the norm around our house, and relyupon SKYPE to visit with our kids, which will hopefully include SKYPING as ourgranddaughter opens her Christmas gifts from us! Our Christmas parties/special meals will be balanced with special times with our East African friendsand our mission family. We’ve already had the joy of sharing specialChristmas luncheons with the SemaLeatherworks families(1) and with the ParklandsBaptist Church leadership(2).

New co-workers spending theirfirst Christmas in Kenya will visit on Christmas Eve – our tradition of sharingan East African ‘summer’ lunch of grilled steaks and fresh strawberries atopbrownies, definitely not an American traditional Christmas meal, with a familywhom we want to know better. That evening, we will attend a ChristmasConcert at Parklands Baptist. On Christmas morning we will share breakfast withco-workers visiting from Uganda, including home-made Moravian Sugarcake, a familytradition from living in Winston-Salem, NC., the home of the real Dewey’sSugarcake! Later, we will worship with our church family at ParklandsBaptist Mombasa Road. So, as you can see we are ‘comfortable’ here in Kenya anddo expect a Krismasi Njema (Swahili for good Christmas)!

Jack has lots of catch-up workthis week, as he tries to rest a bit, after teaching for three weeks at ourKenya Baptist Theological College. Thank you especially for praying forthe Board of Governors meeting at our college/seminary this past Monday. The meeting was very productive and our prayers that “KBTC enter 2012 withnewness of life, a new creation able to serve our Father” are on their wayto being answered. Please join us in continuing to pray for this need.

Thank you also for your prayersfor me as I continue sharing how God is at work in East Africa via theinternet. Without fail, every time exhaustion, frustration, ordisappointment creeps in, God sends me an assurance that this is the work Ishould do! I am planning to rest some during the holidays, but pray forme as I prepare for new opportunities in 2012 to share how thankful we and ourcolleagues are for you and how we do depend upon you as you support us throughthe Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program and through yourprayers and sending personnel. For a little extra Christmas cheer in thenext few days, I encourage you to check out the daily Prayer Nudges from EastAfrica(3)! Krismasi Njema from East Africa, BERT

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(1) Sema LeatherworksMinistry - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sema-Leatherworks/116367071750964

(2) To view a video sharingwhat I love about Christmas with Kenyan Believers – Parklands Baptist ChurchLeadership Christmas Luncheon, go to: https://picasaweb.google.com/105343089902291545775/ChristmasWithKenyanBelievers?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLfJ3N-jw_LwogE&feat=directlink

(3) For Prayer Nudges from EastAfrica, go to Lottie Moon 2011 / East Africa – http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/ or 2011PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA – http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/. You can also find the Prayer Nudges on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates. This may seem like overdoing it, but I’m seeking to offer ways thatwill appeal to different audiences! Today’s, Dec 21^st PrayerNudge is the first of three “NOT A MANGER SCENE, BUT” to be shared this week.

December 18th Lottie Moon-East Africa Prayer Nudge

2011-12-18T07:00:00.002+03:00

Yes, a new word was pasted after Baba (father in Swahili) on the East African handcart and the border was added, but the rest is the scene spotted by a group of IMB missionaries in November! Join those serving as our Father's Heart, Hands and Voice in praising God for the joys and perks He sends their way , as they request prayers for peace as many celebrate our Savior's birth far from their families - some for the first time. Pray for strength and comfort for those facing serious medical issues within their families - some far away.
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New daily Lottie Moon 2011-East Africa Prayer Nudges sharing how God's children are serving as His Heart, Hands and Voice in East Africa can be found at: http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/
You are encouraged to view and share with other Lottie Moon supporters this blog site or the Facebook Page, Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa -https://www.facebook.com/LottieMoon2011.EastAfrica

December 14, 2011

2011-12-14T13:26:00.006+03:00

“Last weekend a couple serving in East Africa had a WOWmoment. As they drank tangerine juice and ate paneer chapatis and chickenchapati wraps served with three sauces (hot, sizzling hot, and scorching hot)they realized they were the only people in the packed restaurant with green orblue eyes! Next came the realization that over half the diners wore clothingdifferent from theirs, with many men wearing white, grey or black tunics (longshirt like garments) and women in black robes over their clothing and black orcolorful scarves covering their hair. The husband asked: ‘How boring would ourlives be if all the people around us looked like us?’ Their next reaction:Praising God for allowing them to serve in East Africa, where so many PeopleGroups come together, providing so many opportunities to serve as our Father'sHeart, Hands and Voice!”

Last week I wrote: “Jack called… he had taken a photo of a student in his class for another great Lottie Story – which I will share next week.“ Here is that Past, Present and Future Lottie Story as posted in the Dec 11th Prayer Nudge:

Francis, a Baptist pastor of 15 years, may have never heardof Lottie Moon, but his life has been transformed by the Lottie Moon ChristmasOffering (LMCO). “One of the original converts” of the Maasai People of Kenya,Francis was a child when he first met an IMB missionary working among theMaasai, thanks to the LMCO. After primary school, another IMB missionaryconvinced Francis to attend Mombasa Baptist High School, begun thanks to theLMCO, where an IMB missionary teacher helped Francis grow spiritually. Aftergraduation, he assisted two more IMB missionaries working among his people.With their encouragement, he enrolled at the Kenya Baptist Theological College– also begun thanks to the LMCO. He had to drop-out one month before graduationin 1995, but today Francis is back in seminary, where some of his professorsare IMB missionaries supported by the LMCO. Soon he will graduate, an equippedpastor ready to serve as His Fathers’ Heart, Hands and Voice among his people,where IMB missionaries no longer work as there are now trained/discipled MaasaiBelievers to share our Father’s Good News, THANKS to the LMCO!

Jack, one of the mentioned IMB seminary professors, addedlater: “Francis has heard of Lottie Moon in his current Baptist History,Faith and Practice class!”

The “IMB missionary (who) convinced Francis to attendMombasa Baptist High School” added: “Francis dropped out of seminarybecause a cobra spit in his eye causing great damage. Having watched him growfrom a boy to a fine young man, you have no idea how proud I am that he is backin seminary.”

Francis’ story share the old and present ways that the Lottie Moon Offering affects work in East Africa and more importantly, it shares the FUTURE story as he and others are continuing to work as trained, discipled workers in their Harvest Field among the Maasai! Thank You for being a part of this story as you pray, send personnel and support the LMCO and Cooperative Program.

Thank you for praying for Jack as he continues teaching Baptist Beliefs, History and Practice at our Kenya Baptist Theological College through Friday. Pray for Jack and others as the KBTC Board of Governors meet on Monday, December 19th. Critical personnel, academic, administration and financial decisions are to be made. Pray that their decisions will help KBTC enter 2012 with newness of life, a new creation able to serve our Father. BERT YATESGod does bless the many ways you support us, so I will close with our current prayer requests: Continue praying for me as I seek to harness/put into action all my ideas … to help you recognize how thankful we and our colleagues are for your support and how we do depend upon you. Pray also that our East African co-workers will be strengthened and encouraged as I find ways to share their stories.

PS: Our Christmas tree is finally up – and yes, it has a fewMaasai/Kenyan ornaments, but Jack and I have spent over half of our Christmasesin Kenya!

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* Daily Prayer Nudges, WHICH YOU ARE WELCOME TO SHARE with others, can be found at:

"Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa" blog at http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/ and at 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA – http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

Or three options on Facebook:

Special Page: Lottie Moon 2011 East Africa - https://www.facebook.com/LottieMoon2011.EastAfrica ) or on my personal page, https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates or the new page for Imb East Africa - https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa – Yes, this may look as if I’m overdoing it, but I’ve learned that different pages/names expands the options for people finding our stories from East Africa!

December 11-Lottie Moon/East Africa Prayer Nudge - SPECIAL THANK YOU!

2011-12-11T07:00:00.006+03:00

Today's Prayer Nudge is a THANK YOU! Thank you for praying for those who serve as our Father's Heart, Hands and Voice in East Africa. It is also a thanks to God for the encouragement and strengthening He provides to workers in His Harvest Field - which His workers know is a result of your prayers! Sometimes encouraging joy comes from a letter from a prayer supporter or a visit with a grandchild on SKYPE! A moment of strengthening peace comes with an unexpected visit with Believers who are eager to share how God is at work in their lives or when a noon-time ballet/opera occurs in one’s yard, courtesy of a flock of Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters!

For a link to ten seconds of the “Ndege (Bird in Swahili) Sonata” which occurred on Dec 7th, in Nairobi, Kenya and definitely provided joy and peace to one IMB missionary go to: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/viayYX8l3JtRdAwwcWrxu9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink )

December 5, 2011

2011-12-07T15:59:00.006+03:00

“Want to know what really makes a missionary of over 30years feel like celebrating? Being in a worship service and hearing 1st, 2nd,and 3rd generation East African Baptists singing, ‘Lord, you are good… Peoplefrom every nation and every tongue, from generation to generation, We worshipyou ... You are good.’” These were my thoughts as Jack and I worshippedlast Sunday with our church family at PBC/Mombasa Road in Nairobi. For thosewho keep up with me on Facebook, much of today’s update will be a repeat, butthese words best share our heart during our annual IMB International Week ofMissions .

Before I share more from last Sunday, I must thank you. Aweek ago I asked that you pray that I “harness/put into action all my ideas …during December to help you recognize how thankful we and our colleagues arefor your support and how we do depend upon you.” I didn’t accomplish all Idesired last week, but when I was tired /faced writer’s block, I knew theneeded burst of energy/new thoughts was the result of your prayers – THANK YOU!

Now, back to our story as shared in last Monday’s (Dec 5th) Prayer Nudge fromEast Africa: Added joy? Knowing the spiritual history of theseworshippers – knowing that most are well discipled, some by early Baptistmissionaries to East Africa and others discipled by those discipled by themissionaries – the multiplication process in action! Another joy? Knowing thatmost of these worshippers are active co-workers serving as our Father’s Heart,Hands and Voice in our world – a few as pastors, many as ‘home missionaries’ inprisons, universities, unreached people groups, etc., and many whose businessjobs take them to places such as Egypt, Sudan, India and even war-torn Somalia– places where professional missionaries are not always welcome!

The girl’s (photo above used to illustrate Prayer Nudge) father, a leader of home mission trips, recently left the business world to become a Baptist Pastor. As a youth, he was discipled by IMB missionaries with a heart for making disciples who make disciples. The girl’s mother is a prayer warrior for unreached Peoples in East Africa and an active disciple maker, who worked many years for an organization sharing God’s Word via the radio to unreached peoples. She is also the daughter of one of the first East African church planters, a Tanzanian who began the Chamgamwe Baptist Church in the city of Mombasa, Kenya. WHICH makes the girl in the photo a 3rd generation East African Baptist and one who is already being discipled by an East African believer using a book published with the help of the Lottie Moon Offering – one more way her family has been touched by Lottie.

ADDED NOTE: Some IMB missionaries in East Africa focus on the Unengaged People Groups (no known sharing of our Father’s Good News), others on the Unreached (those touched, sometimes barely, by the witness of Believers), and a few focus on what is known as the LEGACY. These men and women teach at seminaries and others teach in established Baptist churches and Bible Schools – all with the goal of strengthening and encouraging East African Believers as they serve as a multiplying army of workers in our Father’s Harvest Field, making disciples who will make more…

The girl’s mother sent me this information which I added later which I knew my WMU friends would appreciate: The missionary that my father first worked with was a WOMAN, Helen Gilmore!

I do try to keep these updates short, but as our Kenyan friends says, “I was DEFEATED today.” I’m also late in sending this, but I have a great reason. Jack called during lunch to tell me that he had taken a photo of a student in his class for another great Lottie Story – which I will share next week. The phone (we rely totally on cell phones) connection was horrible, so I went outside – and was entertained for almost an hour by a symphony/ ballet by a flock of birds captured sunning in the left photo. Even after taking extra time to check our East African bird books, I have no clue what they are called, but it was truly a gift to watch them.

I even made a video for you as an early Christmas gift and after several failed tries, I was finally able to download a bit of it to share with you! To view 10 seconds of what I viewed/heard for over an hour, go to: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/viayYX8l3JtRdAwwcWrxu9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

I’m already late and long-winded today, so I will add a bit more: Thank you for praying for Jack as he teaches another round of Baptist

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* Daily Prayer Nudges, WHICH YOU ARE WELCOME TO SHARE with others, can be found at:

"Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa" blog at http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/

Or three options on Facebook:

December 4th Lottie Moon/East Africa Prayer Nudge

2011-12-04T07:00:00.003+03:00

A “testimony of saints continuing efforts to preach, teach and spread the Gospel," sent via e-mail by a Samburu man to IMB workers (on a short stateside leave) who work among the the man's East African People Group: “‘We are fine, my family is fine and all our churches are going well. We have baptized 22 at two places. Mbagas (one place) is alive again. I am working in the forest with morans team and j* is working with mamas teams. Our pre-school… and the training is going on well. Tell apiyo (8 year old MK) his animals are well. The cow is giving milk once a day … the people are missing your family… We have started two other schools for our evangelist teams… Pray for them because the mamas want to learn and read the Bible… The morans needs Bible … Say supa to all of your family.”

A MULE and a CAMEL DERBY – both are tools funded in the past by the Lottie Moon Offering which opened doors to reach the Samburu People! For Memories of the first IMB missionaries among the unreached Samburu People Group can be found at the "Special Praise Update" at http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/2010/12/december-15-2010-special-praise-update.html

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You are encouraged to view and share with other Lottie Moon supporters this blog site or the Facebook Page, Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa -

https://www.facebook.com/LottieMoon2011.EastAfrica

November 30, 2011

2011-11-30T15:01:00.008+03:00

Last week I wrote, “Please don’t … ‘feel sorry’ for us or think we live a ‘hard life’. There are many joys in our lives – which will include a traditional Thanksgiving lunch with co-workers tomorrow.” If you had seen the banquet we shared with 30+ of our mission family, you would agree! Between the roasted turkey and ham there was even a real Sweet Potato Casserole thanks to American sweet potatoes now being available at times in our part of the world – definitely better than our usual substitute of Kenyan sweet potatoes, which are white, thus requiring orange food coloring and added sugar!

Though Thanksgiving 2011 is over and we are now in the Christmas season (no decorations yet at our house, but Christmas carols are playing), we are still in a ‘thanksgiving’ mode as the 2011 International Missions/ Lottie Moon emphasis begins. It is your prayers and gifts to the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Offering that allows us and others to be where God is calling us to serve. We were asked this week to share our 2011 answered prayers in a prayer guide used by mission colleagues. As I sent our answers, I realized these praises also express how you have supported us as you prayed and funded our budgets.

Jack praised God for the teaching opportunities with local Believers with hearts for planting churches. Records from just 6 months of the year include church planting training in 34 locations; 672 people representing 191 churches at 2 day conferences ; 18 (known) small groups were started that have the potential of becoming new churches; 6 new Bible schools began; and at least 96 new Believers resulted from the 'practice' witness times outside the meeting places!

Bert’s praises: For the direction God has given me in using the internet to share our stories from East Africa - which has led to added personnel, finances and prayer support. An unexpected result is that many people are logging on to the blogs which share our stories - the newest being "Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa" ( http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/ ) from other countries where missionaries face many restrictions. Pray that these blogs and Facebook posts at Lottie Moon 2011 East Africa ( https://www.facebook.com/LottieMoon2011.EastAfrica ) will continue to glorify our Father and help others understand how God is at work in East Africa AND how they can join His work in East Africa and in other parts of the world, especially those areas where Believers cannot freely share their stories.

As I write, Jack is teaching the third day of two weeks of another round of Baptist Beliefs, History and Practice at the Kenya Baptist Theological Seminary. Please join us in praying for Jack and others as the KBTC Board of Governors meet on December 19^th. Critical personnel, academic, administration and financial decisions are to be made. Pray that their decisions will help the school begin 2012 with newness of life, a new creation able to serve our Father.

My greatest prayer this week is that I will be able to harness/put into action all my ideas of what can be done during December to help you recognize how thankful we and our colleagues are for your support and how we do depend upon you! Make sure you check out the Prayer Nudges* this week as new examples are shared daily of how the Lottie Moon Offering impacts our lives as we and others serve as our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice. BERT YATES

* Prayer Nudges, WHICH YOU ARE WELCOME TO SHARE with others, can be found at:

"Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa" blog at http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/

Or three options on Facebook:

November 27th Lottie Moon/East Africa Prayer Nudge

2011-11-27T07:00:00.004+03:00

The next time you have a ‘wish I had skipped looking in the mirror’ day or face discouragement, disappointment, frustration – use this ‘low point’ as prayer nudge for those serving as our Father's Heart, Hands and Voice in East Africa and other parts of our world. Very often the things those on mission with our Father most want to share, they cannot due to security issues, a need for sensitivity, the complexity of the problem, or simply they are hurting too much to share at the moment! Any difficult time you are facing is likely faced also by a missionary somewhere – so double your prayers!

*** SOME SAY that warthogs are proof that our Creator has a sense of humor!

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You are encouraged to view and share with other Lottie Moon supporters this blog site or the Facebook Page, Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa -

https://www.facebook.com/LottieMoon2011.EastAfrica

November 23, 2011

2011-11-23T14:20:00.015+03:00

My camera usually leaves home when I do, but there are many scenes that I cannot capture. This week I want to share some captured and uncaptured scenes which I pray will lead you to seeing our world and joining us in prayer.

Many recently viewed scenes include mud and more mud. After years of poor rains, Kenya is having a proper rainy season which comes with blessings of flourishing crops and overflowing water reservoirs. The good rains also leads to the suffering of floods. This is especially a problem in slum areas with buildings constructed of throw-away items. Also many Kenyans rely on foot power, which means they are rather damp these days which leads to illnesses with many having limited medical care. Another problem: Areas affected by famine are not yet benefitting from the new crops and relief trucks are mired in mud, unable to make the journey. For more on the Horn of Africa drought, go to the “Too hungry to cry” - Africa Stories (1)or to BGR Updates and Videos at Horn of Africa Drought Crisis (2).

There were also many unexpected scenes last week. Driving to church last Sunday, we questioned if our car was invisible as we faced many near collissions as big and small vehicles sought our spot on the road. Then a motorcycle with a special cargo appeared – which relieved our tension and helped us focus on blessings and joys rather than our discouragements.

A unexpected scene not captured was meeting a woman while shopping. The woman said several times in Swahili, “You are a woman, you have children. Mine are starving, please give me money.” I had money to offer, but I know the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to note the woman’s good health and the dazed look in her eyes. It broke my heart, but I knew the Holy Spirit was telling me that this was not a time to give, but to pray for the woman.

Later in the week, a young man shared with us how he had lost his house and possessions due to the illegal action of others. We had only a few shillings in our pockets that day, but the Holy Spirit led to assure him of our prayers and a later financial help. We rarely leave home without encountering people in need, which leads to a needed constant prayer: Alertness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we decide how/when to respond to the needs around us.

Please don’t read of these experiences and ‘feel sorry’ for us or think we live a ‘hard life’. There are many joys in our lives – which will include a traditional Thanksgiving lunch with co-workers tomorrow. We are thankful for where God has called us and the gift of doing His work – which leads to a few prayer requests: For guidance and sensitivity as I share stories from East Africa, especially as the annual Lottie Moon Offering time approaches.

Pray also that our co-workers will be encouraged as their stories are shared. Pray for Jack as he travels this weekend to a central Kenyan Bible School. Pray that he will strengthen these pastors as he teaches how to share our Father’s love with followers of other faiths. Pray for Jack also as he begins another two week teaching session next week at our seminary, KBTC.

One more thanksgiving before I close: Thank you for all the ways you support us through your prayers, sending personnel and giving to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Offering! BERT YATES

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(1) “Too hungry to cry” / Africa Stories – http://www.africastories.org/

(2) BGR Horn of Africa Drought Crisis – http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/projects/view/horn_of_africa_drought_crisis

November 20th Lottie Moon/East Africa Prayer Nudge

2011-11-20T07:00:00.005+03:00

What three Missionary Kids of South Sudan say about themselves: "Our favourite thing to do in Sudan is to play with friends in the nearby villages. We like to tell our friends Bible stories and tell them about Jesus. We also like to swim in the river, when it has water.” Prayer Requests shared by these MKs who are our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice to the the Toposa People Group (800,000 people – less than 2% have responded to the Gospel): “Please continue to pray for God to start a church planting movement among the Toposa people …. Please pray for the Toposa people as they hear the Word of God … Thanks for praying for my family and me.”

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You are encouraged to view and share with other Lottie Moon supporters this blog site or the Facebook Page, Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa -

https://www.facebook.com/LottieMoon2011.EastAfrica

November 16, 2011

2011-11-16T14:10:00.004+03:00

SOUND of the Week: The continuous beeps/ bumps/ grinds of huge machinery preparing a neighbouring plot for yet another transformation of a single family home into multi-housing units. A great reminder that we live in a growing city - which means that our ways of ministering must always be ‘transforming’ as we seek to reach those moving into Nairobi from all parts of Kenya and other countries – many seeking peace, both physically and spiritually – with many ending up in the slums, where more than 60% of the residents of Nairobi, the second largest city in East Africa, live in 5% of the city’s boundary. Which leads to the…

SMELL of the Week: The stench of the garbage dumped beside the Highridge village within the Korogocho slum, where it is estimated that “150,000 to 200,000 people (are) pressed into a 1.5 square kilometres” (1). Residents are the refugees from others countries as well as Kenyans from rural areas in search of jobs and education as well as many city dwellers with jobs, but without enough income to afford adequate housing. Our visit with two other IMB couples during a tour of Baptist work in our city coincided with lunch time, but the stench from the Dandora Dump site, the place where Nairobi trash is deposited/ recycled/ decomposed, offered us a strong incentive for dieting! Which leads to our…

SIGHT of the Week: Not sure if it was the toddlers playing as their parents washed plastic bags and other ‘good trash’ in the dirty Nairobi River which borders the trash site OR the street kids on top of the trash site searching for goodies – things to sale, use or even eat! Yes, I could go on and on about the heartbreak/prayer nudges of these views, but I must share our…

JOY of the Week: Viewing the ministry that Kenyan Baptists with IMB help began in Highridge in the early 1980’s. With the assistance of local government officials in need of help in Nairobi’s growing slum areas, Baptists began the Highridge Baptist Church and a centre offering training in skills such as carpentry and sewing. Soon a nursery school began and today a beautiful school sits on the property offering Pre-school though Standard (grade) 8 classes for 300+ students from the area a quality education, Christian nurturing and a good lunch each day (which includes eggs from their own chicken farm), as well as training in sewing, etc., for youth and adults.

The SMELL and SIGHT noted earlier were smelled and viewed as the Dandora trash sight is on one side of the river and the school on the opposite side! Today I’m only sharing a few photos but I will share even more SIGHTS (but thankfully no SMELLS) later in the month as I focus on the upcoming Lottie Moon Emphasis – as the beginning of the work in Highridge was supported by funds from gifts to the Lottie Moon Offering!

As always, I could keep sharing as these are only a few of our experiences this past week, but hopefully this will help you join us in prayer. Pray also this week for Jack as he continues teaching at our seminary, KBTC, and as I prepare daily Prayer Nudges (3) sharing how God is at work in East Africa. Join us also in praying that these Prayer Nudges will not only lead to increased prayers for God’s work, but strengthen or encourage our co-workers as their stories are shared. BERT

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(1) Korogocho/Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korogocho

(2) Yates-IMB-Kenya – http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com

(3) Lottie Moon 2011 / East Africa – http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/ or look for the new Facebook site, Imb EastAfrica!

November 13th Lottie Moon/East Africa Prayer Nudge

2011-11-13T07:00:00.004+03:00

An MK – not an 'international' one, but a 'home' Missionary Kid whose parents serve as our Father's Heart, Hands and Voice in their own country, Kenya. His parents are currently in transition - after planting churches in central Kenya, they realized that those they had trained and discipled were ready to become the leaders. So just as they will do one day with this little one, they are stepping back and allowing their 'children' to mature as they continue encouraging and strengthening the ones they have 'raised' and trained! Pray for guidance for this little one's parents as they do what missionaries must often do - turn over the work to others and move on to new work in our Father's Harvest Field.

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New daily Lottie Moon 2011-East Africa Prayer Nudges sharing how God's children are serving as His Heart, Hands and Voice in East Africa can be found at: http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/ You are encouraged to view daily this blog site or the Facebook Page - Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa and to share the links with others who are supporters of the Lottie Moon Offering.

November 9, 2011

2011-11-09T13:08:00.002+03:00

Another week of questions of what to share. Do I begin this week with the fact that we awoke to another flat tire this morning, a day after finally finding someone to tighten the back door of our car before it popped-open while on the road? I could begin with the humor found this morning in a co-workers remedy to missing Autumn in the States – a Fall party which included burning a scented candle, wearing a sweater in equatorial weather, and drinking hot cocoa (my personal remedy: adding pumpkin pie seasoning to my morning coffee). Or do I begin with a recap of some of the things seen during one trip around our city this week: an almost too-close encounter in a round-a-bout with a huge truck, beautiful fruit for sale at a street-side wheelbarrow shop, not far from a hand-cart shop offering locks, belts and Maasai trinkets, or the amazement/concerns that arose as we viewed the on-going expansion/growth of city roads?

I could add a reminder of what I shared last week: Blogs and photos albums I’m preparing “as a part of enriching your Lottie Moon 2011,” which includes a photo story at “Our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice in Kerugoya, Kenya” (1), as well as “ all the Prayer Nudges from East Africa during the rest of the year will focus on the 2011 Lottie Moon emphasis,” found “in a special new blog, Lottie Moon 2011–East Africa (2) and Facebook Photo Album, “His Heart, His Hands and His Voice in East Africa” (3). Please feel free to share these with your friends and churches!

Oh, I must not forget to thank you for praying with us last week “for strength and wisdom as I led a prayer retreat for the staff of our mission guest house … for Jack as he takes newer co-workers on a tour of the Baptist work in Nairobi and as he prepares for a new teaching session at our seminary.” The Prayer Retreat went well and Jack is pleased with the new information he is finding to share with pastors and church leaders, AND I was wrong about the tour – three couples will join us THIS Friday, so continue praying that this will enable all of us to be stronger witnesses of our Good News in our part of the world.

But what I must share is what really touched my heart this week – comments written by a coworker: “Unreached, Unengaged Peoples (UUPGs) -- those who are less than 2 percent evangelical and have no one implementing church planting strategies among them. As our new president says, 3800 UUPGs in the world is unacceptable, thus the implementation of Embrace (4). And I would echo that sentiment -- 400+ UUPGs in Sub-Saharan Africa is not acceptable. Many of us have been working in Africa a long time, working alongside others … involved in evangelism and church planting, so how is it that there are still so many who seem to be without the Gospel … 400+ unreached, unengaged people groups with a total population of 24 million living in Sub-Saharan Africa? … 50 of these people groups have a population over 100,000.”

Closing this week’s prayer update is easy – I ask that you join me in praying the nudges offered by my friend for the Unreached/Unengaged People of Sub-Saharan Africa: “Would you join me in praying for these people? Would you pray that their hearts would be open to the Gospel? Would you pray that the Lord of the harvest would call out workers to take the Gospel to them?” BERT YATES

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(1) Our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice in Kerugoya, Kenya” – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150507281490130.470953.685050129&type=1&l=7c093c486e

(2) New Blog: Lottie Moon 2011-East Africa – http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/

(3) Facebook: “His Heart, His Hands and His Voice in East Africa” – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.134181110019669.22008.133854790052301&type=1&l=4952d896ac

(4) EMBRACE – http://www.imb.org/main/lead/embracedefault.asp?StoryID=9651&LanguageID=1709

November 6th Lottie Moon/East Africa Prayer Nudge

2011-11-06T09:35:00.004+03:00

From a young couple serving in East Africa: “We’re moving … and we are excited … God has graciously opened doors for ministry at a university. My hubby will teach a few classes – an awesome opportunity for access to many students and the chance to build relationships … He is already preaching on the campus … Me and our little one stroll around the campus a lot and she is such a magnet! People love to talk to her and hold her and she always responds with the biggest smiles. She has opened lots of doors for us and has helped us build relationships with so many people.” Join this couple in praying for wisdom as they seek God’s direction for serving among students as His Heart, Hands and Voice. (Photo is of the little 'magnet' trying to watch her Daddy preach on campus.

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November 2, 2011

2011-11-02T15:16:00.005+03:00

As I’m working through a rather scary thunder storm, I should begin today’s prayer update with praise for the rain that is falling in Kenya! There are flooding problems in places, but farmers and those in need of water in catchment systems are definitely praising God. Though the rains did affect my ability to take photos during our trip last week, thankfully we had no major problems as the roads to central Kenya are in good repair, other than a slippery trip down the dirt lane to the Kerugoya Baptist Church – the site for the associational Bible School where Jack and our colleague, Ron Langston, were teaching.

I’m running late today (the reason for continuing to work during the storm with no electricity) because I took time this morning to prepare a special slideshow to share our trip to Kerugoya with you. You can find this photo story at “Our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice in Kerugoya, Kenya” (1). Thank you for praying for us – this was truly time of blessing as we met with five students and others committed to being equipped and able servants of our Father.

We returned home on Saturday night and due to a marathon being run in the city centre, we attended Parklands Baptist the next morning which is near our home. Another praise is that though Kenya continues to engage the terrorists north of our borders, things have been calm in the country since early last week. But it was a little unsettling to arrive at church to security checks and armed guards patrolling as we worshipped! As I shared on Monday in the 2011 Prayer Nudges from East Africa (2), “Prayers were especially intense during the service but the emphasis was not on safety for those of us praying … (but) prayers for the safety of the people of Somalia; prayers for strength and boldness for the secret Believers among their people; and prayers that Christians will be ready to respond when the people of Somalia are able to freely hear of and accept the Good News of the Prince of Peace.” Do continue praying with us that as Kenya goes through this difficult time, shared by many places in our world, that the problems will not limit but increase our ability to be ambassadors of His love and salvation.

Since our return, I have been busy preparing several blogs and photos albums as a part of enriching your Lottie Moon 2011 – my way of sharing “how God's children in East African are serving as His Heart, Hands and Voice.” One way I’m doing this is that all the Prayer Nudges from East Africa during the rest of the year will focus on the 2011 Lottie Moon emphasis, “HIS HEART, HIS HANDS, AND HIS VOICE.” These photos are also appearing in a special new blog, Lottie Moon 2011–East Africa (3) and Facebook Photo Album, “His Heart, His Hands and His Voice in East Africa” (4) prepared for my coworkers in East Africa to share about our work with their prayer supporters– but you are also more than welcome to share this with others.

Once again thank you for bearing with my thoughts as I seek to share with you about God’s work in East Africa – which I feel that I must do as you are a part of this work as you support us in your prayers, as well as personnel and financial support. Other prayer requests this week is for strength and wisdom as I lead a prayer retreat for the staff of our mission guest house tomorrow; for Jack as he takes newer co-workers on a tour of the Baptist work in Nairobi and as he prepares for a new teaching session at our seminary, KBTC, later this month. Thank you for all the ways you support us, BERT YATES

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(1) Our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice in Kerugoya, Kenya” – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150507281490130.470953.685050129&type=1&l=7c093c486e

(2) 2011 Prayer Nudges from East Africa – http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

(3) New Blog: Lottie Moon 2011-East Africa – http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/

(4) “His Heart, His Hands and His Voice in East Africa” – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.134181110019669.22008.133854790052301&type=1&l=4952d896ac

October 26, 2011

2011-10-26T13:37:00.004+03:00

If you have been keeping up with East African news you know that things are tense in our part of the world at the moment. In recent weeks, Kenya’s relationship with our northern neighbor, Somalia, has been tested, which has led to Kenya entering into a military offensive against the terrorists based there. Kenya hosts many refugees from Somalia and the majority are good people fleeing the problems of their homeland, but some are a part of the terrorist activities. Due to all of this, there have been retaliatory actions in the last few days within Kenya and there are threats of future problems.

I often share prayer nudges under the category of “IF you don’t know how to pray for missionaries today, pray for …” – Well, most of the prayer nudges I’m sharing today fall into this grouping. Did you know that many of your missionaries serving around our world know that they may face danger every time they leave home? They cannot always freely share these threats with you – threats of car-jacking, kidnapping, getting caught in disturbances, etc., some the result of the inequities and poor governance in their countries, sometimes due to retaliatory actions, and other times simply the bad guys knowing that it is unlikely they will be caught or punished. Things are unusually tense in all of Kenya at the moment, but this tension is the norm in many other countries and even in certain locations within Kenya. I will add this note before I continue: Do pray for Jack and me, but we are OK, just being extra alert and cautious these days!

So how can you join us in praying? Pray that all of us will find the balance of going about our lives while being cautious and alert to what is happening around us. Pray that we will be wise in the where/ when/ how actions that we take. Pray that those in tense situations will not become lax due to their situations becoming ‘kwa kawaida’ – Swahili for the norm! Pray that we will not be so overwhelmed by our precautions/ fears that we cannot know how God is at work around us and how He wants us to join in this work. Pray that our fears will not limit but increase our ability to be ambassadors of His love and salvation.

Once again this update is longer, but I must end by sharing our experiences last Sunday. Before we left for church, we read in our newspaper that a slum near where our church meets was in the midst of being demolished. Many people in our part of the world cannot afford the housing in the cities, the place where there are jobs and opportunities, so they live in areas which are not safe in the quality of housing, clean water and sewage disposal, but also due to their living where there should be no housing – this time directly under planes landing at our international airport, other places near train tracks (we’re talking inches, not yards), or near hazardous waste, etc. As we arrived at the rented spot where our new church meets, we spotted a young man sitting in the middle of the path with his meager belongings looking very confused. I will jump ahead a bit and share also what we saw as we left church after the service – simple household items loaded on trucks, cars, handcarts, and people’s shoulders flooding out of the road that led to this slum.

During our prayer times at church, always long and intense, there were prayers for those affected by the demolishing of the nearby slum (we learned that some of those affected attended our church) and prayers for the economic situation of Kenya. There were also many prayers for the situation with Somalia and the recent events in Egypt and other parts of our world. What stood out most was the love and concern expressed in the prayers for the hurting people in all these situations. As the realities of the problems were acknowledged in the prayers, requests were made that Believers would use these situations to share our Father’s love and salvation – the true answer to finding peace in our world.

Thank you for bearing with my thoughts today. We do rely on your prayer support – so I will add three more request: Pray for us as we travel with friends tomorrow through Sunday to a Bible School in the countryside. Pray for Jack and our friends as they teach a group of pastors truly committed to serving our Father. And do join us in praying that the situations we encounter will not leave us discouraged, but praising our Father for the opportunities we have to be His heart, hands and voice in our hurting world. BERT YATES

*** Don't forget to check out this past week's Prayer Nudges from East Africa at: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

October 19, 2011

2011-10-19T13:03:00.004+03:00

I began a message to you yesterday written on Jack’s computer entitled: NO Yates/Legacy Team Prayer Update This Week. BUT, a break helped me see things with a more positive attitude – so here goes preparing this on Jack’s computer without my usual program helps. My new computer semi-crashed yesterday – the 2nd time since I purchased it in May – which left me extremely frustrated. Once again, I encountered a damaging glitch, but I know from experience that when I return home from our coastal survey trip this weekend I can repair the problem. So our first two prayer requests this week: Pray that I will have the needed patience and ‘smarts’ to restore my computer to full working condition and secondly, find what leads to the problem SO I can avoid doing it again!

Our survey of Bible Schools on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya has had its ups and downs. Our first visit last Thursday was to a Bible School near the inland town of Voi. The ‘up’ part: The school is in intact and everything (beds, desk, books) are stored, ready for a new class. The ‘down’? There have been no classes in a while.

Our trip on to Mombasa last Thursday began uneventful, other than it was raining. We passed the road to Kaloleni that heads to the north coast and debated whether we should take it to decide if this route through the ‘real’ African countryside would be a good trip for volunteers heading to work on the north coast.* Due to the rain and uncertainty if construction on the road was completed, we took the regular option – actually, the only other option. Fifteen miles from Mombasa, traffic stopped and we could see for at least a mile and saw only stopped vehicles, most of them huge trucks. We were told a truck had flipped and no traffic was moving or would move for hours. So we backtracked and took the one alternative – the road we had passed earlier.

As I shared in the October 14^th Prayer Nudges from East Africa: “The first half of the 25 mile detour was smooth paved roads, then we encountered a barricade of dirt. A young man told us to go back and turn left at the first lane, go to the big tree and turn right onto the "express way" to the Mombasa north road. So we turned around, wiggled through a little village, spotted the big tree and ... well, our definition of an expressway is not a road that is either badly rutted with deep, wide crevices or one-lane-wide pavement with foot high jagged edges, or bits totally flooded! We made it safely although we may all refuse to enter the car today…”

We did get back in the car the next day and visited a graduate of the seminary program at Kenya Baptist Theological College at his Baptist church in Mtwapa, one of the many villages along the coastline. Later, I will share photos taken that day – an exciting view of how a church hall can be transformed into school rooms (girls on the left are in one 'room')with simple room dividers. This time, we heard of many Bible Schools doing well along the coast – even one which has multiplied and now holds multiple classes at another site.

On Sunday, we returned to this church for worship and as I explained in today’s Prayer Nudges from East Africa, before my computer crashed, I had spent much of Monday preparing a ‘Prayer Walk’ using photos taken of kids during that service which I planned to match verses to nudges you to prayers for our coastal kids – many who are live in areas with limited educational and medical opportunities. “BUT as I looked back at the photos, I realized that you don't need my help in discerning how to pray for our coastal kids!” To find the 18 ‘nudges to prayer’ photos taken in an East African village near the Indian Ocean in a Picasa Web Album, go to https://picasaweb.google.com/Bertndovu/Mombasa111016Kids?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCK3UhuC79Zahbw&feat=directlink and on Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150484862025130.465609.685050129&type=1&l=cecd87026e OR for a quick view, it is the new slideshow below the Date/Time in Kenya (right side) of this blog.

We will return to Nairobi on Friday and we do need you to pray for safety as we travel as today’s local newspaper says there is still a ten mile traffic jam of trucks stuck on the Mombasa road since last week due to damage from the recent unseasonably heavy rains. We have had to readjust our schedule due to the rain and flooding and skip visiting some areas. Please join us also in praying for the people, churches, Bible Schools we have visited or will in the next two days. Praise God with us for how our Father is being glorified thanks to the work of many of his past and present committed servants. Join us in praying that we will use all we are learning to know exactly our Father’s plans/purpose for our involvement in His harvest field. BERT YATES

* Answer to the question about using the Kaloleni road for volunteers is a definite YES - but only after they complete the last half of the road, especially if it is raining! It is a great view of the real coastal countryside where little has changed in years!

October 11, 2011

2011-10-11T15:25:00.005+03:00

Sometimes our prayer update seems to create itself and I’m simply the typist and the editor seeking to shorten the appearing thoughts, but I can’t get started today. I had added “as my mind is blank” to end the last sentence, but the truth is that my mind is so filled with things to remember/ things to do that it is hard to focus! One distraction is the piles scattered around our house, the result of unpacking from last week’s trip to western Kenya and packing for a 10 or more day trip to the coast which begins tomorrow – the reason for sending this week’s update early.

Once again we are traveling with our friends, Ron and Jan Langston, with the purpose of ‘gathering information’ on the Bible Schools of Kenya and discerning whether this is where God wants us investing more of our time and energies. Thanks for praying for us last week as we know that God was guiding and protecting us as we traveled through beautiful country and met with people eager to share their lives and dreams with us.

One such person is a young man who graduated in July from our seminary, Kenya Baptist Theological College. Willingstone is very eager to entrust all he has learned with reliable others of western Kenya who can teach others how to better know and serve our heavenly Father and be His ambassadors. Keeping up with this young man and his father, Hesbon, is going to be a challenge as Ron, Jan and Jack join them in teaching in new Bible Schools. I will be tagging along, but my job will continue to be sharing what God is doing and how He is allowing us to be His fellow workers.

On our trip home last week, we stopped at a pottery display near Kakamega. I was preparing to put my camera away as not all want their work photographed, but the potters eagerly welcomed us and our cameras to their workshops! You will spot photos taken that day in coming weeks as the stop provided many, many scenes to illustrate prayer nudges, including the photo used last Sunday (October 9^th) and in tomorrow’s Prayer Nudge from East Africa.

We continue to thank God for the many opportunities He gives us to relate to others who love and serve Him, such as assisting with a baby dedication at our church, as well as relating with those in need of our Good News, such as friends of other faiths who often talk to us about their relationship with God – relationships of which they are content, yet we know they could have so much more joy and peace if they accepted all of His gifts! I ask this week that you join us in praying that we continually grow in our ability to share our Father’s love and salvation. Join us in praying that when the task ahead of us seems overwhelming and like Moses (Exodus 3:11,12) we ask, “Who am I that I should” go or do …, that we remember that our being our Father’s ambassadors is not about who we are, but about who is with us, our Father who promises, “I will be with you.”

BERT YATES

October 4, 2011

2011-10-04T20:47:00.004+03:00

My lap is my desk as I write this week’s update, sitting in the midst of a rain forest with butterflies fluttering everywhere (but never cooperating for a photo) and birds and monkeys competing with the usual afternoon thunder to out-squawk one another. Definitely one of those times when missionary life is fun! The internet strength within the Kakamega Forest is better than the past, but sill rather ‘iffy’ – so I’m writing this a day early to allow extra time for sending! (The internet is acting very iffy as I post this, so look later for the photos which I will post when we travel through a larger town tomorrow!)

Thank you also for praying for us and Ron and Jan Langston as we travelled yesterday to western Kenya to ‘gather information’ on Bible Schools of the area. Things are going well and we believe that we are seeing/ sensing/ experiencing what God wants included in future plans. We did have a safe journey, but keep praying as we return home tomorrow, visiting at least one more Bible School along the way, and as we travel to the coast to visit their Bible Schools next week. Continue praying for God’s guidance in all we do and for safety on Kenya’s obstacle-course roads! Our vehicle is in Nairobi at the moment awaiting work on the brakes which overheated on last week’s trip; thankfully the Langston’s car had working brakes when cows, a sheep, a pedestrian, and multiple oncoming vehicles tried to share our lane – the zebras stayed off the road yesterday!

We have no clue why, but we were delayed in leaving Nairobi yesterday as we encountered stalled traffic in our part of the city. To get to the western edge of Nairobi usually takes less than 15 minutes, but it took over an hour yesterday, which led to today’s (October 4th) Prayer Nudge from East Africa (http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/ ) a follow-up of the story of a basket weaver that I shared in last week’s prayer update:

As we passed this morning, we watched a crafts lady place her ready-to-buy items on her 'sales floor' - a large piece of plastic. She then prepared a 'seat/work bench' from another piece of plastic next to the wall where she creates more items as she awaits customers along a busy road in an area of upper class houses. We had time to see all this as we were in a jam … But as we bemoaned the slow traffic, the lady looked happier than usual. I finally realized that the slow-down was in her favor as cars which usually zoomed-by had time to stop and not just smell the roses at the flower stall across the road (another makeshift shop), but have an extended view of her handiwork. Join me in praying today that as frustrations encroach on our schedules/ lives, we will use these to help us slow down and see the world around us and to sense opportunities to be ambassadors of our Father - opportunities we too often zoom past!

Do join us in praying that we will always be alert to the opportunities around us and sensitive to which of these God desires our response. We do encounter many things in need of help/assistance/etc., which can lead to our being overwhelmed, stressed and stretched. Please pray that we will always know when/ how/ where we should respond as our Father’s workers.

I guess I should add one more prayer item based on one of yesterday’s ‘I knew that, but…’ moments. As we entered the Kakamega Forest, we were explaining to the Langstons that the entry road we were taking was very different from the road on the opposite side of the forest and realized the explanation was simple: It is a totally different people group!

So before I search for the right place/ wind direction to send this message, please also pray for sensitivity and wisdom as we seek to strengthen and encourage East African Believers as we engage lostness together. BERT YATES

September 28, 2011

2011-09-28T13:48:00.009+03:00

As we traveled around our city yesterday, I had my camera to capture scenes such as the view (below) of our street where one can buy clothing, food, puppies, toys, flowers, curios, car parts, and lots more! But, I can only share one set of viewed scenes in words as taking photographs would have been, simply said, disrespectful. In an upper class housing area, a woman sat along the road weaving bits of sisal into strips. A ‘shop’ of mats, baskets and purses were scattered around the woman as she watched the driver of a costly car purchase flowers at a stall across the road.

On our return trip, I spotted the basket weaver again – this time walking with her handiwork on her back in a large plastic bag which had doubled as her ‘display mat’. She looked so dejected and so tired. After having read/heard this week of the escalating cost of living in Kenya, which in August was 17.1% for the poor in our city – 4-6% higher that the inflation rate for the middle and upper class (1), many scenarios passed through my mind.

Had the woman made any sales at her ‘shop’ today? Did an evening meal for her family depend upon her returning home with a few shillings to purchase a bunch of greens? Had she eaten today, even drank a cup of chai, sweet milky tea which has recently become less sweet and milky in many homes? Was she sick, but unable to pay for needed care? Did she have kids, possibly grandkids who are AIDS orphans, who would not complete their homework after dark (always 6:30-7 in our equatorial part of the world) as she had no money for her kerosene lantern? Or had her kids been at home today as she has not paid their school fees and they will be home again tomorrow if her purse is empty. Their fees may be less than one restaurant meal for the lady buying flowers, but more than the basket weaver has.

None of my thoughts may explain why the woman looked so sad, but as I shared in yesterday’s, September 24th Prayer Nudge from East Africa (2), “… for the third time in three outings, a Kenyan salesperson suggested a less costly option as I sought an item on my grocery list. This puzzled me until I remembered that the … costs of foods and services are skyrocketing … millions of people in Kenya with limited or no income are doing without and … suffering.” Would you pray with me for the basket weaver I spotted yesterday. Pray that business and government leaders will find ways to halt the financial problems occurring also in other parts of East Africa and our world. Pray that decisions will be made that are good for all economic groups rather than leading only to increased money/power for a few.

I asked you last week to join us in praying for missionaries (national and international) from East African Baptist churches ministering to the hunger, thirst and illnesses in one area affected by Horn of Africa Drought (3). Prayers were answered and three groups that traveled to northern parts of Kenya, reported people receiving physical and spiritual food and healing! Please continue praying for safety, sensitivity, good health and that relief efforts will go smoothly. Pray especially for spiritual strength and wisdom as God’s children minister in His name. (Photo in today’s 2011 Prayer Nudge from East Africa is of a Turkana child who received food last week.)

Thank you for praying for Jack as he taught the 3rd year Youth Ministry class at Kenya Baptist Theological College last week. Pray for these 11 students and other men and women from East Africa as they study amid difficulties. Pray that the problems will be resolved and KBTC will be faithful in preparing God’s children to serve as His witnesses, teachers, leaders and shepherds.

Pray for Jack and a colleague as they travel tomorrow to teach in a Bible School in central Kenya. Pray also as we travel next week with this colleague and his wife to ‘gather information’ on Bible Schools inn western Kenya. Pray for safe travel and that we will see/ sense/ experience what God wants included in future plans. BERT YATES

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(1) “Panic as shilling hits lowest level” – DAILY NATION, September 27, 2011 – http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Panic+as+shilling++hits+lowest+level+/-/1006/1243546/-/wkmykkz/-/index.html

(2) 2011 Prayer Nudges from East Africa found at: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

(3) For more on how you can minister in our Father’s name to the Horn of Africa Drought Crisis, go to: http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/projects/view/horn_of_africa_drought_crisis

September 21, 2011

2011-09-21T15:04:00.006+03:00

Yes, I’m running late again today thanks to multiple frustrations! First, the electricity is off at our house, so when Jack left to teach at our seminary, I packed up and came with him knowing that the neighboring Brackenhurst Baptist Conference Centre has a generator to use if their electricity is out – ONLY to discover that my speedier internet does not work in this area outside Nairobi. So, bear with me as try to complete what I began at home now that I’ve switched internet set-ups, which was complicated today (I rely on three types) and dealt with a few more frustrations!

This has been a week of praising God for how East African Believers are serving our Father, beginning with a story Jack heard from a third year student at Kenya Baptist Theological College (all items in quotes was added by Jack): “For the last two years I have travelled every month to the southern coast of Kenya to teach pastors of all denominations and tribes (an area where there are few Christians among the major People Group – most follow Islam and traditional beliefs). They invited me because I was a student at KBTC and I was willing to go. They pay for my travel (less than $3.50 per pastor, but a sacrifice for most) and I have a sponsor who paid my hotel arrangements. After a few months I realized that staying at a hotel separated me from the pastors. I asked the sponsor to give the money to the pastor who hosts me each session, so now the pastors rotate hosting me. I teach my sponsor’s curriculum, which is not Baptist, so whenever I find a section I don’t agree with as a Baptist, I leave it out! Since I am the only one trained at the simplest level, all the students are interested in attending KBTC someday – one even joined a class this year.”

Jack’s response to the story: I shared my CPM training manual with him and will mentor him when possible. During a survey trip to identify Bible School needs on the coast in October, we will look into the possibility of starting a Bible School in the area.

Now for Jack’s prayer needs: Pray for him as he continues teaching Baptist Beliefs, History and Practicethis week to the 3^rd year Youth Ministry class at KBTC. He continues to be impressed by the hearts and minds of these 11 students (from Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan/ 8 men, 3 women) and asks that you join him in praying that they will be strong and capable sharers of our Father’s love and salvation with the youth and children of East Africa. Pray for him as he helps plan the survey trip to the coast in October and prepares for the completion of the Baptist Beliefs course in November.

Another great story was shared in today’s 2011 Prayer Update from East Africa.* This prayer nudge was seeking prayer support “for a group of missionaries (national and international) from East African Baptist churches who will travel tomorrow to minister to the hunger, thirst and illnesses in one area affected by famine. Pray for safety, sensitivity, good health and that their work will go smoothly. Pray especially for spiritual strength and wisdom as they minister in the name of our Father, the giver of the greatest HOPE.” It is a joy for us to watch our younger missionaries partnering with pastors and members of our Baptist church as they serve our Father.

Yet another story was spotted this morning in a FACEBOOK message posted last night by a second generation Kenyan Baptist pastor: Thanks all for your prayers and encouragement. Our day started well at 6.45 a.m and went out for a journey that would take us to the remotest parts of Turkana were we see poverty but also the Joy of the Lord. Whenever we went, mainly under trees where they have churches, we were welcomed. We fed about 1200 people. Tomorrow we expect over 2000. Continue to pray.”

My response: “Great news! Thanks for being our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice among the Turkana, an area with many unreached people who are in need of physical food and water as well as Spiritual Food and Water!” Those of you who are already preparing for this year’s International Missions/Lottie Moon Emphasis will recognize the 2011 theme: “His Heart, His Hands, His Voices.” I have begun preparation for helping our staff and other Believers in East Africa share how we are serving as our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice. Pray that I will stay focused and productive as I work. Pray that I will be sensitive to our Father’s guidance, as well as sensitive to those who have a story to share. Pray that the new blogs, FB pages, newsletters, etc., I prepare to promote this year’s Southern Baptist International Missions emphasis will strengthen and encourage my fellow workers in East Africa as well as those who will be celebrating the upcoming Lottie Moon.

Thank you once again for being a part of our support team – especially for your prayer support! BERT YATES

* 2011 Prayer Nudges from East Africa - http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

September 18th Prayer Nudge from East Africa

2011-09-18T07:19:00.001+03:00

Sometimes I am so focused on praying for the needs around me (this week's list included the Horn of Africa drought, the deadly ferry accident in Tanzania, and the horrific fire in a Nairobi slum), that I overlook taking/ making time to praise God! A volunteer reminded me of this as we corresponded about my using photos taken while she ministered among the Samburu People. My question: "How should I credit the photo?" Her answer: "I believe God should get the credit for the photo. He created it, I just held my camera up and clicked." Join me today in taking/making time to praise our Father and I promise you that two things will happen: 1/As we give Him the praise He deserves, we will find joy. 2/ When we focus on praising Him, we will likely become so excited and joyful that we will want to "proclaim his salvation ... declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples" (Psalm 96:2,3).

Daily PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA can be found at: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

September 14, 2011

2011-09-14T14:32:00.007+03:00

I will begin as I did last week: “Running late today, very late … I have the best job. I do have to share some negative/ discouraging things, but my focus is usually on sharing the incredible positive…” Today’s delay is not due to a positive, but a negative. Yesterday’s headline in our local Daily Nation was “100 die in fuel fire” (1) and todays, “Nation in mourning as toll rises” (2), sharing that “the death toll (is) at between 100 and 120” with hundreds homeless and injured and thousands suffering and traumatized. (Look at the following two posts for video news clips of the tragedy.)

I can share some ‘positives’ related to this fire. It is has been amazing how people are responding/reacting to the fire. We know that many ministering to those affected are doing it in our Father’s name. One Kenyan Baptist pastor/teacher shared with Jack that his concern is for the emotional healing from the trauma as well as for the meeting of physical needs (medical, housing, and finances) of those affected. We heard this morning that one friend, a Kenyan Baptist women’s leader, runs a school in this area and others are joining with her in ministry in her area. Please join me this week in praying for God’s comfort and the meeting of the physical needs for those suffering.

After today’s Prayer Nudge from East Africa (3) was posted, I added this comment: “Debated whether to post the Prayer Nudge prepared for today, but realized that especially in the time of trauma and pain, we must claim and share the joy we have as Believers.” I have become very aware of this as I’ve shared prayer nudges for the ongoing Horn of Africa Drought Crisis (4) and the fire in one of Nairobi’s slums (5). I expected someone to comment on two ‘conflicting’ emphases in last week’s prayer update – the drought and the slideshow, “Satisfied Souls at Ridgeways Baptist” (6). One shared prayer needs related to famine and the other shared the ‘eating’ part of the celebration/ dedication of a new sanctuary. This is an issue faced often by those on mission with God! We do experience heartbreaking situations as we celebrate the ‘positive’ things our Father and His children are accomplishing. It is often hard to do both at the same time and to continue praising God in all situations – thus a prayer need for balance, strength, and wisdom for all of us serving as our Father’s co-workers.

I do have positives to share this week. Jack has begun another two week session at Kenya Baptist Theological College teaching Baptist Beliefs, History and Practice to 3rd year Youth Ministry. His prayer request is that these 11 students (from Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan/ 8 men, 3 women) will be strong and capable sharers of our Father’s love and salvation with the youth and children of East Africa.

My positive this week was finding time to create a Psalm 84 slideshow sharing a view of how God is at work among the members (past and present) of Ridgeways Baptist Church in Nairobi. PRAISING GOD WITH RIDGEWAYS BAPTIST CHURCH (7) is a true Lottie Moon story – a story of how the desire of an IMB missionary family for a church in their community has resulted 23 years later in a church needing a sanctuary seating 1500. Another way to define Ridgeways Baptist: A story of how the investment of Believers on mission with our Father has resulted in incredible returns!

I know that once again that I have given you a lot of things you can view/check-out. I’m not apologizing, but another comment I made this week on Facebook shares my reasoning: “Sharing a lot today… but there are many things in need of prayer and I know that as God created each of us to be unique individuals, our hearts and minds are attuned to praying for different needs.” Thanks again for being a part of our prayer team! BERT YATES
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(1) “100 die in Fuel Fire” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/100+killed+in+Nairobi+fuel+fire/-/1056/1235082/-/ysld31z/-/index.html
(2) “Nation in mourning…” http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Nation+in+mourning+as+toll+rises+/-/1056/1235964/-/item/0/-/g026p3z/-/index.html
(3) PRAYER NUDGE FROM EAST AFRICA – http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/ or on Facebook
(4) Baptist Global Response/ Drought Crisis – http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/projects/view/horn_of_africa_drought_crisis
(5) For a look at the realities of the Sinai and a some of the other slums in Nairobi, check out Slum Profiles – http://www.citiesalliance.org/ca/sites/citiesalliance.org/files/CA_Docs/resources/Nairobi%20Inventory/SlumProfiles3_MakadaraDivision.pdf
(6) Satisfied Souls at Ridgeways Baptist – http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150421710975130.452322.685050129&l=85cd4b7384&type=1
(7) Praising God with Ridgeways Baptist Church –
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150431846150130.454598.685050129&l=02c5ca8309&type=1

Sinai Slum Fire

2011-09-14T12:06:00.003+03:00

Viewing this video will not be easy, but it will offer many Prayer Nudges as you listen to Witness Accounts from the Sinai Slum Fire prepared by a local TV station (NTV)

URGENT PRAYER NEED from Kenya

2011-09-13T15:31:00.003+03:00

From a Baptist pastor in Nairobi: Yesterday fire claimed over 100 people who were burned to death and 100 plus who are receiving medical attention at various hospitals in Nairobi, 1000 people are homeless after the fire tragedy. A gas pipe had some leak and exploded as people were trying to siphon the gas. Please pray for the affected families.

For more information on the fire in a slum area go to:

100 Killed in Nairobi Fuel Fire - http://www.nation.co.ke/News/100+killed+in+Nairobi+fuel+fire/-/1056/1235082/-/ysld31z/-/index.html

Prayers and questions after Nairobi slum fire - http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Prayers+and+questions+after+Nairobi+slum+fire+deaths+/-/1056/1235454/-/ovt7iu/-/index.html

Special Prayer Nudge

2011-09-11T07:00:00.002+03:00

Where were you on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 8:49 AM (New York, EDT/UTC-04)? It was afternoon in Nairobi, Kenya, and I had just returned from work and was in our kitchen planning our evening meal. The first bit of news to interrupt our youngest child’s pre-homework TV break was without sound or any explanation – which meant we didn’t know the what, when or where of the scenes. Join me in praying today for peace, hope and comfort for families whose lives were changed ten years ago today. Pray for peace in our world - Peace that will happen if an event experienced this week by a friend occurs more often: "Got out of the car ready to shop and the first voice I heard had a message for my spouse: ‘Tell Mtumishi (Servant) to come tell us Neno (Word)!’" Join me in claiming God's Word for our world: "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, THAT your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations … O God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth … THEN … God, our God … will bless us, and ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH will fear him." (Psalm 67:1)

September 7, 2011

2011-09-07T15:50:00.005+03:00

Running late today, very late, BUT I do have a good reason for being late – I’ve been too busy enjoying/participating in exciting ways God is at work to prepare ahead for today’s Prayer Update. I told a coworker yesterday: “I have the best job. I do have to share some negative/ discouraging things, but my focus is usually on sharing the incredible positive, encouraging things that God is doing in East Africa!”

A negative moment was reading the newsletter of co-workers and learning of their discouragement. My prayer is that a positive will come from their negative being shared in today’s 2011 Prayer Nudge from East Africa as others join God’s work among the Kuria People of Tanzania in prayer!

A positive was sharing in a Urban Community Development Training this week with missionary co-workers AND the most encouraging part was those attending included missionary co-workers from our organization (IMB) as well as our church and others in Nairobi, plus leaders of the Baptist Convention of Kenya! Pray that 30+ who attended this training will be a part of helping their communities solve their problems. Pray also that these men and women will be strong ambassadors of their Savior’s love and salvation in all that they do. For more prayer items for praying for Nairobi (and guides to praying for other cities), go to: PRAY FOR NAIROBI at http://www.facebook.com/PrayforNairobi .

The ongoing drought crisis is both negative and positive. Negatives include the “Unrest, anarchy complicate Africa famine relief” shared this week by Baptist Global Response. Reading this article will not be easy, but it will help you respond as a Christian. Positives come from watching East Africans respond to the drought, which leads to a prayer need: Pray for East African churches (many represented at the this week’s training) as they seek to minister in our Father’s name.

If you enjoy the music of our younger generation, check out a song done by a Christian young man from South Sudan, a new country very affected by the drought. Once again, the content of “We Want Peace” will affect your heart, and although it is not a ‘Christian’ song, it includes lots of prayer nudges.

I’ve save the best positive for last – last Sunday’s Sanctuary Dedication at Nairobi’s Ridgeways Baptist Church as members celebrated God’s fulfillment of their claiming Daniel 11:32b (NKJV), “The people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.” Jack had the joy of speaking for the Baptist Mission, who were part of the beginning and growth of this church through the dreams and membership of our missionaries and through funds in the early days – thanks to the Lottie Moon Offering. Only one of the many albums that I will prepare based on photos captured that day is ready, but you can view it at Satisfied Souls at Ridgeways Baptist Sanctuary Dedication. But you should know before you view this slideshow that I added this warning: Prepared for those whom it may make homesick and for future guests to East Africa! BERT YATES

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2011 Prayer Nudges from East Africa - http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/ and on Facebook

PRAY FOR NAIROBI – http://www.facebook.com/PrayforNairobi

“Unrest, anarchy complicate…” – http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/news/view/unrest_anarchy_complicate_africa_famine_relief

Baptist Global Response – http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com

We Want Peace / You Tube – http://youtu.be/H_sV07DbJ9U

Satisfied Souls at Ridgeways Baptist … –

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150421710975130.452322.685050129&l=85cd4b7384&type=1

August 31, 2011

2011-08-31T14:36:00.009+03:00

I could begin by saying that I’m exhausted, so this week’s Prayer Update will be short, but I know that as I review all the ways we’ve seen our Father at work this past week, excitement will override exhaustion – there are always too many things to praise God for and other items in need of prayer support to keep this short!

Jack is also a bit exhausted/excited this week after teaching last Friday/ Saturday in the new Kirinyaga Bible School at the base of Mount Kenya – a new Bible School found in a new Baptist association in a new county (Kirinyaga) formed by Kenya’s new constitution. Jack, who last visited this area over 20 years ago, says, “I am amazed by the incredible opportunities for church planting in this ‘booming’ area (1) with new roads, new development, and new hopes for even more economic, educational, etc., development. I want to see these five pastors/ church leaders obey God and be a part of the opportunity for spiritual development!” The Bible School was held at the Kerugoya Baptist Church – the photo (below) is their class/ dining/ bed room! At night the men plop mattresses onto two pews shoved together!

My exhaustion is from being extra hours on the computer! One reason: God put me at the right place at the right time Friday to spot a new internet offer at a great sale price – which made it affordable! Usually sale prices in our part of the world are in the two to five percent range, but it was at half price that day! The new system is not as strong as predicted, but it much faster/ better than what I was using. I still could not load a video for you today – high on my “all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18) – but unlike past tries, I was able to listen with no static or delays to radio stations from North Carolina over the weekend to keep up with Hurricane Irene! Via internet, we’ve learned that our family are a little damp and have lots of yard work, but they are all safe and sound!

The other reason for my exhaustion: This is the end of Ramadan and I’ve been working extra hours on the last Prayer Nudges with this emphasis and creating a new blog to be used for Praying With Those Who Celebrate Ramadan. As the special Ramadan prayer nudges developed, I was once again astounded by how God led me to information/ thoughts/ etc. As I’ve said before, I know it is not based on my smarts, but answers to prayers – yours and mine!

These prayer nudges did not turn out as I expected, but as these progressed, I realized that the prayer nudges were forming a basic introduction to Islam for Christians – thus the blog is prepared to be used as devotions, prayer walks or simply for information. My prayer is that Praying With Those Who Celebrate Ramadan will open the minds and hearts of Christians who have not realized the need to pray for and witness of our Father’s love and salvation to those lacking assurance of these gifts and to strengthen prayer support for friends working with people of other faiths.

I know I also say often: Thanks once again for joining us in God’s work in East Africa. We do depend upon your prayer, financial and personnel support. But this is so true! We do depend upon your support. THANK YOU! BERT

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(1) The Daily Nation (11-08-25) agrees with Jack on his definition of a booming Kirinyaga County (11-08-25) – “Let there be rice” – http://www.nation.co.ke/Counties/Love+and+hate+in+the+rice+fields+of+Mwea/-/1107872/1220754/-/11msljn/-/index.html

(2) Praying With Those Who Celebrate Ramadan – http://pray4ramadan.blogspot.com/

*** You may also want to view Loving Muslims with lots of stories, resources, prayer nudges, etc., for Christians who want to learn how to pray for and share their faith with those of another faith – http://www.lovingmuslims.com/

August 24, 2011

2011-08-24T12:51:00.004+03:00

No special photo, but once again a bit about KFC – not Kenya, but Kentucky Fried Chicken – is included in this week’s Prayer Update! This is not what I had planned to share today, but Jack asked a question last night that led to a detour. His question: “Have you thought of including something in your Ramadan Prayer Nudges about the faithfulness of the early Muslim Arab traders? They not only brought their wares to East Africa centuries ago, they also brought and established their faith!”

As we talked, I remembered a review (1) of the new KFC in a local paper last Sunday. Complimenting the new restaurant, the writer shared a quote from the store manager: “We have done no advertising apart from the signage by the road (the huge rotating basket of chicken) … But (since opening) there has been a queue … It’s the special taste that people talk about.”

Now a few questions in today’s detour: What if our Christian witness, through our lifestyle and our planned times of sharing our faith, was as affective/ effective as the faith sharing of the early traders to East Africa? What if our Christian witness was as impressive/notable as many find KFC experiences? What if when we are scattered, running about our daily lives or when we move to new places, situations, jobs, etc., we imitate the early Christians “scattered throughout Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1) and other parts of the world (Acts 11:19-20)? What if we “preached the word wherever (we) went” (8:4)? What if we told “the good news about the Lord Jesus” (11:20) to ALL we meet in our life journey? What if we act like we “are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13)? Would people note our “special taste” and talk about us and our faith? I believe the answers are found in Acts 11:21, “The Lord’s hand was with them , and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.”

Sorry, I’m not trying to preach/ teach today! Preparing the 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA (2) during Ramadan has required much research on other faiths and as I read and learned, I have being challenged to look at my own life and how I live my faith. One thing that I discovered this week was a website with easy to understand answers to questions Christians may ask about Islam (3). It was the ATTACHMENT that one can download at Islamic Articles/ Ramada Schedules (4) that led to my re-evaluating my own commitment (click at bottom left of Excel page for separate pages on Commitment, Planning and Time Table) as a Christian to prayer, reading/studying/memorizing God’s Word, worship, time with other Believers, and on and on!

Some of you may also want to view Loving Muslims (5) which includes lots of stories, resources, prayer nudges, etc., for Christians who want to learn how to pray for and share their faith with those of other cultures who do lack the assurance of salvation that we have! I know that with recent world events many Christians may not want to “love” those of some faiths, but as I shared in the August 22^nd Prayer Nudge, one of the ways that I have challenged (taught, rebuked, corrected) this month is God’s Word linking loving my neighbor as myself (Luke 10:25-27) with my ability to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)!

If you have made it through this entire longish Prayer Update – I think you have lots of ideas of how to pray for and with us! Pray that we and other Christians will “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that (we) have … with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 – CLICK here for today’s Prayer Nudge and more). Pray that we will be affective/effective sharers of our Good News and that those who are not Believers will note that we “are the salt of the earth” and want to talk about our faith! BERT YATES

(1) The Kentucky Fried Chicken Kenyans are Queuing up for – http://www.nation.co.ke/Features/lifestyle/The+Kentucky+fried+chicken+Kenyans+are+queuing+up+for/-/1214/1222276/-/121w74x/-/index.html

(2) This month’s PRAYER NUDGES found at:

Praying for Others – http://omba4kenyaprayforothers.blogspot.com/

2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA – http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150148173250130.351345.685050129&l=47f55a92ab&type=1

(3) Information on Islam – http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/religion/Islam.htm

(4) Islamic Articles/ Ramada Schedules – http://www.jannah.org/ramadan/ramadanplan.html

(5) Loving Muslims – http://www.lovingmuslims.com/

Special NIGHT OF PRAYER Nudge

2011-08-21T09:31:00.005+03:00

Centuries ago, possibly as early as the late 13th century, Ramadan was celebrated in the buildings now found in the Gedi Ruins (1) on the East Africa coast. On the 21st night of Ramadan a man may have removed a Qur'an from the large rectangular built-in shelf and read it by a light sitting in the smaller wall niche beside the oval-topped door. This special night is called Laylat al-Qadr or Night of Power, "the night Muslims believe the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad" (2). The exact date to be celebrated is not known, but tradition says it occured on one of the odd numbered evenings of the last ten days of Ramadan. As many celebrating Ramadan pray with extra zeal at this time, join them in praying that their prayer to truly know our Father and have an eternal relationship with Him will be answered!

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruins_of_Gedi

(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laylat_al-Qadr

CLICK the prayer caps above to see more RAMADAN 2011 PRAYER NUDGES

August 17, 2011

2011-08-17T12:09:00.005+03:00

This week’s update begins with honesty: “Hhmmm … REAL missionaries DO go out for KFC!” And based on the ‘short-term’ missionaries identified by overheard comments and known ‘long-term’ missionaries who were also eating lunch there, the opening of a KFC in Nairobi is “definitely an answer to prayer for many missionaries!”

Jack and I enjoyed this feast and as our mid-birthday meal! This is our annual celebration week: My birthday was the 14^th, Jack’s is tomorrow (18^th) and we celebrate 40 years of marriage on the 21^st! We made no ‘special’ plans, but it has been a great week, beginning with lots of ‘gifts’ received thanks to internet – another part of our modern world that leads to answered prayers for missionaries! I was overwhelmed by all the birthday greetings via e-mail and FACEBOOK and especially loved receiving a video of our two-year old granddaughter singing “Happy Birthday, Bibi” (grandmother in Swahili)!

We also received another special gift on my birthday – one not wrapped in fancy paper and ribbons, but in precious memories, assurances and affirmations. At church that morning, Jack and I were asked to join a small group of leaders to pray with our new pastors and their families. As a kid, Victor Kimani, one of the two new pastors at our -year old Parklands Baptist Church/ Mombasa Road, was discipled by our best friends, who were living next door to Shauri Moyo Baptist Church/ Nairobi Baptist Centre. Victor ‘grew-up’ to become a successful businessman who used his ‘free’ time to serve in in his church, especially in mission opportunities. He has now chosen to leave the business world and to serve God full time in ministry.

Jack and I met Victor’s wife, Sally, before he did! Sally, the daughter of one of our first Baptist pastors in East Africa, was Jack’s student at Mombasa Baptist High School – our first assignment as career missionaries. I was her encourager as she played the piano for school chapels and I often relied upon Sally to watch our kids while I studied Swahili. Sally is now also a well discipled Christian woman who is committed to discipling others!

As we stood beside Victor and Sally on Sunday morning, I marveled again at how Jack and I are experiencing what few missionaries experience. We are seeing how God has blessed the past and present work of His co-workers in East Africa AND most exciting, we are seeing how the Great Commission is now being claimed and carried out by new East African co-workers. It was a special gift as I looked at other Kenyan Baptist friends standing on the stage and remembered how most of them had been touched by past IMB work, including student ministry, discipleship, mentorship, church planting, teaching, print media and even scholarship assistance!

Another good part of the week for me is ‘seeing’ how God leads in my work, especially the daily preparation of the 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA. I am constantly astounded by how these prayer nudges come together and know it is not based on my smarts, but another answer to prayers – yours and mine!

It also amazes me at how I will add/change something in a prayer nudge and it will be exactly what seems to touch people and lead them to prayer! As usual, I had prepared yesterday’s Prayer Nudge a day early and had it set to appear on the blog before I began the day’s work. But during my devotions yesterday, God led me to add another comment to the completed Prayer Nudge – and it is the one based on responses that I and others needed as a reminder to pray! To find that added comment (the last nudge to prayer) go to the August 16^th Prayer Nudge, with the photo of a fig tree with entangled roots, at 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA - http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/.

Thanks once again for joining us in God’s work in East Africa – we really do depend upon your prayer, financial and personnel support. PLEASE don’t stop! Pray especially for me as I continue with the Ramadan emphasis. The last ten days of this month will be a special time of intense prayers and seeking God by those celebrating Ramadan. Please pray that every Believer will do what it takes in the next two weeks to share their Father’s love and salvation with others who seek a real relationship with Him. BERT

(Nairobi traffic photos taken as we returned from church last Sunday!)

August 10, 2011

2011-08-10T07:29:00.006+03:00

“Hhmmm … REAL missionaries don’t go out for KFC!” I laughed at this comment to a photo posted yesterday on FACEBOOK. The writer, an adult MK (missionary kid), was probably in shock and a bit jealous as things like this were not available when he was growing up in Africa! And what elicited this response? A photo of the first-ever solar-powered rotating KFC bucket erected at a Nairobi shopping mall advertising that after an absence of decades, KFC is re-opening in Kenya! I also laughed at his adding a definition of REAL before our profession and the comments made by missionary co-workers who proved the truth of a note I added to the photo: “Sorry, this is not today’s Prayer Nudge … but it is definitely an answer to prayer for many missionaries!”

I’m not meandering as I write – there is a reason I am opening with this story: To lead you to prayer for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual strength for REAL missionaries, those of us who are in it for the long-haul and for short-termers. Most of us, most of the time, love what we do! There are many joys and blessings in our lives such as holding little ones, especially sick babies as they receive medical help from your volunteer team (top photo is a member of the FBC Amarillo, TX team ministering last week at the Baptist Children’s Centre in Nairobi). Our daughter and her friend experienced joy a few days before returning safely (thanks for your prayers) to their studies in the States. The remaining photos in this note shares the progression of Jessie’s and Amy’s followers at the Children’s Centre!

BUT missionaries also get stressed, strained and stretched as we seek to respond to the needs in our part of the world. I felt this way on Monday as I prepared the day’s Prayer Nudge from East Africa (also appears at Praying for Others) – “After reading the morning news, I decided that today's photo should be one that leads to a smile as we pray together! Today's Kenyan newspaper is filled with the usual politics, information on the suffering from the famine in our part of the world, and many greetings/ sales promotions related to Ramadan. Pray with me for wisdom…” Frustration comes from wanting to be strong workers for our Father, but knowing the best way to respond is too often complicated and time consuming – which is not your heart’s desire when you want to get to work! Sorrow comes from knowing that we can respond to only a few of the many needs we encounter!

Distress also comes as we do the needed ‘research’ to minister. An example is the pain that comes with learning the depths of the suffering of those facing famine in the Horn of Africa. It is also painful to learn about the beliefs of those of no faith or other faiths and realize what burdens and bondage they carry. I shared an example of this in yesterday’s prayer nudge – of people striving to please God, but following rules and regulations that do not lead to their knowing and claiming our Savior’s peace, love and joy.

Another frustration while I’m sharing – the definition of a REAL missionary! I know my friend who jokingly used this adjective shares my belief that every Christian is a MISSIONARY – all followers of Christ are to be on mission with our Father – we are to all to do His work. AND if every Christian does what God has prepared him/her to do, I believe without a doubt it will result in the day when a “multitude … from EVERY nation, tribe, people and language (is) standing before the throne” crying “Salvation belong to our God” (Rev 7:9,10).

Thank you for the chance to ‘vent’ and thank you also for being a part of our being ‘professional’ missionaries – thanks to the prayer, personnel, and financial support we receive from Southern Baptists and others. I am also thankful, very thankful for the many others who are our REAL missionary co-workers for long periods and short ones! BERT YATES

SPECIAL PRAYER NUDGE

2011-08-05T11:05:00.008+03:00

NOTE: Those of you who follow the PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA have already seen this prayer nudge, but as it needs as much prayer as possible, I will re-post it.

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Not certain if the man is with the kids or if he is the owner of this 'hotel' or if he and the kids are hungry, but many people in the Horn of Africa are hungry today. Once again, it will not be easy reading more about this drought, but many specific Prayer Nudges can be gleaned from reading the two articles posted below. Remember as you read and pray that many of the areas in need of food are also in need of our Savior’s Living Bread as a large number of people in these areas are among those celebrating Ramadan!

"Bad roads derail bid for supply relief food" / DAILY NATION /

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Bad+roads+derail+bid+to+supply+relief+food/-/1056/1213740/-/6gqx44z/-/index.html

"Horn of Africa sees 'worst drought in 60 years'" / BBC News /

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13944550

August 3, 2011

2011-08-03T14:13:00.004+03:00

As some of you realized from recent photos I’ve posted on Facebook, I was not sitting in chilly Nairobi as I wrote last week’s prayer update, but by the warmth of the Indian Ocean. We were not trying to hide that we had taken our daughter (Jessie) and her friend (Amy) to the coast for a treat, but it was one of those times when we wanted to ask for prayers for traveling – a great need always in our part of the world – but we felt that it was not wise to announce to the world that our house was empty for several days!

We did have a good time at the coast even though Jack and I were there to work – but viewing the ocean as I worked was much more inspiring than my usual office and walking along the ocean is a much better way to de-stress than walking to the store to buy milk after completing the day’s work!

Jack enjoyed having uninterrupted time for research as he read books on Baptist history. I also did a bit of research as we toured Gedi, an old Islamic town. Ramadan began this week and I will use the photos in a prayer walk later during this Muslim holy month. My greatest prayer need at the moment is for wisdom in preparing Prayer Nudges during August. Pray that I will find the right balance of sensitivity and clarity as I lead others in prayer for those celebrating Ramadan.

In the last two weeks, I have also updated two blogs. Yates-IMB-Kenya, our family blog which you are currently reading has a “new” look and an emphasis has been added on the current “Horn of Africa Drought.” Reading “Famished Somalis walk for days in search of hope” will not be pleasant, but the latest article added by Baptist Global Response will help you pray and minister in our Father’s name.

Praying for Others, a blog I began several years ago, also has a new look and during August, new prayer nudges will be added daily to help you join those celebrating Ramadan in prayer. My focus work is not with those of other faiths, but the fact that this is not our “focus” frees me to share and lead others in prayer in a way that co-workers and others working with these faiths cannot do!

Those of you who follow 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA on another blog or on Facebook will see repetition this month as I will use the same Prayer Nudges on both blogs. One reason for this is simply that the drought and Ramadan are our current greatest needs for prayer and they “overlap” as most of the areas in need of rain are also in need of our Savior’s living water as a large number of people in these areas are among those celebrating Ramadan!

Part of me wants to apologize for this week’s update being “longish” again and carrying so many prayer needs, but … We do depend upon your prayers for both our needs, which includes praying for Jessie and Amy as they return to the States this weekend, and for our blessings, which includes praises for what they have learned during their visit about serving our Father! BERT

Praying for Others at http://omba4kenyaprayforothers.blogspot.com/

Baptist Global Response at http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/

2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA at http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

July 27, 2011

2011-07-27T14:25:00.007+03:00

“Summer time, and the livin’ is easy” - George Gershwin’s lullaby definition of summer. Volunteer time – also not found in a dictionary, but how many Christians define summer when they can use their vacations and/or breaks from school to be on mission with their Father, some close to home and others in faraway places! Some career missionaries might add another definition to summer: Hard work! Having so many volunteers a comin’ and a goin’ does affect our schedules, but most of the time we are very thankful for the additional workers in the harvest field!

During recent devotions, two verses became “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) in a new way in my life. The first verse is found in John’s definition of our testimony of our Savior – “Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart” (1 John 5:10). I thought of the volunteers who arrive thinking that testifying was the job of the preachers among them. One teen volunteer recently said, “Sharing my testimony openly was not in my comfort zone before, but I’m glad that I was forced to do it and want to do it lots more!”

I shared the second verse in the 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA this week: “When volunteers on mission with God arrive in East Africa they are often focused on what they will teach or share with those they meet on their journey. When it is time to leave they are more likely to remember…” For the completion of this Prayer Nudge and my second verse, you need to go to the blog 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA or find me on Facebook.

Today's photos are of Jessie (our youngest) and Amy (her friend) who have had their own volunteer adventures in Kenya this summer. For more personal looks at how God works in and through the lives of volunteers, I asked Jessie them to answer: What have you learned during your summer volunteer trip to Kenya?

JESSIE: There are a few things in life which you can always be certain of, one of which is that no matter how much you already know, you’ll always learn something new, be it about yourself, your world, the people around you, or your God. Life’s lessons are best learned when approached with an open mind and often the best of the lessons are learned when acted upon by blind faith.

AMY: Some times when we are outside of our comfort zones is when we receive the greatest blessings. “There’s always room for one more person” is not the most comfortable philosophy for someone who is claustrophobic, but even being in a packed school room with no way to move can be a blessing!

PLUS – Comments the headmaster shared with Jack of the effects of volunteers at his school for refugee kids from a country where few are Christians: Attendance has been almost perfect since Amy and Jessie came as volunteers. Normally this is a real problem as education is not valued, especially for the girls. Parents have come to see if what their kids say is true about the Americans being at their school. They praise the school for the exposure EVEN though it is a Christians emphasis.

Thank you once again for the many ways you support us, which does include coming/sending volunteers our way, supporting us and others through the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon, and most importantly, through your prayer support! BERT

* * * Problem with link to 2011 Prayer Nudges from East Africa? Go to: : http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

July 20, 2011

2011-07-20T13:22:00.005+03:00

“A tough week … Will you pray?” This is how a prayer letter I received this week began and ended. The letter also shared news of nursing an injured spouse, a tale of an uninvited slithery houseguest, the death of a new believer, and the heartbreak of a current work project, one they had expected to bring plenty of hard work, but also lots of joy and glory to our Father!

The same day we received a prayer request from friends facing threats. Usually these friends diligently inform their prayer supporters of their specific needs, but due to the complexities of the issues, this time they could only say, “We really need prayers at the moment!”

The next day, I received a request from a young couple: “Pray … there is some serious spiritual warfare going on in our area.” A story then unfolded of a house destroyed purposefully by fire and of stealing – all related to a needed relief effort in an East Africa rural community. The couple have a strong prayer support network and they were asking for prayer for discernment as they composed their next prayer letter and decided what they could/ should/ would share!

So today, our prayer request is for you to join us in praying for friends who are in the midst of what one terms as “serious spiritual warfare … tough stuff, all satan inspired.” We have learned that often, VERY OFTEN, when prayers are most needed by our Father’s Fellow Workers, in any place in our world, there are restraints in place which requires sensitivity in sharing specifics – so constant prayer is needed.

Thank you for praying last week for Jessie (our daughter) and Amy as they assist at a school for refugee kids from Somalia. The headmaster of the school gave them an unexpected opportunity to be bold ambassadors of our Father’s love and salvation – he asked them to teach the TRUE LOVE WAITS introduction in each of the older classes. Pray that the kids will remember what they heard and it will affect their hearts and their minds.

After two other encounters this past week, I also ask you to pray for wisdom as those of other faiths ask us to join them in prayer. One morning this week, the children in Class (grade) 8 asked Amy to pray for the Mock exams they were taking that day (preparing for the real exams to be taken later in the year – exams which will determine their future life and educational opportunities.) Amy’s and Jessie’s frustration: How to pray for the exams, while sharing how our Savior hears and responds to our prayers. I also had a friend ask me this week to rejoice with her for a blessing she had received that day. My frustration: She believes that the man who heads her religious organization personally forgave her past sins and allowed her to be “born again” – and all of this was shared in a situation where there was no opportunity for follow-up!

To end this week’s update of our praises and heart prayers, I will repeat my friend’s request: “WILL YOU PRAY?” BERT

July 13, 2011

2011-07-13T13:01:00.002+03:00

The sun is shining in our part of the world today – a very welcome event as it is our winter. YES, we do live almost on the equator, but being even a few degrees south of the equator does lead to cooler weather in July, especially when you live over a mile above sea level. We awoke to the low 50’s this morning, but I’m not complaining as I know many of you in the northern hemisphere envy our “free” cool air.

We did pass over the equator last week as we travelled to the Kakamega area of western Kenya and NO, there is no line drawn across the road as one volunteer recently expected, but there is a sign! Thanks for praying for our safety as we travelled – Kenyan roads these days seem to be either really great or truly horrid! We also were protected from encounters on the road with roaming vehicles, goats, cows, dogs, etc., and even the zebras and baboons stayed off the road as we passed! God also answered your prayers for the church planting training. One blessing was that one pastor brought along teens from his church!

We have lived in East Africa for almost 33 years now, but I am still overwhelmed by all we see and experience. Sometimes it is the poverty, always it is seeing people hauling water, or it can be the familiar-but-different such as spotting a family with kids in matching outfits on a village market day! As I explained in the 2011 Prayer Nudge from East Africa (July 11^th), our lives are also filled with REALITY CHECKS, such as when we returned from our trip and I found myself complaining as “I hauled water a few feet to my washing machine. Doing this at our house is not unusual, but today's problem was TOO MUCH water pressure in our taps, WHICH MEANT water flowed into the machine even when the tap and machine were OFF … Later … it occurred to me that some would define a washing machine filling without the benefit of electricity or running water a miracle!”

The day’s prayer nudge was: “Pray today for physical, emotional and mental strength/ peace for those on mission with our Father in East Africa as they face REALITY CHECKS which remind them of their many blessings - blessings sometimes hidden by frustrations - frustrations that can cloud our ability to help others with their difficulties/ problems!” I also ask that you pray for us and others on mission with our Father as we allow these reality checks/ frustrations to keep us focused on what God is calling us to do as we enjoy our blessings (adequate housing/ water/ electricity/ ample food and medical care/etc.,) and use them to strengthen us and allow us to ably serve our Father.

Last Saturday’s Prayer Nudge (July 9^th) was a very special one focusing on the a new nation, South Sudan! I encourage you to read “World’s Newest Nation – Independence Day” , an article prepared by coworkers, and other articles at AFRICA STORIES which can provide more prayer nudges.

I don’t want to overwhelm you, but I do want to add one more personal prayer nudge. Pray for our daughter, Jessie, and her friend, Amy, as they assist this month at a school for refugee kids from Somalia. Pray that in all they do that they be bold ambassadors of our Father’s love and salvation. We ask this, because we know that God does hear our prayers and He does answer! Thank you, BERT

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* For more photos and Prayer Nudges from the last week, go to: 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

* For AFRICA STORIES and more on how to pray for South Sudan, go to: http://www.africastories.org/

July 6, 2011

2011-07-06T12:56:00.005+03:00

Today I’m once again not sitting at my usual desk, but in a corner of our bedroom as two of the volunteers, our daughter, Jessie, and her friend, Amy, stayed behind when the 1^st Baptist Cary team left on Monday night. My “office” is a closet in Jessie’s bedroom, so I’ve moved out during their month long visit! At least today I’m not having to worry about a sun stroke as I did last week in western Kenya as it has not yet hit 70 in our house today after being in the mid 50’s when we awoke! It is our “winter” and Nairobi is over a mile high – thus cooler temperatures! I don’t like wearing layers of clothes, but I do prefer the cool to the hot experienced by those of you in the northern hemisphere!

Last week I asked that you pray for volunteers “serving our Father in places away from home – those serving in their home country/continent and those serving in new places! Pray for good health. Pray that their stomachs adjust to new foods. Pray that those in hot places drink plenty of water. Pray for strength and boldness as they deal with unique toilets or no toilets and limited water or only cold water for showers. Pray for good and restful sleep for those serving in different time zones. AND pray especially that they will be strong ambassadors of their heavenly Fathers as they share His story, His love and His salvation both in planned testimonies and as they visit with all they meet!”

Prayers were answered for those on Jessie’s and Amy’s team as they helped build two new homes for those needing better shelter, witnessed/ prayed in many homes, and visited in many schools and with the kids of an orphanage. It was great to listen on Sunday night as they shared their highs of the week, which included being a part of someone coming to know our Savior, encouraging orphans, getting over fears of witnessing, and teaching a bit of God’s plan for His children though TRUE LOVE WAITS!

Some of the team did get sick, so as you continuing praying for the International World Changers group now in Kenya and other volunteer teams, do pray for good health. As you join us in praising God for safety in travel for the 1^st Baptist Cary team, pray for safety as the others teams travel on East African roads that aren’t governed by the safe rules/ conditions some would expect! Pray also for our family as we head out again tomorrow to the Kakamega area of Kenya for Jack to continue Church Planting Training, for Jessie and Amy to share TRUE LOVE WAITS training, and for me to find ways to increase support for God’s work in East Africa as I take pictures and listen to the stories of those on mission with our Father! BERT

For explanations of photos and more Prayer Nudges from the last week, go to: 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

June 29, 2011

2011-06-29T12:40:00.005+03:00

Today’s Prayer Update will short and sweet as I’m sitting out in the countryside beside a mud hut that is no longer liveable – actually it has free views of the moon at night that were not part of the design! The team from First Baptist Cary, NC, with the help of volunteers from the community are building her a new hut with a mbati (tin) roof. As I type, some of the team are off visiting/witnessing in the community, others are digging holes for the wood support that will frame the house before the walls are made of twigs and mud, and a few are slaughtering a goat will soon be roasting, which the team purchased as a thank you for those helping today!

When I say I’m sitting in the countryside, I mean I am sitting in the shade beside the house on a chair provided by a neighbour. The house built yesterday was for a widower with several small kids and today’s home is for a young mom with two small girls – their husband/dad simply didn’t come home one day! The community chooses the recipients and then helps the volunteers build the simple, but sturdy and dry homes. As the walls are built in the local traditional manner of locally available twigs and mud, the only cost is the nails, tin roof and hiring a professional Kenyan carpenter to supervise – provided by the volunteers.

This volunteer team is just one of many will be serving as our Father’s arms and hands this summer in Kenya and other parts of our world. So as many of you are enjoying summer weather, vacations, etc., use a bit of your longer days to pray for those serving our Father in places away from home – those serving in their home country/continent and those serving in new places! Pray for good health. Pray that their stomachs adjust to new foods. Pray that those in hot places drink plenty of water. Pray for strength and boldness as they deal with unique toilets or no toilets and limited water or only cold water for showers. Pray for good and restful sleep for those serving in different time zones. AND pray especially that they will be strong ambassadors of their heavenly Father as they share His story, His love and His salvation both in planned testimonies and as they visit with all they meet!

As I said, this would be short as there are no electricity lines within miles of where I am working and my computer battery will not last forever and working with my lap as a desk is not easy. But I will take time to thank you again for being a part of our work, more importantly God’s work as you pray and support others on mission with God. BERT

June 22, 2011

2011-06-22T10:00:00.006+03:00

While worshipping last Sunday with our church family, I made notes of the joy and affirmation of being a part of our almost one year old church. During this year, we’ve had a special view of how God is at work in East Africa and the results of the past investment of past and current co-workers, those from other countries, as well as East African co-workers. Plus it is always a joy to see “kids” we’ve watched grow-up serving our Savior as professionals, church leaders and parents. One of my notes told of watching some of the males in this category join Jack in standing as a child offered a thanksgiving/ blessings prayer for Fathers. But then, as often happens, something, actually two some-things, occurred that led my heart in a different direction for this week’s Prayer Update.

The first event happened as we returned home that day. City-centre traffic was heavier than usual, plus Jack likes viewing all the road work transforming Nairobi, so we took a detour, but soon the traffic stalled again. Finally, we spotted the cause of the slow-down – lots of people seemingly suspended in the air followed by a huge red item. As vehicles ahead of us found new detours and we moved closer to the bottle-neck, we realized that the ‘flying people’ were riding on the back of high trucks and the huge red thing was a part of a parade. The next morning in our Daily Nation (6/20/11, p.8) a photo appeared of men and a male toddler pulling the large red pointed item we had seen, accompanied by this explanation: “Followers of Hare Krishna took to the streets of Nairobi yesterday to educate people about the movement during the annual ... Chariot Festival … held annually to revive followers’ love for God.”

Thanks to ever-present pot-holes, my photo of the procession was not super, but I used it for today’s 2011 Prayer Nudges from East Africa. Also, included is my heart reaction: “Praying that those celebrating this festival come to truly ‘grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the Love of Christ, and ... be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.’ (Ephesians 3:18, 19)” To glean more Prayer Nudges for those celebrating the Chariot Festival, which includes those who worship at several temples in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, go to the sites listed at the end of this Prayer Update.

The second something happened last night. After sharing Indian food with two visiting friends, we viewed what some call “Little India” – a nestle of little shops with un-African looking clothes, jewelry and worship items. We had already passed a prayer room where worshippers gather five times daily, when we heard the loud clanging of bells. A growing strong smell of incense was also hard to miss!

Eventually we spotted two young men frantically ringing brass bells suspended from the ceiling of their highly decorated small prayer room of yet another faith. An older man and a woman were crouched on the floor chanting. Our ears, eyes and nose were all strongly affected, but our hearts were affected the most as we watched these people seeking to please their gods. Please join us in praying for those in East Africa who are still among those in our world seeking the true God. Pray that each of us will be strong ambassadors of His love and salvation in every encounter we experience with those of other faiths.

Please join us also in praying for guidance, physical strength, safety and sensitivity as we begin meeting and traveling with volunteer groups who have chosen to serve in Kenya during the American summer – including one group led by our youngest daughter, Jessie, and her friend, Amy! Many of these volunteers will be youth, so pray that we will find ways to share our joy in being where God has called us to serve. BERT YATES
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- For more photos of variations of what we saw and an explanation, go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratha-Yatra
- Youtube of Jagannath Ratha-Yatra Chariot Festival Vancouver '08 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlFh2w-yfTs
- For photos of the 2011 celebration of this festival in England – http://avaxnews.com/appealing/Hare_Krishna_Ratha-yatra_Festival_of_Chariots.html

June 15, 2011

2011-06-16T10:23:00.006+03:00

I should begin today’s Prayer Update with the fact that I am extremely frustrated at the moment! I shared last week that “I’m learning a new computer and new programs” and I asked that you “pray for me as I send e-mails, prayer letters and post new Daily Prayer Nudges from East Africa.” Trust me, I have needed those prayers. After fighting the new “free” program for sending e-mail messages for two weeks, I finally accepted last night that it simply will not do what I need it to do AND it is good stewardship on my part to buy a program

that I know will work! That program will not be in my hands for at least two weeks, so I’m not sure if/when I will send you today’s Prayer Update!

Added to this, our internet is performing very iffy. AFTER I decided to focus this week’s Prayer Update on a prayer walk slideshow for Church Planting Training AND spent the morning creating it, my weak internet refuses to place the photos in the spot where you can see them, WHICH means I cannot send this message until the internet decides to cooperate and I can share where to find the Prayer Walk! The current slowdown in my work due to fighting the computer and our internet means that I’ve not been able to move on to the new work that was also a part of last week’s prayer request: “Pray for guidance as I plan my work for the coming weeks, especially as I plan what/how/when to do my old work and add new ways to help co-workers share what God is doing in East Africa and how you can be a part of this work” – SO KEEP ON PRAYING for this need!

Thankfully, Jack’s work was not frustrating this week! God is answering our prayers for his work – “Pray for Jack as he decides the who/ when /where decisions of teaching Church Planting Training to Kenyan Baptists in the coming months. Pray that he will choose to work exactly where God leads. Pray for us as we travel north of Nairobi on Friday for a Church Planting Training being led by one of the dedicated leaders who Jack trained earlier this year to train others in making and multiplying disciples.” Fewer people showed up at Turu Turu Baptist Church in the Abedares Mountains than expected, but Jack was certain that God sent the right small group of disciples who wanted more training in making disciples of others and planting new churches! To keep you praying, use the Prayer Walk, “2 Timothy 2:2 in Action in Turu Turu” at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150325388720130.424085.685050129&l=fd5b5a838e

Another bit of news that did not lead to frustration this week was news from the IMB: “The LMCO (Lottie Moon Christmas Offering) total for 2010 is in, and we are grateful. The total is $145,662,925, which is the fourth largest total in history. Granted, this is $3 million less than the $148.9 million given in 2009, a 2.2 percent decrease, and $8.3 million less than needed to meet the LMCO income portion of the 2011 operating budget. Nevertheless, please be assured that we will be moving full speed ahead in pursuing the vision. ” Having just been in the States, we know that many of you are facing tough financial times, so we are very, very thankful for your gifts that allow Jack and I and our IMB co-workers to be in many parts of the world doing what God has called us to do. We agree fully with the last sentence included with the Lottie note: “Please be assured that we will be moving full speed ahead in pursuing the vision” – the vision of telling our world about our heavenly Father who “so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him share not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). BERT YATES

**** Only took five hours to post the Prayer Walk and begin sending this message! Just made another stewardship decision that I had been debating – Tomorrow I’m investing in another option for internet to use as a back-up! PLUS I realized a day later that for the FIRST time ever I forgot to add our newsletter to our blog! STRESS won yesterday - time to take a computer break!

June 8, 2011

2011-06-08T13:56:00.006+03:00

We did have a great vacation with family and friends in North Carolina during May, but Jack and I were ready to return to Kenya last week and get back to work! We especially loved being with our kids - JOHN and Melanie (left); JENNIFER, Aaron and Bella Bernabi (centre), BERT (right back) JESSIE and JACK (bottom right), but we were reminded again and again that our “familiar” or “norm” is defined by our lives in Kenya rather than North Carolina!

These times included fueling the car and not thinking the price of gas was that high as we normally pay the equivalent of $4.75 to $5 per gallon in Kenya (bought by the litre and in Kenya shillings!) Another AHA moment was when friends reacted to my casually mentioning the security guards at our East African home each evening and on Sundays! As I tried to explain, I realized that this is one of the good reasons for missionaries to go on leaves – an opportunity to re-evaluate their lives and to check on what they have become accustomed to, whether good or bad!

As we get back on schedule, or what we call a schedule as our days/weeks may be more flexibly planned than those in other places in the world, we need your prayer support. Pray for Jack as he decides the who/when/where decisions of teaching Church Planting Training to Kenyan Baptists in the coming months. Pray that he will choose to work exactly where God leads. Pray for us as we travel north of Nairobi on Friday for a Church Planting Training being led by one of the dedicated leaders who Jack trained earlier this year to train others in making and multiplying disciples.

I’m learning a new computer and new programs, so pray for me as I send e-mails, prayer letters and post new Daily Prayer Nudges from East Africa (CLICK the outdoor shopping photo on the right for today’s newest Prayer Nudge!). Pray for guidance as I plan my work for the coming weeks, especially as I plan what/how/when to do my old work and add new ways to help coworkers share what God is doing in East Africa and how you can be a part of this work.

Thank you for the assurance we have of your support, we do depend upon you! BERT

April 27 2011

2011-04-27T14:33:00.009+03:00

We are back at home in Nairobi for a few days, after an incredible time of “fellowship, sharing, learning, and praying” (April 25^th Prayer Nudge – sites listed below) with old friends and many, many new ones during last week’s East Africa Cluster Meeting. Thank you for joining Jack and me in praying that we would find ways to strengthen and encourage our co-workers were answered! God provided many openings for me to share my desire to assist colleagues in sharing their stories, their praises and needs. We also found many opportunities to use our seniority and experiences, the good and bad ones from the last 32 years as we talked with others, especially some of our newest co-workers.

Another blessing of our week-long meeting was having more than 80 East Africa Missionary Kids at our meeting! A special event was a baby dedication on Sunday morning for five of our little ones – a 15-months old niece, two 3-months old nieces and one 3-months old nephew, as well as one who celebrated his two week birthday last week – and yes, their parents had lots of offers for arms to hold these little ones during the week!

Being with all our MK’s last week was a good reminder of a ‘general prayer’ I should share more often – prayers for our missionary kids as they and their parents seek their best method of schooling. Do pray for many older kids who travel far from home to Rift Valley Academy, our missionary boarding school for those who don’t live in cities such as Nairobi. Pray also for the kids who attend local national schools – one youngster arrived at breakfast one morning with his backpack and announced, “I’m going to school today with teachers who speak English!” Usually this little one and his primary-aged brother attend school in their host country where another language is spoken! Pray also for the many parents and the kids, some in high school, who must rely upon home schooling!

As always one of the special highlights of our ‘mission meeting’ was the giving of service pins, with pins given on different nights for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years! During the morning service on Easter Sunday, 120 of the 400+ years of service recognized during the week were added as a couple working in Theological Education in Tanzania received their 30 year pins – after Jack and I received our 30 year pins! Yes, it was an honor, but to be honest it really doesn’t seem that we have been in Kenya for 32 years plus (we were on leave during our last meeting in ’09, thus the delay in receiving our pins).

Our meeting ended on Easter afternoon as we joined together as teams to pray for our work – Jack and I prayed with other couples from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda who serve on the Theological Education Team. Using our meeting theme, our prayer was that we would each use our gifts to enable our students, church members and pastors to share our Good News until “every tongue" in East Africa will "confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God OUR Father." (Philippians 2:11) We also thanked God for the volunteers who provided VBS, Bible Studies and lots of fun for our kids during the week and our supporters who gave the funds that paid for our meeting, lodging, travel, etc!

Now a short explanation of the being “back in Nairobi for a few days.” I will not be sending our usual Prayer Update next week and likely will send shortened updates during the remainder of May as we are heading to North Carolina for a much needed month of vacation! Pray that we will have quality time with our family and have many opportunities to share why after 32 years we are still not talking about retirement! BERT YATES

PS: Sorry, if any of you had to return to the blog to find today's post - yet another day of electricity taking a break!

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2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=351345&id=685050129&l=47f55a92ab

Easter 2011

2011-04-23T10:24:00.007+03:00

Praising God on this Easter Day for His Son and His gift of Salvation and Eternal Life, our gift which He described in John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep." (Photo is not of sheep, but a herd of goats being shepherded through an East African city, a familiar scene especially in coastal cities and towns.)

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Thank you for being a part of our work of Strengthening and Encouraging our IMB co-workers and East African brothers and sisters as we engage lostness together – and you are a part of our work as you support us through your prayers, sending co-workers and support through the Lottie Moon Offering and Cooperative Program. BERT and JACK YATES

April 19, 2011

2011-04-19T09:33:00.002+03:00

Yes, you are receiving this a day early this week as we will leave this afternoon for a week-long meeting of our East Africa IMB coworkers. We are not looking forward to hours of sitting, but we are eager to be with old friends and make new ones. We are especially excited about hearing how God is at work in their areas and how we can support them in prayer and through our work! Which leads me to the theme of today’s Prayer Update – a shortened bit of my recent reply to an IMB writer preparing a story on “using Facebook and other social media strategies to share prayer requests and promote missions.”

My response began with a praise for the much stronger/faster/more affordable internet in our part of the world (still not the best, but SO MUCH BETTER than what we had in the past!) which allows sending frequent e-mail Prayer Letters to the USA, rather than the once/twice a year mailed-via-volunteers newsletters which was costly and difficult. I did not add our praise for staying in instant touch with our children – a true blessing for missionaries! A blessing that I was especially thankful for this past weekend when tornadoes hit our ‘home area’ in North Carolina where all three of our kids now live! We learned of the destruction and terror via internet news yesterday morning and thanks to e-mails and Facebook, we also learned immediately that our kids and other family members were safe and sound. Thankfully our son waited a day or two to tell us about spotting one of the tornadoes crossing the highway ¼ mile behind him on the highway. He said the policeman in the car beside his truck was also too busy speeding away out of danger to have any intentions of giving tickets at the moment!

Another blessing of the better internet was that during the Kenya’s post-election chaos after Christmas ’07, we were able to receive unedited news about the situation and let our families/friends know that we were safe. Most importantly, as I was then serving as the Prayer Advocate for Kenya, I was able to share up-to-date prayer requests from our Kenyan friends and churches. This is when I quickly learned to use blogs as a mission tool. (1)

I also shared my current goal as the Internet Connector for East Africa: To use blogs/ Facebook/ e-mail messages to share what God is doing in our part of the world. Why? Because I believe strongly that when people know how their prayer and personnel support, as well as their financial support through the Lottie Moon Offering and Cooperative Program is being used and blessed, they will respond with more prayer, greater involvement as volunteers/ coming as long-term personnel and continued financial support – which allows us to be more capable workers in our Father’s Harvest Field. A second motivation: I can freely share what God is doing in our part of the world and how they can join in His work via prayer, but many of my friends and co-workers live and work in restricted areas and they cannot freely share their stories, praises and prayer needs. So I desire to use our stories/ prayer items to guide others in supporting them. (2)

What I did not add, is my prayer request for this week: Pray that during our upcoming mission meeting, I will find ways to strengthen and encourage our co-workers as I help them find ways to share their stories, their praises and needs with prayer supporters. Another prayer request for this week requires admitting our seniority! Pray that Jack and I will be alert and responsive to opportunities for using our experiences, the good and bad ones from the last 32 years, to strengthen and encourage our newer co-workers. Thank you also for praying for me – the allergy/sinus problems had me back in a doctor’s office last Thursday morning, but the new round of medicine is succeeding and I’m finally working with energy again! BERT

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(1) For many of the blogs/ prayer walks/ past updates placed on the internet, go to: Yates-IMB-Kenya - http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com

(2) For part of my current work, which includes the photos in today’s Prayer Update, go to: 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=351345&id=685050129&l=47f55a92ab

April 13, 2011

2011-04-13T13:18:00.003+03:00

This last week was a long one! I was still healing from cold/ allergy problems and Jack was recuperating from his trip the previous weekend – a good trip teaching Church Planting Methods in western Kenya, but with hours of teaching and long difficult drives, he was exhausted. We were also facing all the emotions that came with the death of our pastor’s wife, Wanja Muriithi. Plus I was a little homesick - as I always am this time of year when so many of my American friends meet at Ridgecrest for the annual North Carolina WMU Missions Extravaganza.

BUT on Monday, I posted this Prayer Update: "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement" (Philemon 7). I'm praising God today for the support and encouragement that I've felt in the last few days from my church family in Kenya and the prayer support of my friends in other places. If you ever doubt if your prayers can make a difference one third (or more) of the way around the world, please know the answer is YES! As our church journeyed through another Memorial Service/Burial of a second friend and pastor's wife of Parklands Baptist Church (Nairobi) in less than a month, we were encouraged, strengthened and found joy thanks to people around the world joining in God's work in our part of the world through prayer.

This last week was a treasured journey which taught us many things and came with many affirmations of God’s love and comfort! One treasured jewel from the week is a new appreciation of what it means to be a part of a true church family. I first experienced this as our Parklands Baptist/ Mombasa Road church family sent me messages, sharing information and praying for me. We experienced the joy of church family when my fever finally broke and we attended the Wednesday service (held each night after Wanja’s death, the Kenyan traditional way to plan funerals and support families and friends), at our mother church, Parklands Baptist. As we sang praise choruses with our family in English, Swahili and Kikuyu (Wanja’s mother tongue) I found myself smiling again and reclaiming the joy that can only come from being a part of God’s family. It was a time of being with sisters and brothers who shared our hearts – our love for our friend who had died, our love for our pastor and their daughters, and our recommitment as God’s children to bring honor and glory to Him even during difficult times.

I felt great pride as I stood with the WOMEN OF IMPACT family, the women of our church who have completed a multiplying discipleship program to enable and challenge each of us to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) – “to go and make disciples of all nations… and teaching them to obey everything” we have learned as Christian women. Our ‘job’ at Wanja’s Memorial and Burial Services was to escort the body into and from the services - a time that I thought would be filled with sorrow, but was a time of truly knowing what it meant to give and receive encouragement and strengthening from Christian sisters.

The joy of church family was felt again at last Sunday’s worship time at our less than a year old church on Mombasa Road. The service began without the usual excitement as most of us were exhausted after Friday’s Memorial Service and Saturday’s Burial Service in the Muriithi’s ‘homeplace’, which included a very stressful journey on under-construction roads and heavy traffic. But as we praised God together and sought to bring honor to Him, the atmosphere changed and there was a power in our rented sanctuary – a power that can only come from hearts praising God in unison!

We know that it was your prayers and the prayers of our WMU friends and Kenyan church family which strengthened and encouraged us last week and enabled us to strengthen and encourage others. Simply saying THANK YOU is not sufficient, but we are thankful for our prayer supporters -"Your love HAS GIVEN (us) great joy and encouragement" (Philemon 7) this week.

BERT YATES

* 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=351345&id=685050129&l=47f55a92ab

April 6, 2011

2011-04-06T13:56:00.009+03:00

Another week of HIGHS and LOWS. Jack shares the HIGHS in a partial report of his 5 day trip to western Kenya. I have heard Jack excitedly share story after story since his return on Monday, so I know it was hard for him to keep his report this short!

JACK’S REPORT: Fudumi was a step back in time for me. I was invited by Hesbon, the newly appointed Western Regional Coordinator for the Baptist Convention of Kenya , to teach Church Planting Methodology to the leadership of the newly revived Vihiga Baptist Association. At least four new churches have started in the last four months and a new sense of purpose prevails. It was exciting to be surrounded by young men and women who are active, obedient and faithful. A couple of our older Baptist leaders attended, but they were a small minority!

When Fudumi was built (dedicated in 1970) by the Baptist Mission it was the premier theological training centre for East Africa outside of Arusha, Tanzania. Over the years though, no missionaries lived nearby and often long periods of time elapsed with no one responsible for the place of the programs. Eventually all missionaries left the region and the property lapsed into a long period of decay and vandalism. Last year, the title deed of the property was transferred to the BCOK (always a lengthy process in our part of the world), but no one among the 20 associations in the Western Region was given responsibility for Fudumi.

Over the years, furniture was lost, most of the trees were cut down for someone’s personal profit and recently thieves began stealing the doors and fixtures and the toilets collapsed. Finally, Hesbon, who has a heart for making and training disciples, was appointed to the position of Western Province Coordinator. His first step: RESCUE FUDUMI! But he faced a major problem: NO FUNDS FOR THE RESCUE!

Now begins what I told him was a modern NEHEMIAH STORY! Hesbon looked around and spotted two resources: TWO MATURE TREES still remained on the property. Harvesting these trees provided materials and funds to re-fence the property and make it secure. He made bricks and rebuilt the toilets. He repaired the roof and cleaned the filth from the rooms.

And during last week’s training (April 1,2), I was able to join the “class” in replanting trees on the property. Over 1000 seedlings have now been replanted, all indigenous hardwoods. God’s response in part was constant rainfall during my stay! The blessings carried on into the classroom as students accepted responsibility to return in May for accountability reporting before I return in June to continue the training!

The great joy for Fudumi is that once again students will find a haven for study! A region-wide Bible School is scheduled for July. Somewhere in heaven Eric and Phyllis Clark, the first missionaries to this region, are smiling and giving thanks.

Our LOW this week is another great heartbreak which I shared in the 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA posted this last Sunday, April 3^rd:

I went to bed Saturday night with my mind filled with questions, most beginning with WHY? I had just learned of the unexpected death of a friend (Wanja Muriithi - another young mom, another pastor's wife of our church, this time the wife of our pastor at our new Mombasa Road campus. But then God flooded my mind with a gift, the song, "Zizilizo baraka zihesabu tu." I began counting my blessings and naming them one by one, remembering what God hast done... knowing this is what my friend would want us to do - Praise God for her life, for allowing her to be a coworker in His work! Join me today in praying for healing for the church family of the largest of our East African Baptist churches as we deal with the deaths of these two Godly women in less than a month. Pray also that their husbands, children, and church family will show the world that we are God's children who "give thanks to (him)... for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds" (Psalm 107:31) even during this difficult time. The photo with this Prayer Nudge? One personal blessing I remembered that night: I get to take photos of God's work (tea preparation at our seminary) and lead others to join in praising God for His wonderful deeds in our part of the world! (Added note: This picture held a surprise for me, ME on the left!)

Please join us in praising God for what He is doing in Western Kenya and for allowing us to be a part of this work and for you to be a part as well as you support us in prayer, sending personnel and finances. Pray also for us and our church family, especially our pastor, Wachira Muriithi, and his and Wanja’s two daughters, Sally and Joy. As some of you awaken in the US on Friday, exactly four weeks after attending the memorial service for our friend, Joy Mwangi*, our church family will attend Wanja’s Memorial Service at Parklands Baptist Church. Pray for strength as we seek to bring honor and glory to our Lord as we praise Him for Wanja’s life and her service to Him. BERT YATES

* For our Special Lottie Moon 2010 Story based on Joy’s life, go to: http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-16-2011.html

March 30, 2011

2011-03-30T15:11:00.005+03:00

Usually when I sit down to write this weekly update, I know exactly what I want to say, but this week I’ve had trouble. As usual, the list of potential joys/ blessings/requests exceeds the amount of space to share. Another reason: a blessing that leads to a problem – lots of flowers are blooming in our part of the world, thanks to recent needed rains, but there is a definite negative side for those of us who have allergy battles and at the moment I’m not sure which is making me feel worse – the congestion or the medicine! But as I ponder on what to share this week, I keep returning to the word HOPE!

HOPE is what Jack felt this week as he received reports from students trained in a late February Church Planting Methodology seminar. In our March 2nd Prayer Update I shared that we were “praising God for the (twelve men and women) from all parts of Kenya who desire to teach others to plant reproducing churches - especially in areas with no or few churches.” One report and photo (can be found on Yates/IMB/Kenya blog) arrived from two of the men who traveled north of their homes in western Kenya to train church leaders among the Turkana, a people group where God’s love and salvation is being shared, but there are still thousands of their nomadic members who have not heard our Good News. The newly trained Church Planting Trainers reported that 65 Turkana Christians from 19 Baptist churches and one from another denomination came for the three day training!

Pray with us that those trained in this new round of training will catch the vision shared by one student at that first CPM Training for Trainers seminar: "Planting churches does not mean forming a body of those who have responded to a proclamation of the eternal gospel - planting a church means producing a group of discipled believers who will share their faith and disciple others who will continue multiplying disciples!"

HOPE is also the word that came to mind as we’ve read daily updates on the “Loliondo drink of life” (1) in our local news this last week. We often see newspaper ads and flyers glued on walls/ trees/ light poles advertising the services of miracle healers/ spiritual leaders/ doctors who can heal everything from straying husbands and broken hearts to illnesses such as diabetes, TB, AID, cancer, etc. Those traveling to visit the “former Christian preacher … turned into a miracle healer … people of all walks of life; the rich flying in by helicopter, thousands others driving in and even more trekking the distance” (1) has been halted to clear the “24,000 ailing people and their relatives … stranded in a queue of more than 4,000 vehicles that extended several miles.”(2)

Living in a part of the world where many people have no access to quality medical care or no money to pay for what is available teaches you a lot about trust in prayer and miracles. I will always remember sitting in church several years ago and hearing members of our new small church share how God had answered their prayers and healed them in the past week. As I listened to their illnesses, I realized they had suffered the same bug our family had experienced, BUT to be honest, we had responded by purchasing medicine and using techniques we knew would help and never doubted that we would survive, THUS we had not prayed for healing!

Listening that day, I realized that I had money to buy medicines/see doctors and had a level of education not shared by most of our church friends who could only rely upon prayer and God’s touch for healing! So … I will not share my thoughts about this miracle healer and other situations we face like this daily, but simply ask you to read at least one of the articles sited below which will definitely strengthen your ability to pray for those in our world searching for HOPE as you for Christians who are seeking to share the Good News of our loving Savior!

Thank you again for your prayer support – we and our missionary coworkers and African Christian brothers and sisters do depend upon your prayers, BERT
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(1) On the trail of the Loliondo drink of life (Daily Nation/3/25/11): http://www.nation.co.ke/Features/DN2/On+the+trail+of+the+Loliondo+drink+of+life+/-/957860/1132222/-/sd243g/-/index.html
(2) Wonder drug gets a clean bill of health (Daily Nation/3/30/11): http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Wonder+drug+gets+a+clean+bill+of+health+/-/1056/1135350/-/ybcoqez/-/index.html
‘Magic herb’ is well known to Kenyan scientists (Daily Nation/3/30/11): http://www.nation.co.ke/News/+Magic+herb++is+well+known+to+Kenyan+scientists+/-/1056/1135354/-/jnh894z/-/index.html
2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

March 23, 2011

2011-03-23T13:18:00.006+03:00

I guess I should back-up and preface the comment that I had already written to say: Jack and I do pray often for God’s guidance in our lives and we know that many of you pray this for us, but… Now I will share my first try at beginning this update: Have you ever been astounded by God’s guidance in your life and how He led you to do the RIGHT thing when you had no idea at the time of why this was exactly what you should do?

Last Monday, as I began to post the already prepared day’s photo/comment to the 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA (1) - a great photo of a kid, which is always loved - I felt compelled to delay the planned Prayer Nudge and create a new one with a photo taken the day before of an “ oft' seen Eastern African scene … that always brings heartbreak to missionaries and a reminder of those in our world with daily burdens such as a shortage of water and back-breaking work – people who often have not heard our Savior’s promise: ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me ... streams of living water will flow from within him’” (John 7:37,38).

At the time, I questioned if I was simply making more work for myself and seeking to delay another job that I didn’t want to do! The next morning as I read a local newspaper, I realized that I had done neither of these things, but had definitely sensed God’s guidance as yesterday was the annual International Water Day – a day to focus on the water issues faced in our world by many people without adequate and clean water. So, I delayed the Prayer Nudge with the child’s photo yet another day (possibly tomorrow) and created a new Prayer Nudge for March 22^nd (1) to emphasize a Daily Nation (2) article about "flying toilets" and people praising God for broken pipes, an article you shouldn’t read if you “don't want bad news… but if you want to pray knowledgeably for hurting people in our world, you MUST read.”

Jack share’s this experience of God taking him an unplanned way this last week: “Saturday, I was invited to teach ‘leadership’ to the leaders of Community Baptist Church. I considered sharing all kinds of tools and practical suggestions and bits from my Church Planting Methodology training. Earlier this month, I was trained in a new form of Muslim Evangelism and I was eager to share it! As the leaders assembled that morning, I knew God was leading me a different way – to teach Baptist Beliefs, which I usually teach to seminary students. Of the 40 listed leaders of this barely one year old church , 25 attended the day-long meeting (most of the others work on Saturday). The oldest leader at the training was no more than 35 and amazingly the youngest, the children’s leader, was only 12, but this girl turned out to be the most avid and astute listener. Her questions were penetrating and seeking, as were the questions of the others. At the end of the day, I felt blessed to be asked to teach this group of leaders. I was also certain that though Baptist Beliefs is not the most entertaining subject, God had led me to start training these leaders at this point!”

We know that these events in our lives were the result of prayers – especially your prayers! THANK YOU! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of God’s Work in East Africa and for your joining in His work as you support us in prayer, personnel and finances! BERT

(1) 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

(2) "Families smile when water pipes burst" – Daily Nation, 11-03-22/p.3 - http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Families+smile+when+water+pipes+burst+/-/1056/1130430/-/x9umv2z/-/index.html

March 16, 2011

2011-03-16T10:00:00.000+03:00

Since early January, I have searched for a new Lottie Story to share as our thanks for your gifts last year to the Lottie Moon Offering and Cooperative Program, gifts which allow us and IMB coworkers to do what God is calling us to do! This last Friday, I received another precious gift, the opportunity to share a tribute to Joy Mwangi, the wife of our Associate Pastor at Parklands Baptist Church, who died on March 6th after a battle with oral cancer. Joy and Simon were baptized and discipled at Parklands and through Baptist Student Ministries while in college – this is also where they met! As I returned to my seat after representing the mission family and those no longer living in Kenya at Joy’s Memorial Service, I realized that I had just shared the perfect Lottie Story!

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When we arrived in Kenya in 1978, I was blessed to work with one of the first couples to come with the International Mission Board to East Africa. On our first Sunday, James and Gena Hampton invited us to the small English speaking church that they helped start a few years before, Parklands Baptist Church. There were many lessons that the Hamptons worked at teaching us – One lesson they taught us by example and instruction was that we as we served our Father and shared our Faith, we were to always be preparing a Kenyan Christian to replace us. One of my greatest praises and joys today is how we have seen this transformation take place among Baptists and the Kenyan Christian family during the last 32 years.>In my current job as an Internet Missions/Prayer Advocate for East Africa, I must often define the word “missionary” to my mostly American audience – For as I seek to help them understand and pray for God’s work in our part of the world, the stories I’m sharing about gifted missionaries are not stories about those who arrived from another country or continent to be about our Father’s work in East Africa, the missionaries in our Father’s Harvest Field are Kenyans!

Joy Mwangi is a great example of East Africans on mission with God. She did what I was taught to do as a young missionary – Joy did what God called her to do and she taught others to do the same, she reproduced herself! We are currently members of Parklands new site on Mombasa Road, and it has astounded me how Joy did not visit us there even once, yet the Children’s Sunday School ministry began strong at our young church – thanks to Joy’s teaching, training, preparation, dreaming, and past hard work! Joy’s work in developing the current children’s ministry at Parklands is far beyond the dreams of those of us who taught Parklands Children’s Sunday School class in the 1970’s! (Added note: This includes one of Joy’s dreams – the huge building at Parklands just for kids!)

Joy also had an amazing ministry at the Nairobi Baptist Centre at Shauri Moyo. She capably did jobs which in the early days were done by missionaries, not only capably, but better as she more fully understood the needs of the students and the community! A retired co-worker who worked with Joy at Shauri Moyo shared: “While teaching at the centre, Joy was always a light, always smiling, wanting the best for her students. It was a Joy to be with her and know her.”

Joy is an awesome example of one who responded to God’s call for workers in His Harvest Field. Joy did “go and make disciples of all nations” – she taught new generations of children and youth all she knew about our Father’s teachings and how to obey and serve Him. She knew that God was with her always and she wanted others to have this precious gift. (Matthew 28-19-20) It was Joy who masterminded the children of Parklands Baptist Church leading our church family into going to an Unreached People group, the Endo, and taking our Good News to them! Joy was a gentle person, but when she knew God wanted her to do something, you knew to join her as she would not give up until she knew she had obeyed her Father.

I’m praising God today for the fact that I and many of my friends and former colleagues could call Joy our friend and that she impacted our lives with her joy and strength and her example of what it meant to be on mission with our Father! And when the day comes that the eternal gospel has been proclaimed to every nation, tribe, language and people (Revelations 14:6), I know that many of those worshipping at our Father’s throne will be there because of Joy’s testimony and work – AND the testimony and work of those that Joy befriended, trained and impacted!

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THANK YOU for taking time to read this Lottie Story. Thank you also for being our co-workers in our Father’s Harvest Field as you offer financial, personnel, and prayer support for us and our IMB colleagues! BERT YATES

2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EASTERN AFRICA: To receive these Prayer Updates via e-mail, you can subscribe at: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/ OR Photo Prayer Nudges can also be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=351345&id=685050129&l=47f55a92ab – You DO NOT need to be a Facebook member to view these Prayer Nudges, BUT if you are a member, please send me a friend request!

March 9, 2011

2011-03-09T14:16:00.007+03:00

“The LORD said to me … “look carefully, listen closely and give attention to everything I tell you” (Ezekiel 44:5) – the verse jumped-out during my devotions this morning. Another verse jumped as I prepared yesterday’s Prayer Nudge (1) – “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Romans 9:17). These words were first spoken to an Egyptian, but variations of God’s desire for all on our earth to know of His love and power is shared over and over in our Bible. It was no accident that these verses jumped at me at this time – it was God’s Word being alive and active and reminding me of our call to East Africa: Jack and I know without a doubt that God’s ongoing purpose for our lives is to “look carefully, listen closely and pay attention” to His Word – which will increase our ability to proclaim His name as we strengthen and encourage others to do the same.

And yes, sometimes, actually very often, missionaries do need a personal reminder. We have experienced many variations of JOY this past week. We felt JOY during last week’s training session for sharing our faith with people of another faith. Those attending the meeting (both international and national missionaries) did have open and eager ears, hearts and minds – which led to all of us being astounded by how God affirmed His purpose for our lives not only in this area, but in other parts of our ministry. I only attended the first day, but it provided the clarification/ encouragement I needed for preparing Prayer Nudges for other faiths – plus another time when God clearly showed me how to write the sensitive Prayer Nudge for the meeting (March 4^th). Jack’s goal was to learn how to better witness to followers of a different faiths and challenge others to do the same, but he also received new insights for improving his Church Planting seminars.

Another type of JOY occurred on Saturday when we heard that an “adopted” aunt had died. We knew that Aunt Mattie was “not doing well … At 96, she is just tired and worn out.” Via internet, God used friends and “family” from the town where I served as a Youth Director during college days to remind us that this was a time of JOY, not sorrow. As I remembered the special love and encouragement of this Godly woman, I was reminded again that God’s promise of eternal life is a very precious gift. I was also reminded that He strengthens our desire and ability to proclaim His name as we view His power in the lives of others!

We awoke to another JOY last Sunday. After struggling to find the right words to share this JOY with friends, I posted this on FB: “Arrived at Parklands Baptist Church/Mombasa Road this morning with a heavy heart after learning of the death of our friend, Joy Mwangi - BUT we returned home having experienced a truly awesome time of worship - the word Celebration was used more times that I could count! Praising God for a Godly friend, pastor's wife and mom and for providing healing, not in the way we had prayed, but the greatest healing - arrival in Heaven!” Joy displayed God’s power proclaimed His name to all the earth in many ways, including being a great wife to Simon, one of Parklands’s pastors, by touching the lives of business students at the Shauri Moyo Baptist Centre and through the children’s ministry at our church.

Pray for strength and encouragement for the Body of Christ in Kenya as Joy’s life is celebrated on Friday at a memorial service and burial on Saturday. Pray that Joy’s family and friends will display God’s power and proclaim His name to all the earth during this time and in the future as we remember Joy’s example.

Thank you once again for reading our weekly prayer update and for being a part of how God is at work in our part of the world, BERT

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(1) 3/8/11 Prayer Nudge can be found at: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-8-2011.html

(2) 3/4/11 Prayer nudge found at: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-4-2011.html

*2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EASTERN AFRICA: To receive these Prayer Updates via e-mail, you can subscribe at: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/ OR Photo Prayer Nudges can also be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=351345&id=685050129&l=47f55a92ab – You DO NOT need to be a Facebook member to view these Prayer Nudges, BUT if you are a member, please send me a friend request!