October 29, 2008

I just perked myself an extra mug of coffee, a much needed boost this morning! Yesterday was Diwali, the Hindu New Year. With temples on three sides of us and a wealthy Hindu family on the fourth side, we heard the popping and sizzling of fireworks in surround-sound-stereo through midnight. Our view of the sparkling sky is limited by trees and high buildings, but after reading yesterday why fireworks are a part of Diwali celebrations, my enjoyment was dampened.

An advertisement in yesterday’s Daily Nation sponsored by the Hindu Council of Kenya explained that the many clay lamps, plain and ornate ones, burned during Diwali and the colourful decorations in homes are to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, Lakshmi, and the fireworks are used as “effigies of Narakasura who was killed on this day.” Narakasura is credited with being the demon responsible for oppression and fear in the world and for torturing people and kidnapping women. I found much of the information in the eight-page Diwali insert confusing and startling as the names of multiple Hindu deities are mentioned, such as “the mother of the slain Naraka (three spellings are used in this article for this demon), “declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice” – thus the fireworks. Our assignment is to share our Saviour’s Good News with those of African descent, but all the reminders in Kenya of those who worship the Hindu gods – temples and shrines, as well as images of gods which one can purchase are all around us – and as we hear the call to worship from a nearby mosque numerous times each day, we are constantly prompted to pray for these people who also need to know of our Father’s love and salvation.

Now for a related praise – Prayers were answered for the Gujarat Gospel Music Concerts held by the United Church of Gujarat, a Parklands Baptist Church mission, this past weekend. Mainly Kenyan youth of Parklands and the Indian members of the United Church of Gujarat attended on Sunday night, but many Hindu guests attended on Saturday night and all the seats in Parklands’ youth tent, which holds over 1000 chairs, were filled with people standing outside. Sharing with those of other faiths is slow and difficult, but we praise God for the seeds that were sewn as many heard our Father’s message of love and salvation through music and as Kenyans opened their hearts to their Hindu friends. For more pictures and information on Diwali and the concert, go to: http://parklandsgujarati.blogspot.com/

Jack and I have lots of work in the coming week and we need prayers for strength and wisdom. Pray for Jack as he prepares materials to give new staff and others which will help them understand and be involved in the Legacy Work, the older, established Baptist work in Kenya. Pray for me as I prepare prayer items related to the adoption of the Baptist Nairobi Street Kid Ministry by one of our legacy churches, Ridgeways Baptist Church, and as I prepare other materials to help Southern Baptists recognize the good investments that they have made in the past as they supported our work through prayers, finances through the Lottie Moon and the Cooperative Program, and through volunteering – investments that are still providing incredible returns even in these days of economic turmoil!
Bert Yates

October 22, 2008

The annual short rains have begun – A good thing, but one of the common results is also occurring at the moment – The electricity is off! I am trying to do what our pastor, Simon Mwangi, says: “Don’t complain. Praise God!” To be honest there are many things that could lead to our being discouraged at the moment, things that I cannot freely share in a prayer letter. BUT, we have learned that these types of problems, many covered under the title of spiritual warfare, is usually a sign that we are in God’s will and doing what He needs us to do. So today’s first prayer request is that you join us in praying that we will focus on the work and not let frustrations dishearten us and affect our ability to do the work we should be doing!

Now for the praises! We had a good break last week beginning with a visit to Nyeri Baptist High School. We checked on the North Carolina Baptist Men (and women) volunteers who were there building a needed classroom. We praise God that the North Carolina Mission’s Teams are assisting and encouraging Nyeri Baptist High School. Pray for these teams as they find ways to assist the Baptist churches in the area in witnessing and discipling during their visits.
We then went on the Sweetwaters Tented Camp in Nanyuki. It was a true pleasure to spend two days away from the noise and dust of the city of Nairobi, but even more incredible was that this is our “Spring Time” which meant we viewed not only adult animals, but saw baby animals – elephants, chimps, rhinos and many others. I also took lots of new pictures to share with you in coming weeks – Including a special group of pictures you can find on a new blog!

A friend recently asked how many blogs I have developed – and the number is over 20. I don’t do these simply to satisfy my creative urges – even though I love the work – I develop these blogs as a way of sharing our lives and the prayer needs of Kenya more fully with you. I know everyone will not be committed to long term prayer support to all the needs I highlight, but my prayer is that at least one or two people will be affected in one of the following ways as they take time to view the blogs: An increased commitment to prayer for specific needs; a greater awareness that it is a wise investment to give to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Offering to support the work of the IMB; and a growing sensitivity to God’s voice as He calls his labourers to do His work!

This new blog relates to a current very needed prayer item, “Kenya’s Future – Students” at http://kenyastudents.blogspot.com/ . Through November 17th, Form Four (Senior) students, including those of Nyeri and Mombasa Baptist High Schools (begun by Southern Baptist missionaries and funds from the Lottie Moon Offering and Cooperative Program) will sit for multiple papers (exams) in six or seven subjects – those they have studied during their four years of high school. The total scores of these exams will determine the future of these youth as this grade, not any past scores, will determine if they will be invited to universities for further studies. Students who receive lower scores may qualify for technical or other types of training and those with the lowest scores, the large majority of students, will have no further educational opportunities unless their parents are very wealthy. For more explanations and ways to pray, as well as lots of pictures of Nyeri Baptist and her students, go to the blog. Why do I ask this? High school students are the future of Kenya and they desperately need diligent prayer warriors on their behalf in the coming weeks! Bert Yates
*** You can send assurances of your prayers to the Form Four students of Nyeri and Mombasa Baptist High Schools through the comment feature below. Your messages will be forwarded to the students.

Living the Great Commission

I hate to overwhelm you with prayer items during these days of economic stress and election fever, but as I sat in church this morning, I realized that I had to share what I was experiencing! I owe it those of you who have supported the Baptist work in Kenya as you prayed, gave to the Lottie Moon Offering and Cooperative Program, and as many have come to serve with us. Plus this is good news, really good news, unlike most news these days!

I must admit that I arrived at church this morning a little frustrated. The chairman of the Trustees of our mission board (IMB), Dr. Paul Chitwood, is in the city and it was arranged for him to speak at Parklands Baptist Church this morning. I love Parklands, but I know from past experiences that many of our special guests have more unique experiences if they attend a newer church start or one of the churches that is located in the slums or more difficult areas rather than our biggest church. But I left the service praising God that this seminary professor has experienced such a testimony to what happens when the Great Commission is lived out!

Now to begin, you must understand that this morning was not designated a special service, but between the announcements and guests it became an incredible time of praise and worship. Early in the service, the leader of the United Church of Gujarat, a mission of Parklands, reminded everyone of the special “Gujarati Gospel Music Concert” to be held this next weekend. He shared their desire to reach the thousands in Kenya from India who do not know of our Savour’s love and salvation. Then a special volunteer team was introduced from Tokyo Baptist Church in Japan! The group included a man from the Philippines, a woman from Taiwan, an American businessman working in Japan and his family, Kenyans working/studying in Japan, and several Japanese women. This team worked last week with a Parkland’s team among the Ilchamus, a Kenyan unreached people group that Parklands has engaged with the gospel by sending Kenyan missionaries and teams to the area. The Tokyo Baptist team first made contact with Parklands through a young Kenyan, John Mativo, who attended their church while completing his doctorate in Japan – a young man who was in the Royal Ambassadors group that some of the missionaries at Parklands began in the late 1970’s!

Later the church watched a film clip that was taken by a deacon last week as he visited in Southern Sudan. The star of the film was a greatly missed member of the church named Mark, who is the leader of the church’s popular Christian rock group and a member of the Kenyan armed services. Mark sent greetings to the church from his post in Southern Sudan where he is serving with a peace-keeping unit. During his time off, Mark who has been discipled and trained at Parklands, is active in starting new churches in this country where few “foreign” missionaries can survive or are even allowed! I almost forgot to include two other exciting announcements we heard this morning – A Parklands team will go next month to Indonesia on a mission trip to East Timor AND the Prison Ministries’ Team in western Kenya this week-end called the pastor to report that 300 prisoners accepted Christ as their Saviour yesterday in the Kakamega Prison!

I have not talked with Professor Chitwood and heard his reactions, but I know how I felt after the service this morning – it was a true example of what happens when God’s children obediently participate in their Saviour’s Great Commission of going to all nations to make, baptize and teach disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). The missionaries who struggled from 1978 to begin Parklands had great hopes, but I think this morning was proof that God has been at work blessing their early work in ways beyond even their dreams! Their seeds have not only taken root, but grown and are multiplying. All of this is also the result of lots of prayers and lots of financial giving so THANK YOU for your part of God’s work in Kenya! And don’t stop praying, giving, and investing time in Kenya. The harvest remains plentiful in Kenya and workers are needed for prayer, financial and personnel support! Bert Yates

October 12, 2008

Rather than writing you on Wednesday, hopefully I will be watching elephants, rhinos and possibly a lion or two! We will travel tomorrow to Nyeri, two hours north of Nairobi, to visit Nyeri Baptist High School. Jack will check on a North Carolina Baptist Missions’ Group and I will get pictures of the group and the high school to share with you. Later in the day, we will travel on to a game park for a much needed mini-vacation (2 nights)!

As I left church yesterday, I realized that my experiences of the morning were a great example of the opportunities we have to strengthen and encourage Kenyan Christians and our fellow missionaries as we engage lostness together. It also shares how your prayers are being answered and how you can continue praying! We attend the 8:30 worship service which is followed by Bible studies during the 10:30-11:30 break – Yes, our worship services last a minimum of two hours! I do my “church” Bible study during the week, rather than Sunday morning as the between services period is a key time to meet visitors to the church and Kenyan friends.

As I walked out of the sanctuary yesterday, I talked with a friend, Moses, who was discipled by our former missionaries ministering on our university campuses and now works full time as a campus minister. We talked of the time I share with a recent graduate, Sheila, who now assists Moses and of my working with a few more of his female students. Kristin, a new Journeyman (the IMB two year program for recent college graduates), was waiting for me outside hoping to meet potential Kenyan friends. As soon as I joined her outside, the two young women that I wanted her to meet, Everlyne (a recent college graduate now doing master’s studies at a local seminary) and Eunice (the young student/full-time employee/worker with street kids), both walked up! We had made no arrangements for this – it was God’s work and an answer to your “general” prayers! As the three talked as old friends and discussed meeting during the week, two Gujarat church members came to share about their upcoming Gujarati Gospel Music Concert so I can help enlist prayer support. As we talked, Mwiti, who is involved in student ministries in central Africa arrived to talk with me. He needed help finding more Bible study materials for use in the Congo. One of his comments was amazing – “We really need French materials, but can use Kiswahili books, especially Bibles.” Would you believe that Jack was recently given a case of Gideon Kiswahili New Testaments? These were quickly transferred from the back of our car to the excited man! Tabitha, a young Kenyan woman returning to Rwanda next month as a “missionary” to women and students, then stopped me. She wants to develop a prayer blog before she leaves – which we arranged. I then walked towards our car knowing that Jack would soon finish Bible study (one he finds extremely exciting as after years of struggles of beginning a men’s Bible study, this class is led by not one, but ten strong young Kenyan Christian men). Tom stopped me to inquire if I had found a source for a Braille Bible for a group of blind Christian girls he met on a mission trip to Tanzania – but so far my answer is “no”. Then, for the first time in weeks I spotted Irene, who has been looking for a job. Her greeting: “I never imagined that God would just put a job in my lap.” Rather than getting a job at the many places where she had applied, her daughter’s special needs school, asked her to become their administrative assistant and run the school so the headmistress can have more time in the classroom. This job is within walking distance of her home, plus the school fees of her daughter, who has Downs Syndrome, are now waived – way above and beyond our prayer requests! She shared that the school needs volunteers – and yes, before the day was out, two of our missionaries, a nurse and a special-ed teacher, asked “How soon can you take us to meet your friend so we can begin!”

I could write another long update on Jack’s many phone calls which I overheard as I was writing this morning. In a few hours he advised/counselled/encouraged, even rebuked a little, Kenyans and missionaries working with BARA (the Baptist Aids Response Agency), the Kenya Baptist Theological College, and the Baptist Convention of Kenya. He also talked with others about a water project, a Bible Study writer’s conference, and many other things. We never know what opportunities for joining God in his work will arise next – which means we need your prayer coverage! Thank you for the assurance we have that one of the ways you join our Father is his work is through your prayers for us. Bert Yates

October 8, 2008

“Today is a day to celebrate. It is a Celebration of the Goodness of the Lord. If you have come for any other reason, you are in the wrong place.” This is how a member of the worship team began the 11:00 worship service at Membley Baptist Church on Sunday, October 5, 2008.” These are also the introductory words to a new blog – http://goodnessofthelord.blogspot.com/ – A blog to share the excitement that Jack and I felt on Sunday as we participated in the 5th anniversary of Membley Baptist Church, a mission of Parklands Baptist begun not by preachers, but by committed laypersons from Parklands Baptist Church and missionaries, Dena and Roy Brent.

“Our 5th Anniversary is a time of Thanksgiving for what God has done and looking forward to what He will do. We seek to join him where He is working and Glorify His Holy Name!” The purpose of the new blog and my prayer is that as you see what has happened in the past and what is happening and what can happen in this one church and in the lives of its members, you will glorify our Heavenly Father. For this story is a true Lottie Moon Story of our Saviour's Great Commission being fulfilled. This is also the story of what has happened thanks to the prayers and the time and financial investments of many Southern Baptists since the beginning of our work in Kenya in the late 1950's!

The above paragraph is also taken straight from the blog, not just because I’m too tired to think of anything new to share with you (although between taking over 500 pictures on Sunday during our six-hour visit to the church and working for hours since then preparing the blog, I am exhausted!), but because I want to thank you for being a part of this story. You are the ones who have prayed and invested your time and finances in the work in Kenya. THANK YOU for how you have participated in what is happening at Membley Baptist Church and in other places in Kenya through your prayers. Thank you for your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and to the Cooperative Program which supports your missionaries and allows us to be a part of God’s work in Kenya.

I often wish I had my camera with me so I could share our lives with you and thankfully I did have the camera on Sunday. In addition to the slideshow of the kids of Membley, there are two large slideshows on the blog that hopefully will allow you to experience the special anniversary worship service and the afternoon celebration presentations to Dena and Roy Brent.

Thank you once again for being our prayer partners. We do depend on your prayers and we know you are praying – we are experiencing the blessings, watching as prayers are answered, and feeling the needed strength and encouragement when there are problems. Bert Yates

October 1, 2008

Yes, I am late in writing today, but I have been busy – very busy preparing a new blog for you entitled: United Church of Gujarat, Mission of Parklands Baptist Church. You can find it at: http://parklandsgujarati.blogspot.com/ . This was the only way that I could begin to truly share with you our experiences last Saturday night when Jack preached at the monthly service of the United Church of Gujarat, a mission of Parklands Baptist Church. This church where Gujarati is the “first language” is still growing and not ready to go “solo” – but our prayer is that this “mission” will begin their own missions. These are not just dreams, but one of the needed steps as Christians work towards the greatest dream – the dream that everyone in our world will come to know our Saviour’s love and salvation! Praise God also with us for churches like Parklands and Ruiru Baptist Church, between Nairobi and Thika, who are truly carrying out the Great Commission in Kenya! (Below is Ruiru's sign board)

Thank you for praying for last Thursday evening’s Bible study by the House Groups of Parklands, the study I wrote earlier this month – Discipleship: All you need (Ezra 7:10). I was told on Sunday that the study complemented in an incredible way the other activities of the special Discipleship Emphasis week. I also heard that it challenged many of the most committed Christians in our church to make growing as a disciple and discipling others a higher priority in their lives. One man was especially challenged by God’s words in Proverbs 22:17,18: “Apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.” I know this response was the answer to your prayers as I had no information concerning other activities/studies planned for this special week of emphasis, so my human “smarts” could not have allowed me to write what was needed to strengthen all that was heard and learned that week.

Pray for me as I begin teaching a Bible study to three or four young women on Friday. Our time will be limited each week as we are working within the lunch time of my friend, Eunice. She is the young woman who works with street kids that I have been meeting for several months. Eunice has now added going to university full time in the evenings to working full time in the insurance industry and continuing with her Street Kids ministry early one or more mornings each week. Yes, she needs your prayers for her busy schedule, as well as I need your prayers to use the 45 minutes or less we have each week to fully cover the discipleship material.

Continue praying for Jack in his role of mentor/encourager to many Kenyan leaders and pastors. His phone rings often or people show up unexpectedly and he rarely can anticipate what is required of him – so he depends upon your prayers to be God’s encourager and strengthener to them! Bert

*The title of the picture to the left - Even Gujurat Baptists like to eat!