Special Request for September: Flavoured Dates and Prayer Dates

Did you know there are many kinds of dates, not the calendar or romantic ones, but the edible ones? My favorite grocery store’s holiday display with rows of varieties and flavours of dates amazed me yesterday – all available for evening and pre-dawn meals during the upcoming Ramadan. The timing of this celebration changes yearly and for 2008 it begins on September 1st and ends September 30th or October 1st, all dates dependent upon the sighting of the new moon.

This is also a time when Christians should pray for our neighbours, friends and even our enemies who claim a very different faith. Often different is a negative, but we can learn from one difference in their religion: Good Muslims stop and pray publicly five times daily and they will spend extra time in prayer during the month of Ramadan. Several times each day as I sit at my desk, I hear the Call to Prayer of a nearby mosque and I use it as reminder to pray for those it is calling to prayer.

A friend who has a special heart for those who celebrate Ramadan shares: “It's that time of year again … it is time for the Muslim's holy month of prayer and fasting. Around the world many are in busy preparation and anticipation of the announcement that the month of Ramadan has officially begun. While I was in the midst of the Muslim world … this time of year was exciting and everyone looked forward to this month of sleepy days and active nights … this is an important month … to lift up our prayers for the Muslim people and for those working among them. Ramadan is a month of increased outward dedication but it is also a time when many realize the emptiness of ritual. It is a time when workers have increased opportunity to share meals with and speak words of truth and light into the darkness … Please join me in prayer … take a specific time or day of the month of September to fast and pray for the Muslim people … I am planning on hosting a 'Prayer Tea' with other women during the month … pray for those living around the world in need of a witness.” My friend ends her letter with Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

As I read the news this week, watching for special articles for you, I found “Famine looms in the North…” (Daily Nation, 8/27/08, p.32). Written to inform readers of the increasing “HUNGER THREAT” in northern Kenya, the lack of hope of the residents led me to prayer. “Terrible … acute hunger and thirst in their faces … emaciated villagers line up, each family getting 20 litres (litre is a little more than a quart) of water for the week … water they share with their weakest goats … amid scorching temperatures … ‘Fear is always there’ … among the 1.2 million Kenyans in northern Kenya … little hope … ‘watch in despair.’”

This article ends with haunting comments that should lead Christians to prayer: “Already 60 per cent of the population need food and water. Remember the fasting month of Ramadan is coming and we might witness tragic scenes if this condition persists … We’re awaiting our fate. I’m sure death is just around the corner.” Not only are these hopeless people dying, they are among the tribes, languages and people who have not heard and accepted the proclamation of the eternal message of our heavenly Father (Revelation 14:6). They also need our Saviour’s “living water … welling up to eternal life” (John 4:10, 13)

I ask, NO, I plead that you take time during September to pray for those in our world who need to know of our Saviour’s love and hope. Write Revelation 14:6 and Hebrews 11:6 on a card and use it to guide your prayers while the Muslim world celebrates Ramadan. Take time to view, hear, experience and pray through the YouTube listings. Search on the internet for information on Ramadan and use what you learn to strengthen your prayers. Take time to join those celebrating Ramadan in praying that they will come to know the “truth and light”. Pray that they will come to know and accept the eternal message of our Father. Bert
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YouTube/Muslim Call to Prayer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nOxHn-rDW8
YouTube/Ramadan Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG0uhRIxOe8
For more about hosting a prayer tea: http://btw.imb.org/
Daily Nation, 8/27/08 p.32 “Famine looms in North as livestock begins to die” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/464086/-/tk9k0w/-/index.html
For more about Ramadan:
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/ramadan1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan

August 27, 2008

“If you looked in the dictionary for the definition of ‘Gentle, Sweet, Humble Servant’ you would surely find Samweli's face there. I have never known a more dedicated servant of God. He was all about the Lord and His message, and nothing about Samweli. He used to walk up the hill … to visit and ask … for guidance and ideas to better serve God. What a tragedy … and what a great homegoing for Samweli. I know God said, ‘Welcome home, thou good and faithful servant’ … let his family know that we … treasure every remembrance of him and his sweet family ... We … were honored to have been a part of his life.”

The last few days have been very difficult for Baptists in Kenya. Last week I was asked by Ridgeways Baptist Church to share a prayer request with our missionaries. Their youth were on a mission trip to Kenya’s coast and one young man, a Form Three (Junior) student at Nyeri Baptist High School, was missing. A few hours later, I was asked to send a prayer update – his drowned body had been found. A friend later shared that the previous Sunday the youth had led the worship service – they had shared their testimonies and their hopes for sharing God’s love and salvation during their mission trip.

Then on Sunday night, one of our missionaries called to say that his pastor at Mwimuto Baptist Church, Samweli Kihuga, had been killed as he returned from visiting a sick church member. Someone – for reasons that no one can comprehend – approached and shot Samweli, who was known in his community as a respected leader and true man of God. The killer fled without taking anything – his wallet, phone or his constant companion, his Bible. Samweli was a leader in Baptist work and a friend, co-worker and pastor to many of our missionaries over the years – the above note was sent by a retired missionary for Samweli’s family.

As Jack visited with the family yesterday, he learned of Samweli’s last day on earth. Samweli did not preach that morning at his church – his son, who has faced many struggles, preached – a real answer to prayer. Samweli did preach that afternoon in Wangige – a nearby mission point. When I asked the size of Mwimuto Baptist Church, begun in the late 1970’s as a mission point by another new church, Parklands Baptist, I was told – “It is a larger Nairobi church, but they are too busy starting new churches in nearby housing areas and other parts of Kenya, including western Kenya, to become too large!” Samweli had a heart for winning people to Christ and discipling them. He also had a gift for instilling his love and vision for church planting in the hearts of his friends and church members.

Do pray for comfort for Ridgeways Baptist Church, their youth, the young man’s family, and his fellow students at Nyeri Baptist High School. Pray that during this tragedy, they will share with others their source of strength. Pray also for peace for the members of Mwimuto Baptist Church and Samweli’s family and friends. Pray that through all of this bad, they will be strong ambassador’s of all the good that is offered through our Father’s love and salvation. Bert Yates
Pictures were taken earlier this year during the relief efforts at Mai Maihu, a mission point of Mwimuto Baptist Church, and the top picture is of Pastor Samweli - who is not wearing his usual smile.

August 20, 2008

As I thought earlier this morning of what to share in this week’s update, my mind was blank. Then I read two articles in a local newspaper that are about horrible things that have happened to girls in our country – yet these horrible things have resulted in incredible hope and change!

“After Mother Teresa, in comes Girl Teresa, 16” (Daily Nation, 8/20/08, p.3) shares the story of a young Pokot girl recently “named Nobel Prize winner – Children after she presented a talk on female circumcision and how it affected the schoolgirls in her district.” Rather than using her prize money “to buy a business or plot … (or) be the proud owner of more than 500 head of cattle”, she chose to giver her money to a group that fights traditions that cause too many girls of her ethnic community to “drop out of school and get married, often forcefully” at young ages. In one local school, “of the 300 girls who had enrolled, only 30 were still learning … Standards (Classes) Five up to Eight did not have a single girl. They had dropped out.” The young woman’s prize gift will be used “to spearhead the campaign that will see many girls from West Pokot district get the opportunity to go to school” and encourage them in “pursuing education to university”.

“Peacemaker moulded in hell” (Daily Nation, 8/20/08, p.36) tells of a young woman who became caretaker for three younger siblings at the age of 11. Yet, “these difficulties moulded her” and today she says, “I can never forget the kindness that I came across in my life. Now it’s my turn to give back to the community. I want to provide peace and cohesion in Kenya.” She is doing this through activities such as a Peace Caravan – “A convoy with camels, traditional dancers, dramatists … moving from village to village … to discuss social and development issues.” In this ongoing program, this year’s theme was “peace building.”

Reading these stories, I realized that I needed to share with you the story I heard yesterday from a young professional woman who balances her job with serving God. As we worked through our weekly Bible study, “Who God Says I Am” (our goal is to write a study book to build self-esteem in young Kenyan women), she told me more of her family. I had already learned that her father always taught her to aim towards being all God had created her to be. As we talked of her desire to complete a unversity degree, she told me that her mother did not attend school until she was 11, when primary school was first offered free. Her mother’s desire to attend school was so great that she was willing to face the teasing that came with attending Class One with her much younger brother – who would have been sent even if the charges had not been waived! Her mother did extremely well and an uncle offered to pay for her to go to high school, but other family members said this was a waste, so her formal education stopped. Her mother also received criticism for not marrying early or “getting” a baby – the way to prove in her culture that she would make a good wife! Instead she waited and married an educated, Christian man who could be a Godly father and provider for their children.

Why am I sharing these stories? First, to lead you to prayer for the young girls and women of Kenya. Pray that they will have the opportunity to become all God planned for them to be. I’m also sharing these stories because hearing these gives me an assurance of why God wants us in Kenya. We are here to be a part of bringing about His plans for hope, joy and peace for Kenyans. Pray that we will be strong ambassadors of His love and salvation which is more powerful than all the old ways and traditions that continue to keep His children in all parts of our world from becoming all that He created them to be! Bert Yates
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“‘Nobel’ winner donates Sh1million” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/regional/-/1070/460644/-/6jorrj/-/index.html
GENERATION/Kenya/45: “Peacemaker moulded in hell” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/461020/-/tk7gvw/-/index.html

August 13, 2008

God is at work in Kenya! Jack’s report: “This past weekend saw the birth of a new church, Garatua, at Ol Kalau. This represents the 16th church started this year in the Central Region of the BMOK (Baptist Convention of Kenya) as a part of a momentum generated by last year’s CPM (Church Planting Movement) training in the area. This may not seem like a large number, but it sets the standard for churches to emerge within six months of CPM training in Kenya! Expectations are high from the February ‘08 training of 16 key church planters from all over Kenya. Already, reports confirm that their training has resulted in the training of 1,600 church members and 26 associations of churches. Pray for the harvest to come and that it will be well grounded in discipleship and multiplication!”

Bert’s report: One hundred plus “Women of Impact” – this described the group who had just finished a seven week Bible study. This study had assured each of us that we were “Women of Impact” and more importantly had prepared us to train others to be God’s “Women of Impact.” As I sat among these women last Sunday during the closing session of our Bible study, each woman was challenged to find 12 more women to lead through this Bible study. We were the second step in this new multiplication tool being used at Parklands Baptist Church. Twelve women had worked through this Bible study with Martha, our pastor’s wife, earlier this year and during the last few weeks, these twelve had each taught a class of twelve. No, all didn’t make it through the entire study, but the majority of us did!

“I don’t know that many verses. How can I lead others in Bible study? What if they ask questions I cannot answer?” Another woman spoke these words last Sunday, but I could remember speaking these words almost 30 years ago when Parklands was still a baby church. I also remember the reply given by my first Bible study teacher at Parklands, Gena Hampton, an IMB (FMB) missionary – “You don’t have to know it all. Do your best, be prepared and continue learning as you teach. You only have to be one step ahead to lead! A Bible study leader must simply lead the others through the Bible study, not know it all!” I also remembered the struggles that Gena and others faced leading the first Bible study classes at Parklands. I remembered their frustration at the lack of response and commitment by some. I also remembered their joy when members became Christians and when many matured spiritually and took responsibilities in the church. I thought of Gena’s legacy – In 1978 there was one Parkland’s Women’s Bible study class. In the last few weeks as other classes met, there was a Bible study with 144 women, 12 teachers and 1 master teacher – ALL now trained to lead Women’s Bible study groups in our church, new church starts, mission points, and in their offices and neighbourhoods! Pray for us as we become a part of Jack’s prayer: Pray for the harvest to come and that it will be well grounded in discipleship and multiplication!

Yes, God is at work in Kenya! Thank you for being a part of this as you support us through your prayers and through your gifts to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas offerings! Bert Yates

August 6, 2008

The news arrived during Bible study this past Sunday morning – a teen-age boy of the church had died. The friend beside me responded, “He had diabetes. I hope he didn’t die because his parents couldn’t provide proper food for him.” Virginia shared that his mother is very sick and the family have many medical expenses. Pointing to the two teen-age girls sitting next to her, she added “When their mother went to the hospital for the last time, his Mum went on the van to the doctor. Her son was her main caretaker. What will she do now?” The two girls, who look like pre-teens, are actually in the last year of high school. Their mother died last month after a long illness and my friend and others in our church are caring for them. Later during a fellowship time, I learned that Virginia and another class member arranged this past week for the girls and their father to move to a simple house next to Virginia so they could help him care for the his daughters. I wondered if there was a family connection, but learned that their connection and sense of responsibility simply came from being sisters in Christ.

This is yet another time when we feel humbled and honoured to be serving among Kenyan Christians. Some may ask why we are still in Kenya if Christians are this mature. The answer is simple – there are still many Kenyans who are not Believers and need to hear the Gospel. Some are of faiths that do not know of God’s love and salvation. Others, especially those living in northern Kenya, are still included among the Unreached People Groups of our world – ethnic groups where less than 2% are Christian. Jack and I CANNOT share with all who have not claimed our Saviour’s eternal life, but the community of Kenyan Christians can! Jack and I CAN strengthen and encourage these men and women as we engage lostness together in Kenya, in neighbouring countries, and in our world.

Jack does this as he sits in meetings with our Baptist leaders and offers support, guidance and encouragement – and yes, sometimes he is the one rebuking and correcting. He also does this as he teaches methods of church planting and sharing the Gospel – two more words found in 2 Timothy 3:16, teaching and training in righteousness. He does this because we realize that although there are many strong Christians in Kenya, there is still a need for Jack to follow Paul’s and Barnabas’ example of “strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith” (Acts 14:22).

I can engage lostness and proclaim the eternal gospel “to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6) through sharing prayer items and building prayer support. I also do this as I disciple two young Kenyan women. Unlike past experiences of discipling new Believers, these women (20 and 26 years old) are active in ministries with street kids and on university campuses. Working with them is exhausting, challenging and plain out fun! It is incredible to watch them grow and become stronger Christian witnesses and leaders. It is also a little scary as I hear them relate what they have heard me say to their actions – almost always not the things I was trying to teach/share with them, but something that was simply a part of our conversations together.

Jack and I ask that you pray for us as we seek to be a part of the Great Commission’s multiplication plan as we relate to Kenyan Christians and Churches. Pray that we will be wise in choosing when to speak and guide and when to simply be quiet and listen, especially when it comes to Jack’s role of rebuking and correcting. Pray that as we meet others on the street, as we did yesterday with a Kenyan pastor (Jack) and young musician (Bert), we will have the right words to encourage and strengthen them as they become stronger servants and witnesses of our Father. Pray also for physical and emotional strength for us. We do get tired and frustrated, but we continue to stay in Kenya because we know without a doubt that this is where God has sent us to be a part of his harvest field. Bert Yates

(The pictures are of flowers in our Kenyan yard and of Jack and I (right) with the Barnetts, new friends from North Carolina, our home state, who are now serving with the IMB in Kenya.)