January 7, 2009

"It is not surprising that element of revival is growing within Baptists of Kenya!” As I sat in the first regular worship service of 2009 at Parklands Baptist Church this past Sunday, I remembered this statement from last week’s prayer update. I also wished that you could be sitting with us during the service as there is no way that I can share the excitement of the service and the memories I know were passing through all our hearts. Last year was a difficult year for Kenya, but there is no doubt in my mind that one result of those experiences is that a “revival is growing within Baptists of Kenya” – a revival that can transform not only Kenyans, but bring revival to Christians in neighbouring countries and reach those unreached in our part of the world by the Good News of our Saviour. The most incredible part of all of this is the fact that I also have no doubt that what I sensed at Parklands was felt in most Kenyan churches this past Sunday.

Worship services are just that these days – they are truly services in which participants are worshipping their Saviour, seeking His guidance more fully, praising Him in a deeper way, and taking fuller responsibility for sharing His peace, love and joy with others. As we begin 2009 I ask that you join us in praying that this year will be one of revival in Kenya. Pray that Christians within Kenya, including those of us from other places, will allow God to use us in a new and powerful way to share His love and salvation within our country and continent. I ask this of you because I know the result of your prayers. You prayed us through the difficulties of this last year and I know your prayers can be a part of true revival happening in Kenya – a revival that will transform not only Kenya, but the rest of Africa.

I don’t usually add personal family notes to this update, but I ask also that you pray for our kids. Knowing that our children are bathed in prayer is definitely one way you can strengthen and encourage any missionary. Our son, John, who celebrates his birthday on Friday, continues to love his work in home reconstruction. We praise God that he is working for a small company in eastern North Carolina that still has jobs-to-do. Jenny, our older daughter, is expecting our first grandchild in early May. Pray for a good pregnancy for her and that her husband, Aaron (one of those who lost jobs this past year), will quickly find a good job. We praise God for the Jenny’s great job as a marketing specialist with a law firm in New Bern, NC. Pray also for Jessie, who leaves Kenya on Friday night to return to Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC) for her last semester. She has decided to work for a year before beginning her masters (Victorian Literature). Pray that the doors will open for not just a good job, but God’s place for her. She is applying for a teaching position in the Marshall Islands. My long-term prayer for our kids is based on Psalm 63 as I pray that they earnestly seek God, behold His power and glory, glorify and praise Him, and remember and cling to Him.

Thank you once again for your prayer support. You do strengthen and encourage us as we engage lostness together. Bert Yates