February 18, 2009

Have you ever thought of history as a gift from God? Jack and I know one of our special gifts is a knowledge of the history of the Baptist work in Kenya. When we arrived in September 1978, we worked with missionaries who began the Kenya work. We heard the stories of their work – work which had just celebrated a 20 year anniversary. We were around to honour Kenya’s first retiring co-workers, so we have met almost all Baptist missionaries to Kenya. We’ve had the blessing of knowing and working with these wonderful men and women. We now have the joy of seeing the results of their work. Jack realized this during the Ukambani relief trip reported last week – we knew those who struggled to begin those churches and disciple Believers in places that were definitely not on any definable roads.

We had the joy again last Sunday of viewing the result of the work of many Baptist missionaries in Kenya. We listened as a pastor discipled, mentored and taught by co-workers asked his church to claim Deuteronomy 28:1. Simon Mwangi, the Associate Pastor at Parklands Baptist Church said, “Time has come for the African church to send missionaries all over the world.” During the commissioning of Senah Sogey for a mission trip to East Timor, Simon challenged our church, who is ministers to the unreached in Kenya and in East Africa, to allow God to “set us high above ALL nations on earth” in a very physical and active way! Senah, who leaves today, is depending upon our Father as He sets her high above as she flies above not all, but many nations, to East Timor with a interdenominational group from six Nairobi churches. During their two week trip, they will witness and conduct a survey of East Timor, a young country with a very traumatic past and one in need of our Saviour’s Good News! Ambrose Nyangao, Parklands Senior Pastor who was also discipled, mentored and taught by your IMB missionaries, closed the commissioning time by quoting Matthew 28:19-20 and praying that Senah would “Go forth, be courageous and be strong!” Please join us in also praising God for discipled men and women who desire to make and disciple new Believers. Thank God with us for the past and present IMB harvest workers in Kenya. Pray especially for Senah and the others as they share their faith and seek where God needs his children to be at work sharing His love and salvation in East Timor.

Pray also for tomorrow’s Baptist Convention of Kenya Leaders Meeting. Pray for Daniel Thiuri (Moderator), Newton Ombete (Vice Mod.), Shem Okello (General Secretary), Linus Kirimi (V.Sec) and Sam Mbiti (Treasurer) during tomorrow’s meeting and Friday’s Executive Council meeting of representatives from the 95 associations from across Kenya. Pray for God’s guidance and strength as they plan Human Needs projects to offer physical and spiritual food to areas of Kenya facing famine, search for a new principal for the Kenya Baptist Theological College which is moving to full accredidation as a university, seek God’s guidance as they face ongoing court cases, and many other issues. Pray for wisdom for Jack as he attends these meeting as an advisor/co-worker/strengthener/encourager.

Pray for me as I raise prayer support for our Father’s work in Kenya. Pray that I will be sensitive and find the best ways to share the areas in need of prayer and increase prayer support. Continue praying for Kenya’s ongoing famine situation.* Prayer works! Thank you for being among our supporters, Bert Yates
* If you have not requested to receive the Omba4Kenya/Pray for Kenya Updates, you can find them at http://omba4kenya.blogspot.com. The prayer updates and resources specifically for famine are at http://prayingforfamine.blogspot.com.