February 4, 2009

Flags are flying at half-mast this week in Kenya. Last Wednesday as I sent our weekly update to you, Jack called to say their coastal survey trip had been completed in record time and he would be in flying into Nairobi by the time I arrived at the local airport. As we drove home, we spotted a spiral of black smoke in the city centre. The downtown Nakumatt (Kenyan version of WalMart) was on fire. The first radio announcements were hopeful saying their might be few casualties, but the media now reports that 29 bodies have been recovered, at least 17 others are missing, and many people were injured.

Then as Jack collected our newspapers on Sunday as we left for church, I heard him moan. The headlines told of horrible fire outside of Nakuru, the town where we lived for many years. As people siphoned off the petrol from a wrecked petrol tanker in the Molo countryside, a fire began leaving 120 dead and 150 or more injured. The newspapers are filled with questions of why people took such a risk, but all know that the poverty and desperation were a part of the problem.

The Molo fire has especially touched us as Jack helped the local association begin and build a church in the area where the fire occurred. We have not learned if any of those affected by the fire are Baptists, but we are certain that some are. Please join us in praying that Christians in the area, some who have been well discipled, will be strong ambassadors of their Father’s love and comfort at this time. Join us also in praising God for a bit of good news that we heard as prayers were lifted on Sunday morning at our church for the Nakumatt fire victims. The management of the store had allowed a pastor from our church and others to lead daily devotional times at this Nakumatt. As the pastor led our prayers on Sunday, he praised God that many of the Nakumatt staff who died were Believers.

I read the third chapter of Lamentations during my devotions this morning and it reminded me of a praise/request that should be offered. Many Kenyans do question if this week’s tragedies are related to their need to seek forgiveness for sins (v.42) and they question if this has led to God covering himself “with a cloud so that no prayer can get through” (v.44). Please join me in praying that those who are who are unsure of the one who hears their prayers, either because they are not Believers or because they are “baby” Christians, will come to truly know and claim the love and salvation of the true God.

We do have some good news to share this week. Jack was very pleased with last week’s coastal survey trip that he made with Baptist Convention of Kenya leadership and two Southern Baptist volunteers. He asks that you join him in praising God for these signs of strength that he viewed during the trip:

<>Mombasa Baptist High School, begun by IMB missionaries and now owned and managed by the Baptist Convention of Kenya, is experiencing great interest in enrolment for the first time in nine years. The headmistress, Millicent Omondi (there are no longer any missionaries on the staff), is doing a marvellous job.

<> The number of churches continues to grow on the coast despite the absence of IMB staff, divisions in the convention and the local leadership, as well as the impoverished nature of the region. Associations are finding their way in the midst of a poor economy and famine and a growing strong leadership is evident.

<> Malindi and Magarini Associations hope to partner with IMB volunteers to reach the whole Tana River area in the next ten years!

<>The LifeWay discipleship program has the potential of making a defining impact on the coast. Join us in praying for the volunteer group made up of pastors often considered mission pastors, pastors of Hispanic churches in North Carolina, who are leading the training on the coast through this Friday.

I do try to keep these update short, but this week there is simply too much that needs your prayer support – and we do depend on your prayers! Bert Yates