April 29, 2009

More medical tests (a weird one for Bert and an uncomfortable one for Jack); dealing with a difficult issue (not solved, but...); meetings (including one with a friend who is covering my work during my absence – a true praise!); cleaning muddy shoes (a praise/continued prayer item as it rained heavily for two days, but has stopped once again!); staying home more than usual as we awaited news from the States (which finally came Friday when Isabella arrived – Thanks for praying, Mom Jenny, Dad and baby are all doing great – pictures will be sent of her in our arms!), collecting a new African shirt for Jack and dress for Bert (and no, they aren’t just for our Stateside Leave show-and-tell sessions, we wear them in Kenya!); Jack answering umpteen phone calls and replying, “No, it is too late. I can’t do it this week, call me in September!”; preparing our home for use by other missionaries during our absence; eating weird meals as we clean out the fridge/cupboard – these are just a few of the things that kept us busy this past week. Today includes sending this prayer update (Bert), collecting our airline tickets (Jack), placing all the items stacked around the house into our suitcases, eating more odd meals, and trying to stay sane!

As always, the devil tries extra hard to discourage us as we prepare for a leave, but your prayers got us through last week! Yes, we are eager to arrive in the States for four months, but we are also eager to return to new opportunities of involvement in our Father’s work in East Africa. As many of you know, the IMB is in the midst of a re-organization. We learned yesterday that Jack will be continuing with his assignment as a trainer with the Church Planting Movement. There will be some changes, but most are based on adjustments as the needs of the established Baptist work changes. Those above us are still deciding how to handle prayer advocacy in our new set-up, so I will not know my assignment until later. I love working full-time as a prayer advocate and would enjoy continuing to develop this position, but I am confident that I will find plenty to do. Pray for patience as I wait.

It may be two weeks before I sent the next update as we greet family (including meeting our granddaughter and an important woman in our son’s life – she has already passed the sibling test, the most important test in our family), unpack suitcases (the packing/unpacking is the part I hate most about being a missionary), and set up internet, etc. Do pray for safety as we begin traveling tomorrow (Thursday around mid-night) and strength as we get settled. Pray also for wisdom and sensitivity to God’s will as we set our schedule for family and friends/work/rest during our short stay. We definitely want it to be God’s plan for our time. Pray also that we will clearly share how God is at work in East Africa and how others can join us in the harvest!

Thank you once again for being our prayer supporters. We definitely depend upon your involvement in God’s work in East Africa! Bert Yates