May 27, 2009

“You can take the child out of Africa, but you can’t take Africa out of the child.” This proverb came to mind after our daughter, Jessie, and her Sri Lankan /Nigerian friend, Vajini, washed the car last week. These two very bright young women did not understand why I recorded their finishing touch. With their African backgrounds, they are still confused by Americans not recognizing a nearby bush, barbed wire fence or even the ground as an appropriate drying rack!
Often while on Stateside Assignment, we are asked if we regret raising our kids in another culture. Our answer is always, “No, we are thankful for how it enriched their lives.” Our children have had friends from all parts of the world and teachers from many different cultures. They have viewed poverty and wealth, pain and joy, sickness and good health, peace and discontent, horrors and beauty firsthand. Their hearts and minds were opened and they learned that different does not require good/bad or right/wrong judgements. The best school (quality of teaching, curriculum and discipline) our kids attended was a Hindu school. Yes, they did learn about Hindu and Muslim beliefs, but we were able to openly and freely share our Christian beliefs. Studying other faiths does lead to questions and thoughts about one’s personal beliefs, yet this has strengthened our relationship with our Saviour and most importantly strengthened our ability to be used by Him.

One of the painful situations that our family has often experienced in Kenya is famine, not only a lack of food due to drought and political unrest, but a lack of hope. If we were in Kenya this week, we would be helping with a feeding project to the Maasai. Bob and Nancy Calvert, your missionaries to the Maasai, ask that we pray for peace, patience and an awareness of God’s love as women and children “in the direst need” ... receive their portion of a bale of maize meal (24 kg/52 lb) and a 2 kg (4.4 lb) tin of cooking fat (like shortening) ... there is not enough food for everyone and even the neediest cannot receive food immediately. Pray for wisdom for those who decide those “in the direst need.” The Calverts share that “While some of the recipients are Christians, most are not. Please pray that God's love will be demonstrated through this act of compassion and that many will come to trust the Lord Jesus as their one and only Savior.”

Nancy shared this story from a feeding project earlier this month: “One petite older Maasai lady, who probably only weighed 100 lbs soaking wet, struggled to raise up the 24kg maize meal bale onto her back. As Bob helped her get it on her back, he asked if she was able to carry it home. A large smile broke out on her face, she gave a little chuckle, and said, "Oh yes. We have nothing to eat but tonight we'll eat well thanks to the Baptists."

Thank you for allowing our family, the Calverts, and others to be a part of God’s work in Kenya as you support us in prayer and through your gifts to Lottie Moon, the Cooperative Program and relief work through Baptist Global Response. Bert Yates

May 20, 2009

To be honest, I’m too tired to write a proper update today as we are still recuperating from a busy weekend, but our praise list is long. Although it was a bitterly cold, wet weekend, our youngest daughter, Jessie, graduated with honors (yes, we are proud of her) on Monday in an outdoor service on the beautiful Wake Forest University campus. Our first praise is for the incredible group of friends she had while at Wake, including kids from all over the USA and other countries, including one Nigerian/Sri Lankan friend. Vajini’s parents are from Sri Lanka, but she grew up in West Africa and attended school with many of our Nigerian missionary kids. We are also thankful for the parents of Jessie’s friends who were her advisors, helpers, airport chauffeurs, etc, during her time at Wake.

We are thankful for churches that minister to our needs providing housing and support. Not only did Old Town Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC, provide a place for us to stay over graduation weekend, they had a filled fridge/cupboards and Moravian Sugarcake (the American item I crave most) awaiting our arrival. They also ministered to us by providing a place for Vajini to store her things, as well as a larger vehicle to move her things, until she returns to work at Wake after a visit with us. (Hint: International students often have a problem with where to store things, including themselves, during school breaks, and they must keep everything they own on campus at all times.) Pray for Jessie as she decides on her next steps. She decided against taking a position with World Teach, and is looking for a job in the Raleigh area. She needs a break from study and time to decide whether to seek a master’s in Victorian Literature and/or Library Science.

We are also praising God for opportunities for sharing how God is at work in Kenya and of opportunities for praying and being a part of the work. These often appear at seemingly odd times, even while buying Krispy Kreme doughnuts – the salesgirl is on her way to a mission’s trip to Tanzania! We’ve also had opportunities to share our relationship with our Saviour with non-believers. Your prayers that “Jack and I will be especially sensitive to God’s guidance as we plan our time” are definitely being answered – THANK YOU, BUT please keep praying “that we will be able to share clearly and ‘contagiously’ how God is at work in our part of the world and how others can join us in the harvest.” The devil is equally active and uses very creative, subtle ways to lead us to discouragement.

Thank you once again for sharing in our/God’s work – we do depend upon you prayers, encouragement and involvement. Bert Yates

May 12, 2009

Synopsis of our last two weeks: Questioning if those configuring airline seats have sat in the economy seats for over 20 hours in one 24 hour period and why health regulations allow people to sit in such tight quarters! Checking for missing items from the suitcase that arrived with a broken zipper – thankfully only one bag of items disappeared. Shopping where there are lots of choices, yet many familiar items are no longer available! Enjoying time with our first grandchild, Isabella Ava Bernabi, who is a great sleeper, therefore I’ve yet to see her eyes! Facing meals prepared by Moms with all our favorites, but more than can be eaten at one sitting! Tornado watches and lots of rain, followed by more tornado watches and even more rain! Enjoying visiting often with our kids. Leaving the public library with as many books as we could carry. Quickly getting back into the swing of sharing our work in Kenya as we meet with pastors and WMU groups.

Yes, we did arrive safely and even on schedule in Raleigh, NC, on May 1st, and no, we evidently were not exposed to the Swine flu during our travels, though adjusting to living in an air conditioned house is always a shock to the body! Our time has been spent buying items that didn’t make it into the suitcases or things we have missed during the last three years, joining the world of fast internet and cable TV, visiting family and friends, and getting settled again in the mission home provided by First Baptist Church of Rocky Mount. We have already had three opportunities to share our work – the reason our time in the US is called Stateside Assignment, rather than furlough or vacation – our way of sharing the results of your prayer and financial investments in our work. Yes, we do need a time of rest, but sharing with you is one way of re-envigorating our excitement about our work in East Africa! After our youngest daughter, Jessie, graduates next week from Wake Forest University, we will begin returning phone calls and e-mails as we schedule time with your church groups.

Our prayer items this week begins with a praise for great family times since our arrival. Another praise is for churches that provide mission homes that are fully set-up and ready for use! We are thankful for the home in Rocky Mount and the home provided by the Old Town Baptist Church in Winston-Salem where we will stay during graduation weekend. Please join us in continuing to pray for the political and famine situation in Kenya – government leaders continue to disagree, which leads to little progress, and the rains were once again insufficient for good crops and for replenishing water supplies in Nairobi and other areas. An ongoing prayer request during our time in the States is for safety in travel – both for family events (this week: visiting our new granddaughter and her parents and graduation on the 18th) and for speaking engagments. Pray that Jack and I will be especially sensitive to God’s guidance as we plan our time. Pray that we will be able to share clearly and “contagiously” how God is at work in our part of the world and how others can join us in the harvest! Bert Yates