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