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