December 29, 2010

2010 – A year of HIGHS, LOWS and WOWS!  

HIGHS include memories of events such as 20+ Bible School students sharing reports of their “homework assignment”: “Prayed for 148 lost people; 93 people saved after prayers; 40 new people attended church; 151 people discipled; 31 new small groups begun; and 8 new churches planned or begun!” Catching kisses thrown by our granddaughter via SKYPE is a definite HIGH!  A HIGH comes from viewing the fruit of missionary co-workers as we watch well discipled Kenyan Baptists begin a new church, such as  Parklands Baptist Church/Mombasa Road or as we hear how the Samburu People of northern Kenya are not only being reached by the gospel but they are sharing God’s love and salvation with the Pokot, their traditional enemies!  I considered linking HIGHS to past updates found on this blog, but there have been too many HIGHS this year as God’s children carry out his Great Commission in our part of the world!

LOWS are missing family and disappointments as we watch as a few of God’s fellow workers do “more harm than good” (1 Cor 11:18).   LOWS are experienced as we travel around Kenya and continue to see displaced people in tented villages three years after the chaos of the 2007 elections.  LOWS come from experiences that at first appear to be a HIGH, such as being told by a person of another faith: “My child is healed thanks to your prayers,” followed by “God hears your prayers because you are a better person that I am.”  Yes, there is truth in the last comment, but the friend has so much to learn about the true God.

WOWS often appear at unexpected moments, such as when zebras cross your pathway moments after you ask God to help you focus on positives rather than negatives!  A WOW comes when you realize that what is happening in a church is a continuation of a program you began years ago or they reference a book that you wrote – and those in the church have no knowledge of this being your past work!  A recent WOW moment occurred while admiring the clear blue sky and realizing palm trees are on the horizon – a reminder that you are really living in Africa!  WOW comes while listening to a young pastor preach an incredible sermon and remembering the retired co-workers who mentored and discipled him as a child! A WOW moment was definitely when I was asked to take a photo of a visiting retired missionary and friends he discipled – all now leaders in many churches and Christian organizations – and extra pictures had to be taken as the group continued to mushroom and I could think of several not in the picture – and this picture was not taken at the church where the missionary ministered!

I could go on and on with examples of our HIGH, LOW and WOW moments from this year alone, but I’m out of space and must take time to thank you for allowing us to experience these moments.  Your gifts to the Lottie Moon Offering and the Cooperative Program provides the financial support we need and we can’t imagine what our lives/ work would be like without your prayer support!  You also support us by coming as volunteers and enlisting/ supporting  new co-workers.  A simple Thank You/ Asante Sana sounds rather inadequate, but these words are shared from the bottoms of our heart!
Bert and Jack Yates
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Last three pictures are from Lottie Moon 2010/Are We There Yet Daily Prayer Nudge Photo Album from Kenya (updated through January 1, 2011)  -
https://lottiemoon2010kenya.wordpress.com/  or http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=333830&id=685050129&l=146c063c0c  

Praise God that we can answer YES to "Are We There Yet?" for these munch-kins! The Baptist church in their community is committed to ministering to not just one People Group, but to all in their community. The Sunday schedule at Ruiru First Baptist (between Nairobi and Thika) includes services in English and Kiswahili, a special time for children followed by a youth service, an early morning Ethiopian service and a Sudanese mid-afternoon service, as well as a special service where praise to our Father is signed rather than spoken! Thank you for all the ways you support us so that we can be a part of touching our world with our Father's love and salvation.  

December 22, 2010 - Sharing Our Gift

At this time of gift giving, we want to share a “gift” Jack received in early December – a  gift not bound in colorful paper and ribbons, but found in exam papers! Jack’s thanksgiving overflowed as he graded the final exams of the “Baptist Faith and Beliefs which leads to Discipleship and Church Planting” class he taught in October and November at Wamunyu Bible School (north of Machakos).  At their December session (students meet one week each month for three years), the 25 students shared reports of their last assignment:  Pray for 5 lost persons; Pray for 5 disciples; Teach CPM (Church Planting Methods)to their church or group; and Start a small discipleship group.   The following totals and comments (only a few of many!) from their oral presentations and written exams, will help you understand the excitement we feel when those we disciple/ teach/ train/ mentor catch the excitement of carrying out the Great Commission. 


TOTALS – Prayed for 148 lost people; 93 people saved after prayers; 40 new people attended church; 151 people discipled; 31 new small groups begun; and 8 new churches planned or begun!


COMMENTS 
– One on my prayer list was a criminal.  He called and said I could remove his name, he is no longer lost!
– Not only did those I prayed for come to church, amazingly many others came with them!
– Prayed for my choir and started discipling them;  Those I prayed for lost their fear.
– I prayed for the lost 5.  They came to me and I made them disciples.  One then came with 2 others and the other 4 brought 3 others!
– Four people I prayed for accepted Jesus; one was my brother.  They are now my disciples and new members in my church.

– I prayed for 5 lost; immediately one called to save he was saved! 
– Started discipleship; had to extend it to another place where I will meet next week with 15 people to start a new church.
– God gave me names of 5 people far away.  I prayed for them and called them via cell phone.  One, my brother, had left his family, but is now reconciled!
– I taught a small group of children how to witness – they brought friends with them for our next class!
– I informed church of what I learned; in last 3 weeks we had 10 converts and 7 in church! Some from far away; have a vision of starting a new church for them.
– After meeting and praying, 7 persons have accepted Christ; one a former witchdoctor.  Received a bad cell phone message; I know the devil is not happy!

– Two I prayed for accepted Jesus; the other 3 are on the way!  I got 15 new Believers to teach and disciple; some have been baptized and are in Bible study.
– I prayed for the power to do the job well.  I taught CPM.  I found five disciples.  The whole church is interested.  Some backsliders are returning.  
– I prayed for the lost.  A youth I prayed for came to church on Sunday.  Preached CPM and challenged all to make disciples.  Eyes were opened; small groups started; people are coming to Christ through our fellowship.
– Started small groups as prayer groups; practiced storying and disciples were formed; fellowships formed; going door to door; revival has resulted! One location asked for a crusade which we had for 5 days!
– I prayed first that evil spirit would be bound up.  My son started behaving; my brother-in-law came to Christ.  Went 20 kilometers away where I met a man selling meat; he received Jesus and wants to be baptized.  Some women heard this and wanted to talk with me; pressured me to open a new church.
– Went to the top of a mountain; two groups begun; doing door to door sharing. Complaints that the church was too far; we plan to start a new church.  
– Started in my home, my son accepted Christ.  Found some people in my village; 2 accepted Christ.


As you read these totals and reports, I hope that you realize that you are a part of the harvest happening around us!  These reports are just a few results of your  investment of prayer and finances, as well as your investment as volunteers!  THANK YOU for allowing us be in East Africa watching our Father at work as we join you and others in sharing our Father’s love and salvation with all People Groups in our world!  


Krismasi Njema, Jack and Bert 
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Don’t forget to check the new photos added daily to  Lottie Moon 2010/Are We There Yet Daily Prayer Nudge Photo Album from Kenya: 
https://lottiemoon2010kenya.wordpress.com/  or http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=333830&id=685050129&l=146c063c0c   
AND the special “JE! TUMEFIKA? Lottie Moon 2010” at:  http://lottiemoon2010-kenya.blogspot.com/

December 15, 2010 - SPECIAL PRAISE UPDATE

Today’s Update is my GIFT to mission lovers and “Lottie” supporters!  As I prepared our bit to answer “Are We There Yet” (2010 International Missions Emphasis for Southern Baptists),  I knew I had to share what God has done in the last 20 years among the Samburu People Group of northern Kenya.  Today’s update is long  – but I promise that if you read to the end you will be praising God and will have learned new ways your Lottie dollars and prayers are put to work! Enough said, now I’ll let the first IMB missionaries to the Samburu begin this awesome story, followed by the Daniels, who now work among the Samburu.  BERT
PS:  Next week we will send a report of the “gift” that Jack received last week!
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“ARE WE THERE YET” Memories of Mary Alice and Don Dolifka, IMB missionaries who began working among the Samburu People in 1990: 
CAMEL DERBY - When we were assigned to work with the Samburu in the northern frontier of Kenya,  we tried to figure out “how do we get there?”  Going into an unreached people group where most people don’t know about Christ and certainly didn’t know about Baptists made us realize that we had to use every opportunity to make Christ and Baptists known in the area.  One of the first activities we participated in was the first Maralal International Camel Derby.  We were living on the Maralal High School campus and I was teaching English and working in the headmaster’s office when we were asked if we could help with the derby.  We didn’t have any churches and very few contacts so we were glad to do something to help make ourselves known in the area.  The first year Don did a radio relay and Mary Alice did the registration of entrants.

When it came time to plan for the third year with the camel derby, we decided to try to make it an evangelistic outreach and invite four Journeymen to enter the race.  The mission agreed to pay their entry fees and anything they won would be donated to Lottie Moon offering.  Three J’men actually entered the race.  One, David Morse, couldn’t get his camel off the ground, but two girls, Nancy and Marlo rode.  Nancy came in second place in the amateur race and Marlo third.   But it was Marlo who really got the attention of several thousand spectators.  When she got to the halfway mark she told her handler that she wanted to quit; it hurt too bad to go any further.  He told her to turn around and ride backwards and it would be alright.  She did and came in third place.

When the race was over everyone there knew who our J’men were.  Baptists were commended by the Kenya minister of tourism for helping with the derby, and as a result we were given a letter from the regional commissioner permitting us to go into any Samburu village to plant a church.  But the best part came later.  We had arranged to have the J’men lead the worship service on the high school campus the next day.  At the end of that service one young man followed us to our house saying that when he prayed to receive Jesus something happened to him inside and he needed to know more.  Less than a year later this young man recorded the Jesus Film into the Samburu language, and we were able to show it to thousands of people in their heart language.  Many came to know Christ and it all started with a camel derby and some adventurous journeymen who were willing to step out and do the unusual in order to bring others to Christ.

MULE PROJECT - One of the problems we faced was getting  into the areas where many people lived but travel by vehicle was impossible.  Because of an earlier knee injury, walking up and down hills for long distances was not an option for me.  A Lutheran missionary to the north of us was retiring and offered to sell us four mules and one horse.  Mules are much more sure-footed than horses and would be ideal for the terrain in Samburu District.  When I asked the mission for $500 for an evangelism project using mules, laughter broke out, but they finally approved the request when they realized it wasn’t a joke.  One of our Samburu evangelists and I would haul the mules out in a horse trailer as far as the trails go, and then we would ride down into the canyons and valleys to take the Good News to people who had never heard of Christ (and many had never seen a white man before).  As those people began to accept Christ, other places along the main trails began to open up. As the work developed, my role shifted to leadership training and the mules were no longer needed, but they did serve as a way to open up the harder-to-reach places to the Gospel.
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SAMBURU SOJOURNER on FACEBOOK – Posts added in the last 10 weeks by Charlie and Sandra Daniels: 
October 6, 2010 - PRAY for Samburu efforts to evangelize the Pokot, which are their enemies and have been the source of inter-tribal theft and fighting. One group will go Friday to an area and another plan to go to a different place next week. These men are seeking to share the Gospel with their arch enemies. Pray for their safety.

October 9, 2010 - Seven Samburu Men walked 5hrs. down the mountain and across the valley to take the Gospel of Jesus to their bitter enemy the Pokot. These men are truly walking in the steps of Jesus as they reach and touch the unreachable with the love of Christ.

October 29, 2010 - Wow! 10 Pokot and 8 Samburu said "yes" to Jesus yesterday as Charlie and crew went to talk about how they can work together to start a church. There were over 30 in attendance. One of the Pokot has declared "it is now time for us to take this news to our women and children” .. God is at work!

November 8, 2010 - Three Pokot will travel on Tuesday with Charlie and 4 Samburu to take the Gospel to their (Pokot) family who live in Laikipia District. Four years ago, God gave us a vision that Samburu believers could/should reach out to neighboring tribes with the News of God. Most believed it to be impossible. "Is anything too difficult for the Lord?" Genesis 18:14

November 12, 2010 - Samburu worker agreed with Pokot chief to return in December to begin new preaching points and help them start a church. A day later, the chief phones and wants to know why they must wait until December. Can they not come now? How great is our God?
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If you are “hungry” for more or want to find the Daniels on Facebook so that you can continue seeing how God works among the Samburu, go to: http://www.samburuofkenya.org/
And if you want a past “Lottie” view of the Samburu work with lots of colourful pictures, go to The Samburu – Responding to the Gospel  at http://samburuomba4kenya.blogspot.com/

AND… Don’t forget to check the new photos added daily to Lottie Moon 2010/Are We There Yet Daily Prayer Nudge Photo Album from Kenya:
https://lottiemoon2010kenya.wordpress.com/  or http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=333830&id=685050129&l=146c063c0c
AND the special “JE! TUMEFIKA? Lottie Moon 2010” at:  http://lottiemoon2010-kenya.blogspot.com/

December 8, 2010

Lots of JOY and PRAISES today!  Last Thursday morning we left the city for the 5½  hour trip to western Kenya – First PRAISE – Two hours less than earlier trips  thanks to road repairs!  Driving around Kenya is always a JOY with views of beautiful people, animals (cows, donkeys, goats, sheep, zebra, gazelles, baboons) and the varied terrain of the countryside.  Another PRAISE –  Rains are continuing and we saw flourishing fields of vegetables and signs of bountiful harvests!

Additional PRAISE:  We didn’t ask for prayers for a safe journey due to a common missionary “catch 22” (asking for prayer for a journey announces to the world that your home will be vacant), but many of you were praying.  Though there were scary moments and rattled bodies (human and auto) on stretches of horrible roads, our only problem was one flat – which also bought JOY:  a family of Colobus monkeys entertained us as the tire was changed! Yet another PRAISE:  We stayed at a Christian truly restful guest house in the Kakamega Forest and our flat tire was discovered while in their safe compound!


JOY also came from attending an AGM of the Western Region of the Baptist Convention of Kenya.  Jack always loves teaching, but his greatest JOY came from the church leaders’ response to his training on Baptist Faith and Beliefs which leads to Discipleship and Church Planting! Our PRAISE:  Their desire to personally carry out the Great Commission and their excitedly accepting the responsibility of sharing what they learned with their churches!  


My JOY last week was taking more pictures to share with you! There was a bit of frustration – one often experienced by missionaries.  Part of the restful ambience of the guest house was constant electricity and ample solar heated water, but phones connected in only one spot on the property (Jack loved it!) and there was zero internet connections! During the days at the church in Kakamega, my mobile internet connection was strong, but there was no electricity!  So, accomplishing needed work was a juggling act of computer work, editing pictures, etc using electricity at the guest house, followed by swift internet work at the church before my laptop battery died – I do have a great battery back-up, but the little doo-hickey to connect it to my computer has disappeared.  PRAYER NEED:  That I find the missing part as I often need the battery back-up and ordering this needed bit from the States was a very complicated ordeal!  (Note added an hour later:  PRAYER ANSWERED:  The tiny part is now found!  It was hiding under a bed in my office/spare bedroom!)


Another PRAYER NEED:  We make a day trip tomorrow to eastern Kenya for Jack’s Accountability Session at the Wamunyu Bible School, where he has been teaching Discipleship and Church Planting! Tomorrow is the time to hear reports of how the students have used/taught/shared what they learned!  PRAY for a safe journey and that the students will challenge and encourage one another with their reports of how God is at work!

Another JOY - Your support which allows us to be a part of God’s work in East Africa!  Did you know that your gifts to Lottie Moon covers repairing flat tires and our salary which pays my internet costs so I can  tell you about our Colobus Monkey adventure?  JOY also comes from your reports of this year’s Lottie Moon emphasis!  Last week when it was difficult to add new daily photos to our Lottie MOON 2010 Prayer Nudge Photo Album (1), your reports and encouragement kept me going!  If you have not already done so – or do it again and share it with friends – view these photos and go to “JE! TUMEFIKA? Lottie Moon 2010” for even more information about the awesome gains that are being reaped thanks to your support of finances, personnel and prayers!  BERT YATES
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(1)  LOTTIE MOON 2010 Daily Prayer Nudge Photo Album from Kenya (will be updated through January 1, 2011
 https://lottiemoon2010kenya.wordpress.com/  or http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=333830&id=685050129&l=146c063c0c   
(2) “JE! TUMEFIKA? Lottie Moon 2010” at:  http://lottiemoon2010-kenya.blogspot.com/

November 30, 2010

I’m frustrated, very frustrated at the moment!  There are simply too many prayer items this week to fit into one concise prayer update.  Also, this is the WEEK OF PRAYER FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS(1) - which means I was hoping to only share prayer items to strengthen that prayer emphasis; BUT there are two events happening tomorrow, December 1st, which need lots of prayer support – items which impact our ability to GET THERE in reaching our world for Christ.  Most of you receiving  our Prayer Updates awaken eight hours or more after our part of the world each morning; therefore,  I am sending this week’s Prayer Update a day early as one of these events will occur before many of you awaken tomorrow and the other event will be completed in much of our world!

The first special event is a National Day of Prayer in Southern Sudan.  Jack and I had the joy of hosting three Southern Baptist leaders from the US and Canada last weekend before they flew to Juba for this event.  One sent this message today: “The National Day of Prayer on December 1st is sponsored by Pres. Salva Kiir and will include government, church and civil service leaders. I had planned it for half day, but they have expanded it to last all day! PTL! Please be praying.”  These prayers precede a national referendum scheduled for January 9, 2011, to decide if Southern Sudan separates from Sudan, Kenya’s north/west neighbor – a key issue in an area riddled by war for 50 years.  For more information and prayer guidance, read Pray for the Needs of Southern Sudan/Christianity Today (2).  

December 1st is also WORLD AIDS DAY. Please take time to praise God for those ministering to individuals infected/ affected by HIV/AIDS.  Praise God for those teaching how to avoid this pandemic which affects many, many more people than those infected.  Praise God for better treatments and reduced suffering from all infected/ affected.  On this international day of awareness, pray that hearts will turn to finding stronger ways to eradicate this menace and minister to those suffering.  The Chuka Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre (eastern Kenya) was begun by Baptist AIDS Response Agency. Today BARA(3) is an NGO ministering in many places in Africa, but its beginnings were linked to IMB missionaries in Kenya.  You can find additional information of how Southern Baptists can respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic at World AIDS Day/Baptist Global Response(4).

One more item – a reminder, before I  end this epistle!  Please do take time to view  Lottie MOON 2010 Daily Prayer Nudge Photo Album (5), which has daily answers to “Are We There Yet” in touching the Unreached People of our World with our Father’s love and salvation.  You can find more answers from East Africa at “JE! TUMEFIKA? Lottie Moon 2010” (6).

Did you know that by reading this Prayer Update to the end you have lessened my level of frustration? The reason:  I am confident that you will be supporting our concerns in prayer.  We do depend upon your prayers, your sending personnel and your provision of finances as we obey God’s call in Kenya, BERT
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(1) WEEK OF PRAYER FOR INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS -  http://www.imb.org/main/pray/page.asp?StoryID=5624&LanguageID=1709
(2) Pray for the Needs of Southern Sudan - Christianity Today -  http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/novemberweb-only/56-11.0.html
(3) Baptist AIDS RESPONSE AGENCY IN AFRICA - http://www.baptbara.org/
(4) World AIDS Day/Baptist Global Response -   http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/new/aids.php
       BGR in Sub-Saharan Africa - http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/new/articles.php?id=3
(5) LOTTIE MOON 2010 Daily Prayer Nudge Photo Album from Kenya –   https://lottiemoon2010kenya.wordpress.com/ 
(6) “JE! TUMEFIKA? Lottie Moon 2010” at:  http://lottiemoon2010-kenya.blogspot.com/

November 24, 2010

While preparing a new Lottie Moon 2010 Prayer Nudge Photo Album* (option below for those who don’t visit websites!) this week and the new blog,  “JE! TUMEFIKA?  Lottie Moon 2010”**  last week to answer the question Southern Baptists will hear during their Week of Prayer for International Prayer, I’ve asked myself  another question:  Why do I feel so compelled to answer, “Are We There Yet?” ***   In my heart, I know the answer is much deeper than “Because IT IS MY JOB as a Prayer/ Missions Advocate.”  So today, I will try to answer why I MUST offer a full response to “Are We There Yet?”  from our part of the world!

~ I am a Christian, therefore I must meet my Savior’s challenge in Acts 1:8 – I must be His witness wherever I am!  I believe that making disciples, baptizing, and teaching all that He commanded in Matthew 28:19-20 is not just for some Christians, but all Christians –even those without a career title of “missionary”!

~ I want the “ALL” in Psalm 67:3 to become a reality - I want “all the peoples” of our world to be included in praising our God and claiming His love and salvation!

~ I was trained as a child by WMU’ers who taught me “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” – “A story of truth and mercy … of peace and light…a song … that shall lift their hearts to the Lord … a message … That the Lord … Hath sent His Son to save us And show that God is love.”  Thankfully, I was also taught through WMU to personally claim our Father’s salvation and to be among those making certain “That all the world’s great people Might come to the truth of God.”

~ I must share my answer to “Are We there Yet?”  BECAUSE I CAN!  Many seeking to carry out the Great Commission to all nations cannot share freely and openly due to problems the world throws in their way and threats made to those who listen and respond to our Savior’s Good News.  I know that my story and prayer items are different from those of these fellow workers, but my prayer is that from my experiences you can learn new ways to pray and support those who cannot freely share.

~ I also know that Jack and I and our IMB colleagues must have the prayer, personnel and financial support of Southern Baptists to do our part of sharing our Father’s love and salvation with all People! I also know humans well enough to know that one is more likely to offer prayer/ personnel/ finances and continue to do so IF they are aware of the incredible returns of current gifts and the continuing returns that past gifts are continuing to reap!

~ I am absolutely certain that God has called Jack and me to be among his co-workers in East Africa.  I know that our Father didn’t only call us to be here, he prepared us and gave us adequate gifts to strengthen and encourage other disciples as we engage lostness together (Acts 14:22; Rev 14:6) – I seek to do this as I find stories/needs/praises that will lead others to prayer and Jack does it as he teaches/mentors those in our seminary, Bible Schools and in our Kenyan Baptist Churches.

As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, we are thankful for you – the ones who provide the prayer/ personnel/financial support we and our coworkers around the world depend upon as we seek to do our part in making certain that WE ARE THERE in reaching all of our world for Christ!  BERT YATES

PS:  We will celebrate Thanksgiving at a Spiritual Retreat with our Kenya and Tanzania mission family –THANKS to your support from Lottie!
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*      LOTTIE MOON 2010 Daily Prayer Nudge Photo Album from Kenya – Will be updated daily until January 1, 2011 – Three options:
- https://lottiemoon2010kenya.wordpress.com/  (Blog format which allows for subscribing for delivery of prayer nudges to your e-mail address)
- http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=333830&id=685050129&l=146c063c0c     (Photo Album on Facebook – open to all)
- If you among those who never hit a link, send me a note and I will send you a weekly e-mail with all the Prayer Nudges and photos added each week!

**    “JE! TUMEFIKA? Lottie Moon 2010” at:  http://lottiemoon2010-kenya.blogspot.com/

*** “Are We There Yet?”– http://www.imb.org/main/lead/page.asp?StoryID=7698&LanguageID=1709

November 17, 2010

Today’s Prayer Update will be short and sweet – as my fingers are sore and my eyes are cross-eyed! BUT after hours of work, the new blog , “JE! TUMEFIKA? Lottie Moon 2010” is comleted – a kaleidoscope of pictures, comments, prayer nudges, etc., to help you understand how God is at work in our part of the world and how Lottie has been involved!  For when you give to Lottie, you are allowing your missionaries to do what God has called us to do as we join others working in His Harvest Field!

I do ask that even those of you who don’t usually click onto other spots of the internet, please take time to view: “JE! TUMEFIKA?  Lottie Moon 2010” at: http://lottiemoon2010-kenya.blogspot.com/ … AND in this time when usually any “news” is bad news, I ask that you also take time to share this blog which includes LOTS of good news about the best GOOD NEWS of all!  I began to ask you to also join us in praying and praising God for the issues mentioned in the blog, but if you take time to view “JE! TUMEFIKA?  Lottie Moon 2010”  this will happen!

Before I give my fingers and eyes a rest, I must take time to say again that we do need you to support the Lottie Moon Offering, but we also need your prayers for God’s work in our world – those of us among His co-laborers do depend upon your prayers!  We also depend upon your involvement as co-laborers – those who are former/retired missionaries and the thousands of volunteers and praise God for you.  So… now I ask that you stop reading this e-mail and click:  “JE! TUMEFIKA?  Lottie Moon 2010”     BERT YATES

*** Pictures included in this blog are from the new blog!

November 10, 2010

WARNING: This week’s Prayer Update is longer than usual, but unlike most news you will hear or read this week, it is filled with good news, lots of GOOD NEWS!

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“Je? Tumefika?” Southern Baptist will hear this question in the 2010 Lottie Moon/ Week of Prayer* emphasis, but it will likely not be asked in Swahili, but in English as, “Are we there yet?” – “THERE” refers to “How far have we come and how much farther must we go to reach our lost world for Christ?” I’ll share more next week in a “Je? Tumefika” Prayer Nudge Photo Album, but our answer is so exciting that I have to begin sharing our answers today: La, Bado and Ndiyo.

LA or NO, the Good News of our Father has not arrived among all people groups in Kenya or in Africa. BADO or NOT YET is also an answer as there are still many people groups in our midst with less than 2 percent claiming a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Now for the GOOD NEWS: In Kenya, we can also answer not just NDIYO or YES– but a double YES! NDIYO, many, many people groups in Kenya and in our part of the world are now included in the peoples who praise our God (Psalm 67:3, NIV). The second NDIYO is an even more exciting answer as many Kenyan Baptist are not only among those praising God, they are also claiming the end of Psalm 67:3, “May all the peoples praise you.” They are actively accepting responsibility for making certain that ALL the peoples of our world, beginning with those in their country and continent, praise our God! Jack received proof of their desire in many ways last week!

~ Text messages from pastor in central Kenya continuing Jack’s CPM training: “I have started CPM project with 7 at Ngaburi … Kirinyaga, Laikipia CPM was successful. 35 saints discipled … 23 attended the CPM in Kinaba … 23 attended CPM Nanyuki … 3 preaching points are projected by Equator Baptist Church.”

~ In a cell phone text message, a Kenya Baptist Theological College (KBTC) student from the Lake Victoria area asked for prayer as he spoke to a Standard 8 class a few days before they began their national exams. Jack texted that our FACEBOOK friends were praying for him. The next day, Christopher sent this text message: “I experienced the greatest movement of the presence. Everybody got challenged. Thanks for being behind the curtains in prayers.” Next week this young man will be teaching what he has learned from Jack about church planting at an Anglican church in Nairobi.

~ “Jack, Harbari njema kutokana CPM ya Busia. (Kiswahili for: Good news from the Church Planting Movement in Busia/ near Uganda border.) I have news of the beginning of two new Bible Schools in our association and one in the nearby Teso Association. Please pray for this is God’s work. YESU ASIFIWE SANA (Praise Jesus) … I was with 15 churches from 4 associations, Teso, Busia, Vininga, and Busia Uganda” – Text messages from a Kenya pastor from near the Uganda border who is trained in Jack’s CPM seminars as he met with area pastors hoping to begin CPM teachings, but the meeting turned into a desire to train pastors and leaders in neighboring areas – including areas with unreached people groups in Kenya and in Uganda!

~ Via cell phone calls, Jack’s prayers for God’s direction for 2011 were answered: Moses, a seminary graduate and a youth leader in Busia area, requested that Jack “come and teach CPM in their (beginning) Bible Schools sometime in 2011” – THESE new Bible Schools are the ones beginning after promotion of CPM training in the area! Robert from Turkana (north Kenya) requested that Jack “come and teach CPM in Turkana for 2011.” Eman of Mt Elgon, a recent KBTC graduate and leader of seven Sabaot churches on the mountain, also requested that Jack begin teaching CPM in his area in January – like Turkana, Mount Elgon on the Uganda border is an area with few Believers whose neighbors are among the least or yet-to-be reached people groups!

~Through personal contact, Jack was also invited this week to teach CPM in Kakamega to a group planting four new churches in their area. Another KBTC student and former teacher at Mombasa Baptist High School requested Jack’s help in planning an area wide CPM training next year in an area north of Nairobi!

We are praising God for allowing us to join His work of “Strengthening and encouraging as we engage lostness together” (Acts 14:22; Rev 14:6) until “all the peoples praise” our God (Psalm 67:3). We also praise God that our “WE” who are engaging lostness includes Kenyan Baptists, a new opportunity I have to strengthen and encourage a prayer team from another continent, and YOU! BERT YATES

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* Are We There Yet? – http://www.imb.org/main/lead/page.asp?StoryID=7698&LanguageID=1709

DAILY PRAYER NUDGES FROM KENYA – “Prayer Nudges from the Yates - to share how we're praying day by day and how you can join in praying for God's work in East Africa” click or go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=329334&id=685050129&l=8f7c7f4ef9 (New pictures added several times each week.)

SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON PRAYING FOR KENYAN STUDENTS: “October and November is exam time in Kenya. Kids in Form Four are taking the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KSCE) from October 21 through November 16, 2010. During these 19 days of exams, the students are sitting for national exams in all they have learned during their four years of high school. Kids in Standard 8 take their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KSPE) during the week of November 8-12. Pray for good health, peace in their lives, confidence - you can add more - for these kids during these critical tests which will determine future educational and life opportunities for these kids!” … found at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=327721&id=685050129&l=73a546ec9a

More Pictures?

In the past months, due to the capabilities/disabilities of our local internet services, I have found it easiest to use FACEBOOK as the means of sharing PRAYER NUDGE PHOTO ALBUMS with you. I know that many of you have no desire to add FACEBOOK membership to your daily life and that is very understandable! SO… I’ve found a way for you non-FACEBOOK members to access all the PRAYER NUDGES that I post!

As of today, November 5, 2010, I have begun a new “open-to-all” photo album: DAILY PRAYER NUDGES FROM KENYA – “Prayer Nudges from the Yates - to share how we're praying day by day and how you can join in praying for God's work in East Africa.” I will post a new photo/prayer suggestion several times each week. If you want to view these ever changing Prayer Nudges, simply click or paste and go via your internet Browser to http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=329334&id=685050129&l=8f7c7f4ef9 – THEN SAVE this address as one of your FAVORITES in your internet program which will allow you to easily return to this Prayer Nudge Photo Album for updates. (“Colour and More Colour” on the left is the photo for the DAILY PRAYER NUDGE that I added today.)

I also occasionally run special PRAYER NUDGE FOCUSES on FACEBOOK such as: PRAYING FOR KENYA’S STUDENTS – “October and November is exam time in Kenya. Kids in Form Four are taking the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KSCE) from October 21 through November 16, 2010. During these 19 days of exams, the students are sitting for national exams in all they have learned during their four years of high school. Kids in Standard 8 take their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KSPE) during the week of November 8-12. Pray for good health, peace in their lives, confidence - you can add more - for these kids during these critical tests which will determine future educational and life opportunities for these kids!” PRAYING FOR KENYA’S STUDENTS will be updated throughout the 2010 exams and can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=327721&id=685050129&l=73a546ec9a . (Today’s addition to PRAYING FOR KENYA’S STUDENTS is “Smiling Students”.)

Thank you once again for your prayer support and for your encouragement! We do rely upon you, BERT

November 3, 2010

“Do you enjoy the flicker of candles and/or the dazzle of fireworks? Then you need to learn about DIWALI!” These words begin the DIWALI PRAYER NUDGES* photo album I posted this morning. I have felt compelled to complete this project for years and to be honest, I can’t fully explain why. I just knew I had to do it!

I do have one simple explanation: BECAUSE I CAN! I can share these prayer nudges without endangering my work or that of others, but more importantly I can guide you in praying for those celebrating Diwali without endangering any seekers. Many people who have a “heart” for Hindus cannot do this.

I just thought of another reason: I believe that we pray more effectively for others if we understand them AND I want you to understand my friends and acquaintances who are seeking peace, joy and truth during their very colourful celebration. I also want you to join them in prayer! I also know that many of you reading this Prayer Update also have friends, neighbours and acquaintances celebrating Diwali and I want to help you share this special time with them.

The pictures in this Prayer Nudge photo album is different from others I have shared. There are no pictures of people or places – all the photos are of bits of fabric used in Saris and Punjabi outfits! If you enjoy color, design, something outside the norm, you will want to view the DIWALI PRAYER NUDGES photo album!

The official celebration of Diwali is a five day period, but many celebrate for weeks. We have already been startled many evenings by pops of fireworks, but by this weekend I may not be such a fan of the dazzling aerial displays. Our house is in a valley with temples on three sides and a wealthy celebrant on the fourth, so when the REAL shows begin tonight through this weekend, our house will fill not only with popping, but with lots and lots of smoke! So if you have extra time for praying – pray for easy breathing at our house!

I also ask this week that you join us in praying for Kenyan students. Form Four students are in the midst of 19 straight school days of testing on all they have learned during their four years of high school. The results of most students will determine their future opportunities for study and life! Class 8 kids will take their national exams next week on all they have studied in primary school – exams which will determine if many continue to high school. Pray for clear minds, good health, confident spirits, and no outside difficulties during the testing.**

Before I end this week's Prayer Update, I will share one more reason I’ve realized should be my most compelling reason for sharing the DIWALI PRAYER NUDGES: Because I have many of the answers that celebrants of Diwali are seeking – NOT because I am that smart, but because I claim the scriptures included in this prayer guide! Thanks once again for allowing me to share our prayer requests with you and the assurance we have of your support, BERT YATES

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* PRAYER NUDGES – http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=328616&id=685050129&l=e704a32794 (You do not need to be a member of FACEBOOK to view and pray-through this Prayer Nudge photo album.

** I have posted and will continue posting new pictures and prayer nudges for Kenyan students taking exams on Facebook – if you are a FB member, please ask to become my Friend/Prayer Partner so you can pray more effectively! You are also welcome to share suggestions for others who can join us in prayer.

October 27, 2010

Should I use one of the first verses I memorized, “Arise, shine, for your light has come” (Isaiah 60:1), or a favorite verse, “…shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…” (Philippians 2:15,16)? This was just one of my many quandaries as I’ve prepared for this and next week’s Prayer Update and searched for the perfect Bible verses and other information on the internet. Research also included rummaging through a friend’s closet and shopping/prayer walking as I viewed seasonal decorations/ goodies in local Asian shops.

The reason for my busy work: Inspiration for enlisting prayers for an upcoming holiday – one likely not highlighted on your calendar, but many of my friends and possibly some of your acquaintances have marked this day in early November: DIWALI. The University of Kansas Medical Center Diversity Calendar (1) explains it this way: “Diwali is a five day Hindu festival which … means ‘rows of lighted lamps’ … referred to as the Festival of Lights … homes are thoroughly cleaned … Candles and lamps are lit …. Gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared ... The celebration means as much to Hindus as Christmas does to Christians.”

I could simply skip this prayer emphasis, but every year God reminds me that although this holiday is not celebrated by “MY” people group, it is celebrated by many living in our part of the world. He also reminds me that because I do not work directly with those who celebrate Diwali, I can lead others to prayer without jeopardizing those among this people group who are seeking “The true light that gives light to every man” (John 1:9).

I will send more prayer nudges next week, including evidence of my research in a friend’s closet, but I ask that you begin now praying for those who will celebrate Diwali. I will be brazen this week and ask that you spend time learning more about Diwali and the Hindu faith – several links are listed below to get you started. I make this request because I know that as you learn about the beliefs of others, it will strengthen your own faith. This knowledge can also strengthen your prayers as you join others in praying on their special religious holidays. As I did my research, I found one interesting PRAYER NUDGE not in the Bible, but on an internet encyclopedia. Wikipedia says that: "While Diwali is popularly known as the 'festival of lights', the most significant spiritual meaning is 'the awareness of the inner light’” (2). So this is how I am joining my Hindu friends in praying this year as they celebrate Diwali: I am praying that they will become aware of the true INNER LIGHT – the inner light that I claim as a follower of Christ.

I make this request also because during my preparation for this Prayer Update, God led me to Acts 25:5 – “They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing.” I am not trying to take Paul’s words “ out of context” – but God continues to remind me that I and many of you reading this Prayer Update have known Him for a long time, but are we willing to testify of Him? Are we willing to be bold and prepared ambassadors of His light? Are we willing to imitate Paul and others by carrying out Philippians 2:15,16 and shining as HIS stars in our world and holding out HIS Word of life and light!

BERT YATES

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(1) University of Kansas Medical Center – Diversity Calendar – Diwali: http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/ethnic_relig/diwali.html

For a calendar of other religious holidays celebrated around our world – all in need of prayer – go to: http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/

(2) Wikipedia – Diwali: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali

REFLECTING THE INNER LIGHT – a look at what God showed http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=325690&id=685050129&l=95a421e402

Other sites which I found informative:

About.com – Hinduism: http://hinduism.about.com/od/diwalifestivaloflights/a/diwali.htm

About.com – The Spiritual Significance of Diwali: http://hinduism.about.com/od/diwalifestivaloflights/a/deepavali.htm

Activity Village – Diwali for Kids: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/diwali.htm

A blog prepared during an earlier celebrations of Diwali and Ramadan – PRAYING FOR OTHERS: http://omba4kenyaprayforothers.blogspot.com/

October 20, 2010

FRUSTRATED – That was how I felt after writing last week’s prayer update and composing the photo album, “A JOURNEY OF TRUSTING AND OBEYING.” Later, I realized the problem – It was not what I saw with my eyes that I wanted you to perceive/view/understand, I wanted you to know the thoughts of my heart! So, I’ve tried again by offering a new prayer nudge photo album, “SEEING WITH MY EYES AND HEART – Another Look at Membley Baptist Church.” MY prayer is that this new photo album will lead you to praying for ALL of the body of Christ in Kenya and in other parts of our world, not just for Membley Baptist.

Today is a national holiday in Kenya, once called Kenyatta Day to honor Kenya’s first president, but now known as Mashujaa Day – Mashujaa is the Swahili word for warriors/brave men/champions. I did not intentionally choose to prepare “Seeing with my Eyes and Heart” to coincide with this holiday to remember Kenya’s past heroes, but it is appropriate as this Prayer Walk ends with Deuteronomy 4:9, “Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

Jack is enjoying a break today after two weeks of teaching Baptist Faith, History and Practice to second year seminary students. Thankfully, he had spent extra time “perfecting” his teaching notes as this was an unusually bright class with an incredible desire to truly know and obey God’s Word! As I shared last week, “The 19 men and women in this class of Youth Ministers are from many different parts of Kenya – from the cities to very rural areas, including areas that are only now being reached by the Gospel. There are also two students from Burundi and a refugee from Sudan. Several students are from other denominations.” Pray for this group as they return over the weekend to their homes and ministries. Pray for wisdom and strength as they apply what they are learning and use it to strengthen their ability to share our Father’s love and salvation with their people during the next three months before they return next year for another intensive three weeks of study. Thank you for praying for Jack as he taught and as he traveled daily to our seminary. Pray for him during the next week as he works on reports/action plans.

My number one prayer need at the moment is for patience as I work on the computer – most days our internet works very well, BUT then there are days (and today is one of those!) when a planned 10 minute job takes hours! Pray always that I will allow God to direct my every action and especially my reaction during the frustrating times!

BERT YATES

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SEEING WITH MY EYES AND HEART – http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=323327&id=685050129&l=47fd2bb69a

A Journey of Trusting and Obeying – http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=320985&id=685050129&l=404347d51d

October 13, 2010

“Writing this week's prayer update and composing JUST one photo album seems impossible at the moment due to a great reason - I've viewed God at work in super exciting ways this week!” When I posted this note on FACEBOOK yesterday, I asked myself if I was sounding too “religious.” Yes, we do face many problems/ concerns/ etc., but our lives are also filled with joy and excitement as we see God at work in our part of the world and get to join in His work!

Last Sunday is a good example. We wanted to join friends in celebrating the 8th anniversary of Membley Baptist Church – BUT this is our springtime and no amount of medicine can match my ability to breathe with my appreciation for the beautiful flowers in our yard – AND when I awoke that morning, the breathing problems were winning! As I debated if I should made the dusty drive and be away from home until late afternoon, an unexpected thought crossed my mind: What great adventure did God have in store for me to see and experience that day?

THEN during my devotion, I read Acts 22:16, “You will be his witness…of what you have seen and heard!” – which is followed by “What are you waiting for? Get up…” (Acts 22:17). So, even though I knew I might fall asleep during the service due to the required dawa (Swahili/ medicine), I got up and went – thankfully, I was drowsy, but I stayed awake – AND going was the right decision! Words or even pictures cannot fully share the excitement of the day – but my try at being “His witness of what I saw and heard” can be found in a new photo album, A Journey of Trusting and Obeying.

Jack is experiencing an additional excitement this week – teaching Baptist Faith, History and Practice at Kenya Baptist Theological College. This opportunity to strengthen others in their ability to serve and obey our Father has been especially encouraging to Jack. The 19 men and women in this class of Youth Ministers are from many different parts of Kenya – from the cities to very rural areas, including areas that are only now being reached by the Gospel. There are also two students from Burundi and a refugee from Sudan. Several students are from other denominations. Jack says the one thing they have in common is that they are all very smart and eager! It truly excites Jack when he thinks of the incredible impact these 19 young “God’s fellow workers” can have ON and IN our world!

Pray for Jack as he continues teaching through next week. Pray for clarity as he teaches and that he will allow the Holy Spirit to direct his every action and reaction. Pray for wisdom for me as I relate to many young Baptists who have a heart for using media as a way of serving their Savior. Join us also in praising God for how He is at work among Kenyan Baptists. Yes, I did say earlier that “we do face many problems/ concerns/ etc.”, but due to space and sensitivity, we cannot freely share these needs, but ask that you pray that we will rely upon God for His wisdom, direction and strength every moment of every day. BERT

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In addition to the Photo Album, A Journey of Trusting and Obeying, I have posted two more photo albums on Facebook this week that you might enjoy viewing. You might also want to view the blog that I completed after Membley’s 6th anniversary, which coincided with the retirement of IMB co-workers. Remember: You do not have to be a Facebook member to view the pictures, but if you are, please “request” that I become your friend as I daily post new pictures/comments.

A Journey of Trusting and Obeying - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=320985&id=685050129&l=404347d51d

October Snow (Springtime in Nairobi) – http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=320674&id=685050129&l=3e27238da3

Adventure on the way to Church – http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=320324&id=685050129&l=87ce7461fa

6th Anniversary of Membley Baptist: A Celebration of the Goodness of the Lord - http://goodnessofthelord.blogspot.com/