As friends in the northern hemisphere emptied bread and milk shelves last week, Kenyan weather also led to increased buying – of rain gear such as umbrellas and rubber boots, but by the weekend, these were useless. Our rain gauge registered an average of two plus inches daily last week and the 6 inch tube, which Jack emptied Saturday, was overflowing on Sunday morning! We live in a sturdy house – thanks to the giving of Southern Baptist – but many Kenyans were not dry and safe. (Daily Nation article link is below.)
After waking on Sunday to continued rain and no electricity (out for 11 hours), we expected few people at church. Roads were flooded, but there were more than the usual number at church. It was a chilly, gloomy morning and the
cheerfulness of three little girls sitting in front of us warmed our spirits. The sisters were likely wearing Christmas gifts – the oldest wore a red/black/white cape, the youngest was wrapped in orange/yellow/burgundy, and the middle girl was warmed by a hooded aqua/pink/lime sweater with a rainbow of pompoms – sorry, I forgot my camera! They reminded me of my Kenyan friends’ ability to find joy in the darkest situations and their alertness to praising God for all things and realizing their need for Him in all situations – lessons they are teaching us.
cheerfulness of three little girls sitting in front of us warmed our spirits. The sisters were likely wearing Christmas gifts – the oldest wore a red/black/white cape, the youngest was wrapped in orange/yellow/burgundy, and the middle girl was warmed by a hooded aqua/pink/lime sweater with a rainbow of pompoms – sorry, I forgot my camera! They reminded me of my Kenyan friends’ ability to find joy in the darkest situations and their alertness to praising God for all things and realizing their need for Him in all situations – lessons they are teaching us.
This reminder affirmed my desire to take a different focus in this week’s prayer update and share our family praises/needs rather than focus only on our “work”. Our first praise is for the internet which allows us to keep us with our three children – we even had a LIVE view of our granddaughter unwrapping her Christmas presents and enjoying her greatest joy of the day – eating the wrapping paper!
We are praising God for how He is at work in our children’s lives. John, living in Zebulon, NC, successfully opened his own home improvement business
last year. Pray for him as he seeks to build a business known for quality, dependable and “ethical” services! We are also praising God that Melanie is now a part of his life. Join us in praying that she will soon be among the fully employed! Pray for them as they overcome obstacles in planning their lives together.
last year. Pray for him as he seeks to build a business known for quality, dependable and “ethical” services! We are also praising God that Melanie is now a part of his life. Join us in praying that she will soon be among the fully employed! Pray for them as they overcome obstacles in planning their lives together.
Jennifer and her husband both have jobs they love in Aaron’s home town, New Bern, NC – an answered prayer as Aaron was among the unemployed for over a year; thankfully, he was blessed with part-time work during this time. Their greatest joy of the year was Isabella’s birth last April. Another blessing of internet is the constant flow of pictures and videos we receive of our first grandchild! 
Pray for them as they await Aaron having a third surgery early this year to correct a fluttering heart problem.
Pray for them as they await Aaron having a third surgery early this year to correct a fluttering heart problem.
Jessica, our youngest, lives in Raleigh, NC, where she is job hunting and applying for master’s programs in Library Science. Blessings include her graduating last May from Wake Forest University and her circle of Wake friends who are her support system as she deals with unemployment frustrations! We praise God for her finding a church home in Cary First Baptist – a major difficulty for many Missionary Kids. Pray that she will quickly find a job that will not only pay the bills, but guide her in decisions about her future.
Thank you for joining us in these praises and requests. Jack and I continue to be certain that we are exactly where God wants us AND we know without a doubt that your prayers, support and encouragement are a part of our confidence and our ability to be a part of our Father’s work! Thank you, Bert Yates
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* “Flash floods wreak havoc killing 7”-Daily Nation, 1/11/10 - http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/839504/-/votgkx/-/index.html
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