I felt your prayers last week as I began meeting with a friend of another faith - God definitely put words in my mouth as I answered her questions! Thanks to your prayer, Jack is strengthened by an abundance of God’s wisdom and peace as he deals with several sensitive issues and teaches this month at our seminary (KBTC).Last week I shared that we are blessed with “a very special support group – our Kenyan Christian friends.” We experienced this last Sunday as we worshiped with old and new friends at four-month-old Community Baptist Church.* Benard Obuya, the pastor studied TEE (Theological Education by Extension) with Jack in the 90’s. He introduced Jack as the one who drove his bride and her entourage to their wedding 10 years ago!
One church leader looked familiar – we learned that he grew up at Brackenhurst. Linus Miheso’s dad is Joash, a former chef at our conference center, and his uncle Samson Kisia, a Baptist Convention of Kenya leader, served for many years in administration at Brackenhurst. To view a second generation Baptist playing a key role in church planting was exciting! It was also thrilling to worship in a tent purchased years ago by the IMB for new church starts – thanks to your Lottie Moon gifts!I debated whether to use “plain out fun” in this last paragraph – It is fun to be a part of a new church plant and to share the excitement of a growing church.
It was not just the excitement of the day, the church’s first Baby Dedication, that convinced us that this church will become a mighty force for God in Kayole, an eastern part of Nairobi. It was viewing how many people live in this housing area - one estimate I found was 750,000. It was watching the usher hand out church bulletins to all who passed the church gate and inviting them in for worship - she did skip the giant hog which ran by the gate! It was also learning that many in the church have already completed the Baptist discipleship book, GROWING IN CHRIST, and are now beginning the MASTERLIFE study!
Today’s Prayer Update is a good description of why we love our work with the LEGACY TEAM – the established Baptist work in Kenya. Every day we become more convinced that when all people groups in our part of the world become reached by God’s love and salvation, it will be due to the many “foreign” missionaries and volunteers who have invested their lives here, but also the work of discipled Kenyan/African Christians who live out the Great Commission. We are just so thankful that God is giving us the opportunity to strengthen and encourage these great partners in the work as we share, teach and raise prayer support. Bert Yates
* For “A special glimpse of a few hours in our lives - travel with us to Community Baptist … All the pictures were taken through the car windows (forgive the quality of a few) as we made the trip to church on Sunday morning, February 14th. I will share photos later capturing the excitement of worshiping with this young congregation.” To view “Valentine’s Day Drive to Church” go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=196983&id=685050129&l=019a44e2e0
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