groom during a wedding we viewed last week (man on the far right). Sheldon was so excited that when it came time to say the vows, he reversed the names and said, “I, Esther, take thee, Sheldon.” Everyone had a good laugh as the officiating pastor guided the groom in repeating the correct words. I need to back up a little now and explain … the groom was almost 70 years old as was his bride!
This is just one experience as Jack and I attended last Friday’s Kakamega Bible School graduation – the completion of two years of study (one week per month) for 16 men and women. Many of the graduates were not Baptist, but chose to attend as they know Baptists as people who teach, learn and obey the Bible.
The day also included an apology to George Shihafu, the principal of the Bible School. When told there would be a wedding after the graduation, we replied that we would not stay 
for that part in order to prepare for our return to Nairobi. We were assured that it would only last 20 minutes - it usually takes longer than that for the bride to enter the church! I was really concerned when FOUR fully garbed brides arrived! But, the wedding WAS over in less than 25 minutes!
A pastor ordination was also a part of the graduation ceremony! It was truly a day of celebration for the graduates, their families and their churches and a day of praising God for His greatness. I had not intended to prepare a slide show for you this week, but I could not share only two attached pictures in today’s prayer update – so I chose 20 of the 1000+ pictures to give you a brief view of the celebration day as well as 20 photos of the kids – which most of you enjoy! So, to “see a bit through our eyes” check out “Kakamega Bible School Graduation” at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=211748&id=685050129&l=36e1708f14 
and “Kids Celebrating a Bible School Graduation, Wedding and More” at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=211745&id=685050129&l=ec39392e9d
Last week I added this PS to our prayer letter: Don’t forget to pray for our return trip on Saturday – we would rather not share our lane AGAIN with a huge bus determined to pass an 18 wheeler truck! I’m not sure if it was God’s sense of humour or a reprimand for “tacking” this on, BUT ... during the seven hours return trip we were not run off the road AGAIN by a huge bus passing a truck with more than 18 wheels – THIS TIME we were run TOTALLY OFF the road by TWO BUSSES passing TWO HUGE TRUCKS! Thankfully, your prayers were answered and we had a rare smooth shoulder to use as a detour and made it safely home!
We need prayers again for travelling mercies, this time for a trip to the States. Possibly it is our age, or Jack’s work covering all of Kenya, but we have realized that to get a real break, we must leave Kenya more often than we did in the past. So we are taking our annual leave during April in North Carolina visiting family and friends and attending the annual North Carolina WMU meeting. I’m not sure how often, if ever, you will hear from us until May! We do appreciate and NEED you prayer support, so please don’t stop praying for the work of the Baptist churches of Kenya during this next month! These are the true “missionaries” who are uniquely gifted to share the Good News with Kenya and Africa and we are blessed to be allowed to strengthen and encourage them. Bert Yates
No comments:
Post a Comment