May 5, 2010

Bert’s definition of a great vacation: Realizing a few days before it ends that you’ve had a wonderful time, but you are eager to return to work. We did have a blessed time during April as we visited our home state, North Carolina, but we are excited to be back in Nairobi and eager to return to work. During our vacation, we enjoyed quality time with our family, including celebrating our granddaughter’s first birthday party with all three of our kids; sampled lots of missed foods such as real barbecue (the eastern North Carolina variety!) and Dairy Queen banana-splits (one of those “forget the calorie” moments); spotted cardinals and blue jays as well as blooming dogwood, daffodils and tulips; and shared how God is at work in Africa with friends, especially WMU friends at the North Carolina annual Missions Extravaganza. “Vacation” pictures are on FACEBOOK at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=223160&id=685050129&l=bc520891e2 (remember you can safely view and copy the pictures without being a member of FACEBOOK) – included are pictures of our family and of a proud moment when we viewed a missionary niece sharing her love for missions at the Mission’s Extravaganza, as well as pictures for our Kenyan friends of the North Carolina Spring flowers we love that do not grow in Kenya’s equatorial climate.

This prayer update is being written very quickly as a thunder storm is hovering over Nairobi which leads to fluctuating electricity (very dangerous to computers, etc.), but after years of drought, the continuing rain is a true blessing and a true answer to prayer! Some people are suffering due to mudslides and flooding, but most farmers are celebrating the ample crops. Kenyans are thankful that water reservoirs have refilled which leads to better water flow in the towns and cities and staple food items are available and prices are no longer climbing.

Thank you again for praying for our needs and those of Kenya. Just as your past prayers for rain in Kenya are being answered, your prayers for safety, good family visits, and a special time of rest and recharging during our vacation were answered. Please join us now in praying that Jack and I will be totally dependent on the Holy Spirit as we join God in His work in Africa. Pray that we will know His will and be obedient as we plan what we should do and what we should not do! Pray that we will be a strong witness of our Savior’s love and salvation in all that we do, whether it be shopping for mangoes and sweet bananas (we did miss these during our vacation!) or as we strive to strengthen and encourage Kenyan Christians and our IMB co-workers. BERT YATES