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
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