Electricity went off at lunch time – so please forgive any errors as I complete this update before my faulty back-up battery dies and Jack’s in-need-of-recharging battery expires! As I’ve said before: We may be frustrated, but we are never bored! Jack’s battery is free as he is at our seminary, Kenya Baptist Theological College, teaching another round of Baptist Faith and Principles. Once again, he is very, very happy with the excitement and dedication of his students. Please join us in praying that he will clearly share the information and that the students will understand all he teaches and apply it in their ministries.
I am late today in writing this update as I’ve been busy preparing a new blog, 2011 Prayer Nudges for Eastern Africa (1). Since early January, I have added prayer nudge photos almost daily to FACEBOOK. Many of you are not Facebookers , so the blog was prepared to allow you to view or receive via e-mail (by subscribing to the blog) these Prayer Nudges which share our lives, hearts and prayers. A second reason for sharing these prayer nudges is to help my many colleagues who work in areas with restrictions. My prayer is that as you read our praises, concerns, heart-breaks, joys, etc., it will expand your knowledge of how you can pray for those who cannot freely share their heart and their work.
To share what you may be missing, here is today’s Prayer Nudge: Our God does has a sense of humor! It is amazing the number of my rural-bred colleagues He has called to serve in a city and how many city-folks He sends to rural areas … Jack and I (country-kids) where overwhelmed by the hugeness of Nairobi when we arrived in 1978. The then estimated population of 827, 000 has now swelled to over 3 million … Pray today that as the areas where we serve grow and transition, we will grow and transition in our ministries so that we are always alert to how to best share God's love and salvation.
Other times the prayer nudges share great moments: January 23, 2011 – Have you ever been so excited at church that you couldn't stay in your seat? In this morning's Parklands Baptist/ Mombasa Road Sunday School Class for Preschoolers … This little one tried, REALLY TRIED to stay seated during a scripture song, but every time he "got" into the song, he would stand up! He even tried holding on the chair's arms, which only meant he got in extra trouble for lifting his chair! Praying today that God's Word will leave me as excited and cause me to praise and focus on Him rather than anything else!
I’ve also learned recently of two other internet sites which could help you pray for us and those from areas with restrictions. Simply knowing the weather and being aware of the time say in Bangkok or Ahmadabad can give you clues to how to pray for those sharing our Father’s love and salvation in those areas. Those of you who work with kids may find that going to this site, Time and Date.Com (2) is a way to expand missions horizons while having fun checking out different cities in the world – especially the city of a missionary you know or are studying!
Another site shares “excerpts from various IMB missionary blogs.” You can find this blog, MISSIONARY BLOG SPOT (3), which you can also subscribe to via your e-mail.
The electricity has returned (after my computer battery and both back-ups died and I had to surrender for a bit), so I can now send this message. But I must add one more comment: Thank you for all the ways you support us, especially your prayer support, BERT
(1) 2011 Prayer Nudges for Eastern Africa: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/
(2) Time and Date.com: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=170
(3) Missionary Blogspot: http://missionaryblogdigest.wordpress.com/