February 23, 2011

I don't know about you, but I find it amazing how clearly God directs us to know his “will and … act according to his purpose” (Philippians 2:13). When I sit at my desk each morning, I usually have a sense of what I WANT to accomplish that day as the Internet Missions/Prayer Advocate for East Africa. But, I am always amazed by the thoughts that flow into my mind and what emerges on my computer screen – especially the connections to past/future work! I am not a dummy, but I have limitations, so I know this is an answer to our and your prayers (Thank You!) for guidance and that God is at work within my fingers and mind!

An unplanned connection this week was a challenge to claim God’s power. The Prayer Nudge which emerged on February 19, 2011 was: During my devotions this morning, I remembered the scene viewed last September at our Indian Ocean coast. This shop offers many forms of power: energy giving nuts and cookies, drinks with vitamins or caffeine, washing powder and headache medicine (among the tiny one-use packs hanging under the center small green/white banners) … as well as recharging facilities for cell phones via electricity or car-type batteries. As I read Micah 3:8 and remembered this shop, I was challenged to answer these questions: Do I really believe that "I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD"? Am I fully relying on this power? Do others see evidence of this power in my life? How am I helping others claim the power that our Father offers?”

The next morning, I added this comment to the Prayer Nudge: Just noted the small words written above the store sign in yesterday's Prayer Photo Nudge: "Powered by ESSAR". My first reaction: Our world would be transformed if all Christians (me included) lived lives that announced to the world that we are "POWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT!"

Then at church that day I saw evidence of God at work in the life of friend (right), another strong testimony of His power. The Kenyan friend was seriously ill a year ago - she did receive good medical care, but even her doctor credited God for her miraculous healing! It was a truly great testimony as she led worshippers at our church in singing and praying, “When I worship you, I see your power and glory … I find peace, comfort, joy, and healing.”

I viewed God’s power and guidance again on Monday in an update from co-workers among an East Africa Unreached People Group, which appeared today in 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EAST AFRICA*: “Our short visit to our capital city has now stretched to 6 weeks ...wow … an interesting journey. My husband has been hospitalized again with the problem the doctors thought was ‘cured’ during the last episode, so they are looking again … with tests for about everything … I tell my friends that God is giving us a chance to practice 'waiting' ... I am not very good at this … But God is teaching me to trust his current plans for us. It is hard and painful, but I am so glad that He is giving me the opportunity to practice this important part of my relationship with Him...waiting, trusting … He is so good.” Today’s Prayer Nudge: “CLAIM Psalm 17:14; 28:7 for this family and others in similar situations.”

I just took a break from writing this Prayer Update to help Jack pack the car for a stay at our seminary where he will be claiming God’s power and guidance as he moves to a new level in his Church Planting work in Kenya. This evening through Saturday morning, he will be teaching a dozen chosen trainers from all parts of Kenya at a Church Planting Methodology Conference. Our prayer is that these men will absorb all that is taught and that they will remain faithful, obedient and accountable as they return to their areas to teach/ share/ use what they learn.

Once again, I could go on and on sharing how we are seeing God at work in Kenya and in all of East Africa, but … Thank you once again for being a part of our work through sending workers, financial support and most importantly, your prayer support! BERT

--- --- --- --- --- ---

*2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EASTERN AFRICA: To receive these Prayer Updates via e-mail, subscribe at: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/ These Photo Prayer Nudges can also be viewed at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=351345&id=685050129&l=47f55a92ab – You DO NOT need to be a Facebook member to view these Prayer Nudges, BUT if you are a member, please send me a friend request!

REMEMBER that a new prayer team for Nairobi is meeting each Wednesday. You can join the team in praying wherever you are! To join the prayer team and view weekly prayer suggestions and praises, go to: http://www.facebook.com/PrayforNairobi (Non-members of FB can join this prayer team.)

February 16, 2011

“I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb … they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9). Have you ever tried to envisage the excitement and pure joy of representatives from every tribe and language and people and nation worshipping together in heaven? I don’t think I can fully imagine this with my human eyes, but I do get a glimpse each and every time I hear Kenyans from multiple people groups sing “Bwana, Mungu, Nashangaa … Jinsi Wewe Ulivyomkuu.”(1) To be honest, most Kenyans don’t sing most American and European hymns with as much conviction or as beautifully as they do their own African hymns and choruses, but “O Lord, my God … How Great Thou Art” in English or Kiswahili is an exception!

This evaluation of how Kenyans sing “my” American songs, emphasizes one of the differences faced by those reaching our world with our Father’s love and salvation – even how we sing and what brings us joy in singing is different among each nation, tribe, people and language! It was not intentional, but understanding our differences as we share our Good News has arisen several times this last week as I’ve posted Prayer Nudges on FACEBOOK and in the blog, 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EASTERN AFRICA (2).

Last Friday, a photo (above) of a few of Kenya’s incredible curios led to an explanation of why “in East Africa most of us choose to rely on God's Word and our testimonies rather than crafty items as we share the story of our Father's gift of salvation.” The day’s prayer suggestion was “for wisdom and understanding as those (including me) proclaiming our Father's Good News choose the best ways/ methods/ tools to communicate His message clearly and without any confusion to each nation, tribe, language and people.”

Sunday’s Prayer Nudge dealt with adjusting to the culture of our host countries including easy adaptations such as having “afternoon tea” and more difficult ones such “how to do things such as wearing special clothing, patterns of eating during a meal … the socially acceptable greeting when meeting friends, the inoffensive way to ask directions to the toilet, which side of the road to drive on. The prayer suggestion that day was “for patience, wisdom, special insight, etc., as missionaries learn to live/ adjust/ survive in their new cultures” and “ for forgiveness by hosts and safety as these adjustments are made!”

Differences was the theme again yesterday as a picture of a children’s Sunday School Class was featured (below). “Praising God today for our differences - which includes our reactions to things, such as these three during the beginning of their Bible Study class last Sunday. Praying that as we seek to proclaim "the eternal gospel" with all "who live on the earth", we will learn the differences which affect their ability to hear and accept our Father's Good News - whether it be the stresses they face daily (including do they get a good night's sleep and when/ where do they sleep), their fears, what brings them joy, what they value, what catches their attention, the best language/ illustrations/ explanations for clear communication …” I’m not sharing all of this to “show-off” my work, but to entice you to join me in praying via FB and the new blog, 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EASTERN AFRICA (2).

This Prayer Upds runnng long again, but I want to share two more avenues for prayer that might “fit” your heart concerns – one found on a blog and FACEBOOK and the other only on FACEBOOK, both prepared by IMB co-workers who have a desire to reach special People Groups of East Africa needing our Father’s Good News.

David and Nicole Morse work with the Kuria People Group in northern Tanzania – to join their prayer team and see pictures of their work, go to their blog: KURIA PEOPLE GROUP – http://www.kuriapeople.blogspot.com/ or you can find them on FACEBOOK at: LIGHT FOR THE KURIA.

A new prayer team was formed this month by Linda Allen which meets each Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 in Nairobi. Linda posted this yesterday on her new prayer FACEBOOK page: “Join me in Praying for the city of Nairobi. I am planning to post specific prayer requests on this page each week so you may join us in praying for those in the city who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior. We are also praying for those who are followers of Christ to be strong in their faith and to share the truth they've found with others through their words and by what they do.” To find updated prayer nudges for Nairobi on FACEBOOK type PRAY FOR NAIROBI into the search area.

I could always share more prayer nudges, but I’m way out of space! Thanks again for your prayer support for God’s work in our part of the world. BERT YATES

--- --- --- --- --- ---

(1) Sorry, I left my phone home and was unable to record the song last Sunday, but two recordings of this song can be found on YouTube. To hear the Swahili version of “How Great Thou Art by Bethany children's Choir, Tanzania go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=303ySx0fXAw

For the written words in Kiswahili, but with a slideshow of views from Europe, go to:– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTP2WGHDIqM

(2) The 2011 Prayer Nudges for East Africa can be found on a blog at: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

(By SUBSCRIBING in the proper place on this blog , you can receive e-mail notifications of these Prayer Nudges.)

Or on FACEBOOK (you don’t have to be a member to view this) at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=351345&id=685050129&l=47f55a92ab

VALENTINE'S DAY - 2011

February 8, 2011

I’ve been trying to write this update all day, but just took another break from my desk. Spotting the timer on my desk, I remembered it chirped several minutes earlier – which meant the Banana Macadamia Cake in the oven was approaching over-done! Thankfully, it was not burned, which is very important as it is to be served tomorrow to some of our “bosses”. The cake made of locally grown products shares a clue to why I am posting this Prayer Update a day early – Jack and I are helping to a host an outing tomorrow for the IMB leaders of Sub-Saharan Africa who are in the midst of a week-long meeting.

Sometimes people ask about our lives and one difference is that we likely entertain more than the average American – which in our part of the world requires lots of “from-scratch” cooking. This week’s schedule included a Super Bowl party at our house last night with 15 friends, including 10 day-old Zoe, the youngest member of our East Africa mission family who slept through the game! Thanks to a colleague’s projector, we had a “big-screen” view of the game which was recorded (9 hours time difference) during the night on our satellite TV system (our splurge). Later this week, Baptist volunteers to western Kenya, will visit before returning to NC. We also are awaiting a phone call to set a time to visit with colleagues from another country and a Baptist pastor from Virginia.

In the midst of guests, Jack has been in meetings this week – this time with the Baptist AIDS Response Agency, learning how leaders and boards of organizations can strengthen their ministry through better planning. Jack never likes sitting for days, but he is excited about sharing this training with our Baptist churches.

My week has included adding new prayer nudges to Facebook and to 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EASTERN AFRICA* as I seek prayer support for our work and the work of others who cannot share their requests/ praises. Two of these additions share awesome experiences of how our God works! The first “happening” occurred last Sunday while attending Parklands Baptist Church/Mombasa Road. A bit of the caption that was attached to the photo (right) posted on Monday: Praising God today that He provides affirmation that we have chosen the right work/ways to do His work! Affirmation … came when I saw children studying GROWING IN CHRIST, a discipleship book that I spent days re-editing/ re-designing while with Kenya Baptist Media. What a joy to see young believers being trained to be one of my Father's Fellow Workers! A co-worker visiting our church for the first time found affirmation when her new "assignment" of finding pockets of Unreached Peoples in Nairobi WAS THE CHALLENGE of our Kenyan pastor's sermon!

This account of the second “happening” was posted this morning: Began my day by reading the end of King Solomon's story during my devotions - a great reminder that we must not only seek a "wise and discerning heart" (1 Kings 3:12), but daily obey what our heart tells us if we truly desire wisdom. Then a prayer nudge for those who worship Saraswati appeared in my morning's e-mails. Praying that my friends in East Africa desiring wisdom through this goddess will learn that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 111:10). To find the link to this special prayer nudge blog, go to: http://prayforgujarat.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/wisdom/

Thanks for taking time to read this prayer update and for joining us in praising God and seeking His guidance and wisdom as we seek to do His work, BERT

--- --- --- --- ---

* 2011 PRAYER NUDGES FROM EASTERN AFRICA: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

February 2, 2011

Have you ever read a scripture during your devotions and a few hours later felt that you were reliving the verses? As we visited Ridgeways Baptist Church last Sunday, I did feel as though I was experiencing 1Kings 6:31-32: “For the entrance of the sanctuary … he made doors with… carved … open flowers.” We wanted to worship with friends, but we also visited to give a partial update of a Prayer Nudge Photo Album that I shared last July: Bursting at the Seams Legacy Churches (1) - a “tour of three Baptist churches in north/east Nairobi, Kenya, whose sanctuaries are bursting at the seams, so they are building new sanctuaries. A great source of praise and an incredible sign of the continuing reaping of benefits from past investments to the Lottie Moon Offering and Cooperative Program!”

It was an exciting day of making new friends and greeting old ones, AND a little embarrassing as we arrived an hour late due and were escorted not to the back row of seats, but the second row FRONT AND CENTER! As I settled in , I realized that we were sitting with two of the Wanje “boys,” the sons of one of our first Baptist pastors in Eastern Africa. Another son, Elijah, is the pastor of Ridgeways Baptist. Times like this do make us happy as we view how the work of past co-workers is continuing to impact God’s current work in our part of the world. To share the day with us, you can find more on how “God is at Work at Ridgeways Baptist” (2) at a new Prayer Nudge Photo Album – I think you will find it worth your time to view these photos/story! More about the history of this church which was begun by IMB missionaries and committed Kenyan Baptists can be found on an older blog, Bringing People to Christ- Ridgeways Baptist Church (3).

Jack was busy last week completing another teaching session at our seminary, Kenya Baptist Theological College – I would not enjoy grading the papers, but he does as it provides a glimpse into the hearts of our pastors and leaders. This week he has been attending meetings – a good one yesterday of Kenyan Baptist leaders as they discussed problems and dreams. Today, Jack visited another of church highlighted in the Bursting at the Seams Legacy Churches (1) Prayer Nudge Photo Album, Kahawa Sukari Baptist – yet another church begun by IMB missionaries and committed Kenyan Baptists. He returned home a little tired and very excited: Tired as the road work in the area leads to delays and cautious driving, but excited by seeing the progressing road work and viewing/ hearing a very positive update of Kahawa Sukari Baptist Church. The construction of their new enlarged sanctuary is progressing and they are preparing to plant a new church. Pray for the church as they dedicate new leadership on February 13^th.

Next week holds more meetings as we learn more of how we can serve our Father and help others do the same. Pray for Jack as he attends a meeting with BARA (Baptist Aids Response Agency) and as I raise awareness of how people can join God’s work and assist others in using the internet as a Prayer/Missions tool. And once again: Thank you for all the ways you support us – we do depend upon you! BERT YATES

--- --- --- --- ---

(1) Bursting at the Seams Legacy Churches: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=256919&id=685050129&l=b7bdb367c9

(2) God Is at Work at Ridgeways Baptist Church - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=363345&id=685050129&l=3c51a48b03

(3) Bringing People to Christ- Ridgeways Baptist Church - http://ridgewaysbaptistchurch.blogspot.com/