“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
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(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.)
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