Wednesday, November 30, 2011

November 30, 2011

Last week I wrote, “Please don’t … ‘feel sorry’ for us or think we live a ‘hard life’. There are many joys in our lives – which will include a traditional Thanksgiving lunch with co-workers tomorrow.” If you had seen the banquet we shared with 30+ of our mission family, you would agree! Between the roasted turkey and ham there was even a real Sweet Potato Casserole thanks to American sweet potatoes now being available at times in our part of the world – definitely better than our usual substitute of Kenyan sweet potatoes, which are white, thus requiring orange food coloring and added sugar!

Though Thanksgiving 2011 is over and we are now in the Christmas season (no decorations yet at our house, but Christmas carols are playing), we are still in a ‘thanksgiving’ mode as the 2011 International Missions/ Lottie Moon emphasis begins. It is your prayers and gifts to the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Offering that allows us and others to be where God is calling us to serve. We were asked this week to share our 2011 answered prayers in a prayer guide used by mission colleagues. As I sent our answers, I realized these praises also express how you have supported us as you prayed and funded our budgets.

Jack praised God for the teaching opportunities with local Believers with hearts for planting churches. Records from just 6 months of the year include church planting training in 34 locations; 672 people representing 191 churches at 2 day conferences ; 18 (known) small groups were started that have the potential of becoming new churches; 6 new Bible schools began; and at least 96 new Believers resulted from the 'practice' witness times outside the meeting places!

Bert’s praises: For the direction God has given me in using the internet to share our stories from East Africa - which has led to added personnel, finances and prayer support. An unexpected result is that many people are logging on to the blogs which share our stories - the newest being "Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa" ( http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/ ) from other countries where missionaries face many restrictions. Pray that these blogs and Facebook posts at Lottie Moon 2011 East Africa ( https://www.facebook.com/LottieMoon2011.EastAfrica ) will continue to glorify our Father and help others understand how God is at work in East Africa AND how they can join His work in East Africa and in other parts of the world, especially those areas where Believers cannot freely share their stories.

As I write, Jack is teaching the third day of two weeks of another round of Baptist Beliefs, History and Practice at the Kenya Baptist Theological Seminary. Please join us in praying for Jack and others as the KBTC Board of Governors meet on December 19th. Critical personnel, academic, administration and financial decisions are to be made. Pray that their decisions will help the school begin 2012 with newness of life, a new creation able to serve our Father.

My greatest prayer this week is that I will be able to harness/put into action all my ideas of what can be done during December to help you recognize how thankful we and our colleagues are for your support and how we do depend upon you! Make sure you check out the Prayer Nudges* this week as new examples are shared daily of how the Lottie Moon Offering impacts our lives as we and others serve as our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice. BERT YATES

* Prayer Nudges, WHICH YOU ARE WELCOME TO SHARE with others, can be found at:

"Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa" blog at http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/

Or three options on Facebook:

Special Page: Lottie Moon 2011 East Africa - https://www.facebook.com/LottieMoon2011.EastAfrica ) or on my personal page, https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates or the new page for Imb East Africa - https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa – Yes, this may look as if I’m overdoing it, but I’ve learned that different pages/names expands the options for people finding our stories from East Africa!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

November 27th Lottie Moon/East Africa Prayer Nudge

The next time you have a ‘wish I had skipped looking in the mirror’ day or face discouragement, disappointment, frustration – use this ‘low point’ as prayer nudge for those serving as our Father's Heart, Hands and Voice in East Africa and other parts of our world. Very often the things those on mission with our Father most want to share, they cannot due to security issues, a need for sensitivity, the complexity of the problem, or simply they are hurting too much to share at the moment! Any difficult time you are facing is likely faced also by a missionary somewhere – so double your prayers!
*** SOME SAY that warthogs are proof that our Creator has a sense of humor!
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New daily Lottie Moon 2011-East Africa Prayer Nudges sharing how God's children are serving as His Heart, Hands and Voice in East Africa can be found at: http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/
You are encouraged to view and share with other Lottie Moon supporters this blog site or the Facebook Page, Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa -
https://www.facebook.com/LottieMoon2011.EastAfrica

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

November 23, 2011

My camera usually leaves home when I do, but there are many scenes that I cannot capture. This week I want to share some captured and uncaptured scenes which I pray will lead you to seeing our world and joining us in prayer.

Many recently viewed scenes include mud and more mud. After years of poor rains, Kenya is having a proper rainy season which comes with blessings of flourishing crops and overflowing water reservoirs. The good rains also leads to the suffering of floods. This is especially a problem in slum areas with buildings constructed of throw-away items. Also many Kenyans rely on foot power, which means they are rather damp these days which leads to illnesses with many having limited medical care. Another problem: Areas affected by famine are not yet benefitting from the new crops and relief trucks are mired in mud, unable to make the journey. For more on the Horn of Africa drought, go to the “Too hungry to cry” - Africa Stories (1)or to BGR Updates and Videos at Horn of Africa Drought Crisis (2).

There were also many unexpected scenes last week. Driving to church last Sunday, we questioned if our car was invisible as we faced many near collissions as big and small vehicles sought our spot on the road. Then a motorcycle with a special cargo appeared – which relieved our tension and helped us focus on blessings and joys rather than our discouragements.

A unexpected scene not captured was meeting a woman while shopping. The woman said several times in Swahili, “You are a woman, you have children. Mine are starving, please give me money.” I had money to offer, but I know the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to note the woman’s good health and the dazed look in her eyes. It broke my heart, but I knew the Holy Spirit was telling me that this was not a time to give, but to pray for the woman.

Later in the week, a young man shared with us how he had lost his house and possessions due to the illegal action of others. We had only a few shillings in our pockets that day, but the Holy Spirit led to assure him of our prayers and a later financial help. We rarely leave home without encountering people in need, which leads to a needed constant prayer: Alertness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we decide how/when to respond to the needs around us.

Please don’t read of these experiences and ‘feel sorry’ for us or think we live a ‘hard life’. There are many joys in our lives – which will include a traditional Thanksgiving lunch with co-workers tomorrow. We are thankful for where God has called us and the gift of doing His work – which leads to a few prayer requests: For guidance and sensitivity as I share stories from East Africa, especially as the annual Lottie Moon Offering time approaches.

Pray also that our co-workers will be encouraged as their stories are shared. Pray for Jack as he travels this weekend to a central Kenyan Bible School. Pray that he will strengthen these pastors as he teaches how to share our Father’s love with followers of other faiths. Pray for Jack also as he begins another two week teaching session next week at our seminary, KBTC.

One more thanksgiving before I close: Thank you for all the ways you support us through your prayers, sending personnel and giving to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Offering! BERT YATES

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(1) “Too hungry to cry” / Africa Storieshttp://www.africastories.org/

(2) BGR Horn of Africa Drought Crisis http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/projects/view/horn_of_africa_drought_crisis

Sunday, November 20, 2011

November 20th Lottie Moon/East Africa Prayer Nudge

What three Missionary Kids of South Sudan say about themselves: "Our favourite thing to do in Sudan is to play with friends in the nearby villages. We like to tell our friends Bible stories and tell them about Jesus. We also like to swim in the river, when it has water.” Prayer Requests shared by these MKs who are our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice to the the Toposa People Group (800,000 people – less than 2% have responded to the Gospel): “Please continue to pray for God to start a church planting movement among the Toposa people …. Please pray for the Toposa people as they hear the Word of God … Thanks for praying for my family and me.”
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New daily Lottie Moon 2011-East Africa Prayer Nudges sharing how God's children are serving as His Heart, Hands and Voice in East Africa can be found at: http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/
You are encouraged to view and share with other Lottie Moon supporters this blog site or the Facebook Page, Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa -
https://www.facebook.com/LottieMoon2011.EastAfrica

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

November 16, 2011

SOUND of the Week: The continuous beeps/ bumps/ grinds of huge machinery preparing a neighbouring plot for yet another transformation of a single family home into multi-housing units. A great reminder that we live in a growing city - which means that our ways of ministering must always be ‘transforming’ as we seek to reach those moving into Nairobi from all parts of Kenya and other countries – many seeking peace, both physically and spiritually – with many ending up in the slums, where more than 60% of the residents of Nairobi, the second largest city in East Africa, live in 5% of the city’s boundary. Which leads to the…

SMELL of the Week: The stench of the garbage dumped beside the Highridge village within the Korogocho slum, where it is estimated that “150,000 to 200,000 people (are) pressed into a 1.5 square kilometres” (1). Residents are the refugees from others countries as well as Kenyans from rural areas in search of jobs and education as well as many city dwellers with jobs, but without enough income to afford adequate housing. Our visit with two other IMB couples during a tour of Baptist work in our city coincided with lunch time, but the stench from the Dandora Dump site, the place where Nairobi trash is deposited/ recycled/ decomposed, offered us a strong incentive for dieting! Which leads to our…

SIGHT of the Week: Not sure if it was the toddlers playing as their parents washed plastic bags and other ‘good trash’ in the dirty Nairobi River which borders the trash site OR the street kids on top of the trash site searching for goodies – things to sale, use or even eat! Yes, I could go on and on about the heartbreak/prayer nudges of these views, but I must share our…

JOY of the Week: Viewing the ministry that Kenyan Baptists with IMB help began in Highridge in the early 1980’s. With the assistance of local government officials in need of help in Nairobi’s growing slum areas, Baptists began the Highridge Baptist Church and a centre offering training in skills such as carpentry and sewing. Soon a nursery school began and today a beautiful school sits on the property offering Pre-school though Standard (grade) 8 classes for 300+ students from the area a quality education, Christian nurturing and a good lunch each day (which includes eggs from their own chicken farm), as well as training in sewing, etc., for youth and adults.

The SMELL and SIGHT noted earlier were smelled and viewed as the Dandora trash sight is on one side of the river and the school on the opposite side! Today I’m only sharing a few photos but I will share even more SIGHTS (but thankfully no SMELLS) later in the month as I focus on the upcoming Lottie Moon Emphasis – as the beginning of the work in Highridge was supported by funds from gifts to the Lottie Moon Offering!

As always, I could keep sharing as these are only a few of our experiences this past week, but hopefully this will help you join us in prayer. Pray also this week for Jack as he continues teaching at our seminary, KBTC, and as I prepare daily Prayer Nudges (3) sharing how God is at work in East Africa. Join us also in praying that these Prayer Nudges will not only lead to increased prayers for God’s work, but strengthen or encourage our co-workers as their stories are shared. BERT

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(1) Korogocho/Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korogocho

(2) Yates-IMB-Kenya http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com

(3) Lottie Moon 2011 / East Africa http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/ or look for the new Facebook site, Imb EastAfrica!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

November 13th Lottie Moon/East Africa Prayer Nudge

An MK – not an 'international' one, but a 'home' Missionary Kid whose parents serve as our Father's Heart, Hands and Voice in their own country, Kenya. His parents are currently in transition - after planting churches in central Kenya, they realized that those they had trained and discipled were ready to become the leaders. So just as they will do one day with this little one, they are stepping back and allowing their 'children' to mature as they continue encouraging and strengthening the ones they have 'raised' and trained! Pray for guidance for this little one's parents as they do what missionaries must often do - turn over the work to others and move on to new work in our Father's Harvest Field.
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New daily Lottie Moon 2011-East Africa Prayer Nudges sharing how God's children are serving as His Heart, Hands and Voice in East Africa can be found at: http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/ You are encouraged to view daily this blog site or the Facebook Page - Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa and to share the links with others who are supporters of the Lottie Moon Offering.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

November 9, 2011

Another week of questions of what to share. Do I begin this week with the fact that we awoke to another flat tire this morning, a day after finally finding someone to tighten the back door of our car before it popped-open while on the road? I could begin with the humor found this morning in a co-workers remedy to missing Autumn in the States – a Fall party which included burning a scented candle, wearing a sweater in equatorial weather, and drinking hot cocoa (my personal remedy: adding pumpkin pie seasoning to my morning coffee). Or do I begin with a recap of some of the things seen during one trip around our city this week: an almost too-close encounter in a round-a-bout with a huge truck, beautiful fruit for sale at a street-side wheelbarrow shop, not far from a hand-cart shop offering locks, belts and Maasai trinkets, or the amazement/concerns that arose as we viewed the on-going expansion/growth of city roads?

I could add a reminder of what I shared last week: Blogs and photos albums I’m preparing “as a part of enriching your Lottie Moon 2011,” which includes a photo story at “Our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice in Kerugoya, Kenya” (1), as well as “ all the Prayer Nudges from East Africa during the rest of the year will focus on the 2011 Lottie Moon emphasis,” found “in a special new blog, Lottie Moon 2011–East Africa (2) and Facebook Photo Album, “His Heart, His Hands and His Voice in East Africa” (3). Please feel free to share these with your friends and churches!

Oh, I must not forget to thank you for praying with us last week for strength and wisdom as I led a prayer retreat for the staff of our mission guest house … for Jack as he takes newer co-workers on a tour of the Baptist work in Nairobi and as he prepares for a new teaching session at our seminary.” The Prayer Retreat went well and Jack is pleased with the new information he is finding to share with pastors and church leaders, AND I was wrong about the tour – three couples will join us THIS Friday, so continue praying that this will enable all of us to be stronger witnesses of our Good News in our part of the world.

But what I must share is what really touched my heart this week – comments written by a coworker: “Unreached, Unengaged Peoples (UUPGs) -- those who are less than 2 percent evangelical and have no one implementing church planting strategies among them. As our new president says, 3800 UUPGs in the world is unacceptable, thus the implementation of Embrace (4). And I would echo that sentiment -- 400+ UUPGs in Sub-Saharan Africa is not acceptable. Many of us have been working in Africa a long time, working alongside others … involved in evangelism and church planting, so how is it that there are still so many who seem to be without the Gospel … 400+ unreached, unengaged people groups with a total population of 24 million living in Sub-Saharan Africa? … 50 of these people groups have a population over 100,000.”

Closing this week’s prayer update is easy – I ask that you join me in praying the nudges offered by my friend for the Unreached/Unengaged People of Sub-Saharan Africa: Would you join me in praying for these people? Would you pray that their hearts would be open to the Gospel? Would you pray that the Lord of the harvest would call out workers to take the Gospel to them?” BERT YATES

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(1) Our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice in Kerugoya, Kenya” https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150507281490130.470953.685050129&type=1&l=7c093c486e

(2) New Blog: Lottie Moon 2011-East Africahttp://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/

(3) Facebook: “His Heart, His Hands and His Voice in East Africa”https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.134181110019669.22008.133854790052301&type=1&l=4952d896ac

(4) EMBRACE http://www.imb.org/main/lead/embracedefault.asp?StoryID=9651&LanguageID=1709

Sunday, November 6, 2011

November 6th Lottie Moon/East Africa Prayer Nudge

From a young couple serving in East Africa: “We’re moving … and we are excited … God has graciously opened doors for ministry at a university. My hubby will teach a few classes – an awesome opportunity for access to many students and the chance to build relationships … He is already preaching on the campus … Me and our little one stroll around the campus a lot and she is such a magnet! People love to talk to her and hold her and she always responds with the biggest smiles. She has opened lots of doors for us and has helped us build relationships with so many people.” Join this couple in praying for wisdom as they seek God’s direction for serving among students as His Heart, Hands and Voice. (Photo is of the little 'magnet' trying to watch her Daddy preach on campus.
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New daily Lottie Moon 2011-East Africa Prayer Nudges sharing how God's children are serving as His Heart, Hands and Voice in East Africa can be found at: http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

November 2, 2011

As I’m working through a rather scary thunder storm, I should begin today’s prayer update with praise for the rain that is falling in Kenya! There are flooding problems in places, but farmers and those in need of water in catchment systems are definitely praising God. Though the rains did affect my ability to take photos during our trip last week, thankfully we had no major problems as the roads to central Kenya are in good repair, other than a slippery trip down the dirt lane to the Kerugoya Baptist Church – the site for the associational Bible School where Jack and our colleague, Ron Langston, were teaching.

I’m running late today (the reason for continuing to work during the storm with no electricity) because I took time this morning to prepare a special slideshow to share our trip to Kerugoya with you. You can find this photo story at “Our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice in Kerugoya, Kenya” (1). Thank you for praying for us – this was truly time of blessing as we met with five students and others committed to being equipped and able servants of our Father.

We returned home on Saturday night and due to a marathon being run in the city centre, we attended Parklands Baptist the next morning which is near our home. Another praise is that though Kenya continues to engage the terrorists north of our borders, things have been calm in the country since early last week. But it was a little unsettling to arrive at church to security checks and armed guards patrolling as we worshipped! As I shared on Monday in the 2011 Prayer Nudges from East Africa (2), “Prayers were especially intense during the service but the emphasis was not on safety for those of us praying … (but) prayers for the safety of the people of Somalia; prayers for strength and boldness for the secret Believers among their people; and prayers that Christians will be ready to respond when the people of Somalia are able to freely hear of and accept the Good News of the Prince of Peace.” Do continue praying with us that as Kenya goes through this difficult time, shared by many places in our world, that the problems will not limit but increase our ability to be ambassadors of His love and salvation.

Since our return, I have been busy preparing several blogs and photos albums as a part of enriching your Lottie Moon 2011 – my way of sharing “how God's children in East African are serving as His Heart, Hands and Voice.” One way I’m doing this is that all the Prayer Nudges from East Africa during the rest of the year will focus on the 2011 Lottie Moon emphasis, “HIS HEART, HIS HANDS, AND HIS VOICE.” These photos are also appearing in a special new blog, Lottie Moon 2011–East Africa (3) and Facebook Photo Album, “His Heart, His Hands and His Voice in East Africa” (4) prepared for my coworkers in East Africa to share about our work with their prayer supporters– but you are also more than welcome to share this with others.

Once again thank you for bearing with my thoughts as I seek to share with you about God’s work in East Africa – which I feel that I must do as you are a part of this work as you support us in your prayers, as well as personnel and financial support. Other prayer requests this week is for strength and wisdom as I lead a prayer retreat for the staff of our mission guest house tomorrow; for Jack as he takes newer co-workers on a tour of the Baptist work in Nairobi and as he prepares for a new teaching session at our seminary, KBTC, later this month. Thank you for all the ways you support us, BERT YATES

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(1) Our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice in Kerugoya, Kenya” https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150507281490130.470953.685050129&type=1&l=7c093c486e

(2) 2011 Prayer Nudges from East Africa http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

(3) New Blog: Lottie Moon 2011-East Africahttp://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/

(4) “His Heart, His Hands and His Voice in East Africa”https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.134181110019669.22008.133854790052301&type=1&l=4952d896ac