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 Africa – http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/
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