February 29, 2012

I was unsure how to share all we have experienced this week – until I read Psalm 107 yesterday and found my answer.  “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his loves endures forever.  Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their STORY… (of) his wonderful deeds for mankind.” (vv. 1, 2, 21) 

So, today, I will share the STORY of last Monday’s tour with a new couple assigned to East Africa of the Baptist work in Nairobi, which we quickly realized also included the history of Baptist work in East Africa.  I hope that the photos album, “TELLING OUR STORY – Living out Psalm 107 through a tour of Baptist Work in Kenya/East Africa” will help you experience the joy of hearing/ seeing what God has accomplished in our part of the world – thanks to your prayers, sending personnel our way, and providing financial support through the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Offering. 

Jack also has a STORY to share of a trip he made yesterday with another missionary and a Kenyan Baptist leader: Our family left Nakuru in 1992, closing the time of missionary involvement there.  During our seven years in the Rift Valley, God accomplished great things, including more than five new associations and hundreds of churches with discipled leaders who were moving Baptist work forward in all directions.  However, one of my ‘dream’ directions was not fulfilled –work along the Dundori to Ol Kalou road northeast of Nakuru.  Despite many attempts, Baptists had failed to find a home or reception there. 

Yesterday, I visited a new church exactly where I had prayed and worked towards establishing a place where Biblically based Believers could find a home.  As usual, God heard my prayers and in His time, he brought remnants together to form a new thing, Gataura Baptist Church. 

In 2007, Kenya witnessed the horrors of post-election violence.  Hundreds of thousands of people fled their homes and scattered across Kenya.  This was the 2nd or 3rd  time of violence for many and some decided to find their own haven of peace.  A group of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)  joined together to enter strange areas which were for sale.  They sold what they had left and trusting in God, they started anew in the area WHERE we were unable to start work!  Many of these IDPs had been discipled in their former Baptist churches in the Nakuru area, and yes, some had lost not only their homes during, but also their church buildings during the violence.

A Kenyan Baptist leader calls this settlement and people “Exodus” churches.  There are now three churches in the Dundori to Ol Kaou area – one of the first things that the new residents did! Their next decision was to call upon Kenyan Baptists to come and help.  The result is a Bible School training seven young adults.  They are already mapping their area for evangelism and church planting.  After all I saw yesterday, I have confirmation that God hears our prayers.  In His wisdom, He acts accordingly.  He brings all His promises to past.  After all, this is HIS WORK and HIS PEOPLE.  He is always faithful to those who wait upon Him! And one extra exciting bit:  Some of the items salvaged from the destroyed churches are now being used in the new churches! 

I know this is long, but as I tried to shorten Jack’s STORY, I realized it was too exciting – I have to fully share his STORY and give you an opportunity to join us in thanking our Father “for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds!” (Psalm 107:21)   BERT YATES

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TELLING OUR STORY  can be found at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150812747770130.513889.685050129&type=3&l=8922aa6346

2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa can be found at http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ or find the Prayer Nudges and other updates from East Africa on Facebook – Bert Yates (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or become a Facebook Friend of Imb EastAfrica  ( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa )