August 29, 2012

I spend hours each day on the computer and the internet, thus after completing needed work, I rarely read the internet articles which flash across my screen. But last week I read one with guidance for handling fridge items after electricity outages.  Their #1 rule: Throw out most of the food in a fridge after more than two hours of no electricity!

My reaction was disbelief and laughter!  Following this rule would require restocking our fridge once or more times weekly!  At our house when the electricity returns (often hours and hours later) and you reopen the fridge, you only throw out food which feels ‘warm’!  Our #1 rule: Never, never, never open the fridge when the electricity is out!  I once visited a friend with young kids who kept duct tape on the fridge ready to tape the door shut during outages!

Articles such as this remind us that we do live a different life from friends and family in the States.  It is important for us to feel at home, to be comfortable in our routines, but we do need reminders to take extra caution and care OR I should say, sometimes we need to remember that the needed caution and care can become ROUTINE and we should constantly reevaluate our alertness and preparation!

Most missionaries don’t include in newsletters that current work included completing contingency plans, but most of us do this at least yearly, not just because our bosses ask for this, but because we know it is wise to pre-think what do to if we are kidnapped, hijacked, robbed or caught in riots, etc.  In East Africa, this is becoming more and more necessary, yet in many other places where missionaries serve this has been and is even more of a necessity!

Example – As friends in the States prepare for presidential elections, I doubt that they stock-up on cooking gas and tinned/ packed foods which do not require refrigeration.  Elections are scheduled for next March in Kenya and we are already stocking-up on long-life milk, packaged and canned vegetables/ fruits/ meats (which we rarely use), cooking gas, etc., in case there are riots and chaos which limit our routines. But to be honest, we usually keep a small ‘store’ of these things as one never knows when problems might arise – as happened this week in Mombasa, our home years ago.  This island city on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast is usually a very laid-back place, but after the murder of a suspected terrorist last Monday, there has been ongoing unrest, including destruction and more deaths.*

But, as a friend shared this week, “I don’t want you to worry about us.”  We are OK.  Jack got a good report from the surgeon in South Africa last week and can now go another three years before his shoulder replacement is checked again.  He is tiring as he continues teaching this session at our seminary from 7:30 till 4 each day, but he is truly enjoying teaching “Principles of Teaching” to a new class of 21 incredibly talented and dedicated young men and women.  I am enjoying ‘camping-out’ in our little mountain-top teacher’s cottage at our seminary and viewing and hearing lots of birds as I work, but I’m very ready to return home Friday afternoon and unpack our suitcases for a few weeks!

We did receive a special ‘perk’ last week!  Due to security issues, I shop more often these days in the out-of-the-way stores rather than the big malls, but I did visit a grocery store in a big mall last week when I learned they had my favorite soda as well as Jack’s!  So, our cupboards at the moment also hold cans of Diet Caffeine Free Dr Pepper and A&W Root Beer!

How can you join us in prayer this week?  Pray for peace and safety in our world.  Pray for open hearts and ears among those affected in the Mombasa situation and other places of unrest and that true communication and solving of problems will occur.  Pray that Believers will be strong ambassadors of their Father‘s love and peace as they react/respond to situations and individuals.  Pray for calm in the hearts of those living in the area, especially wisdom for parents as they help their kids make necessary adjustments.  BERT YATES

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* “Kenya cleric Rogo death: Grenade kills Mombasa policeman” – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19396421

Many of the photos were taken during last Sunday’s kid-led service  at our church Parklands Baptist/ Mombasa Road. For a mini-sermon/challenge video, “Who is Imitating/Watching You?” made last Sunday at Parklands Baptist/ Mombasa Road, go to https://plus.google.com/photos/105343089902291545775/albums/5781271000965291889 -   Make sure you watch the little kid in the centre!

August 25th Nudge from East Africa

What does it require to be witnesses of our Saviour “to the ends of the earth?” (Acts 1:8 NIV)  One couple doing research among the Unreached People of South Sudan are learning that it takes waiting days for wet roads to dry, driving through rivers, getting totally and completely stuck, walking for miles in the dark, thumbing a ride on a truck with suspension problems (forget that, what suspensions?) on roads requiring a new word to describe the extreme of bumpiness, while being hit by a metal object and discovering it is a AK47, which for the uninformed is a really big gun!  For more of this story, go to: http://exploringtheland.blogspot.com/
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To view daily Prayer/What God Is Doing Nudges from East Africa, go to: http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/

August 22, 2012

“The only thing that counts is…”  I wouldn’t say that Paul’s words in Galatians 5:6 haunted me after I read it during my devotions last week, but the words definitely became alive and active, challenging me to apply this to my life, to my work.  I’m sure one reason is that I’m seeking to find a new balance in my work as I respond to a request to assist our affinity media team.  But, I have found in the last few days, that as I determine what I do, how I plan my time, “The only thing that counts” is a valuable guide!   

I also thought of this as someone commented that I was rather ‘passionate’ about my work.  I am, but I believe without a doubt that this is another guide which the Holy Spirit gives us – Passion!  I know that Jack and I are the happiest when we are busy doing work that we are passionate about, probably because it is the work God has called us to do.

For me, that is using media – internet media these days – to share what God is doing in our part of the world and how others can join in His work by coming as short or long term staff, providing the needed finances, and by praying.  Pray for God’s guidance in ‘what really counts’ as I reorganize my work in the coming weeks, subtract some things and add other work. Pray also that by sharing the stories of our co-workers, they will receive encouragement and strengthening.

You can also likely guess Jack’s passion – Teaching!  As I type he is teaching another day of three/two hour classes at our seminary.  This week he began teaching ‘Principles of Teaching’ to one of the newer classes of the seminary.  As he returns between classes to the cottage where we are staying during this three week session, though his level of being tired grows after each class, his excitement also increases! I often ask him after a class, “What excited you during this class period?”  Here are a few of his answers in the last two weeks:

- “They gave their testimonies today.  I’m not sure if they were more excited about the opportunity to share or from hearing the testimonies of others.  All Believers should do this more often!”

- “I just love teaching!  I love hearing of fruit produced, seeing maturity in action or experiencing a student’s epiphany!”

- “It thrills me to hear a student share, repeat or use a lesson I taught.”

- “I enjoy the students.  I enjoy our discussions.  Several thanked me today for solving a great riddle in their lives or churches.”

- “They got excited this morning as I taught about teaching people with learning disabilities.  It was really cold (high 50’s in the early morning), but they were following what I taught.  For some, it was like I was ‘connecting dots’ in their past experiences as students or while relating to friends, family and others in their lives and ministry.”

- “I loved today how they responded by saying, ‘I’ve never heard this before, but it explains things.’”

Jack also enjoys teaching in a different way, such as he did last Sunday when he was asked to speka during the men’s Sunday at our church, Parklands Baptist Church/Mombasa Road.  His theme, “Be strong and courageous,” based on Matthew 10:9-20, provided a great opportunity to challenge Believers to go out as our Saviour taught us to do, to share His Good News and obey His commands in Matthew 28:19-20 of going, making disciples, baptizing and teaching – which includes doing all of this with younger generations who will continue doing all these things!

Jack’s prayer needs this week is for a safe and good two day trip to South Africa where he to have a check-up with the doctor who did his shoulder replacement a few years ago.  Pray also for strength and wisdom as he completes this ‘session’ of teaching with another marathon of teaching from 7:30 till 4 next Monday through Friday.   

Now for praises.  My internet strength has been adequate, but not great during the last few days, but things improved this morning and I was able to download a new video captured last week, “Lessons from a Bird” (link below).  Another praise is that Jack had a great birthday last Saturday, with his celebrating continuing through Sunday thanks to all his friends at church, and though we celebrated a ‘quiet’ 41^st anniversary this week at our temporary home at the seminary, it was a great day!  Thanks for all the ways you encourage and support us as we seek to encourage and support East African Believers! BERT YATES

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To view one part of my work, the daily Prayer/ What God is Doing in East Africa Nudges at http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/

 "Lessons from a Bird"  - “Watching and listening to this bird outside my window as I worked at a teacher's cottage at the Kenya Baptist Theological College, I realized that Believers who desire to share their Father's love and salvation can learn much from this bird. You can't just talk or preach! You must know that you are truly communicating - which means talking WITH others - listening to them, knowing what they are hearing and responding to them. We must make certain that others are truly understanding and hearing our Good News not only with their ears, but more importantly with their hearts!”.  The video is found at https://plus.google.com/photos/105343089902291545775/albums/5779412293053602977

August 19, 2012 Nudge from East Africa

Sometimes missionaries get discouraged.  A seeker relents to family pressure and refuses to hear more about a man named Jesus. A fellow Believer wavers in his spiritual walk.  But our all-knowing God always cares and responds! On a discouraging day, a missionary passed this donkey cart, whose driver was likely hoping someone would need delivery of newly purchased furniture or metal ‘luggage’. She then passed two motorcycles making deliveries – the first one had another motorcycle strapped onto it, the second was balancing a full sized sofa! The missionary quickly found herself revived and praising God for sending a bit of humour her way!
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Sorry, no photos of the motorcycles – the road was incredibly bumpy, plus it was misty, which made the transport of the sofa and motorcycle ON THE motorcycle even more unexpected! To view daily Prayer/What God Is Doing Nudges from East Africa, go to: http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/

August 15, 2012

Once again, it’s hard to know where to start in sharing the story of our week.  One reason - it has been another full week.  Another motivation is our desire to help you truly know our hearts and what we are experiencing BECAUSE we believe you will then be more eager to join God in His Work through your prayers, sending personnel, and in providing for the financial needs. 

I am writing again today from the mountaintop where our seminary, Kenya Baptist Theological Seminary, is located.  Jack is teaching “Church Planting” from 7:30 to 4 each day this week, so we packed our clothes, filled our cooler with food, borrowed an electric blanket (in the 40’s at nights) and are staying on the campus this week. 

Now back to the full week part and another once again… ONCE AGAIN the easiest way to share our week is to share photos of the week.  “Stories to Share” includes photos taken as we took a Baptist couple with a heart for missions from the Atlanta area on a tour last Thursday, which included an introduction to our seminary and volunteer opportunities for pastors and others from the USA in East Africa. 

“Stories to Share” also includes photos taken last Sunday as we worshipped at Parklands Baptist Church.  Pray for wisdom and sensitivity for Jack as he joins a few others in serving on an Ordination Council in the next few weeks.  Among the five pastors on the ordination list, two are the pastors of our new church, Parklands Baptist on Mombasa Road.  Most if not all of those being ordained were discipled either by our IMB colleagues or second or third or... generation disciples – ones their ‘disciples’ discipled and on and on – Matthew 28:19-20 in action.

One story that did not make it into those shared in  “Stories to Share” is the sense of family that we were reminded of several times this past week.  As we sent photos, notes and connected East Africans  to the family of the retired missionary who died last week, we often heard the word ‘family’ used!  I think it sometimes amazes people in the States of how we do have ‘family’ within our mission family.  Our children’s co-workers do become our nieces and nephews – which provided a special joy last week as we welcomed back two of our mission families from extended leaves and could hardly recognize their kids – teenagers who had grown inches in height and become so ‘grown-up’ during their Stateside Assignments!

Jack and I also were reminded of the special bond of family we have with other Believers as we attended Parklands Baptist last Sunday for the first time in months.  It was so special to have time with friends that we had not seen for a while.  I especially enjoyed time with my young friends who serve on the Media team at Parklands and hearing how God is guiding and blessing them. 

Pray for me this week as I continue exploring new ways and new friendships that will allow me to use Internet Media to share what God is doing in East Africa.  Pray for Jack as he completes this full week of teaching, meets with the Ordination Council on Saturday, preaches at our Mombasa Road church on Sunday during ‘Men’s Day’ and prepares for more teaching in the next few weeks! 

Almost forgot!  Thanks for all of you who wished me a Happy Birthday yesterday – it was a great and blessed day!  BERT

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To view the album “Stories to Share - What the Yates saw and experienced this last week” go to: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151323625955130.568183.685050129&type=1&l=ed72ae6e75

To view this week’s Prayer Nudges from East Africa go to http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/

August 12, 2012 Prayer Nudge from East Africa

The “Fishers of Men” team in Uganda is praising God for His provision and protection during the last two months as they: Built a latrine for a volunteer team; Traveled to seven islands to nine villages to prepare for the arrival of this medical/evangelism team; Collected the 11 team members and their 30+ pieces of luggage; Hosted the team as they held eight clinics, saw 1080 patients, had 127 persons accept Jesus as their Savior and opened doors for additional ministry and opportunities to share with those who are closed to the message of Christ!
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To view daily Prayer/What God Is Doing Nudges from East Africa, go to: http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/

August 8, 2012

This has been another week when Jack and I have experienced so many feelings – another good week and definitely one in which we had glimpses of the joy that comes from being His children.  The week has included cheering for the USA and East African countries while watching the Olympics and proudly watching the college/university students at our church lead Youth Sunday at our church.

The week’s schedule also included tests for a yearly physical (Jack described these as not great, but better than in the past) and meals with friends and guests (Indian food one time and Mombasa Arabic food the second meal).  Yesterday found us busy taking two Journey(wo)men and the family of one of these young women on a tour of the Baptist work of Nairobi, which although we never leave the city limits, shares bits of the history of all Baptist work in East Africa. 

My week has included hours taking, editing photos (it appears that I’m a good photographer, but my true skills are in editing), and downloading a  video of our students of our church singing a familiar song in Kiswahili(1), composing a new slideshow entitled, “Shopping Experience Prayer Walk/Drive”(2) and preparing the daily Nudges from East Africa (3).  During the editing of the photos, as often happens, I found a few surprise views within the photos, including a new way that an enterprising Kenyan has found to make a few shillings, a little boy playing with a homemade toy, and two special stories.  All but one of these are shared in the slideshow (Shopping Experience Prayer Walk/Drive”), the other ‘story’ is shared below!

The highlight of our week occurred during our Nairobi tour.  Jack always includes in the tour a visit to the Nairobi Baptist Centre in Shauri Moyo (where he first worked and we lived for a while), where the offices of the Baptist Convention of Kenya are now located.  We had learned that morning of the death of one the early missionaries to Kenya, Betty Evans, and were searching for time during our busy day to share the news with the leaders of our convention, Betty’s co-workers and friends.  When we arrived at the office, many of those we hoped to contact where in a meeting and graciously took a break to meet our Baptist guests from the USA and our two young colleagues.  This led to one of those moments which will forever be etched upon our hearts.  I don’t mean to hold you in suspense, but to best share what we experienced, you need to view today’s Prayer/What God is Doing in East Africa Nudges.

Yes, we’ve had discouragements, frustrations and a bit of fear (driving in Nairobi always includes this), so do continue praying for peace and safety for us and our colleagues.  But as I’ve shared and I hope you will experience by taking time to visits the links I’ve shared, we have been blessed this week by seeing how God is at work in Kenya and we know that your prayers are a part of this!  Thank you, BERT

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(1) Cha Kutamanini Sina (Ndiye mwamba, ni salama) – Last two verses of THE SOLID ROCK in Kiswahili with a different tune - sung by choir on Youth Sunday (August 5, 2012) at Parklands Baptist Church/ Mombasa Road, can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151301793155130&set=vb.685050129&type=2&theater

(2) Shopping Experience Prayer Walk/Drive – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151306761770130.565525.685050129&type=1&l=6b5aa3e3e8

(3) 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa  – http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/

August 4, 2012 Nudge from East Africa

A gift for you today – a view of our Father’s creation spotted in East Africa which hopefully will bring a smile to your face – A thank you gift for encouraging and strengthening those who share their stories and their lives in these Nudges from East Africa. Thank you for your prayer support. Thank you for sending personnel to be our co-workers in God’s service. Thanks also to those who give to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Offering so that our needs are met as we seek to obey and serve our Father.
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To view daily "Prayer Nudges from East Africa", go to http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/

August 1,2012

Yes, I am posting/sending this week’s update very, very late.  As in the past, I will blame it on the internet, but this time the reason IS NOT because it is sooooo slow, but it has been incredibly fast today and I’ve tried to upload lots of things for you to see and hear!  I know that many of you with ‘faster’ internet will not appreciate my excitement, but I was able to upload a video of more than a few seconds and a group of 40 photos in less than two minutes! Trust me – this is really exciting in my part of the world!

Another reason for the delay – there is sooooo much to share this week!  As I began working this morning, Jack asked, "Can we continue handling so many great things happenings around us?"  Some of these good things are things currently happening in the lives of our kids, from a new house, new apartment to a new job!  The other part was our special weekend which I’ve tried to share with you in “What the Yates did last weekend”.  

I don’t mean to tease you, but there is no way in words alone that I can share with you the excitement of the weekend and the joy we felt as we experienced three very different events last Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  But I will give you this clue – all three events did have a unifying theme – MENTORING!  Friday’s event included taking a new young missionary couple on a tour of Baptist work in Nairobi and it included seeing how Kenyan Baptists are mentoring others.  Saturday’s event, a Concert, included hearing several young adults that we have watched ‘grow-up’ and Sunday’s event was a celebration of past and present mentoring of the Baptist Women of Nairobi! Remember you have to go to “What the Yates did last weekend” to view this photo diary!

I must get this sent before I’m too tired (especially my fingers and eyes) from today’s work to trust that what I share is sensible – but I don’t just encourage you, I beg you to go to the sites listed below where you can experience our weekend and share our joy!  

BERT YATES

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“What the Yates did last weekend” at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151290101365130.563326.685050129&type=1&l=ec717ccea6

Look at the right side of this blog page to view a new slideshow of kids from Kariobangi Youth Centre/Academy and a video of the music at last weekend’s Women’s Celebration.  A larger view of the music video made last Sunday at the Baptist Women’s Celebration can be found at: https://plus.google.com/photos/105343089902291545775/albums/5771584014397725041?authkey=CNfZpKvx1cX2tAE ).  Larger views of the slideshow of the kids can be found at: https://picasaweb.google.com/105343089902291545775/KBYCA120727?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPennMCb--vTugE&feat=directlink

Don't forget to check out the past week's additions to Prayer Nudges from East Africa at http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/.