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/