November 28, 2012

Do you ever question if you are making the right decisions? I did this week and once again I have proof that “the Word of God is living and active” (Hebrews 4:12).  I'm continuing to ‘break-in’ my new Bible by reading it through and marking favourite verses and yesterday, it was time to begin at Joshua 3. I should not have been so astounded, but I was by how God’s Words offered the assurance that I needed – just when I needed it!

I was on my way to meet new co-workers, offering to help share their stories of how God is at work among Unreached People Groups in their adopted homes. To be honest, I'm a bit overwhelmed by expanding my work area to all of Sub-Saharan Africa and unsure of my ability to capably share the stories of people from countries where I have never visited or had close friends – thus my questions about if I was on the right path!

Then, as has often happened, the thoughts and plans bouncing through my head, took a new direction with the needed assurance that I was responding not to my ‘chosen’ path, but the one God had chosen for me to follow as my ‘work area’ expands. So, this week rather than a report of our week in words, I'm sharing our week through today's photos and am sharing what I learned in yesterday’s devotion:

As the Israelites began their long awaited journey into their promised land, “Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you” (Joshua 3:5). My reaction: This is a rather exciting expectation, but I usually spot the truly amazing things that our Father does. My problem is overlooking the little every-day amazing things AND that is what I think God is asking and gifted me to do – to see the little stories of how He is at work among the People Groups of Sub-Saharan Africa – the little stories which I have learned are often the ones that our supporters need and/or want to hear, the stories which touch their hearts and their desire to be a part of God’s work in our part of the world.

“Joshua said to the Israelites, ‘Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God’” (Joshua 3:9). I had noted this verse before, but yesterday it reminded me that this is what Jack, I and our co-workers are seeking to do: SHARE God’s words with those who have never heard or understood them.

Joshua 5:1 shares the response of the kings along the Israelites journey when they “heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan” – the amazing promised thing – and how “their hearts melted in fear and no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.” This is what Jack (as he teaches and mentors) and I want to be a part of – the hearts of Peoples Groups melting as they hear of the amazing stories of our Father resulting in their no longer having the courage to face anything but His truths, His promises!

I hope by now you understand why these verses offered me God’s assurance that I am obeying His direction! After 34 years of working in Sub-Saharan Africa, I know we must have prayer, financial and personnel support. I also know that when you and others hear our stories of what happens when we share God’s Words with the unreached, you will offer the needed support. And that is what I want to do – help my co-workers share their stories of the amazing things God is doing among the Peoples of our part of the world!

Yes, this is long again, but a few more areas where prayer is needed. Pray that God will direct us as we meet many old and new friends today at the funeral of the mother of Victor Kimani, our Kenyan pastor. Pray for wisdom as Jack attends meetings with leaders of the Baptist Convention of Kenya this week. I need prayers as I begin this year’s Lottie Moon emphasis with stories from all of Sub-Saharan Africa. Pray especially for me as I find creative ways to share the stories of those who cannot freely share their work among some Unreached People Groups. BERT
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For a sneak preview of https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?fref=ts – IF you’re not on Facebook, simply CLICK close on the lower corner of the big square that appears, if you are on FACEBOOK, log in!
Or you can view/read the stories of what God is up to in Sub-Saharan Africa at 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa - http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/.

November 21, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!  We had a head start last week on giving thanks and not just the beautiful things we saw such as the one above!  As our early day of celebration was the follow-up of something Jack did years ago,  I've asked him to share our thanksgiving story with you.
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Last week, I sat in the office of long-time friend and co-worker, Rev. Samson Kisia.  He showed me on his office map of southern Sudan, locations circled where he has former members, TEE (Theological Education by Extension) students, and churches.  There were at least ten circles!  It all brought back memories and assurances of how God answers the prayers of our hearts.

Over 20 years ago in the height of the Sudan Civil War, Samson started a special worship service for Sudanese refugees at his church, First Baptist Ruiru, north of Nairobi.  He taught them TEE, found them Bibles, and began to disciples these refugees. When a UN camp was built for the Sudanese near the Sudan/Kenya border, he began working at Kakuma.  Eventually, with the help of other Kenyan Baptists and missionaries, five churches were started in the Kakuma Camp.  When peace finally was restored, Samson became their mentor as they returned to their new nation, South Sudan. 

Near the end of 1989, while we were working in the Rift Valley, Nakuru Baptist Church began work among the Turkana (an Unreached People Group) in northwest Kenya by sending their associate pastor back to his ‘home area’ to plant churches.  Eventually the Baptist Mission (IMB) also sent personnel, and just north of where they lived was the Sudanese Refugee Camp at Kakuma – connections which led me to the area and the camp. 

Later, I joined others (IMB missionaries and Kenyan Baptist leaders which included Pastor Kisia) on a survey trip across the border to Narus, Sudan (South Sudan as of July 9, 2011) and found the Toposa People, one of the many Unreached People Groups of South Sudan.   I still remember Samson’s words to me, “Jack, this is the real Africa!”  Somehow though, our mission plans were put on hold.  Samson continued however and as a result countless Sudanese have graduated from our seminary, KBTC, and returned home to work in churches and schools for their new country. 

God honoured the ‘promise’ we all felt that day in 1990 as we stood in Narus; that we (Baptists) would be back and the Toposa of Narus would no longer be unreached! The reason we visited Samson at First Baptist Ruiru last Friday was to take a young IMB couple to meet him who will be moving to Narus in 2013!  God has prepared the way!

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BERT again:  A added bit of our excitement is that the young IMB couple that we took to meet Samson last Friday is from our ‘home area’ (term often used in Africa) – North Carolina!!! Hope you have enjoyed our early Thanksgiving event, and don’t worry, our turkey is already baked (iffy electricity leads to baking early) and we will share a traditional meal tomorrow with colleagues and friends.  Also be assured that your support of us will be high among the things we are thankful for tomorrow!  BERT
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Special THANK YOU gift for you – A slideshow sharing some of Kenya’s beauty can be found by clicking the top photo and viewing Thanksgiving –Psalm 118 guides you on a tour of scenes viewed by IMB Women of East Africa during a Prayer Retreat - a gift from those who give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151505000150130.597467.685050129&type=1&l=375eb07f30

Remember to view the new daily Nudges from East Africa/Sub-Saharan Africa at http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/

All the photos in this week's update were taken this past week as we visited Samson or as we worshipped with our church family last Sunday or views in our yard! 

Nov 17th Nudge from East Africa/Sub-Saharan Africa

IMB workers and Kenyan Baptist leaders once made a survey trip to a village in southern Sudan, but doors did not open for work.  Yesterday, one of those missionaries took new IMB workers to meet one of those Kenyan Baptist leaders, who continued praying as his church ministered to Sudanese refugees.  Praise God for this new couple who will soon BE our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice in the little village in South Sudan that was ‘surveyed’ 25 years ago!

Personal note:  Jack was the missionary who made that survey trip and this time I was able to tag along as we took a couple from our 'home area' (North Carolina) to meet Pastor Samson Kisia, whose church in noth of Nairobi!

For more daily Nudges from East Africa/Sub-Saharan Africa, go t: http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/

November 14, 2012

Do I or do I not share?  I've asked myself this many times since last Thursday night.  Like many of our missionary colleagues, we often choose not to share events which may alarm others, lead to worry about us, or cause new personnel/ volunteers to fear coming to our part of the world.  But after lots of prayer and internal ‘debates’, I WILL share as I believe it will strengthen your prayers for us and others.

A little before midnight last Thursday night, Jack and I were awoken by the barking of our two dogs (mixed Jack Russell/ Dachshunds).  We live in a valley and can hear sounds from miles away at night, so that was not unusual.
After several turns of getting up to yell at Angel and Gypsy, we heard our night guards (we have two for the three mission homes on our compound) talking loudly, so Jack went to the door to check.  A young Asian couple, who had been hijacked a kilometre or so away and left at the end of our lane, had come to our gate needing a cell phone to call for help. Their families arrived with armed policemen soon after we went outside to be with the traumatized young couple. (Added note: When help is needed in our part of the world, you must provide transport for the police – which is a bit awkward when you are being robbed!)

The next morning, Jack and I questioned our delay in responding, but we knew that trickery is often used in our part of the world to gain access into homes/compounds.  We had debated before going out if this was a ‘con’ job and the thieves were using the couple to gain entry into our homes.  We realized again that you can plan/ prepare for things such as this, but when it happens, you truly must trust God to know what to do. 

We learned more of what the couple had experienced when the families of the young man and woman visited to offer thanks on Sunday.   The couple had returned to one of their homes from a date and discovered it was being burglarized.  When the woman screamed, alerting the neighbours in their apartment complex, the thieves forced their way into their car and drove to our lane where the couple was robbed and beaten.  The family and young couple wanted to thank us for helping them – which once again led to questions on our part of how much more we could have helped them IF we had not taken time to debate the safety of offering assistance! 

Jack and I are praying that this will open doors to building a strong relationship with these families of another faith, especially as the young man’s family owns a shop in the shopping area where I already have two friends of other faiths who often share their prayer needs with me.  Pray for us as we choose what to do and what not to do as we seek opportunities to be our Father’s heart, hands and voice. 

Lots more happened last week, including bits from the women’s prayer retreat I attended, but I will stop now as I think I've shared enough to keep you praying for us and others this week – a comforting assurance that we will know how to discern and act upon God’s will and direction!  BERT

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For more Nudges from East Africa/Sub-Saharan Africa go to http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/. 

Additional photos were taken during last weekend's prayer retreat for IMB missionary women of East Africa at Lake Naivasha.

Special Nudges

Do you want to know how you can “Be our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice” in our world? Check out the special series of Nudges for Sub-Saharan Africa shared today through next Monday at http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/.

November 7, 2012

Another week of God using what I prepared to challenge others to challenge me!  As I composed  this week’s nudges,* I knew that many people’s focus would be on the US elections.  Yesterday’s nudge shared what I wanted my focus to be during the elections: “Ephesians 5:16-20 missionary challenge: Do I make ‘the most of every opportunity?’ Do I seek ‘the Lord’s will?’  Do I allow His Spirit to fill me?  Do I ‘sing and make music in (my) heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God... for everything?’” 

Then Hebrews 4:12,13 took effect and once again God used His Word to judge “the thoughts and attitudes of (my) heart” as He challenged me to provide my answers to these questions, answers which offer a look at our last week…

Do we make “the most of every opportunity”? God allowed Jack many opportunities this past week to mentor and encourage others, often via the phone or e-mail.  One call came at night as he was enjoying a movie and he was tempted to not retrieve his phone, but he did! It was a Kenyan Baptist leader needing encouragement after a very painful experience.  

God presented a special opportunity for me yesterday when I asked a new acquaintance of another faith, “How is your business going?” I was astounded as she shared frustrations that I had once felt as employer/ administrator.  As we talked and I assured her of my prayers, her response made it clear that we are now friends, not just acquaintances. 

Am I seeking “the Lord’s will?”  While shopping (with limited time) on another day, I passed the shop of a friend who worships many gods.  God ‘pushed’ me take a few extra minutes and return to her shop.  As I checked on how He is answering prayers I had recently promised to offer on her behalf, she shared not just facts of her health, but her fears and frustrations! I left knowing that her total honesty meant a new level of friendship and communication as she trusts the One who hears my prayers!

Do we allow His Spirit to fill us?  Short answer:  Several times in recent days as we faced discouragement and frustration, we knew that only His Spirit could have provided the peace and direction we felt!

A special moment comes to mind when I ask if I am making “music in (my) heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God?” As I arrived at church last Sunday, I needed a perk.  The first person that I spotted was a Kenyan friend and her almost three year old daughter, who immediately ran towards me with her arms outstretched ready to for a hug!  I don’t think I need to explain if this led to music in my heart and thanksgiving!!! And PLEASE know: Thanksgiving also comes from knowing that we have your prayer support, as well as financial and personnel support!  BERT

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*To view last week’s Nudges from East Africa/Sub-Saharan Africa, go to  http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/.

November 3rd Prayer Nudge

Heart throbs of a missionary in Sub-Saharan Africa:   “Darkness surrounds us.  Poverty is everywhere. AIDS is killing people left and right.  Clean water is hard to find.  Progress is so slow. Reminders of why we are here.  May they see the light in us.”
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For daily nudges sharing of how God is at work in Sub-Saharan Africa and how you can join His work by praying, giving and serving, go to: http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/