March 28, 2012

I’m writing from our seminary this week.  Jack is teaching the late afternoon class at KBTC, so  I and my computer, etc., travel along with him each day, so he doesn’t travel home alone in the dark.  We don’t over-worry about the realities of safety – or lack of – on our roads, but we do try to be wise!

Once a friend YELLED at me while we were on furlough (now Stateside Assignment) when I mentioned  a difficulty of the last year.  He demanded to know WHY we had not shared this as a prayer need!  My response:  Some things ‘not the norm’ to our American friends, are ‘norms’ to us.  We must accept these ‘norms’ as ‘our way of life’ and relying upon God’s guidance (which I firmly believe includes using the common sense He gives us), we make needed adjustments.  

Once again, WHY AM I SHARING THIS TODAY?  Because I want you to know how to pray for us and our co-workers “in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Ephesians 6:18)  And because often missionaries are unsure what to and what not to share, so we do need you praying even when we don’t share needs.  Many in our area are facing difficult times, such as our friends who were robbed last week and several of our friends who are returning to the States due to illnesses and other difficulties. 

BUT, as we and our friends dealing with the robbery and others facing transition, trust and depend upon God, He does provide the needed guidance, strength and encouragement – often from friends such as you!  It amazes us how God answers those situations we are praying about, but cannot fully share in a newsletter.  

I've been discouraged recently about an aspect of my work, something I cannot share, and this week I received two bits of correspondence which was exactly the encouragement I needed!  One, from a man I don’t remember meeting during a furlough , thanked me for guiding him into becoming a Media missionary.  I know God is busy answering our ‘unshared prayers’ and I know your prayers for me are part of the answers I’m receiving!

Jack also sees God answering his personal prayers.  A co-worker, who is also teaching at this round of seminary classes, shared this afternoon how during today’s evangelism class a  student realized she had not fully accepted Christ as her Saviour – and she did during the practice ‘sharing your faith’ session this afternoon!  Trust me, when you see the students GETTING IT (a truly East African expression) – it brings joys, encouragement and strengthening to missionaries! Which leads to another reason that we don’t always share the ‘bad’ – God is at work in so many amazing ways  that it is difficult to dwell on the negatives.

God also often brings us back to what matters!  This morning, we awoke to no water (2^nd day) and just as it began dribbling into the pipes, the electricity went out!  As I bemoaned all this, I decided to go to FB and share a quick prayer item for patience and focus.  But the electricity and water became unimportant as I read of the death of our friend, Pastor Arthur Kinyanjui , the first moderator of the Baptist Convention of Kenya, and one of the first Baptist evangelists working with our early missionaries to East Africa.  While we lived in Nakuru, Pastor Kinyanjui was a weekly visitor in our home and ‘our’ pastor at Nakuru Baptist. So, today, I will close by asking you to pray for comfort for Pastor Kinyanjui’s family and friends, as you praise God for his years of  service to our Father.  BERT YATES

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Top three photos all captured on the way to our church, Parklands Baptist/Mombasa road, last Sunday.

To view the daily 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa, go to  http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ or find the Prayer /God at Work in East Africa Nudges and other updates from East Africa on Facebook – Bert Yates (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates)

If you have not viewed the photo albums shared in the last two weeks, you might want to view “WHAT IS SHE DOING?” – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150863201375130.521428.685050129&type=1&l=aef67b728 and “WHAT CAN WE DO?” – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150846014900130.518785.685050129&type=1&l=7944f4f7da

March 25th Prayer Nudge from East Africa

Praising God for a creative missionary to East Africa dealing with a problem not discussed in Church Planting Training: “As usual our power has not been stable, so I went to purchase fuel for our generator and Land Cruiser.  Electric fuel pumps are required to pump gas (in case you didn’t know).  When there is no power, gas stations use generators to pump gas.  Power was out today and the fuel station’s generator was out of fuel.  What do you do?  Well, you siphon fuel from a friend’s motorcycle so you can fill the generator, so you can pump gas; that’s what you do.  Duh!”

March 21, 2012

As I write,  Jack is teaching at our seminary (Kenya Baptist Theological College), which always leaves him HAPPY and EXHAUSTED!  HAPPY because he loves teaching Church Planting Methods (sorry, I gave you the wrong subject last week) and he is always energized by working with pastors and leaders eager to learn more of how they can serve our Father.  This class includes a young woman from one of our first Baptist churches in East Africa, Shauri Moyo; a pastor ministering in the slums of Nairobi; and a student from a People Group thankfully no longer among the “Least Reached” by the Gospel, but in need of trained pastors, the Maasai.  His EXHAUSTION comes from the drive to and from the school, teaching four hours each day, and answering lots of questions outside of class and then returning home to do more research to answer their intense, deep questions!

Once again, I’m in awe of how God answered my prayers and yours and made it very clear through scripture and ‘happenings’ what I should share this week – which is the JOYS and SORROWS of my week!  I first used these words in “What Is She Doing?”, the new photo album promised last week on our Yates/IMB/Kenya blog, but as usual I had written too many words and these were among the many I cut!  “What Is She Doing?” is of a special view I spotted while Jack taught early this month in western Kenya.  As I worked one day on my computer at the back of the Bible School classroom, a toddler caught my attention.  Thankfully I went outside to see more and viewed a series of actions with touched my heart with both JOY and SORROW. 

JOY and SORROW also came this week as I read co-workers’ blogs in preparation for the daily Prayer Nudges from East Africa.  Today’s prayer nudge is a great example of when you want to be positive and claim JOY, but you are actually more in the SORROW category.   I encourage you to read my co-workers comments and the joy she later claimed in today’s Prayer Nudge from East Africa.  

JOY and SORROW also came this read as we learned of other problems faced by  co-workers.  Missionaries prefer sharing good things that lead to praise, but often praise items follow times of sorrow.  We heard this week that one of our families must return to the States due to the illness of a child.  They are praising God for how travel/ medical arrangements are happening, but they are hurting as they close their time here and say goodbye to friends.  More friends are praising God for safety and protection after a very painful occurrence – a violent robbery while on vacation.  We are praising God that no one was hurt in a very dangerous situation, but we are also praying for peace and comfort for this family, which includes teens and family visiting from the States.

I ask that you join us in praying for these situations and many others, as I share more ‘general prayers’ for missionaries:  Pray for wisdom as we make difficult decisions.  Pray for a clear sense of God’s will in all we do. Pray also for safety as we travel on not-so-safe roads and live in areas where insecurity and tensions can always lead to problems, such as a recent bombing in one of Nairobi’s transport centers.

Before I close, I must add thanks for your praying for my patience and healing from a cold/sinus infection.  I’m definitely on the mend, though a little ‘dinghy’ at the moment from the medicine to deal with the cough left behind!  One more thanks:  Thank you for your prayers and the many ways you support us,  BERT

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For more photos, go to our blog  Yates-IMB-Kenya  –  http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com

For the story of the toddler, “What Is She Doing?”, is found at:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150863201375130.521428.685050129&type=1&l=aef67b7282

To view 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa, go to: 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)

For an additional bit of JOY, go to the photo album Bert prepared for our church – Women’s Sunday at PBC Mombasa Road - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.136694796457142.24388.100003498676259&type=3&l=92cac2e56b

March 18th Prayer Nudge from East Africa

Heard of the “Real Housewives of…”?  Time now for the first episode of “The Real Missionary Kids of East Africa”:  First scenes include MKs celebrating a birthday by fishing in the Indian Ocean, two others feeding piglets (part of their family’s ministry), and another MK playing rugby.  After the ads, an MK cuts a friend’s hair (possible real drama ahead!), while her MK cousin enjoys her first meal without braces, and another MK cooks Ugali for her family’s dinner and takes her special chocolate chip cookies out of the oven!  This episode ends with three MKs heading to the airport to collect their grandmother and cousin!

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To view the "2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa" daily, go to  http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/and become a follower via your e-mail or as a Blog Follower.  You can also view the daily Prayer Nudges as Bert's friends on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or as a friend of Imb EastAfrica on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa )

March 14, 2012

Today there are no monkeys around to distract me, but I am still late in getting this out.  A partial reason is that I have a horrible cold and I’m not sure if my being a little ‘dinghy’ is the coughing/sinus infection or the medicine.  We did love having a break last week from life in the city of Nairobi, which included long walks in the Kakamega Forest, but my allergies were not as grateful!  The other reason is I simply have so much to share this week.

I always find it amazing how God guides me in composing our updates.  This week’s guidance came in the form of a comment made to the March 10^th Prayer Nudge from East Africa, which included a photo of a woman with items on her head and in her arms, followed by a shoeless little girl.  “Thank you for posting this. I bought my daughters 2 or 3 pair of new shoes each least weekend and it appears this dear child has none.  What do we do?” 

Later she offered another comment: “I am praying that the church, starting with ME, can overcome our (MY) worldly desires joyfully for the advancement of His kingdom. My family does sponsor 2 children and we give to other causes, but is it enough? Are we doing enough when I can still go to the mall and buy pretty much whatever we want?”

To be honest, I live in plastic sandals in Kenya and my first response to my Facebook Friend was:  “Many people in East Africa do without shoes - partially due to the costs, but often due to the dust and mud that makes shoes rather useless. Many of the top runners in Kenya - the ones who make it to the Olympics - PREFER running without shoes!”

But, her questions lingered in my mind begging for better answers.  Then God led me to Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” He also led me to Isaiah 11:3,4 which talks of being led by what one sees and hears, rather than by righteousness.  These verses reminded me that those of us who do trust in God must claim His joy and peace and we must overflow with His hope – not with our power, but through the help and guidance of His Holy Spirit.  Only then can we truly serve our Father and bring glory to Him and accomplish His will rather than satisfying our human desires.  I’ve tried to explain this better with the aid of a few of the hundreds of photos taken last week – “What Can We Do?”

I’m ready to rest my fingers, eyes and weary mind, but I will share our current prayer needs before I complete yet another LONG update!  Jack is at the Kenya Baptist Theological College today teaching Baptist History, Faith and Practices, as well as Communications, at our seminary.  Pray for safety as he travels and strength and wisdom as he teaches daily through next week.  Pray that I will be patient and heal quickly from this flu/cold/sinus infection/ whatever it is! This is likely one reason that I was discouraged last week as I wrote, but your prayers, comments and viewing so much of God’s awesome creations helped!  Thank you for the many ways you support us, BERT 

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To view 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa 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 )

“WHAT DO WE DO?” can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150846014900130.518785.685050129&type=1&l=7944f4f7da

March 11th Prayer Nudge from East Africa

"Last Sunday when my girls came they brought with them one of their friends. I asked, 'What is your name?' She answered, 'I am Abir* and I am Muslim.' Presently we are studying God's plan of salvation. What a great opportunity. The question was raised at the end: (I knew it would come) Is Allah and Jesus the same?"  Pray for wisdom and guidance for this missionary in an East African city as she meets again today with these young women.  *Girl's name has been changed.
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To view the "2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa" daily, go to  http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/and become a follower via your e-mail or as a Blog Follower.  You can also view the daily Prayer Nudges as Bert's friends on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or as a friend of Imb EastAfrica on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa )

March 7, 2012

I am having a very, very difficult time beginning this week’s update thanks to dozens of monkeys playing outside my window and on the roof of our cottage as a I TRY to write!  We are at Rondo in the Kakamega Forest, a retreat offered by another mission group, located near the Fudumi Baptist Bible School/ Training Centre.  Jack and co-workers at Kenya Baptist Theological College are teaching in a new Bible School run by two of their recent seminary graduates.

Jan and Ron teach in the morning (English/ Evangelism), return at lunch, and pass our car keys to us so Jack can teach Baptist Beliefs in the afternoon session and I can access a stronger internet signal.  Rondo has dependable electricity but super weak internet reception - to complete my required early morning work, you will find me standing in the one spot on the property where internet connects sporadically!  Although Fudumi has no electricity, it is on a hill and near a needed internet tower… AND the monkeys just won again.  I think I’m going to have to find another spot to work where I’m not captivated by monkeys playing only a few yards away!

We are not sure if Jack and the Langstons will teach again at this Bible School due to travel costs and the more important fact that the recent graduates can do the job, but this round of teaching is their way of encouraging Willingstone, a pastor’s son, and Timothy, who has a heart for planting churches.  Years ago, there was a strong Bible school program at Fudumi, but as time passed, the program stopped.  

Pray for Willingstone and Timothy as they seek to share what they have learned with laymen and untrained pastors.  I should have said laymen and laywomen, as six of the ten students from four local Baptist churches are women who are strong leaders in their churches. Pray also for wisdom as these young men seek to build a Bible School program that will be self-reliant – an important step in the continuation of the program.   Pray also for Jack and the Langstons as they strive to share as much as possible during their limited teaching times and mentor the two young directors of this Bible School. 

The day long trip to western Kenya on Monday, which always includes lots of diversions, rough roads and super alertness, was tiring, but we were a bit more exhausted than usual, thanks to a long but GREAT day on Sunday.  We had the joy of attending the dedication of Zimmerman Baptist Church on the northern edge of Nairobi.  This church  originated from a Bible Storying group begun two years ago in the ‘living’ space of a woman’s ‘tin’ home, led by a young man involved in Sema Leatherworks*, a tent-maker program sponsored by the Nairobi Business as Mission Team. 

The Bible Storying group soon outgrew the home setting so they moved to another space, only to discover that when it rained, they were in the path of the area excess sewage ‘river’.  Thanks to the help of the nearby First Baptist Kasarani, which is also a young church, they will meet in a tent for a year as they seek their own permanent structure.  Pray for the young “Bible Story-ier,” Patrick,  as he pastors this new church, and for the others on the Sema Team, as they make leather products four days a week and spend the rest of their times Bible Storying in homes, small businesses and schools and shepherding the budding NEW TESTAMENT churches which are resulting from their sharing our Father’s love and salvation!

The monkeys either moved on to a new ‘playground’ or are taking naps during the heat of the day, so I was able to concentrate and complete this as I end with a few prayer requests.  Pray for safe travel as we return home on Saturday and that midst all the work of the week, we will find time to enjoy the restful setting of Rondo.  Pray also for me as I strive to share what is happening in East Africa with others.  To be honest, I’m a little discouraged at the moment, but truly desire to find more and better ways to encourage those already involved in our Father’s work and entice others to get involved – and that is what keeps us going – seeing how God is at work and being able to be a part of His work which does come with discouragement, but also lots and lots of joy!  BERT 

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*http://www.semaleatherworks.com  ; https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sema-Leatherworks/116367071750964

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To view 2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa  – http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/  or for the Prayer Nudges on Facebook, find Bert Yates (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or become a Facebook Friend of Imb EastAfrica  ( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa )  

March 4th Prayer Nudge from East Africa

How does a missionary share God’s love with an Unreached People Group? Walk with a child and hold their hands. Or offer to help their moms and grannies crack desert dates, which looks easy, but… Then ask one woman to hold the date as you try again to successfully crack the walnut-sized date with a rock – which leads to laughter as the woman with the larger rock ‘cutting board’ nestled between her defenseless legs answers in Toposa, “Absolutely NOT!” That’s how one builds a relationship which allows opportunities for sharing one’s heart and stories about a special man named Jesus!
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To view the "2012 Prayer Nudges from East Africa" daily, go to  http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/and become a follower via your e-mail or as a Blog Follower.  You can also view the daily Prayer Nudges as Bert's friends on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or as a friend of Imb EastAfrica on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa )