February 20, 2013

“Nothing is too hard for you… O great and powerful God, whose name is the LORD Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds.” (Jeremiah 32:17-19). As a Kenyan friend quoted these verses in a prayer during last Sunday’s worship service at Parklands Baptist Church/Mombasa Road, I finally felt peace about Kenya’s future in coming weeks. She also prayed that we would claim God’s promise of His blessings, such as peace, when we obey and serve Him.

Believers in Africa are often challenged to claim our Father’s blessings. Yes, some in Africa preach ‘blessing’ promises that are not based on the Bible, but this is one area that I’ve learned a lot from my African Believers. I am learning anew that when I truly seek our Heavenly Father’s will and obediently serve Him, I should expect His blessings, expect answers to our prayers, and be ready to claim promises such as those He promised in Ezekiel 34:26 and Malachi 3:10. So our first prayer request today is that you join us in praying for true peace* during Kenya’s national elections on March 4th.

“Is there any hints of when the problems will be solved?” “No. God has made it clear that I’m not to worry."  This is His problem.” My question and Jack’s answer during lunch today as we discussed things such as our future housing. We do believe Jeremiah 32:17-19, that “Nothing is too hard for” our God. We also truly desire to know His great purposes and obediently join Him in accomplishing His mighty deeds...

BUT too often Jack and I (especially me) do worry and do try to come up with our own solutions rather than allowing God to show His might, power and glory! So our next prayer request is that you continue praying that Kenya Baptist Theological College will be “REVIVED/ RESTORED/ RESURRECTED/ REVISED/ RESCUED KBTC, RESULTing once again in a place where African Believers can be prepared to REFLECT the PRESENCE OF GOD and become qualified and capable workers in our Father’s Harvest Field.”**

“I have had enough, LORD.” “Get up… for the journey is too much for you… Go out and stand on the mountain… for the LORD is about to pass by.” Elijah’s words to God and God’s response which I read in 1 Kings 19 yesterday. No, Jack and I are not ready to sit down under a broom bush and give up, but we are exhausted by all the planning, moving between our home in Nairobi and a cottage at the college, and stressed by the magnitude of problems at the college. So pray that we will depend totally upon God as we seek His will and guidance. Pray for wisdom and patience as we await His answers and as we determine when and how to respond as many logistical, personnel and financial problems are faced.

“…the LORD says, ‘Do you see this vast army. I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the LORD.’” “But who will do this?” Quotes from 1 Kings 20 which I read during devotions this morning. Pray also that we will be alert and thankful for all the blessings He has already sent on our current journey. Yes, new problems are still being discovered, problems requiring lots of wisdom, patience, finances and total dependence upon God, but He is providing answers and has blessed us with co-workers to make the journey with us. Our co-workers are not kings and a future prophet (1 Kings 19:15,16), but fellow missionaries, volunteers from the States, and Kenyan co-workers. So include in your prayers: Ron and Jan Langston, our IMB co-workers; Kevin and Sheryl Hoke, long-term volunteers and James and Brian, our first construction team; and Zack Mahalanganga, a Kenyan friend who is serving as Jack’s Personal Assistant; and the very committed staff at KTBC.

“I need Thee, oh, I need Thee… Oh, bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.” The hymn that closed last Sunday’s worship service at PBC/Mombasa Road. Pray that we will never forget that our work is God’s work and that we do need Him, to depend totally upon Him and to be ready to claim His blessings, His help and His guidance! BERT
--- --- --- --- ---
*Those of you who like viewing videos and music, can use the following as additional nudges to prayer for Peace in Kenya during the upcoming elections.

- CHOOSE PEACE (Kenya) – a video of a 9 year old Kenyan girl’s “appeal for a peaceful Kenyan election” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAe2lRHg5AY

- DAIMA – A beautiful song by Eric Wainaina, who worked with “kids to make this video soon after the post-election violence of 2007… This patriotic song was used extensively to bring back sanity to a beautiful land that was rapidly consuming itself after the 2007elections.” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh3oKHJ7KZQ

** Specific ways to join Jack in praying can be found at: January 2nd Yates/IMB/Kenya&SSAP Update – http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-2-2013.html.

A special urgent prayer request was added to today’s Nudge to Sub-Saharan African Peoples Nudges to Action – http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ .