“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date.” Not from the Bible, but from “Alice in Wonderland,” but the words are appropriate as it is 3:00 in the afternoon and I’m just beginning my ‘date’ with you. We spent the day with a group of Baptist volunteers from North Carolina. Thus, I’m exhausted before I begin writing, but it was a good morning as we took them on a tour of Kenya Baptist Theological College and shared our dreams and hopes for God’s work at the college (Jack’s work) and for the Unreached Peoples of Sub-Saharan Africa (Bert’s work).
These times always recharge us, especially as Jack shares his dream of the college training and preparing pastors, church leaders, and national missionaries to carry out the Great Commission on their continent and as I share the need for more churches and Believers around our world committed to reaching the Unreached Peoples of Africa.
One unexpected blessing God has sent our way in the last two months is visits by volunteers. Some are those here for other mission projects and some, like Brian and Jeff Rouse, two brothers, and a long term friend of the college, Kevin Hoke, have been working at the college. The brothers spent a week transforming two termite eaten/moldy cottages into suitable homes for guest teachers and Kevin is helping the college with long-term development plans. So our first prayer item is a praise for the strengthening and encouragement we (Jack, I and the college) receive from the volunteers.
Last week I shared verses from 1 Kings 19 about the time that
“Elijah… came to a broom brush, sat under it and prayed that he might die, ‘I have had enough, LORD’” (vv. 3,4). I then added: “
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.”
Well, that was last week and this past week Jack and I each had our “
I’ve had enough” moments! Thankfully these times were at separate times and we were able to help the other climb from under the broom bush! When I say ‘thankfully’ I need to explain that we know it was your prayer support which gave us the strength and encouragement needed to realize that the
“the journey IS too much for” us (v.7), but not for God when we are doing His work! SO, THANK YOU for praying!
Please continue praying 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 – logistical, personnel and financial problems which are continuing to surface. Pray also that we will focus on the answers we see God providing and totally trust Him and claim His promise that
“If (we) do whatever I command you and walk in my ways and do what is right… I will be with you” (1 Kings 11:38).
One more prayer need this week. Kenya holds national elections next Monday, the first since the chaotic 2007 elections when hundreds were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced, with some still remaining in displacement camps or fearful of returning home. Many are fearful and projecting chaos again, and to be honest some chaos is already happening. We are being cautious, but we have been very encouraged by three things we experienced last week.
At our church last Sunday we heard a sermon on peace and all adults and a few kids (safety pins and kids can be a problem!) were given white peace ribbons as they arrived. We know our friends at church very well, but we have never heard anyone say anything that led us to know how they will vote, instead we hear of their desire for peace during the elections and electing God’s chosen leaders! Then after church last Sunday, we passed a giant peace rally at Uhuru Park in the city centre. We spotted hundreds of the thousands attending the rally and once again this was encouraging! SO please join us in praying for peace in a country where elections are not known for being fair and/or peaceful.
The third thing that truly encouraged us was the joy of joining hands with fellow church members and singing Kenya’s national anthem as our benediction last Sunday. I will close by asking that you listen and read the words of this beautiful prayer (which can guide your prayers) at the links* shared below. Once again, thank you for praying for us and God’s work in our part of the world, BERT
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“My Land is Kenya” is not the national anthem, but this song by Roger Whitaker, a Kenyan by birth, is a great tribute to the beauty of Kenya’s people and the country. But I must warn you, if you are homesick for Kenya, you might want to skip this beautiful song with pictures at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RltL8xqaijg.
Remember to visit the daily
Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, one part of Bert’s work as the SSAP Affinity Prayer Networker which is found on a blog
http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ and on Facebook (
Bert Yates (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or at Sub-Saharan African Peoples (
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl )
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