May 22, 2013

“Miracle, solution, wonder” – surprising words I discovered this morning not in God’s Word, but at http://thesarus.com while searching for antonyms for the word DILEMMA!  In the Bible, I also found God’s antonym or what he does when He lifts us out of our slimy pits of dilemmas – “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”

Photos this week are views seen during the week that amazed us....

 I have read Psalm 40 many times, but as I reread it this morning, the conclusion of Psalm 40:3 had a new meaning.  “Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him” shares God’s miraculous, wonderful solution to our facing dilemmas when we rely upon His help and then claim and share that “new song… a hymn of praise to our God” with others!

... offered us shopping opportunities (cushions)...

Problems are continuing, but as we chose to focus on our heavenly Father and His ability to handle things, miracles, solutions and wonders began appearing!  As I wrote last week’s update sharing our new focus, Jack was in his office opening unexpected e-mails with assurances of support for the Kenya Baptist Theological College. We have not been able to share most of our specific prayer needs, but THANK YOU! We know you have been praying. 

... or simply brought us joy!

In the last week, we’ve also seen one major obstacle begin to subside, a true example of the miraculous ways of the one with the “power and might” which no thing or “one can withstand” as we obediently “take up… positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give” (2 Chronicles 20:6, 17). But please keep praying that this and other obstacles from the past will be overcome so that Jack and others can focus on being workers carrying out God’s current and future purposes for KBTC.

Spotted this flower for the first time
last weekend in our yard in Nairobi...

God also blessed us with two other views of his miracles, solutions and wonders this past week.  We had the joy last Saturday of meeting with Parkland Baptist Church’s steering committee for work among the Unreached Turkana People.  We saw the results of answered prayers as we listened to their plans for ministering to this large pastoral people group.  The time sharing with this group of our experiences and what we have learned during the last 34+ years was an incredible reminder of how God is using African Baptists to carry out His Great Commission as they go, baptize, teach and make disciples of all people and nations!

... growing beside lots of these flowers.

The second ‘view’ was a special time of visiting with our young friends who recently had to evacuate from South Sudan.  It was sad to hear of the problems and chaos in South Sudan, but it was a joy to hear how God is continuing to guide, encourage and strengthen them.  Would you join us in praying for their greatest concern – that their Toposa neighbors will not feel that God’s messengers have deserted them and that the Toposa and other Unreached Peoples of South Sudan will have opportunities to hear and claim our Father’s love, salvation and peace?

Spotted outside a bedroom window last Sunday afternoon after....

Would you also join us in praying for a safe journey on Friday and a great day of celebrating our Father as 32 young men and women graduate from KBTC’s program in Malindi on Saturday?  God has already begun answering your prayers for our strengthening after all the stresses of the last few months, but pray that this time on the coast and two nights near a game park will offer us a needed time of renewal.

...first spotting this blur (low left) of colour!

This break will include my taking lots of photos to share with you in June, but it will also include a week’s break from the internet, thus no update next Wednesday and no new daily Sub-Saharan African Peoples Nudges to Action (Praying, Serving and Giving) until June 1st!  Thank you once again for your prayers and all the ways you support us, BERT