Lots of catching up to do today after sharing in our last update (May 22nd) that we were headed to the coast for graduation at the Malindi branch of Kenya Baptist Theological College and for two days of rest. Then a few hours after sending that update, we sent an urgent prayer request. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement as we truly, truly needed it. One of the major obstacles that arose was Jack’s contract with Kenya Baptist Theological College was terminated by the Board of Governors, which became official today.
Yes, our reaction has been hurt, confusion and discouragement, but also an incredible sense of peace and continued assurance that God called Jack to be the principal for the last few months – which we know is the result of your prayer support. Other things have or will also be happening in coming weeks related to the college’s leadership and future, yet, we are confident that as these things unfold, our God is in control.
We are due several weeks of vacation and that is what Jack will be doing in the next few weeks as he studies and catches up on many things which have been delayed during recent months. We are not sure if he will return to the college, or if so, in what role, although he will surely be teaching and spurring training of God’s workers in some way. So our first prayer request this week is for patience as things come together which will affect our future and the future of KBTC. We continue to believe that God has great plans for the college as his children are trained and equipped to be a part of proclaiming his salvation, declaring “his glory among all nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples” (Psalm 96:2,3) until the day when “the whole earth if filled with his glory”(Psalm 72:19). Please join us also in praying for a very important General Meeting of the Baptist Convention of Kenya which will be held June 13th -15th. Pray for God’s guidance and strength for the men and women attending this meeting as they seek to build a stronger convention and support system for the entities such as the college.
Pray also that Jack and I, as well as the current staff of KBTC, will continue trusting God to deal with the problems at KBTC. We have definitely felt God answering your prayers in the last two weeks during our personal devotions. Every day, and I do mean EVERY time we’ve opened our Bibles, God has led us to exactly the encouragement and guidance we needed. One example occurred as Jack was in yet another meeting this morning. I spent the time praying and reading God’s Word and he led me to Psalms 42-43. I know that it was not by chance that I began reading these verses which were the perfect words to guide my prayers for Jack and his staff and the small group now making decisions related to the college. So, another prayer request is that as we and others are downcast and disturbed by all that is happening, we will put our hope in God and continue praising him (42:8). Pray that we will allow him to be our stronghold (43:2) and focus on seeking his light, faithful care and leadership (43:3) as we deal with all our mixed feelings in our personal lives and for future of KBTC.
Pray also for me as my work as the Prayer Networker for Sub-Saharan African Peoples requires a ‘creative’ spirit, which is in short supply at the moment as we’ve not been sleeping well and I am recuperating from either a severe stomach virus or food poisoning which began late last week after our return to Nairobi. Additional praises/needs include that although we felt it necessary to skip the graduation in Malindi, we were able to deliver the needed graduation gowns and certificates for over 40 newly trained men and women and watch as they excitedly practiced the ceremony the evening before graduation. We also had an incredible time of rest at a lodge overlooking a game park where God provided an incredible show of his creation!
Due to today’s meeting I was late beginning this update, so I've included only one photo today of a few of the 100 plus elephants that we spotted for hours at a time! But I promise next week to share lots and lots of photos from our end of May trip with you! I must get this completed and sent to you, but I can’t close without thanking you for the assurance of your prayers and other ways you strengthen and encourage us as we engage lostness together (Acts 14:22, Revelation 14:6). BERT YATES
No comments:
Post a Comment