July 10, 2013

Nairobi - a city with lots of people, vehicles, and tall
buildings, as well as lots and lots of colour! This
and the next few photos were taken as we took
diversions to our church last Sunday.

“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever” (Psalm 145:1,2). As I read the psalms, I often question the writer’s use of the word WILL. Is he saying he WILL willingly and eagerly do the action? Or is a bit of effort needed, resulting in I WILL force myself do this thing which I should do?

A city with lots of street-side vendors selling sugary
snacks as well as healthy bananas...

This has been a week when praising our Father and extolling his name has been the willing/eager action on our part, a week of seeing His greatness and eagerly desiring to praise His works and tell of his mighty acts (v.4). We experienced this last Sunday, although getting to church was a bit difficult this week thanks to a marathon blocking movement east of the city, where Parklands Baptist/Mombasa Road is located.

... and a special favourite, roasted corn.

But after many diversions as we moved around the blocked roads, it was truly amazing to hear testimonies of His “abundant goodness and (to) joyfully sing of (His) righteousness” (v.7) with African Believers! We were blessed to hear a sermon in which we were challenged: God has invested a great deal in your life. What are you doing to allow His investment to fulfill His purpose?

One can also purchase clothing, new and used. The choices
will increase after the sacks are emptied and displayed
on the lower row of barbed wire fencing.

Which leads to two always needed prayer nudges for missionaries: Pray for encouragement and strengthening for missionaries ministering among Unreached Peoples as they often lack the opportunity to worship weekly with fellow mature Believers who know “of the glory of HIS kingdom and speak of HIS might” (v.11). Pray also that as we serve our Father, which can lead to exhaustion and even frustration and discouragement, we will never forget that He wants “all men may know of HIS mighty acts and the glorious splendor of HIS kingdom” (v.12).

Handmade furniture can also be bought along the roadside
and yes, some of the furniture in our home was purchased
at road-side shops.

We are also praising God for the opportunities we’ve had this week to be with volunteers, which included Jack showing one medical team what God is doing through His Kenyan Baptist servants at SEMA Leatherworks and the Kariobangi Baptist Youth Centre. We also spent time with volunteers who are serving at the Kenya Baptist Theological College. One of the joys of sharing these ministries with Baptist volunteers is showing them the results of their investments in prayer and giving as all of these were begun by IMB missionaries thanks to gifts given to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, the Cooperative Program and to Baptist Global Response!

We were not surprised when last Sunday's marathon blockages
resulted in the 3 lanes on our side of the road becoming five lanes.
The big truck coming in the wrong direction did surprise us!

We also visited last night with a special group of volunteers – family members of a young couple from North Carolina who serve among Unreached Peoples in northern Kenya and in South Sudan. It was truly a time of praising our Father as they shared how the Turkana and Toposa peoples are responding to His Good News!

We did finally arrive at church, a little late, but in time
for a short visit with the toddler Sunday School class...

I could go on sharing our praises and prayer needs, but I will stop now and share only these current requests: Please continue joining us in praying for the Kenya Baptist Theological College as decisions are made related to the college’s leadership and future in training and equipping God’s workers in East Africa. Pray that we will clearly see and know God’s desire for Jack’s involvement at KBTC. Pray for me as I nudge you and others to action for the peoples of Sub-Saharan Africa, especially during Ramadan, a special time when more than one billion people in our world are fasting, praying and seeking the true source of forgiveness of their sins and eternal life. BERT YATES