August 14, 2013

Viewed during the EID (end of Ramadan) sales
last week at my favourite grocery store
- specials on nuts and dried food. And YES,
I always stock up at this time of year!

“Every day is probably adventurous in Africa” – posted by a friend on my Facebook page last week. My first reaction: If anyone says they are bored in Kenya or bored when they are serving God, they are simply not paying attention to what is happening around them! So today, which begins Jack's and my week of celebrations (today is my birthday, Jack’s is on Sunday and our 42nd anniversary is next Wednesday), I’ve prepared a new photo album, “What the Yates saw last week,” my way of sharing with you the things we see and experience that keep us smiling!

There are also things we spot each week that do not bring us joy – Things such as families on the side of the road with their little ones who've learned to hold out their hands begging for alms before they can walk, the poor housing that many accept as the norm, and street persons sleeping on the street with no protection. There are also views that touch our hearts each time we leave our home, such as spotting those of other faiths, who lack the love, peace and joy that we claim as Believers.

Family begging in their regular spot
on a busy city corner.

We also view things that lead to fear such as the mothers begging along city streets with their children playing within inches of passing cars. We are concerned as we watch street boys shimmying down into covered ditches, with a river roaring inches below, trying to find a safe place from the wind and rain, as well as the police.

I first spotted a bit of red above (centre) the trees...

And yes, we do also see things that we find unbelievable – such as passing Jack’s current favourite neighborhood building-in-progress and watching a woman high up on the scaffolding, washing windows, in a skirt! To be honest, I was rather thankful that the protective covering on the building hid her descent down the scaffolding as I know I would likely dive head-first if I tried this even in slacks!

... only to realize that one of the workers (left)
was a woman AND she was wearing a skirt!

Why am I sharing all of this today? Because we need your prayers and we know that you have to understand and experience our lives to pray most effectively for us! Yet, like many of our colleagues, we cannot always freely share all of our needs with you, often the very ones in need of the greatest prayer power.

I asked last week if I could take a photo
for our blog of the Green Grocery where
I buy fruits and veggies each week.

BUT it never fails that when the times come when we need a boost, we soon realize that some of you are praying for us. We know that it is not a co-incidence, but a God-incidence when the strengthening and encouragement we need is found during our devotions, during worship and fellowship times at our church, or even through a note from a friend.

The Asian shop owner, said, "YES."  He then
added, "BUT the men who help you will
want you to also take their picture!"

At the bottoms of our e-mails and letters, Jack and I always include these words - “Strengthening and encouraging as we engage lostness together” (Acts 14:22; Revelation 14:6). So today I want to thank you for all you do to strengthen and encourage us as we serve our Father among Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Thank you for your notes which do encourage us, for your prayers which strengthen us, your financial support through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program which provides the funds for the work God has called us to do, as well as your sending new personnel to help do the work in our Father’s Harvest Field.

One scene shared in "What the Yates saw last week"
which may one day be a Nudge to Action
for Sub-Saharan African Peoples!

Please join us in praying that we will focus on the blessings, gifts and joys that God sends our way and stand strong against the devil’s tactics. One thing we continually learn is that the more we desire to obey and serve our Father, the more crafty the devil becomes! And please do know that as you strengthen and encourage us in through your prayers and in other ways, you are joining us in engaging the lostness in our world together. BERT YATES
---   ---   ---   ---   ---  
“What the Yates saw last week” can be viewed at   https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152097241550130.1073741833.685050129&type=1&l=2d8b0e89df . (Non-FB members can view this slideshow.)

Nudges to Action - Praying, Serving and Giving for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, one part of Bert's work,  can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl or at the blog
SSAP Nudges to Action – Praying, Serving and Giving.