September 11, 2013

Spotted at lunch time today - beautiful view, but the
water shouldn't be there. Time to call a plumber!

As Jack and I ate breakfast this morning serenaded by birds (one advantage of getting up before sunrise in Kenya*), I asked, “What are your thoughts now that you are back as the Kenya Baptist Theological (KBTC) principal? Are you still certain that God called you to this job?”

Close up of the two birds (right) in the group photo!

Jack’s response: “We are in the restoration** phase, but it is happening!  Yes, the assurances that I’m in the right place keep coming, even as I clean up files and offices. (Necessary, but not his favourite work.) Being back with the staff (Jack’s term for everyone serving at KBTC) is reassuring.  They are so unified. Our usual Monday morning staff chapel ran for two hours as they eagerly shared how God has been at work at KBTC.  AND not everyone who wanted to share had time to do so.”

KBTC staff's welcome to the principal's office.

Since his return last Thursday as the principal at KBTC, I had shared with him the verses from Psalm 68 that I am now claiming for us and for the seminary.  “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Saviour, who daily bears our burdens… Summon your power, O God; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before.” (vv.19,28).  I shared that the reason I was praying these verses for us and the school was answered in verses 34-35 – So that we and the school can be a part now and in the future of “Proclaim(ing) the power of God” (v. 34) because he does have majesty and power and He is “awesome… the God (who)… gives power and strength to his people” (v.35).

Last week's official  'turning over  of  the
keys' by officers of the Baptist Convention
of Kenya (BCOK) began and ended with prayer...

As we talked during breakfast, Jack added that he planned on using ‘my’ verses as his guide at the chapel service at noon yesterday.  But as the day progressed, he knew he needed to challenge the students and staff with the verses he read during his morning devotions.

....followed by hot chai (sweet, milky tea) and cake!

Genesis 50 records that after Joseph’s father died, his brothers were fearful of the future. Remembering past events, “Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid.” He trusted God to use these problems and frustrations “for good to accomplish” his purposes, his will; his will and purposes which the college wants to accomplish, “the saving of many lives” (vv.19,20).

And as always, the time of celebration
included lots of speeches - this one by the
Moderator of  the BCOK,  Elijah Wanje.
Jack and Elijah first worked together in
the early 1980's as Principal and Vice-
Principal of Mombasa Baptist High School. 

Jack assured the students and all those serving at KBTC, “There is much to be done as KBTC becomes again a place that will bring glory and honour to our Father and fully serve His purposes!”  He assured them that we can claim Joseph’s assurance to his brothers, “So then, don’t be afraid” (v.21), because like Joseph would do for his brothers, our God will provide for the needs of KBTC as the staff and students seek to be His servants!   

Jack's time included thanking staff and guests for
celebrating with him God's blessings on KBTC.

Please join us using these verses from Psalm 68 and Genesis 50 as prayer guides for us and KBTC.  More nudges to prayer can be found in our January 9^th update** when I asked Jack, “How a problem can be solved?”  His response: “We are doing what we know God asked us to do; we have to trust Him to provide the needed help!” Pray that we will continue trusting that God will provide for the needs at KBTC and he has done since January, needs which have been and continue to be great and in the impossible category for men and women!

I will close this week’s update with words Jack sent to friends this past weekend: “We wish to thank the thousands of people around the world who have been praying for us… We are so blessed, strengthened and encouraged by all including Kenyan Baptists and in particular former students, teaching colleagues, the churches of the Baptist Convention of Kenya through constant messages, words of support and prayers.  God has been faithful… and His promises are so true.  What He starts and promises He will accomplish. Now is the time for… friends of KBTC to rejoice, give thanks to God, praise Him for His goodness and unfailing love… (let us) join together to support the college and the vision before it… Let us all give thanks by our actions and re-commitment to His call in our lives.  To God be the glory.”
BERT and JACK

---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---

*  One of those days when I didn’t have time to compose a photo album to share with you.  BUT as I chose photos to share in this update, I realized that I had to share these special views.  Special Views of God’s creations spotted in our yard this week, views I know were answers to your prayers that God was encourage and strengthen us!   “Be Glad and Rejoice Before God” Psalm 68 (NIV) can be found at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152166340500130.1073741837.685050129&type=1&l=df098961d6.    

** Past and ongoing prayer nudges can be found on our updates from January 2^nd and 9^th – http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-2-2013.html; http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-9-2013.html

Don't forget to view this past week's
Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl. Non-FB members can easily view these nudges to prayer, giving and serving.

Two added photos spotted last Thursday as we
returned from KBTC to our home in Nairobi.

Look closely - there is a woman between the driver and dresser!
Also along the 45 minute drive, we spotted furniture
being moved by donkey cart and by pick-up, both times
a passing vehicle prevented capturing the view. Sorry,
we missed spotting a bicycle hauling furniture last week!