December 18, 2013

Welcoming view at Williamston
(NC) Memorial Baptist Church
where we visited last Sunday.

As we speak in churches during our Stateside Assignment, Jack often begins his time of sharing by saying, “2013 has been the best year of my life; 2013 has been the most difficult year of my life.”  Yes, that does sound rather dramatic, but I totally agree. 

During our 35 years in Kenya, we have always felt that we were following our Father’s will, but during this last year we have had a renewed assurance of being obedient exactly where He wants us!  This assurance came from the miraculous things occurring around us and also from the constant activity the devil sent our way.  We lost count of how many times God answered a prayer in a miraculous fashion and immediately a new round of spiritual attack begin.  Then when things began to settle a bit at the Kenya Baptist Theological College, the Westgate terrorist attack occurred (September 21st-28th posts), which brought a new awareness of His guidance and strength during a very difficult time.

Jack posted this on the door to KBTC's
Administrative Building last January.

In our January 9th update, I shared these words: “Jack is at work in his new office, trying to sort through lots of problems… the more he learns about his new job as the principal (of KBTC)… the more we realize how overwhelming this job will be. But thanks to your prayers, the moments of being totally discouraged, hopeless and even terrified are balanced with a sense of excitement about what can happen as KBTC is REVIVED/ RESTORED/ RESURRECTED/ REVISED/ RESCUED, RESULTing once again in a place where African Believers can be prepared to REFLECT the PRESENCE OF GOD and become qualified and capable workers in our Father’s Harvest Field…  Pray also that we will remember that this is God’s work and remember that the ANSWER to all of these needs (is) EMMANUEL!  And that we will always remember with confidence that He is with us and victory is assured!”

Jack and Zack arriving early one morning to unlock the
Administrative Building, ready for a new day of work at KBTC.

Now 11 months later, we are praising God and thanking Him for answering your and our prayers.  This  report of last Friday’s graduation which Jack received from Zack Mahalanganga, KBTC’s Administrator, shares why:

Jack teaching KBTC students earlier this year -
students who are now KBTC graduates!

“We are praising God for giving us, our students, our partners and friends, stakeholders and Baptist Convention of Kenya an opportunity to witness and celebrate a special graduation ceremony this year. As you very well know it looked a mountain hard to climb at the beginning of this year but God assured us VICTORY… this makes me so thankful and praising of God for all his provision…

Music students, now KBTC graduates,
in class earlier this year.

A total of 34 graduates walked and participated during the ceremony. They were all enthusiastic… there was a heavy downpour during the ceremony, but it didn't stop us from celebrating the goodness of the Lord. We pitched three… tents to the front of the new building… all filled to capacity with a huge overflow meaning more than 300 people attended the graduation. The Convention Moderator (Elijah Wanje) delivered a powerful message... The procession started at 10:45… led by the Academic Dean, the Moderator, the trustees, the faculty and graduates… and the ceremony lasted for just about three hours… despite the heavy downpour the ceremony was successful, we praise the Lord.”

The smiles on the faces show only a bit of the excitement
that we know all of the administrators, professors, convention
leaders and graduates felt on the day of graduation as it was
truly a day recognizing God's care and love.

Jack’s response to his friend’s report:  “Oh Zack, this makes me so thankful and praising of God for all his provision…God is definitely good.  34! That is amazing!”  

I don't know what Elijah Wanje, Moderator of the Baptist Convention
of Kenya, was saying as this photo was taken, but we know that his
message included many thanks to the those who are helping to
resurrect KBTC and many praises to our God for his guidance and
direction this past year! 

We are so thankful for your prayer support and your many words and actions which strengthened and encouraged us this past year as we partnered in engaging lostness together (Acts 14:22; Revelation 14:6).  It was your prayers that got us through those “moments of being totally discouraged, hopeless and even terrified” which continued throughout the year.  It was your prayers that allowed us not just in January, but all year, to claim “a sense of excitement” as we saw God at work!

Nudges to Action (Praying/Giving/Serving)
for Sub-Saharan African Peoples are found at
https://www.facebook.com/LMCO.SSAPeoples.

Thank you also for partnering with us as you support the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.  Your prayer, financial and personnel support provides us with the opportunity to serve God and fulfil His call on our lives – THANK YOU!

Bert Yates

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For how God is continuing to bless and lead the staff and administrators at KBTC, take a few moments to view how the campus was readied for graduation on posts added today at https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege.

The special Lottie Moon Christmas Offering/ SSAP Nudges to Action page, which is updated daily, can be found at https://www.facebook.com/LMCO.SSAPeoples.

Want to find dollar examples of how your gifts to the LMCO is used to support missionaries?  If so, visit Lottie Moon at Work -http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/lmcoatwork.asp?PageNavID=111.

We are accustomed in Kenya to seeing the unexpected, but
we were not expecting to spot this in a residential area in
Raleigh, NC. After a bit of research, we learned that a huge
acorn is  'dropped' each year  at the city's New Year's
Eve celebration to welcome in the new year! We would love
to know why it was parked along this street!