Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013

1 Excuse+1 Cyclone=1 Impromptu Baptismal. As an old man learned Bible Stories, he listed reasons why it was hard to share these stories with others. Man: “ I've not been baptised.” Pastor: “Do you want to be baptised right now?” Man:“Yes." The class headed to a water hole filled by a recent cyclone and he and five others were baptised!

More nudges to prayer for the Peoples of SW Madagascar at http://madaboutstories.com/

For more nudges to joining God's work in Africa, go to for Sub-Saharan African Peoples Nudges to Action.

March 27, 2013

Dilemmas or Reality Checks – Not sure which term to use.  One of these dilemma/reality check moments happened as I wrote last week’s update.  As often happens, I deleted a prayer item as I felt it was selfish. But, I couldn’t stop thinking about my omission as all my colleagues serving among Peoples with very different lifestyles and needs also face their own dilemmas/reality checks.

Sunrise at KBTC this morning

So moments after sending last week’s update, I began composing today’s Nudge to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples:

March 27 Nudge to Action from SSAP

 “Reality Check Time: As a missionary adds to a prayer letter the need for a capable ‘Maytag repairman’ for her dryer, she remembers meeting the kids living in this house! Pray for God’s strengthening as missionaries balance their lives with the needs of the People they minister among.” (Nudge photo at right, click to visit more Nudges to Action from SSAP.)

Close-up of girls in today's Nudge - the one in blue was
at first overwhelmed by all the guests to her house, the
one with the balloon loved posing for the camera!

Yes, we can use a capable repairman for our dryer, especially as the rainy season is beginning. Earlier this month, a repairman arrived at our house with only one tool, a screw driver which fit none of the screws on our dryer.  His verdict, a new dyer belt, which a volunteer brought to us.  Short version of a long story – the old belt was fine and the problem is worse than before! 

Foggy morning last week at KBTC

But the quandary remains – Should I seek  prayer for my ‘need’ for a working dryer when most of my African friends have never owned a dryer, including two neighbors whose clothes lines, even on rainy days, are filled with diapers?  Or when I remember all the times I’ve passed creeks bordered with women and children washing clothes by hand, usually in unclean water, and drying garments on nearby bushes?  After 34+ years in Africa, these events are more reality checks for me than dilemmas, but you can see how these situations do lead to a lot of soul searching and even frustration for new missionaries!

Later afternoon  at KBTC

Which leads to another ‘Dilemma/Reality Check’ moment I experienced this week during devotions: “We have not brought salvation to the earth” (Isaiah 26:18). It is painful to realize that many people, including entire People Groups in our world, have yet to hear of our Father’s Good News. As I searched for more on this verse, my study Bible led me to Isaiah 42, a very affirming reality check!

Sunset last Thursday evening at KBTC

In recent weeks as my prayer networking responsibilities has expanded to cover all of Sub-Saharan African Peoples and as Jack has begun serving as the Principal of Kenya Baptist Theological College, we have known  without a doubt that God called us to serve Him in these new ways.  And YES, there have been many moments when we have been overwhelmed by all the ‘dilemmas’ provided by the devil to discourage and prevent the revival/ restoration/ resurrection/ rescue of KBTC.

Jack, Zack and Ron walking to north campus where
the new building is being....

Dilemmas provided by the devil as we are certain that he dislikes one of the new goals of the college – For African Believers to be trained to serve as missionaries in their own cities, countries and continent!  He doesn’t want training Believers singing “to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth,” to the seas, islands, deserts, towns, settlements, and mountaintops where there are People who have not yet had the opportunity to hear and know of our Father’s love and salvation.

...cleaned and prepared for use for music classes, dining hall
and chapel when classes resume the second week of April.

So, I ask you to join us and Jack’s team in praying that KBTC will once again become 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 that God’s servants at the college will listen, pay close attention and take to heart all His commands and guidance. I know our Father can answer our ‘big’ prayers BECAUSE I know He also cares about and answers our seemingly “mundane and not worthy of sharing” prayer requests!

Dyring out hidden mold behind the blistered paint

Do you remember my asking last week for prayer for our mold problem?  We had tried multiple things to rid the problem as it was leaving me very sick, but nothing had worked.  Thirty minutes after I sent the request to you, I ‘discovered’ the source of the mold - blistered paint along the bathroom floorboard – and via the internet I found home remedies to remedy the problem! Thanks to answers to your prayers, I am now breathing freely again and thinking clearly!  God has also answered a major prayer need of the college this week.  His children in a Kenyan Baptist church are not only paying one of the large debts accrued over the years, but offering improvements that will reduce future bills.  So one more request:  Praise God with us for answering our and your prayers!  BERT YATES

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Updates to last week’s prayer request for co-workers who have a very sick baby, can be found on Sub-Saharan African Peoples Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl . Non-Facebook members can visit the Sub-Saharan African Peoples FB page.

Another photo of Little Miss Personality who 'starred'
in today's Nudge to Action from SSAP

March 24th Nudge to Action

Saturday evening praise from Grady’s Mom: “Oh, our little Grady! He continues to surprise us. He's doing remarkably well… he is making a quicker recovery this time. I am praising the Lord that we caught this most recent illness so early, that he has not gotten as sick and that he has not stayed as sick as long. There is so much to be thankful for and my heart is overflowing... Please praise Him with me tonight for His faithfulness and for His great love." Her praise guide: Psalm 43:3-5.
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Three recent posts on Sub-Saharan African Peoples Nudges to Action shared prayer needs for four month old Grady and his missionary family after his Dad and older siblings left for the States, believing Grady and Mom would be flying by air ambulance a few hours later.  For all these posts and other nudges to Prayer, Serving, Giving and other ways to join in God's work among Sub-Saharan African Peoples are found at Sub-Saharan African Peoples Nudges to Action.

March 20, 2013

A friend, who lived beside the Kenya Baptist Theological College many years ago, suggested that on overcast days, I should remember that God is allowing me to live “in the clouds.”  I am really trying to be positive, but at the moment I can hardly move thanks to the layers of clothing needed to keep out the damp/cold and I can’t rely upon lighting at the moment as the electricity is low  and can’t power anything!  Thankfully, I am enjoying a mug of hot chocolate thanks to our gas burner! On mornings such as this, it is hard to believe that the equator is just miles north of us!

Another friend wrote this week and asked about our current living situation – Which is weekends at our mission house in Nairobi and weekdays at a small teacher’s cottage at KBTC.  We believe that one thing that will help the revival of college is the presence of the principal.  We would prefer living on campus full-time, but it will be awhile before a house is ready. New frustrations are still arising at KBTC, but God is sending lots of encouragement to Jack and his staff.

Spotted while driving to Nairobi from KBTC last Friday.

In the last few weeks, Jack has been reading and re-reading Romans 12 and claiming the power, joy and patience that can only come from our Father – Gifts he knows are available as so many people are praying for KBTC and the restructuring.  Pray that the staff’s focus can be more and more on the future, rather than on correcting things from the past.  Pray especially for plans being made for a new area of training for the college – the equipping of missionaries from local Baptist churches.

Spotted in Nairobi on Saturday morning.

We also need you to join us in praying for our housing situation.  One reason that we must spend our weekend in Nairobi is that there is no room in our one-bedroom ‘efficiency’ cottage for our stove, washer or dryer. So do join us in praying that the logistics of getting the available house ready for occupancy will move from dreaming to reality! Pray also that we will discover the source of mold in our cottage and get it corrected as I prefer breathing freely, being cough-free and not feeling so lethargic! 

Week's random photo of a very unexpected billboard
along the way to our church along Mombasa Road.

To be honest, sharing the above prayer request for housing is difficult for me as these seem mundane and not worthy of sharing when I think of all the prayer requests that I read each week in my work.  One of the joys of my work as the Sub-Saharan African Peoples Affinity Prayer Networker is reading newsletters from our staff.  One of my assignments is finding “Nudges to Action” to share with our supporters – nudges to help others know how to pray and how they can join our Father in His work in our part of the world.

Kenya flags have appeared for sale along the streets
since the March 4th elections. Keep praying for peace
as many poll results are being challenged in court.

In recent weeks in parts of Africa, families have been evacuated due to security issues, some with less than 12 hours to claim what goes with them; others have dealt with strong attacks from the devil; and some are dealing with illnesses.  Many of our staff work in very difficult places, such as those who never have electricity or limited or clean water ‘running’ in their homes.  Others minister in areas where those who listen to our Father’s Good News will be arrested or persecuted.  Thus another personal request for prayer is that I have the insight needed to turn many of our workers’ needs into sensitive prayer items that will not endanger their work or those they minister among.

Today’s Nudge to Action shares the prayer need of a family that was our neighbors for several months.  The Rodgers’ four month old son has spent more time in the hospital that at home with his family.  It was decided that it was time to medevac the baby to the States, but things have not gone as planned. As the dad and two older kids travelled to the States, baby Grady became too sick to follow a few hours later with his Mom on a special air ambulance, so Mom and a very sick baby are still in South Africa.  Please take a moment to view today’s nudge and join with people around the world in praying for these friends.

Colourful view spotted in Shari Moyo, around the corner from
one of our first homes in Kenya at the Nairobi Baptist Centre,

I’m sure you expect missionaries to thank you for praying for them, but we do depend upon your being a part of our work through your prayers.  Words cannot fully share how God does arm us with strength, make our way perfect, enable us to stand on the heights, and train our hands and minds for battle as He sustains us and provides victory (vv. 32-35) – which gives you a clue to the scripture I’ve been reading and re-reading in recent weeks, Psalm 18! BERT YATES

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DAily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, one part of Bert’s work as the SSAP Affinity Prayer Networker, is found on a blog http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ or find the FB page,  Sub-Saharan African Peoples  ( https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl ).  Non-Facebook members can visit the Sub-Saharan African Peoples FB page. 

Bert's new Facebook cover photo

March 17, 2013

NOT AVAILABLE – appearing after BIBLE TRANSLATIONS, JESUS FILM and RADIO BROADCAST at the PeopleGroups.org site for the West Marghi People of Nigeria. Pray for Believers who can find ways to “bring good news… proclaim peace… proclaim salvation” (Isaiah 52:7) to these people!

WEST MARGHI OF NIGERIA - http://www.peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=14170
To hear a bit of the spoken language of the West Marghi at the site that does share GOSPEL RECORDINGS , go to Words of Life - Margi: West - Audio Bible stories and lessons at http://globalrecordings.net/de/program/C14900

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For daily Nudges to Action - Praying, Serving and Giving for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, check out http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ and at Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl - non- Facebook users can view this page.

March 13, 2013

Three scenes I will never forget.  All included children; all were spotted last weekend; and none were captured by my camera, though I did take lots of photos this week.

Early morning view at KBTC
 - great reminder of God's Power.

First scene:  I hate rough roads, but congestion and stalled traffic is even higher on my dislike meter, so when I visit my favorite green grocery each weekend, I take a back road which I share only with cars turning into homes along the way!  To be honest, one could get ideas for a roller-coaster from the path’s merging pot-holes, forming a narrow long crater filled with dimples of varying depths and widths.

The view a few minutes later - a view of His Majesty.

But last Saturday morning was different!  As Jack and I turned onto the lane between the old charcoal seller and a kiosk (tiny little temporary/ permanent store) selling candy and a few electrical supplies, we saw a sea of red before us!  We considered reversing, but our fear of possible disruptions during the wait for the announcement of the new president of Kenya quickly disappeared.  We were in the midst of a parade of young kids waving posters and banners celebrating the announcement that Uhuru Kenyatta had the needed 50% plus one votes.

Spotted yesterday - great reminder of how
God cares for us and provides for our needs.

Second scene:  After buying veggies and fruits (from the green grocery), bread (from a bakery), and milk, yoghurt and eggs (from a small grocery store specializing in freshly packed spices), we passed another group of kids. This group appeared to be older brothers and sisters (none older than 8) walking with their younger siblings, some just toddlers.  These kids were not dressed as well as the first group of kids, but they also had something in their hands, as well as juices dripping from their chins and elbows!  They were all busy eating mangos.  Evidently someone had shared their bounty or an older kid had done a bit of ‘harvesting’ of the ripe mangoes in abundance this time of year in Nairobi.  The smiles on the faces of these little ones, likely residents of a nearby slum, revealed true enjoyment of their unexpected treat!

TACAZZE SUNBIRD

Third scene:  As kids of our church were called to the front last Sunday, I was asked to pray for them before they headed to Bible studies.  I’ve been asked to do this several time before, but Sunday was unique – a time when old memories surfaced and new memories were formed as I realized why the two scenes spotted on Saturday made such an impact on my heart. 

Kids having fun during Sunday School...

As I prayed and thanked God for peace during the days of waiting for results of the previous Monday's national elections, I realized how different this post-election period has been for these kids and the two groups spotted on Saturday.  All were happy, rather than terrified and traumatized as kids had been after the late December 2007 elections.  In early January 2008, kids were not seen roaming around, especially kids who lived in the slums, as this was one of the areas were people were killed and families fled as their homes were destroyed. 

... and then getting their teacher's approval.

There have been problems since the announcement of election winners and there is still the potential of further problems as many ‘losing’ candidates seek court action to overturn what they feel were faulty elections.  So, as I thank you for praying for peace for Kenya during the recent elections, we ask that you continue praying for peace especially in the hearts of those who are not happy with the elections results.  Pray that no Kenyan child will remember the 2013 elections as a time of fear and pain. 

Praising God that this
little one's future includes peace.

Please also continue praying for Jack and his team as they REVIVE/ RESTORE/ RESURRECT/ REVISE/ RESCUE the Kenya Baptist Theological College, 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.”  Things are continuing to be difficult, but we continue to believe that God has led us to this place at this time and that the devil would not be throwing so much at us if God didn’t have great plans for the college!  So join us in praying that we will have the RESOLVE to fully obey God and rely upon His guidance as we seek to join Him in His work!  BERT YATES

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Remember to view the daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, one part of Bert’s work as the SSAP Affinity Prayer Networker, which is found on a blog http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ and on Facebook at Sub-Saharan African Peoples  ( https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl )

Thanking God for the daily joys He puts in our path
which remind us of His Love and Concern for us.

Peace!

I will share more on Wednesday in our weekly update, but it was finally announced yesterday afternoon that Uhuru Kenyatta is officially Kenya's 4th president. So far, things are peaceful in the country.  Thank you for praying and continue praying that things will remain peaceful.

March 6, 2013

“I must send money to my wife.  She is moving all our things to a new place in a new location.”  Our friend’s comment sounds rather insignificant, but his family was moving to a new home last Saturday, two days before the March 4^th national elections.   Though the man did not explain why, we knew that after elections in the early 90’s, he and his family were chased from their land and their home and all their possessions were destroyed, as was the church building (burned to the ground) where he pastored and the homes and possessions of the members of his small rural church.

This is what we viewed!  I did not 'edit' the colours!

“I arrived at my polling station at 8:15 in the morning.  The line was long. I voted 10 hours later.”  Another Kenyan friend’s explanation of why he didn’t visit us as planned last Monday.  This was the story we read over and over on the internet as a record number of Kenyans went to the polls.  Another friend thought voting would be light at her polling station and arrived mid-morning, which resulted in waiting in the equatorial sun for hours and hours before voting. Her comment:  “I will go at three in the morning in the future to avoid being cooked by the sun!” Why am I sharing these ‘voting’ stories?  Because I found it encouraging to know that our friends are committed to claiming their vote – even if it requires a sun stroke!

Line at one voting station shared as yesterday's front and back
cover on a local newspaper - one voting line was over 2 miles long!

“Make sure you go to vote. Then return home and pray… until the results are announced.”  What I heard/ read several times in the last few weeks.  The part that I omitted?  They did not ask that Kenyans pray that their favored candidate would win, but for PEACE in coming days.

Thanks to the elections, Kenyan kids have a break from school this week
and one young KBTC resident was outside washing things yesterday.
 I later discovered what was being washed!

As I write this update, Kenyans are still awaiting the results and people are continuing to pray.  The major prayer concern?  For there to be a winner, there must be losers and there is great fear that supporters of these losers will cause chaos.  So join us in praying that the country will not face a repeat of the chaotic December 2007 elections when hundreds were killed and thousands had to flee their homes after the winners were announced. 

Pray also for strength for Jack and others who are striving to REVIVE, RESTORE, RESURRECT, REVISE, and RESCUE Kenya Baptist Theological College, RESULTING in KBTC once again being 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. To be honest, things have not been easy, but we continue to believe that God has led us to this place at this time.  We also know that the devil would not be throwing so much at us if God didn’t have great plans for the college!  So join us in praying that we will have the RESOLVE to fully obey God and rely upon His guidance.

Yesterday, as I began writing this update, I was stressed by all the tensions around us, so I decided that a walk might lift my spirits!  Atop the wire fence capped with barbed wire which separates the college from neighbouring tea fields, I spotted a chameleon. I captured his journey for you and trust me - you will want to view “Journey of a Chameleon.”  It is not my normal NUDGE TO PRAYER, but the critter’s journey reminded me of the journey we’ve made since Jack became principal at KBTC on January 1^st, as well as the journey Kenya is making.  It has been a slow journey, with lots of rough bits, barricades and wobbly times requiring backing up and moving cautiously, but as Jack said when he first viewed the video:  “We’re not giving up!  This is God’s work and we must be bold and aggressive as we move on!” A statement we can claim as we know you are praying!  BERT

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Remember that daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, one part of Bert’s work as the SSAP Affinity Prayer Networker can be found at http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ and on Facebook at Sub-Saharan African Peoples  ( https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl )

“Journey of a Chameleon” can be found at https://plus.google.com/photos/105343089902291545775/albums/5852094050358032353

A Kenyan friend, who passed as I took this photo, showed me his
 'goose bumps' - his reaction to chameleons and their roaming eyes,
which pivot in all directions!

March 4th - Special Prayers for Kenyan Elections

As as Kenyans go to the polls today for the first time since the chaotic and deadly 2007 elections, I searched for a special video on peace and found a perfect one!* The kids sing in Swahili, but all can understand two words sung by the proud little Kenyans: AMANI (Peace) and Kenya. Please pray for peace as voting continues today and as Kenyans await the results.

* AMANI/Grace Wanjiku - https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-B1cmUSGiAQ