March 12, 2014

Spotted on Saturday as we
travelled.  We do agree. It is
time for warm weather in NC!

Writing today from a hotel and we need to be checked out in less than an hour, so this update will be written quickly.  I had considered skipping writing an update today, but we are too excited to not share bits of new information we gleaned this week at the HIS WORD/HIS WORLD Scripture translation conference.  We also must thank you for praying that we would travel safely and on time to our planned destinations over the last few days. 

It was a true joy to visit with Haymore Memorial Baptist in Mount Airy over the weekend.  It was a definite time of encouragement and strengthening to meet with  women who are excited about celebrating the 100 year of WMU in their church in 2015 and to meet with many of all ages in the church who are excited about being on mission with our Father. 

Jack speaking last Sunday! Pray for us as we speak and that we can
always share our passion for joining in God's Work!

Once again (until today) the weather has been incredible as we’ve traveled and we had no problems.  BUT our bodies are a little confused as thanks to springing forward, we awoke an hour earlier in NC on Sunday thanks to the beginning of Eastern Daylight Savings time, turned our clocks an hour back as we crossed into middlel Tennessee and awoke Monday morning on Central Daylight Savings time, then on Tuesday we had returned to EDS time!  Thus we awoke at 6AM on Saturday through yesterday with our bodies losing or gaining an hour for four days straight!’

Acting out the story of Jesus calming the sea during the His Word/
His World conference. Not the most focused photo, but  I loved how
the pastor (Jesus) had such a hard time staying serious as his
church members played the role of  a bunch of passionate disciples!

Our time at the HIS WORD/_ HIS WORLD* conference  was truly a time of being “informed and activated”, which was the desire of the church hosting the conference.  Your prayers were answered as this was a time of meeting others with a passion for learning “how the Bible is translated and made available to Bible-less peoples all around the world” and “how to share Bible stories.”  

Jack's treat yesterday.

We had great expectations of this conference, but Jack and I both now feel equipped beyond our expectations as I use the internet to nudge you to action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples and as Jack incorporates these strategies into plans for reviving Kenya Baptist Theological College.  I encourage you to take a few minutes to view today’s additions to your MISSIONS TOOLBOX (shared below), which will allow you to learn many of the things that we learned on Monday!

Jack also had great expectations as he met yesterday with the Lambs in Boiling Springs, NC, who represent the Fellowship of Baptist Educators.  We left our visit knowing we had two new friends and lots of added support for Jack as he works at KBTC.

Bert's treat - spotting daffodils in full bloom!

We will continue meeting with volunteers and speaking today at Troutman Baptist Church, so don’t stop praying for us.  Pray that we will always share our passion for serving our Father in a way that only brings glory to Him and does encourage others to join in His work at the Kenya Baptist Theological College and among Sub-Saharan African Peoples.  Pray for us in the coming week as we seek to get a bit of rest in between local opportunities to share and catch up on lots of work that doesn’t get done as we travel!  BERT

--- MISSIONS TOOLBOX ---

What is Orality? Why the need for missionaries to use Orality Strategies? Answer at https://oralitystrategies.org/about.cfm.

What is a StoryTogether Project? Answer at http://storytogether.imb.org/ .
---   ---   ---
Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples   – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607

Kenya Baptist Theological College – https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege

What we're doing today - Visiting with this man, who came
with a volunteer trip to Kenya more than 4 years ago,
and his pastor, as they plan more trips of service in Kenya.