March 5, 2014

Sitting today at my makeshift work space on the dining room table at our borrowed mission home and listening to Christian music on the internet.  I do miss my private work space (a closet, left photo) in Nairobi, but I love having strong unlimited internet while in the States and listening to music as I work. 

Yes, all our going and doing is a bit exhausting, but we truly love travelling around to share what God is doing in Africa and visiting with old and new friends. It may sound trivial, but please join us in praying that we will not only travel safely, but get to our destination on time (Translated: Without getting lost).  Though we have explored new routes (Jack’s definition for ‘getting lost’) twice now, God has somehow guided us in the right direction and we arrived with time to spare!

It was a joy last Sunday to celebrate
the annual WMU Focus Sunday
at Earlys Baptist Church.

After we took a few of those new routes, we did arrive at Earlys Baptist Church (Ahoskie, NC) last Sunday and were able to laugh at Jack’s method of finding the church.  When our GPS tracking device was inaccurate, Jack reverted to his way of finding places in Kenya.  Using the sun, he figured out our north/ south/ east/ west bearings and headed on the road that which he expected the church to be and within a mile, the church appeared! 

Continue joining us this coming week in praying that we will clearly and boldly share what God is doing at the Kenya Baptist Theological College (Jack) and among Sub-Saharan African Peoples (Bert) and how others can join in His work through prayer, giving and serving.  Pray also for safety as we begin another long trip next Saturday which will include meeting with a church group (Winston-Salem, NC) desiring more information on serving God in Kenya, speaking at a WMU banquet on Saturday night and two worship services on Sunday in Mount Airy.  That afternoon we will head to Tennessee for a HIS WORD/_ HIS WORLD* conference on Monday!  On Tuesday we will return to North Carolina to visit Gardner Webb University to share what is happening at KBTC, before heading on to Troutman, NC, where we will meet a group who have already served as volunteers in Kenya and speak at their church.  

Special photo from the past - Taken at the
dedication of Zimmerman Baptist Church,
a new church plant.  One of the two visible
Bibles is in English, the other in Kiswahili.

Yes, a lot of miles, but we have lots of stories to share of what God is up to in Kenya and all of Sub-Saharan Africa and we want others to know the joy that comes from serving our Father and watching what He can do!  We are especially excited about next Monday’s HIS WORD/HIS WORLD conference and joining with others who share our 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.” A strategic part of Jack’s vision for the revived Kenya Baptist Theological College is a Missions School where African Believers can receive training in the things that will be shared at this scripture translation conference, thus the reason for redoing our schedule and registering for this conference when we learned of it a few days ago.

Another special photo from the past recently
edited for use as a  Nudge to Action for
Sub-Saharan African Peoples.  Remember
to check out this past week's nudges!

Thanks again for the many ways you strengthen and encourage us through your prayers, giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Cooperative Program, and sending personnel our way.  Thank you also for taking time to view the links listed below which can be added to your Mission ToolBox.  Yes, preparing this does lead to added work on my part, but we want you to share in the joy that comes from joining our Father in His work!  BERT

--- MISSIONS TOOLBOX ---

Population Clock – Download the IMB’s “population clock as a visual reminder that to get the Gospel to every last unreached people group, we must be totally His – and totally His heart, hands and voice! The clock updates itself as the population – including those without Christ – increases.” Found at http://www.imb.org/main/give/page.asp?StoryID=8709&LanguageID=1709.

Quick View of the Population Clock at http://master.media.imbresources.org/files/179/17983/17983-100088.swf.

(A MISSIONS TOOLBOX section is found as a 'tab' under the Yates-IMB-Kenya&SSAP blog heading.)

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More on the HIS WORD/HIS WORLD scripture translation conference at http://www.brentwoodbaptist.com/brentwood/announcements/2014/02-25/scripture-translation-conference.