May 7, 2014

Two down and four to go – the count-down for packing suitcases for next Tuesday's flight.  NO, a local moving company is not aiding our packing and return to Kenya, but viewing this truck was one of those 'teaching' moments that I know was straight from God!  

Last week, as I worried if everything, including lots of clothes that will keep us warm when we move 'up' (1500+ feet higher) to housing at the Kenya Baptist Theological College, would fit in our luggage, I spotted this vehicle parked near our borrowed mission home!  I should add that the truck was close, but not that close, and I don't need new glasses!  My comment to Jack: I hoped the young ‘movers’ knew what they were doing as the lamp would be in tatters when they closed-up the truck and moved on!  The next morning as the truck left, I realized that the back door was closed and the lamp and nearby 'ready to roll' basketball was PAINTED ON THE TRUCK!  

Viewing this beauty last week was another reminder
from God to stop worrying and trust Him!

The lesson I learned? I have been praying for peace and a lack of stress as we pack and I have asked others to pray for us, THUS I need to trust answered prayers and stop worrying and expecting imagined problems. But please don't stop praying as we zip-up the remaining suitcases and say our farewells to family and friends.

Jack is eager to get back to his office at KBTC!

Pray for us also as Jack continues linking with future volunteers and others concerned for KBTC.  Pray that he will always clearly share the vision God has given him of how the seminary can train African men and women to carry out our Saviour's Great Commission.  Begin praying also for physical, emotional and spiritual strength as he returns to his work next week on the KBTC campus.  

Old photo used in last Sunday's Nudge to Action
for Sub-Saharan African Peoples.  Bert is looking
forward to getting back to Kenya and taking lots
of new photos to share what God is doing in Africa!

Pray for me during this time of transition as continue nudging you and others to action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples (1).  Pray that I will use my time wisely and be stress-free as we prepare to leave the States and as we resettle in life in Kenya.  We learned today that the room where our personal items are stored in our home in Nairobi has been attacked by ants.  So a 'unique' item needs to be added to your prayer list: Pray that the damage is minimal and that the exterminators can rid the house of these damaging irritants and not add to the list of things to be done upon our return!

If you keep-up with international news, you may know that Kenya is experiencing new threats by terrorists (2). Join us in praying that calm will quickly return to Kenya and leaders will make wise decisions that lead to long-term resolutions.  Please continue praying that the more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls abducted in mid-April will be found and returned to their families (3).  Pray that during difficult times African believers will be bold and strong proclaimers of the true source of peace.

I do have a bit of good news.  If you would like to join others in learning and sharing best practices for missions, check out the new post at the Missions Toolbox (4), which shares a new way to connect with others with a heart for being at work in our Father’s harvest field!

I will not be posting an update next week as we return to Kenya, so keep praying for the needs shared this week.  Remember that we are depending upon your prayer support – so, now I’m going to stop worrying and start claiming your answered prayers and go fill and close those last four suitcases!  BERT

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(1) Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607

(2) Kenya buses hit by deadly twin blasts in Nairobi - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27277811

(3)  Nigeria abducted schoolgirls: Police reward offered - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27310183

(4) Missions Toolbox - http://missionstoolbox.blogspot.com/