July 16, 2014

Possibly the first hymn I learned word for word was “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations,” the theme song for GA’s, the WMU missions program for girls. I can still remember singing and dreaming of going to share God’s story to the nations. As I mentally prepared for today’s newsletter, I realized that I likely never thought that one way missionaries tell the story is by reporting stories back to the States of how “the world's… peoples” are turning “their hearts to the right.” But, that is now my job and I love it!

Thanks for your prayers for me as I learn to use my new camera!
I'm thankful that God gifted people to create
camera manuals for people like me!

I get to re-share the stories shared by co-workers among Sub-Saharan African Peoples. This week’s stories included an IMB worker’s belief “that things can, and will, get better… through changed hearts and minds” in South Sudan, a nation of “war, poverty and famine… hopelessness” (July 10) and the story of a missionary’s double blessing of a fish head stew lunch and watching as “20 new Believers responded as his national partners shared the truth of Jesus" among an Unreached People (July 14).

Not the photo used in today's Nudge to
Action for SSAPeoples, but it does
illustrate our need for prayers while travelling!

I also was blessed as I read and shared a co-worker’s story of the results of the ministry of “International World Changers team” and their ongoing story and need for prayers as they “follow up on over 50 people who either repented (Praise God) or want a visit" (July 15). To view today’s shared story, a story of thanksgiving for answered prayer, and others,visit Sub-Saharan African Peoples.  If you’re not a FB member, simply scroll past the SIGN UP/LOG IN bit!

Commissioning of volunteers going on leave by KBTC staff.

Another part of my job is sharing Jack’s stories and those of the Kenya Baptist Theological College. Yesterday I had the joy of taking photos to help share KBTC’s story in Kenya and in the USA. To view more of this story of the KBTC staff commissioning volunteers to share their story while on a short leave in the States and other stories from KBTC, visit KBTC’s Facebook page.

While having devotions one morning, I looked out
the window and thought how things have changed
in Kenya since the attack on the Westgate Mall -
the mall is the cream bit above the peaked roof .

This past weekend I helped Jack share a story on KBTC’s Facebook page which was not one of joy, but the story Hope over fear found in Kenya after attacks which was shared by Baptist Press and by the IMB definitely nudged people to prayer. These stories also shared of the news we shared with you last week of the death of Enos Weswah, a former principal of KBTC.

Pastor  Thiuru, a "great friend of KBTC" and a past
moderator of the BCOK, would have loved this photo
 taken yesterday of KBTC's library and office buildings. 

On Sunday we shared more sad news, the death of another Baptist Convention of Kenya leader, Daniel Thiuri. What we will remember and continue sharing Rev. Thiuri’s stories of how God worked in his life (he caught the attention of one of our early workers in East Africa who not only told him of God’s love, but discipled him and allowed him to become a co-worker) and his traditional tales of old Kenya (his People once placed tobacco leaves on top of graves to keep hyenas from attacking the grave – he always ended this story by sharing that hyenas were smarter than people – they avoided tobacco).

Pastor Thiuri would have been able to identify this
bird (and known I didn't have a clue) which I spotted
 in the poinsettia beside the buildings yesterday!

Pray for us as our story this next week will include times of thanking God for the lives of Pastors Weswah and Thiuri. Join us in praying for comfort and peace for their wives and children, both their physical and spiritual children.

We worshipped at Parklands Baptist Church last
Sunday and had the joy of joining Believers from
around the world in praying for the nations.
Don't overlook the added photos after the links!

Our praise includes another bit I overlooked when singing “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” as a child. We are thankful for those in Africa who have lifted “their hearts to the Lord,” our African brothers and sisters who are telling our Father’s “story of truth and mercy… story of peace and light” to their own people and the peoples of other nations. We also thank God for you and for allowing us to share our stories with you, stories which are also your stories as you pray, give and serve with us. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- ---
We've a story to tell to the nations – http://lyrics.bandwidthbeta.com/johnpattison/weve-a-story-to-tell-to-the-nations
Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607
KBTC on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege
BAPTIST PRESS: Hope over fear found in Kenya after attacks – http://www.bpnews.net/42951/hope-over-fear-found-in-kenya-after-attacks
IMB: Work continues in Kenya despite terrorist attacks – http://www.commissionstories.com/africa/stories/view/work-continues-in-kenya-despite-terrorist-attacks

Spotted along the way to KBTC yesterday for the
commissioning service/ meal with the staff., where... 

...we were served AND ATE GOAT, LAMB, chicken, rice,
ugali (cooked corn meal) potatoes, rice, cabbage,
irio (like green hot potato salad) and chapati.
Fruits were served for dessert!

And, NO, we were not tempted to stop along the way home for a snack!