July 2, 2014

One bird flew away before I could grab my camera!

A symphony is playing outside the window beside my desk and it is very, very difficult to stay focused on my computer screen. During yesterday’s mid-day symphony, I quit working and looked outside, spotting three very different performers beside the window harmoniously chirping away!

A photo of a unique 'rider' on a motorcycle
that I did capture!

One of the joys of life in Africa is constantly seeing God’s beautiful creations – which makes me thankful that my job as the Prayer Networker for Sub-Saharan African Peoples gives me an excuse to take lots of photos as words alone cannot describe the exquisite and unique views and experiences we encounter. BUT I’m constantly not able to capture desired views including a photo this week of a goat sitting on the back of a moving motorcycle, his front legs around the driver’s neck and his head bobbing as he took in the view! Needless to say, ‘boredom’ is never one of our reactions to life in Africa!

Need a new bed frame delivered?
Hire a motorcycle!

Another reason we are never bored is that God is at work in Africa and it is truly amazing to view what He is doing. Jack continues to see how God is at work at the Kenya Baptist Theological College and in the lives of the students, especially as they raise fees. God also continues to lead the right people to KBTC when there is a need. Our daughter, Jessie, is with us for the summer and is fitting her talents with the needs of the college by working in the library assisting the Librarian, Evelynne. Hopefully Jessie, who has worked at Wake Forest University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary libraries, will give us good advice on securing a software program to help us manage the 60,000 books.

This photo was captured through a very dusty
car window, but it is worthy of sharing!

The college is being revived, but there is still so much to be done, including putting a roof on one building, paying bills from past years, and on and on. Yet, Jack is becoming more and more aware that the revival/ restoration is not happening because of his actions or the action of others, but because he and others are trusting and obeying God and then depending upon God to act – WHICH GOD IS DOING!

Signs spotted along the way in Africa
are also worthy of capturing as a photo!

Another joy of my job is reading the incredible stories of our workers throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and sharing these stories with others, nudging them to prayer, giving and serving. Stories such as that of a worker who is thankful for those who prepare BGR Bucket Project Hospice Kits as these allow him to share our Father’s story with those who are dying “who do not know the HEALER” (June 27).

We took a mini-vacation this past
weekend at the foot of Mount Kenya -
Jack loved having devotions outside!

Also shared this week was the story of boys and young men of the Jola-Ejamet People (West Africa), “preparing for a once-in-30-year ceremony… (who) came to see the JESUS Film… watching Jesus speak their language.” The result: Prayer is needed for these boys and young men, one… whom prayed… to receive Christ” (June 30). Another story shared how a prayer request for “well behaved internet” was answered as missionaries met their newborn grandchild via SKYPE (June 29)!

For a view of all these and other great stories of how God is at work and how you can join in His work via prayer, giving and serving, check out this past week’s posts at Sub-Saharan African Peoples on Facebook . If you are not on Facebook, simply pay no attention to the SIGN UP/LOG IN bit and skim on down the page! If you are on Facebook, please hit the LIKE button for the page to the left of the words, Sub-Saharan African Peoples. The more people who LIKE the page, the more times it appears on Facebook, which allows even more people to be nudged to join in our Father’s work in His Harvest Field!

Bert's new FB Cover photo - captured this past weekend at
Sweetwaters Tented Camp. I'll share more photos in coming weeks!

Thanks again for the ways you join us in God’s exciting and never boring work as you pray for us, give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Cooperative Program and serve with us. BERT
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Mission’s Toolbox: Did you know that “Millions of Muslims across Africa observe Ramadan, which provides a unique opportunity for God to draw them to the Gospel” this month? Do you know how to pray for those observing Ramadan this month? Check out the newest tool added to the blog, Mission’s Toolbox - Ramadan in Africa* at http://missionstoolbox.blogspot.com/2014/07/ramadan-in-africa.html.

Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples is found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl

One last photo this week - one of the sunrises
viewed during our mini-vacation.