September 10, 2014

“Pray for wisdom and ‘rest for their souls’ for workers among SSAPeoples whose ‘eyes are filled with tears’ (Psalm 116:7,8). Pray for those who cannot reach out and hug hurting children and friends due to required Ebola restrictions; for those who recently met a 14 year old who balances school with being the only caregiver for her two young cousins; for workers with sick friends lacking access to medical care.” Nudge to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples – September 10, 2014

Like most missionaries, I often repeat or sing Psalm 118:24 in my ‘heart’ language and in my adopted language. We truly believe that “This is the day the LORD has made” and desire to “rejoice and be glad in it,” yet sometimes this is difficult, times such as those shared in today’s Nudge to Action.

Another day that left my heart broken, but thankfully
also rejoicing.  This is just one of the views captured
during a past visit to a church in a huge Nairobi slum.

International news continues to tell stories of death and fear as Ebola invades West Africa. The stories shared by co-workers also speak of the sorrow of being in church services where worshippers are asked to not make physical contact with one another. In Africa it is considered rude if you do not physically greet one another with not just a hug or hand-shake, but often by holding hands throughout the conversation, thus I cannot imagine an African church meeting without any hugging or touching!

We spotted several girls in the school sponsored by
the church who attended class with an infant sibling.

There are also times such as the heartache felt last week by colleagues in southern Africa when they met a 14 year old girl who lives alone with her 3 and 7 year old cousins. Before heading off to school each day, the young teen gathers dung to build a fire, cooks and hauls all the water needed for cooking, drinking and bathing by her family of three.

This little group followed us around that day - the oldest
(with cup) was not just the 'ring leader' of the group...

The lack of medical care story was my own experience which occurred yesterday, one that still leaves me rethinking what I could/ should have done and if I was truly responding to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jack had a meeting in town, so I had tagged along for needed shopping. As I searched for the skim milk that I prefer (and had not found for several weeks), I thought I spotted a friend who ‘entices’ customers to buy a brand of yoghurt. As I got closer, the woman turned to speak to a customer and her large face quickly led to my thinking I was mistaken, so I moved on.

... he watched out for the others.

As I left the shop, I heard someone call my name and as I turned I saw my friend, the yoghurt salesperson. Had I not been so close to her, I would not have recognized her without her usual smile and sparkling eyes. She was a woman in pain with a grossly swollen cheek and eyes reddened by fever. I could hardly understand her words and I think, but I’m not sure, that she shared that she had been to the doctor, but the medicine would cost more money that she had.

I had only a few shillings in my purse as I had spent all that I had on enough milk to freeze and use for a month, milk that I could have survived without. So, I offered all that I could at the moment, my prayers.

One of the many kids spotted that day who
left us with a smile and a tear in our eyes!

Now it may sound like a ‘righteous’ answer, but as I’ve rethought this experience, I remember that almost every time we leave home, we encounter someone with a heartbreaking need. Thus we must constantly seek and trust God to guide us in how we respond and how to use our time, monies and resources, even though sometimes this hurts as His way is not the way I want to choose.

Yes, viewing this walking sock/
hosiery 'store' did result in a bit of joy!

I could go on and on about all the thoughts and chidings which have passed through my mind in the last day, but I think you can understand why it is so important that you support us in prayer as we act and react to all we encounter as we serve our Father. Do pray that we will always be alert to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Pray also that we will have rest for our tears and our souls so that we will not become discouraged and unable to continue being a witness of our Saviour, the one in whom we rejoice and are glad. Bert Yates
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For daily Nudges to Action (Prayer/ Giving/ Serving) for Sub-Saharan Peoples, visit  https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples. Non Facebook users can easily view the daily photos and prayer nudges by scrolling down the link.

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Cannot resist sharing my favourite photo captured this last

week - another one which isn't award winning, but it is

one of those that explains why we are never, ever bored

in Africa.  As we approached the truck, something black

kept bobbing-up beside the hooded guy sitting atop a

home- made tarp (from feed bags) attached to the top of

the truck. As we drew closer, we realized it was a... GOAT!