September 24, 2014

“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds

of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert

and always keep on praying.” Ephesians 6:18

Poinsettia 'bush' in front of KBTC Library.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to those who prayed for us this past week. Your prayers “in the Spirit” were answered! Before I share more, I must say: WE ARE SAFE and OK! As you read the following, don’t worry about us, but thank God with us for the alertness, peace and direction He provides.

Why prayers for safety in travel are always needed in Kenya!
This was viewed as we returned to Nairobi from KBTC last Friday.

I have debated whether to share the events of the last few days, but God keeps reminding me of a friend’s reproach. When I mentioned a dangerous situation we had encountered in Kenya, he asked why I had not shared this when it occurred. He said that those who pray for us needed to know our real prayer needs and answers to prayers, even those that had been answered via general prayers!

One expects to see farm animals in rural Kenya (the previous photo),
but this was taken Monday in an 'upper class' residential part of Nairobi!

Now for our story: We approached last weekend with apprehension as it was the one year anniversary of the attack on Westgate Mall. Security warnings had been issued of the possibility of new problems, so we planned to skip visiting big malls and to stay at home once we finished needed shopping and errand running. To be honest, after we made these plans on Friday night, I questioned if we were over-reacting. Then we were awoken at four in the morning by a confrontation between persons with guns beside our home. As often happens in our part of the world, we have no idea what this was about, but it definitely made us decide to take planned precautions!

A photo I took during the Westgate siege which showed
the contradiction we felt living so close, safe and sound
viewing peaceful scenes, as the siege continued
in the mall. A THANK YOU from two families
in the mall during the attack is shared in today's
Nudge to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples.

Things went well on Saturday and Sunday and there were no incidents, a definite answer to prayer. Volunteer friends were in the city, so we met them for a late lunch on Monday at a large mall in another part of Nairobi. I’m not sure how Jack felt, but I once again felt it was safe to shop at a large mall and began relaxing!

I was asked to take a photo last year after the
Westgate siege of the memorial area near our home
for those who died. Taking the other photos touched
my heart, this one left me broken hearted as
I recognized people we knew in the photos.

We met at the patio area of Java House, a restaurant beside the mall’s parking lot. As we ordered, a car moving at a high speed, crashed into several cars only yards from us. Thanks to the security training the IMB offers, we stayed alert and I wish I could say, kept on praying (beginning verse), but things happened too fast to do so! As we contemplated moving further away in case this was a diversion, smoke appeared and we also feared an explosion, which did come, but in the form of gun shots!

Soon after the accident on Monday, air planes began
flying very low over the mall - which brought back
bad memories of the helicopters which flew non-stop
during the day-light hours of the the Westgate siege.
I still don't like to hear hovering helicopters!

Joining others, we fled into the restaurant and the staff escorted out a back door and out the mall gates. Within a short time, those of us outside the gates were told we could return as it was simply a car crash. So we did! Later, I asked myself why we did this, but realized it was what we have learned to do – Allow caution and smarts (which includes following the Spirit’s guidance) to rule your actions, not fear!

After we returned home, we learned that the driver of the speeding car had a seizure and the smoke came from his foot fully pressing the gas pedal even after his car stopped. The shooting was police reacting to his not responding and thankfully no one was hit!

Viewed as we returned home after the incident on Monday -
a needed reminder of the beauty often seen in Kenya!

We were a bit shaken by it all, but God has sent refreshing joys our way in the last few days. Jack’s joy has come in unexpected contacts which have affirmed that God is working in the lives of those who can be assets to KBTC. He also met today with the contractor and architect of the ‘one-floor-completed’ building* now used as the dorm, classrooms, chapel and dining for students. His response at lunch time: A major hurdle is being removed! A major incomplete is going to be completed and donors are responding to the needed finances to complete the planned three floors of the incomplete building!

A baby sunbird which was learning to fly spotted yesterday afternoon -
a baby which had lots of adventures which will be shared later!

God sent me a very special gift yesterday, which is partially shared above, when I decided to view the birds that were singing so loudly outside our home. More photos are shared below taking during my relaxing afternoon - special photos which I am sharing as my ways of thanking you for allowing us through your prayer and financial support to obey our Father and join His work among Sub-Saharan African Peoples! And look for a slideshow to be shared early next week of more bird adventures which will take the place of next week's update as I will be at a meeting!

BERT YATES

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- Report shared last year after the Westgate Mall attack: http://www.commissionstories.com/africa/stories/view/imb-missionaries-recount-terrorists-seizure-of-nairobi-mall
- More on the incomplete building in need of completion shared in the photos in last week’s update - http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/2014/09/september-17-2014.html.
- Remember that daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples are found at https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples.
- For info on how God is allowing His children to join in His work at KBTC, visit https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege. Both of these sites can be viewed by non-Facebook members.

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A few of the promised photos of views which left me totally refreshed yesterday - definitely one of those times that I know was not a co-incidence, but a GOD-incident!