September 3, 2014

“That's the beauty in what God has created… the Southern Baptist Convention… 40,000-plus churches working together, and the IMB… focused on reaching unreached peoples with the Gospel… helping fuel that groundswell of disciples being made, churches being planted and missionaries being sent, all to the end that the mission is being accomplished…

"I believe in… sustaining a movement of local churches planting churches around the world. The potential is just massive; it's overwhelming. If we're really engaged in partnering with churches around the world, we can be a part of seeing every unreached people group reached with the Gospel."

These are not Jack’s or my words, but we totally agree with these statements shared by David Platt, the new president of the International Mission Board, which is our employer and our sender. We also fully agree with his closing words in 2nd VIEW: Platt looks ahead to mission challenges.

"It's not cooperation for the sake of cooperation; the goal is seeing more people reached with the Gospel. The goal is seeing disciples made and churches multiplied. When you give to Lottie Moon, you're giving to an offering that is fueling and sustaining a movement for all eternity. That's worth giving to."

You may not remember, but our last update was about change being a constant in the lives of missionaries. Thus, I found it a bit humorous that as I shut down my computer, after asking you to pray for us and co-workers as we embrace change, I spotted the news of the IMB having a new leader!

One thing that has not changed with our week-day move to the
KBTC campus is that I can still view birds from my 'home office'.

Many have asked how we feel about this change and if we fear having a young ‘boss’! Quoting last week’s update, we are truly eager to “embrace (this new) change and (WE) revel in the excitement of it.” Our 36 years with the IMB has included many times of change, thus we know there will be moments of ‘exhaustion’ and being ‘overwhelmed’ as we embrace another major change in expectations/ strategies/ etc., of the IMB. So pray for peace, joy and clarity as upcoming changes become a reality.

Not an awarding winning photo captured from our
bedroom window, but definitely a colourful photo!

Pray that we will remember always there is “One who never changes” and that we allow nothing to deter us from resting in His embrace and putting our hope and trust in Him, last week’s prayer requests.

I wondered why these wild flowers began to look a bit tattered!

Pray that we will always keep our focus on the One who wants His children to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV). Pray that Jack and I will always treasure the opportunity we are offered by you and others who give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program which allows us to be a part of proclaiming the eternal gospel to all “who live on earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6).

And yes, some birds still watch me as I watch them!

We are thankful for our assignments with the IMB which allow us to be a part of fulfilling our Father’s plan for eternal life for all who believe in Him! As the Principal of KBTC, Jack is excited about the opportunities of the Kenya Baptist Theological College to strengthen and encourage African Believers with a heart for serving and obeying our Father and sharing His salvation. I continue to thank God for the opportunity I have as the Prayer Networker for the Sub-Saharan African Affinity (3) to share what God is doing and how others can join in His work! AND I cannot close this update without thanking you for being our co-workers as you join in His work by praying, giving and serving! BERT YATES
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(1) 2nd VIEW: Platt looks ahead to mission challenges - http://www.bpnews.net/43271/2nd-view-platt-looks-ahead-to-mission-challenges
(2) August 26th post at https://www.facebook.com/WomensMissions
(3) Daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, including stories from the hearts of our workers, are found at https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples.

Another current change in our lives is living in the country-side
during the week (on the KBTC campus in a cottage).  Driving is much
easier than in Nairobi, though twice last week I was stuck
in traffic jams caused  by misbehaving donkeys!

Though, we do often see animals in Nairobi, where we now
reside each weekend, such as these goats who live near our church.

We arrived at church a bit later than expected last week as we
joined in this procession... 

... which we passed very cautiously.

Then as we left church, we spotted this critter obeying traffic rules
better than most of the vehicles!

And this view, which we spot often, truly leaves me astounded.
If this critter chose to not cross the Mombasa-Nairobi highway, but
walk with traffic to the east, it would arrive at the Indian Ocean.
It if walked to the left (west), which would take a while,
it would arrive at the Atlantic Ocean!