Bits of Our Hearts - March 31, 2015

On Sunday, I shared a photo of the celebration and joy as 15 men and women were awarded a KBTC Diploma of Theology at the Wamunyu Baptist Bible College. My heart reaction to this photo taken seconds later – This is a living and active view of Psalms 79:13, "Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise."

Bits of Our Hearts - March 30, 2015

Choosing just one photo from Saturday’s graduation to share today is difficult; so many touch my heart, tell a story, or simply make me smile. Then I came to this photo of a child intensely watching celebrating graduates – a photo that led to prayer! Praying today that he will grow into a Godly man watching and ready to join our Father in doing utterly amazing unbelievable things in our nations!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 29, 2015

Many moments of joy yesterday as 15 men and women were awarded a KBTC Diploma of Theology at the Wamunyu Baptist Bible College. Truly a day of celebrations for those who had attended classes a few days each month for FIVE years; a celebration for their spouses and children, as well as their church families. Also a day of celebration as KBTC staff and teachers celebrated 15 new trained workers!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 28, 2015

Back in the land of internet with hundreds of photos from today's graduation in Wamunyu as 15 men/women received Diplomas of Theology from Kenya Baptist Theological College! I promise to share more with you, but tonight (7PM in Kenya) I'll share the photo I took on my phone in one of my tries to upload a photo from the Wamunyu Baptist Bible College - a great hint of the joy experienced today.  As I walked around searching for a stronger internet signal, I spotted this view through the hedge of the 'store' at the church gate where garlands and gifts for the graduates were being sold!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 27, 2015

A great illustration of Romans 15:13 spotted yesterday in a town between KBTC and Nairobi. Praising God today that even as Africans face difficult times, they still express HOPE (Boots for Sale – the rainy season will soon arrive!) and JOY (we have the plain black boots, but the neon ones would definitely bring a bit of joy). Pray for us as we encourage and strengthen others in need of our Father’s PEACE and POWER!

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Added later in the day: As we drove back through this town as we returned to KBTC in order to prepare for for a trip that begins before dawn tomorrow to a Bible School graduation, I thought: How often do I pray and claim hope for an answer, but not prepare for God sending the answer? SUCH AS: Praying for rain, but waiting until it comes to buy the needed boots!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 26, 2015

As I spotted this Pin-tail Whydah yesterday, I was awed by God’s creation! But as I was reminded this week there are hurting people who cannot see His glory, might, and hope; they only see an inactive God. My heart’s response: My God is active! The problem is that Believers are inactive. My prayer is that I be more committed to doing His work, to being His Heart, Hands and Voice in our hurting world.

March 25, 2015

“I will wait for the LORD… I will put my trust in him.”

Isaiah 8:17 NIV

Photo taken JUST before the siafu encounter!

I am a smart woman, but far too often, I have to relearn lessons! While taking photos yesterday afternoon, I forgot to check for siafu while walking beside our KBTC cottage AND NO, I didn’t get any photos of these marching safari ants as I ran into our KBTC cottage, yelling for Jack to open the door.

This photo taken this morning for a friend
leads to only good memories!

They say that safari ants climb quietly up your leg until enough inhabit your body to do real damage and then a signal is given for the pinching to begin. I was very proud of the fact that I made it into the cottage and closed the door before removing or rather flinging any clothing, other than my shoes. Turns out there were dozens in my shoes and dozens more in my slacks, which have now been fumigated!

God sent a great way to help me forget about the sensation of crawling
and pinching - four Black-and-White Mannikin appeared later on the
tree beside the clothes line where I encountered the ants. Our bird
book says that these like to rest during the day in small clusters!

Another lesson that I have to keep re-learning – that I MUST wait for the LORD and trust in Him! I do know this! I shared in last week’s update that “As we talked of what God had done during the last two years as KBTC began the restoration process, we remembered that we had to focus on trusting Him and seeing what He wanted us to see and do!” I even quoted Psalm 9:9-11, “The LORD is a refuge… Those who know your name will trust in you… Sing praises… proclaim among the nations what he has done.”

We ate a bit late that morning as this scene appeared
out the kitchen window as I prepared breakfast!

BUT as I awoke one morning this week, it hit me: I was still worrying about things, such as KBTC’s financial worries as the college continues waiting for monies they are owed in order to pay their bills. Plus, I was allowing concerns to take away my joy. Yes, these worries and concerns were/are about very real problems, difficulties and situations, but worrying was not in any way a constructive activity!

And our evening meal was also a bit delayed that day -
as we took time to watch an incredible sunset!

I also realized that too often we get so busy doing what God has called us to do, that we overlook all the incredible things He is doing around us, which may explain why I take so many bird and flower photos! How can one not totally trust and believe in the One who created these awesome creations?

One of the joys of living on a mountain while at KBTC - being surrounded
by 'country' scenes, yet spotting the city of Nairobi which is miles away!

I was reminded again of something I have marked and remarked in my Bible – the verses in the Psalms which begin with “I will.” I have often questioned if the writer was saying in the future, I WILL do such and such or saying I WILL MAKE MYSELF do this or that whether or not I really desire or feel like doing this!

The window outside our cottage kitchen is like a
giant movie screen.  This sunbird entertained me...

Thus I realize I must not just assume or take for granted that I’m trusting God in my actions, but actively focus and work towards trusting Him. I must remember that this requires my being patient and WAITING for Him to send answers and meet needs in His time, not mine! I must always remember that “The LORD is a… stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you.” And whether or not I am filled with joy at the moment, I WILL “Sing praises to the LORD… proclaim among the nations what he has done.” (Psalm 9:9-11 NIV)

... as I washed dishes this morning, until ...

This week will you pray that Jack and I will not let busy and often changing schedules overwhelm us. Pray that we will have more patience with computer/ internet problems and with those who lack the vision of what God is doing and can do through KBTC. Pray for Jack as a new thrust towards accreditation of the college begins and join us in praising God for sending needed co-workers and direction.

... one of the many kinds of weavers found
on campus arrived.

Pray for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual strength as I seek to nudge you and others to prayer and action for the Unreached Peoples of Sub-Saharan Africa. To be honest, I don’t always look forward to reading the news of Africa each morning as often the stories are heartbreaking, such as today’s news of Boko Haram crisis: 'About 500' Nigerian children missing.*  Pray that I will find the right balance of sensitively sharing prayer needs while sharing praises for the great things that are happening, including today’s Nudge to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, a story of Matthew 28:19-20 in action!

Thank you again for being our partners, our encouragers, our strengtheners as we serve our Father together, BERT YATES

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*Missing Nigerian children - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32044695

Remember to view the daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan Peoples which shares what God is doing among Sub-Saharan African Peoples and how you can join in His work through prayer, serving and giving!   https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples

You can also keep up with KBTC and what Jack is doing at  https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege. Both links are on Facebook, but can be viewed by anyone!

AND DO NOT FORGET that "Bits from our Hearts" posts are now added daily to this blog!

Some unexpected changes in our schedule are very welcome!
Mid-morning there was a knock on our door and Benson
(in the striped shirt) asked if I wanted any freshly harvested
American yellow corn.  Lunch was planned, but
the super corn-on-the-cob went great with the stew!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 24, 2015

"For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise." Psalm 47:7 NIV

And this is why I always keep my camera nearby, EVEN when I'm washing dishes! This was my gift just a few minutes ago just outside the kitchen window of our KBTC cottage.

Thanks for praying. I'm still sniffling, but my allergies are no longer winning, though it took me hours to complete today's Nudge to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples! Not sure if God was trying to teach me something or I'm still a bit out-of-it. (See yesterday's post.) This is the same kind of bird that I spotted last week. One of my very smart MK nephews, says it is an Eastern Double-collared Sunbird.



And to prove that I do share both washing dishes and blessings with my hubby! This is what Jack spotted after lunch today!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 23, 2015

Spotted this morning from our KBTC cottage window. Heavy rains came last night after a very dry stretch, which makes me happy. But the rains stirred up weeks of accumulated dust, leaving me sneezing, wheezing and sleepy from medicine! Pray that this allergy attack passes quickly. I want to be filled with joy, peace and hope, but a pile of tissues* is the only thing overflowing at the moment! (Romans 15:13)
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*At first I wrote 'kleenexes', but I've scratched it for 'tissues' as a roll of toilet tissue is less costly and easier on my now tender nose!

Nudge to Action for SSAPeoples - March 22, 2015

QUESTION: How many times have you used water today?

FACT: “No one can live without water, but for three-quarters of a billion people, that life-giving substance can be hard to come by.” 

QUESTION: Did you know that today is WORLD WATER DAY?

FACT: If you have easy access to clean water and care about those who do not,  "Three Items that Can Revolutionize Water Access"* was written for you!

*https://gobgr.org/news/news_detail/three-items-that-can-revolutionize-water-access

For more daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, click the SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN PEOPLES tab located at the top of this page!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 21, 2015

Every time we travel in Kenya, in rural areas or the city, we spot people hauling water. Yesterday in one village, I took photos of water being hauled by donkey, hand carts, wheelbarrows, and on the heads and backs of women! A heartbreaking reminder of the difficulties faced by too many Africans; also a needed reminder of the opportunities for sharing of the one who is “the spring of living water” (Jeremiah 1:13).

The most heartbreaking photo captured yesterday? The one of a woman hauling a container the size of one of those on the cart on her back!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 20, 2015

I love early mornings at our cottage at KBTC – The sun coming up as I prepare breakfast – Home-made fresh raspberry and walnut scones served with wee little sweet bananas and Kenyan coffee – AND greeting many of the staff kids heading to school as Jack heads to the office, which always includes the gift of smiles! I took a photo of the gorgeous sunrise to share today, but the smile won.

Thanks to Kenya's growing export market, we are now blessed with strawberries (always tops our morning yogurt) year round, and sometimes raspberries! The scones were a special treat this morning, thanks to leftovers from a breakfast-for-dinner meal earlier this week! The walnuts were a splurge I bought as a gift to myself during Christmas and breakfast at our house always includes Kenyan bananas and coffee!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 19, 2015

I finally moved beyond Jeremiah 1 in my devotions this morning, which I’ve reread, and researched for the last week as God sent new challenges and more than a few rebukes my way! I only made it to Jeremiah 2:13, "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” I’m rather certain that on the day we are celebrating the return of water in the taps at KBTC, God sent this as a new pondering point, with more challenges and rebukes! Today’s photo? An added joy which God sent my way this morning!

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Thanks to poor lighting, I did edit this photo, but the the colours of the bird are truly this bright and rich!

March 18, 2015

“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your

name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:1 (NIV)

Remembering peaceful scenes such as this one

spotted in Malindi didn't help on Monday night!

I repeated these words, or rather sang them in my mind, over and over last Monday night as I tried to drift off to sleep. At midnight I got up and searched for Bible verses with the word ‘majestic.’ Later, when I returned to bed hoping to sleep, I discovered that Jack was also wide awake! Our problem was that unlike most times, our worry meters had ‘hit bottom’ at the same time!

One of the joys during our time in Malindi - a guided tour
of the new computer lab at the KBTC branch in Malindi.

Now for a bit of background: We had returned the previous evening to Nairobi from a visit to Malindi, after a great few days viewing God at work among His children and in His creation on the coast. We awoke early the next morning, washed clothes and repacked; restocked milk, bread, meat, fruits and veggies; and early Monday afternoon, we headed up to the Kenya Baptist Theological College campus.

Meeting with volunteers with a heart for teaching in
Bible Schools is always a joy.  Viewing this scene
as we talked last week was an added blessing!

On the way, we talked of how things were going at the college. The joy of the staff came up as it always does as their joy greatly increases ours! We also talked of how several groups booked for meetings on campus had cancelled at the last minute in recent weeks, which meant limited incoming funds to cover outgoing funds, which included staff salaries – one reason that the joy of the staff is amazing!

This lady was spotted last week selling fresh fruit,
cookies, water and juice to those visiting the ocean.
Earlier today, I spotted two women on the KBTC
campus carrying even larger buckets filled with
water ON their heads!

Then we arrived on campus to a scheduled day-long electricity outage, which was not desired, but OK. A bit later we realized the water was also off and about the time the electricity returned (6 PM), we learned that the college’s borehole pump was not working! Now for a bit of honesty, usually the knowledge that many of our Kenyan friends have no or undependable water and electricity in their homes balances our complaints with thanksgiving during times of scarcity!

This is what we could see from inside the vehicle
we hired to take us to meetings.

Now, I could blame our not sleeping Monday night on the lack of proper showers before bedtime, but the truth was that we both were thinking of the families on campus with young kids, one an infant, who were also without water. Our worries about the delayed salaries only increased as we considered the price of a new water pump! I also queried if anyone would have the electricity turned off at their houses before they were paid their salaries and had money to pay their electricity bills!

This is the vehicle, a tuk-tuk.  We did not worry at
all about traveling in this little 3 wheeled taxi!

Finally at 3AM Tuesday morning, we gave up on sleep and shared our mutual concerns. It didn’t take long to realize that the depressing thoughts filling our minds and hearts were not from God, but the devil! As we talked of what God had done during the last two years as KBTC began the restoration process, we remembered that we had to focus on trusting Him and seeing what He wanted us to see and do! (From Jeremiah 1, which God has been using to correct me more than a bit in the last few days!)

Viewing this critter and her relatives, which visited often
as I worked and had devotions last week on the porch
of our guest house, also did not lead to worries!

We realized that we needed to remember Psalm 8, one group of verses that I read while doing the ‘majestic’ search. We needed to focus on praising God (v. 2) for who He is, what He has accomplished and what He will and can do (v.3), not our worries and fears! We needed to thank Him for the opportunity to serve Him and for His trusting us to do His work (vv. 4-8)! We needed to remember it is HIS work; He is the one in charge, the one able to accomplish things beyond our hopes or expectations.

This scene of buibui clad women on the beach
was definitely a nudge to prayer.

We needed to ‘live’ Psalm 9. We needed to claim Him as our refuge and our “stronghold in times of trouble” (v.9); to trust Him, the one who will never forsake us (v. 10); and to focus on singing praises to Him and proclaiming “among the nations what he has done” (v.11).

At 4 AM on Tuesday morning, we returned to bed and needed sleep! Things were not instantly better when the sun woke us at 6:30, but God’s presence kept us going! Later in the day we learned that the water pump had ‘fried’ during the previous day’s power outage (electrical items are routinely zapped during power fluctuations, especially during outages) and it was going to cost even more than expected to replace it, more than last month’s total of unpaid bills! But our peace continued and this morning, Jack received word that as we slept (very, very well) last night, monies to purchase the needed pump had been wired from a church in Texas and hopefully water will return to the taps at KBTC this afternoon!

Another nudge to prayer scene spotted along the old streets of Malindi.

Why am I sharing all of this today? Because this is a view of our real lives and of the reality of the problems and concerns we and our co-workers experience. Because I hope this will help you know how to pray for us and for God’s work in Kenya. Because we wanted to share how we are seeing the majesty of our Father and how we see Him at work! Because we want you to know that your prayers do make a difference and your specific and general prayers for us have been, are being and will be answered! And we must also thank you for your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Cooperative Program which assures that unlike many independent missionaries, our IMB salaries always arrive on time and we can keep our electricity and water bills paid! BERT YATES

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Jack’s comment at lunch today: "I’ve got to stop worrying about paying KBTC's bills and salaries! God always provides in His time; never too much, or too little; never too early or too late!"

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Remember to view the daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan Peoples which shares what God is doing among Sub-Saharan African Peoples and how you can join in His work through prayer, serving and giving! (https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples)

You can also keep up with KBTC and what Jack is doing at  https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege. Both links are on FB, but can be viewed by anyone!

My 'office' last week (the porch outside our room) definitely helped
with the frustrations as I learned how to use my new small travel
computer with Windows 8.  There were moments of doubt and dislike,
but I'm now a fan of Windows 8 and almost know what I'm doing!

Bit's of Our Hearts - March 17, 2015

After viewing this colourful scene, which always leads to a smile on my face, we arrived yesterday at our KBTC cottage to hours of no electricity, followed by dry taps. We learned mid-morning that the college’s water pump was fried during yesterday’s electricity fluctuations, likely a costly repair! Was it a coincidence when moments later I spotted Psalm 126:3 on my calendar? No, “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” was a needed reminder to focus not on the problems, but on the joys around us!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 16, 2015

Another prayer request based on God’s question in Jeremiah 1:11, “What do you see?” Please join Jack and I in praying that we would also see correctly what God puts before us and that we will always strive “to see that HIS word is fulfilled” (v. 12) without any misinterpretations. Pray also for patience and guidance as we work with those who see things and situations differently.

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And what is there to see in today's photo? Not azalea blooms, but bougainvillea, which comes in colours very similar to azaleas.

Bits of Our Hearts - March 15, 2015

God’s Word being “living and active” (Heb 4:12) takes on a new definition when one reads Jeremiah 1 during devotions, specifically “What do you see” (v.11), and this critter appears nearby! As Jack and I seek to do the work our Father has “appointed” us to do, pray that we will not look at our personal inabilities/ limitations, but always trust and rely upon His abilities as we do what He has sent us to do.

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What did I see? A lizard known as a Kenyan Rock Agama.

Bits of Our Hearts - March 14, 2015

Another day when as we went out with Kenyan Baptist friends to view what God is doing, I spotted something so simple, so usual as clothes hanging out to dry, and I found myself praising God for allowing us to be at work in His Harvest Field!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 13, 2015

This close-up of yesterday’s photo is proof that I am learning Windows 8 and its programs, yet in the midst of the resulting joy there are new disappointments related to KBTC that could take away our joy. Pray that we will always trust God, the bloom’s creator, to take care of the problems, remembering IT IS HIS WORK we’re doing and He cares more than we do about how things impact the spread of His Story.   

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I try, really try, but I (Bert) seldom trust my ability to remember the names of most trees, flowers and birds, but I'm rather sure of the name of the tree that claims this beautiful bloom as there was a name tag at the base of the tree!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 12, 2015

When you look up and see a view such as this, how can one not praise God for His creations and WHO HE IS! This morning it encourages me, one of His creations, to claim Psalm 51:10 and ask for a pure and WISE heart as He “renews a steadfast spirit within me” as I learn what will work and how to use the programs and Windows 8 on my new computer - which I AM DOING, but possibly it’s not because I’m steadfast but my stubbornness!

March 11, 2015

A very different weekly update today as I'm frustrated, very frustrated at the moment. We are working from home for a few days and I'm using my time to learn my new small computer as my old larger computer is experiencing difficulties doubling my time at work.

BUT... this new computer has Windows 8 and there is so much to learn! So until I can figure out a bit more, actually lots more, and which new programs I must use pray for patience, wisdom and that I will soon be back-on-line and at work.

Pray for Jack as he meets with volunteers and catches up on reports and KBTC work around the country. BERT YATES

Bits of Our Hearts - March 10, 2015

Thanks for praying. I slept great last night, but keep praying for Jack. Shutting down after all the busy-ness as he and his co-workers continue resurrecting the Kenya Baptist Theological College is difficult EVEN when one is fully confident that God has everything under control! But as he said this morning “Enjoying this view during breakfast at our home in Nairobi is just the cure for a poor night of sleep!”

Bits of Our Hearts - March 9, 2015

Bits of Our Hearts - March 8, 2015

Returned from church to no electricity and iffy internet, but neither could reduce our joy after worship at Parklands Baptist Church. To praise God with Believers from around our world in many languages is always a time of awe. An added blessing – receiving hugs from several young adults we have mentored and parented, who we had not seen in years! Plus I got to take photos at the Youth Service as the kids met new friends and bonded over ‘selfies’ to record their new friendships!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 7, 2015

The UP CLOSE & PERSONAL story behind today’s Nudge to Action for SSAP (shared below): This was to be a needed easy day for me, but the moment I began breakfast, the electricity took a break. Then my morning work took hours, not minutes thanks to computer/ internet problems which led to the day’s planned Nudge to Action refusing to post – requiring composing a replacement! Join us in praying that we will always find balance in our daily lives, never overlooking reminders of God’s presence and joy such as this songbird which appeared beside our porch during breakfast.

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March 7, 2015 - Nudge to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples 
“All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.” Ecclesiastes 5:17 (NIV) is NOT the verse workers among SSAPeoples want to claim, but there are days of frustration with the electricity, computer and internet; the morning news for Africa is filled with more reports of ‘affliction and anger’; and on and on. Pray for special reminders for workers today of our Father’s love and joy!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 6, 2014

I awoke last Wednesday with a severe allergy attack, which was not needed as I had a full day ahead preparing our weekly update. THEN the music began outside our cottage. “Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania,” describes what we saw/heard as young Hunter’s Cisticola displaying “exuberant duetting or chorus-singing in which two or more birds enthusiastically bob, flutter and pump their tails near one another… One of a pair sings weet-cheeeeer, the other a long reeling trill.” I describe what we saw/ heard as a true gift from God!

Sorry, I was too astounded by watching and listening to this duo to even think about recording their song, but you can hear a similar one - just CLICK below!

Bits of Our Hearts - March 5, 2015

CUTE! My 1st thought as this KBTC staff kid passed our cottage early this morning. He has no clue that he is not simply journeying to his Pre-K class at a nearby church, but beginning a long and costly journey which ends too early for many African kids. Asking God today to go ahead and guide the journey of this little one, as well as Kenyan high school graduates who received their national test scores this week, and to always show them and their parents the way they should go. (Deut 1:33)