Joys, Sorrows and Obstacles

Before Jack left this morning for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Baptist Convention of Kenya (BCOK), I asked him to answer a few questions to share in this week’s update, beginning with: What’s happening at Kenya Baptist Theological College? What has brought you joy this week?

KBTC staff kids can also be very serious workers,
as proven by the young bike rider! 

JACK: My staff bring me joy every day because they pray; laugh a lot; encourage one another; fully support the college vision; anticipate the needs of one another and the school; get 120% of the work accomplished; and are loyal, confident, self-disciplined, wonderful Believers. We are family!

BERT: I want to begin sharing bits about students. Tell me about George.

JACK: George Kaniki is the chef for Brackenhurst Conference Centre (KBTC’s neighbor). He is a father and husband. He is a pastor of Tigoni Baptist Fellowship. He is a student at in class 112 (Theology). He is responsible for the food service at KBTC. He has studied 38 TEE (Theological Education by Extension) books in the last 10 years. He is a great guy!

Thankfully, we do not need to ask for prayers for no
squawking Ibises on the roof of our KBTC cottage
as they awaken BEFORE roosters! So far, these
characters are happy strolling outside our front door!

I didn’t ask Jack, but I know his answer to: How can others pray for you and KBTC this week? It would be: Pray for physical, spiritual and mental strength as new opportunities arise for KBTC to serve and train church leaders for ministry in today’s world, as well as opportunities to respond to people who are responding to God’s call to serve or study at the college.

One of my praises is for our Eastgate Baptist Church
family. Some would say that kids running in church
is wrong, even if  worship happens in a tent, but I
love seeing how excited our kids are about going to
Sunday School! Another joy? The usher on the left
in the long skirt is another KBTC staff kid!

Pray also for the church leaders who are making decisions this week at the BCOK’s AGM; decisions that affect our churches and their ability to serve our Father and share His love and salvation. Pray for the KBTC staff attending the meeting and sharing how KBTC can help our churches carry out the Great Commission. Pray that they will be great messengers of what God is doing at KBTC and the bright future, especially the progress in receiving accreditation by the Kenyan government. Please join us in praying for the KBTC Day to be held in BCOK churches on June 7th, a special day when churches can pray and give towards meeting the costs required to complete the accreditation process.

In last Friday's Bits of our Hearts post, I shared
of a God-incident which occurred as I went to
tell a friend of Nancy's death.  I used another photo
of this bird, but this was my favorite as Nancy
would have loved the humor of it hiding!

AND this would be my answer if Jack asked me to list my current prayer requests: In last week’s update, I shared of the need to “not give the devil a foothold” as in the midst of incredible God-incidents, we face “lots of accumulated discouragements, disappointments and frustrations.” We truly needed the added prayer support that you offered after reading that update. When I opened my e-mails last Thursday morning, we learned of the death of a retired co-worker who was a very dear friend, Nancy Jones, as well as news of the death of one of Jack’s cousins. To be so far from family and friends was difficult, as was sharing the news of our retired co-worker with Kenyan friends who also loved Nancy, many who had served God beside Nancy over the years.

Then yesterday I received news that another close friend and mentor had died in the States. Ann Smith, a Woman’s Missionary Union leader, personally walked me through becoming an adult on mission with our Father. She spent hours training, encouraging and strengthening me. Being able to communicate with mutual friends via e-mails and social networking during times like this is a true gift from God.

For more of my encounters with Bee-Eaters, visit last week's
Bits of Our Hearts posts by clicking that tab at the top of this page.

As I shared in yesterday’s “Bits of Our Hearts”, we are so thankful for those of you who stay “alert and always keep on praying for us EVEN when you OR WE are sure of the details!” Our God is listening and your prayers do lead to our being strengthened, encouraged and able to serve our Father. BERT YATES

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Remember to also view the daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, a part of Bert's work as the Prayer Networker for Sub-Saharan African Peoples at https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples.

And for more from KBTC, visit https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege

Like the daily Bits of our Hearts posts at https://www.facebook.com/bitsofourhearts, it can be viewed by non-FB users and tabs at the top of this page, make viewing extra easy!

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Now for some photos that share our lives, our joys

and the obstacle course we encounter in our lives in
Kenya, beginning with this view as you leave Nairobi!

There were THREE hogs being transported in this THREE wheel vehicle.
No vehicle was used to move this herd of cows - which were moving
in a rather chaotic way -  which we realized upon moving to the front
of the herd was likely because THREE donkeys were leading the herd!

The rainy season is in full force - which leads to lots of mud
-  which leads to AN added appreciation for a bit or more of colour!