How Does God Do It?

I truly believe that God guides His children, but sometimes I question how it happens. How can “Whether WE turn to the right of to the left, OUR ears hear… ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21). During chapel at KBTC yesterday, I found myself asking again, “How does God do it?” 

As always when these queries surface in my mind, I realize yet again the truth of Psalm 68:35. Our God is awesome. He does give us “power and strength” and guidance and we will never be able to praise Him enough for these gifts, for His wanting to use us and that He allows us to be a part of His work.

I need to back-up a bit and share of earlier times of being awed by these thoughts, beginning with August, 2012, when we lived on the KBTC campus for several weeks as Jack taught. We left concerned about things we had seen and heard. During our individual devotions in the next week or so, God began showing us a new direction for our lives. We did not share out thoughts about what we were sensing, until the day came when one of us said, “I need to tell you something…” and the other completed the sentence. God was calling Jack to serve as the Principal at KBTC.

Another gift God sent to KBTC - these two sisters led
us in  AWESOME  worship during yesterday's chapel.

In past years, we had talked of this and others had talked with Jack, but we knew we were not to “walk in” that direction at those times. This time we knew it was time to “walk in it.” After weeks of working out details, permission and approvals, Jack began serving as the KBTC principal in January 2013.

2013 was a difficult year and a diversion arose for a few months, but God gave us the “power and strength” to trust Him and continue to follow His way. We became certain that one part of His way was that KBTC needed to offer training for African missionaries, not missionaries TO Africa, but Africans who are responding to God’s call to carry out our Saviour’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

KBTC is so thankful for how these two young women
are volunteering their time, sharing not only their gifts
of making beautiful music, but teaching students and
others to also use the violin to praise God.

We dreamed of having a language school on the KBTC campus as language learning would be a needed part of a School of Missions. Then during the difficult time when Jack was not able to be on campus, we heard that the old Baptist language school, now privately run, wanted to move on to campus. The Kenyan friends running the school DID NOT KNOW of our dream of KBTC offering missionary training!

For more than a year, missionaries from around the world have lived on the KBTC campus, studying at the language school housed in older KBTC classrooms. Then a couple from China learning Swahili moved to the cottage beside us. As our friendship developed, we learned of their heart for training leaders for the newly developing Chinese churches in Africa. We also learned of their desire to bring pastors from China to a place where they can easily complete theological training.

And that brings me back to “How does God do it?” Yesterday’s chapel was an incredible affirmation that God is and has been leading us and others at KBTC to walk in His way! You see, the husband of the family living beside us was the day’s chapel speaker and he shared his testimony and of their calling to share God’s love with Chinese in Africa and to offer training to the leaders of all Chinese churches.

Some say there are 2 million Chinese now in Africa, but the exact number is unknown. What is known is that more are arriving daily and most of these guests have never had an opportunity to accept the hope offered by our Saviour. In the photo above, Jack is praying at the conclusion of yesterday’s chapel for God’s guidance as KBTC provides opportunities to fulfill these dreams for training of Chinese Believers, Chinese Believers who want to reach their people with our Good News.

Another special treat was served after yesterday's chapel - our
neighbours prepared a Chinese lunch for all the students and staff.
AND yes, they even had a few chopsticks for the braver ones to use!
My favorite from their kitchen is always the Marbled Tea Eggs.

KBTC is excited about opening their doors to training and equipping Chinese Believers to share our Good News. We are also excited about how this opportunity can be used to challenge and strengthen KBTC’s ability to train and equip African Believers – AND you will note that I did not say Kenyan Believers because KBTC is already training students from across Africa.

Jack's comment as he returned for lunch today: It was
a Great Morning! It was a joy to walk around the
upper unfinished floor of the building (where students
study, sleep, eat and meet for chapel) knowing that
the builders are to arrive next Monday to begin
putting a roof on and making this more useable! 

I may not ever understand how God helps us hear and respond to His guidance, but I know the answer to “How does God do it?” He is our AWESOME God! Thank you for your past support and for the assurance of your future prayers and support as we journey together with Him! BERT YATES

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Remember to  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.

Personal Bits of our Hearts Nudges to Action are shared at  https://www.facebook.com/bitsofourhearts

For more from Jack's work, visit KBTC's site! Like the daily Bits of our Hearts  posts, it can be viewed by non-FB users. TABS at the top of this page make viewing extra easy!
https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege

*Recipe for Chinese marbled tea leaf eggs -  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chinese-tea-leaf-eggs/.

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Jack is not in this photo as he also takes photos, including the violin
 photos.  Pastor Joseph Kamau (KBTC's new Academic Dean - far left),
 Zack Mahalanganga(KBTC's Administrator) and Kevin Hoke (Project
Coordinator/right) joined  Jack this morning planning how to divide the
floor for the best uses, including a private area for the women's dorm!