Showing Him Holy

“I will show the holiness of my great name…Then the nations will know that I am the LORD... when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.” Ezekiel 36:23

If I had not already asked Jack to share his praises and prayer requests with you today, this update would be fupi sana (Swahili for short/ very) as I would have only reported this long-awaited praise! Baraka Hall, the building used by Kenya Baptist Theological College students for classes, worship, dining and sleeping, is at the moment being crowned with mbati! God is definitely showing Himself holy through what is happening at KBTC.

When Jack returned to our cottage yesterday afternoon, he was very disappointed. He had just learned that the roof supports were up and ready to be covered, BUT the needed galvanized iron sheets (mbati) had not yet arrived and would not for a few days. THEN this morning as I logged in to Facebook, the first post to appear on my screen was of the red sheets being placed on the roof of Baraka Hall!

More praises this week include last Friday's

great Board of Governors meeting.

As Jack did answer my early morning request before heading out to his office, you will get a slightly longer update today, as he shares his heart, as well as his vision and concerns for KBTC:

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The BOG members also visited the classroom used
by those learning to play musical instruments.  

Theological education is an essential and primary means towards evangelism of the lost, mission deployment, church planting and church growth. It involves every phase of the Great Commission – going, making disciples, baptizing, and teaching (Matthew 28:19-20). It insures stability (generationally) of the church. Without trained pastors and leaders the church will die and/or follow heretical beliefs.

Not sure if the balls are used in
the music classes, but all these
instruments are used by students
to produce beautiful music.

It is however difficult financially to maintain theological education anywhere in our world. Students often come, especially in our part of the world, from poor environments, usually without support from anyone (families, church, community). It is a huge struggle for an institution to feed, house, pay expenses for staff, teachers, upkeep, electricity, etc., and still build a college with development needs. It becomes imperative for our institutions to trust God to touch believers, not only from afar, but local believers, who can financially contribute as they trust that with very little, God can do much.

WE NEED YOUR PRAYER SUPPORT!

>  Pray that government accreditation can happen this year. Two million shillings is required to receive the accreditation which is required to offer degrees.

Thanks to the the support of volunteers, new
water tanks are being added that will ease
the water problems in the homes on campus.

> Pray that partnerships will help develop 24 Regional Centers for Study throughout Kenya, as well as assist in physical development of these Centers and with scholarship aid.

> Pray that new practices will lead KBTC to be more flexible in how we make our programs available to students and more open to change and opportunities God is bringing our way.

> Pray for a new Mission School strategy which will bring Chinese expatriates and nationals together with Africans to reach the lost Chinese and African peoples groups globally.

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Westgate Mall reopened on July 18th, 22 months
after the siege.  We were out of the city that
weekend, but have visited twice since our return.

I don’t know about you, but I am awed by the thought that our heavenly Father chooses to “show the holiness of HIS great name… through US” to those who do not know “He is LORD.” So, I will close this week’s update with a praise that our Father trusts us and desires to show that He is LORD and holy through us, through the work He allows us to join Him in accomplishing! 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.

For more from Jack's work, visit KBTC's site (can be safely viewed by non-FB users) at  https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege

New photos were added today to the "Who Needs Walmart" photo album at  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153991283085130.1073741855.685050129&type=1&l=c57ceb3eee.

For more on the Westgate reopening, visit  http://stories.imb.org/africa/stories/view/westgate-shopping-mall-reopens-demonstrating-kenyas-spirit-of-resilience.
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And now for a few other photos captured during the last two weeks.

A herd of elephants now guard the new roundabout leading to
Westgate! I'm not sure the artist knows the size of newborn elephants! 
(Look for the very small baby in the middle.)

The photo below didn't 'qualify' for the
"Who Needs Walmart" photo album,
but I do love this photo of an old Mini Cooper,
partially as viewing one always brings back
great memories of our little 'mustard yellow'
mini which I drove when we lived in Mombasa!

 

His Work, His Power, His Glory

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than
all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at
work within us, to him be glory…” Ephesians 3:20-21

I have no problem believing that our heavenly Father is able and does “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power.” The bit that is hard for me? The “at work within ME” bit; that He can get through my weaknesses and doubts when the challenges, disappointments and discouragements come and yet still use me to accomplish His work!

You have joined us in praying for Baraka Hall, the building where students
study, eat sleep, attend chapel, etc., to have a needed additional floor
and roof. Praise was great this week as gutters were delivered!

Thus I need to read all of Paul’s prayer recorded in Ephesians 4:14-21. I must remember to forget about me and my abilities. God calls us to do HIS WORK and He does not expect us to do it alone. We are called to do His work through His power!

Back view of the emerging roof on Baraka Hall -
We are definitely giving God the glory!

This week’s disappointments and discouragements?  It has been seeing promises not materialize and realizing that many Believers still lack a vision for training God’s servants. It has been the ongoing problems related to last week’s power surge during a storm. It has been concerns about how Kenya Baptist Theological College was going to meet the expenses which have run into thousands of dollars to make needed repairs.

Gentleness, patience, bearing with
one another and unity was needed
by the workers as they erect
the roof supports with
only man-power and ropes!

Challenges of the week?

- Claiming “that out of his glorious riches HE strengthens ME with power through his Spirit in MY inner being, so that Christ may dwell in MY heart” as I face the disappointments, discouragements and concerns.

- Acknowledging that I have been “rooted and established in love” and “have power… to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and KNOW this love that surpasses knowledge.”

- Trusting Him to fill me with “the measure of all HIS fullness” so that He can use me to accomplish “immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within ME.”

Cold weather has been a challenge this week.
Staff members warmed their son up
with a bit of exercise!

- Recognizing that I must pray Ephesians 3:14-21 not just for myself, but for the Believers around me, my fellow Christian brothers and sisters.

- Continually striving to “live a life worthy of the calling I have received.” I must live Ephesians 4:1-3 and “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

- Remembering that being humble, gentle, patient, and bearing with others is not always easy, but to accomplish God’s work, I must do these things and then let Him do His work.

This view captured last Sunday not far from our
church is a humorous illustration of the daily
roadblocks & obstacles encountered daily in Kenya. 

Sorry, if I’m preaching today, but so far the month of July has been too eventful and we are ready for a bit of calm and more joy! Please join us in praying that we will always be doing, thinking, reacting, etc., to things around us as God’s workers. Pray that we will claim His strengthening power and that we never allow challenges, disappointments and discouragements to be roadblocks or obstacles which prevent us from being totally available and ready to allow Him to use us and “work within us.”

We also thank God for our PBC - Eastgate family, who not only live
Ephesians 4:1-2, but are teaching our children to do the same
and to pray for those without our Father's love.

We continue to thank God for the incredible men and women God has called to serve at KBTC. They are living Ephesians 4:1-2! Through times of disappointments in the enrollment of students and funds to cover salaries and other expenses such as those resulting from last week’s damaging power surge, they are being “completely humble and gentle… patient, bearing with one another in love.” Pray that Jack and I will always be an encouragement to them as they are to us as we serve as His fellow workers.

Views spotted as we returned from church along the highway leading
to Thika.  Only a few years ago, there were only a few tall buildings
in this part of Nairobi.  Pray for those sharing our Good News with peoples
from all over Kenya, Africa and our world who live in this growing area.

I will not share an update next week as we will be in a meeting with our IMB co-workers. Pray that Jack and I will strengthen and encourage these friends as most if not all of them could have written the words above! Pray that we will have open hearts and minds to all we hear and experience. Pray also that as I share the prayer needs of our workers serving among Sub-Saharan African Peoples, I will also strengthen and encourage them. God is at work in Africa and we are so thankful for how you join us in His work as you pray, come to serve, and support His work financially,

 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.

For more from Jack's work, visit KBTC's site, which can be safely viewed by non-FB users. TABS at the top of this page make viewing extra easy. https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege

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Goats headed to market, a view often spotted during Ramadan,
especially this coming weekend as Eid, the end
of the Islamic month of fasting, is celebrated.

Another "Who needs Walmart?" photo spotted near our church.

Views like this from our kitchen window definitely makes washing
dishes a time of joy, especially when the water is off one more time!

As Jack and I walked around campus after work this week,
the manager of the Christian group farming on the property
offered us this now devoured head of lettuce!

Miracles and Believing

“Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles
among you because you observe the law, or
because you believe what you heard?” Galatians 3:5

My favorite photo taken this week and yes,
I did enhance the colour a bit, but not that
much. Love the creative selling!

It has been weeks since I last prepared a weekly update thanks to a very uncooperative computer, plus we took a few weeks of leave to visit with family in the States. To be honest, as computer problems forced a longer than planned break from computer work, I realized how much I needed time-off! I’m writing from a new computer today and am very refreshed and eager to get back to sharing what God is doing in our part of the world!

Poinsettia are blooming on campus and NO,
I did not enhance the colours in this photo!

We were not seeking to be deceptive by not announcing our trip to the States, but it is not wise in our part of the world to announce publicly that your house will be empty for a month. Our time with family and visits with KBTC partners kept us busier than expected (thus our not contacting others), but as Jack always replied when I asked if a visit was as good as expected, “It was even better than expected!”

As I shared in late May, we were awaiting the beginning of construction and roofing of “the upper unfinished floor of the building where students study, sleep, eat and meet for chapel.” The work finally began in June and we returned in time to view the raising of the first truss and though it was a bit scary, it was super exciting and definitely a time of praise and thanksgiving! Thanks to the support of KBTC friends, students will soon be studying/ sleeping/ eating/ attending chapel in a building with a roof! You can keep up with progress and needs at KBTC’s facebook page, which can be viewed by all, including a video of five men raising the first truss via their hands and ropes which can be viewed at 

https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates/videos/10153932826655130/?l=1298191122335305749.  

Last week they raised the first truss of the roof and yesterday all the
trusses were in place and most of the needed steel supports (purlins).

As often happens when we see our Father at work and view His miracles, the devil throws a tantrum and tries to discourage us and others at KBTC. Our praise is that our Father has given us and the KBTC family His Spirit to guide and strengthen through times of disappointments in the enrolment of students and funds to cover salaries and other expenses.

Jack and I are OK and thanking God for his
protection.  I awoke at 1:30 on Monday night
hearing pops and discovered that the power guard
on our cottage fridge was ablaze.  I'm also thankful
that what I did stopped the fire and not me - which
was grabbing it and pitching it into the sink!

We are also thankful for no injuries among the KBTC family during a storm with strong winds on Monday night which resulted in power surges and major electrical problems on campus. Many of us had problems in our homes, from light fixtures exploding to ‘fried’ appliances. An electrician has been on campus all day (a one-day delay as power was not restored on campus until late yesterday afternoon) and he is still locating more problems in the offices. Another unexpected expense will be repairing the damaged pump at the borehole which provides water in homes and offices on campus. Pray with us that it can be repaired rather than replaced and done so quickly.

Our fridge guard no longer works, but we learned
when the power returned the next afternoon that
it did its job - our fridge is working great!

Yes, all of this has led to many moments of discouragement, but we keep reminding ourselves and each other that we are doing God’s work and He is the one in charge! He only asks that we believe in Him and rely upon Him, or as the old song says, TRUST AND OBEY Him. No, this isn’t always easy, thus we need your prayers. Join us in praying that we will keep our focus on knowing and doing God’s will.

We also ask that you join us in praying for wisdom and strength for Jack as he leads KBTC as the school strives to become better equipped to train Believers who want to serve our Father and shepherd His children. Pray for guidance and sensitivity as I correspond with our workers, sharing their praises and needs as Nudges to Action (Praying/ Serving/ Giving) for Sub-Saharan African Peoples.   BERT YATES

One last praise this week for this beautiful wildflower
growing outside my office/spare bedroom window!