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!