Overflowing Hope

Kweli!  This is a real home-made wheelbarrow
spotted last week in the tea fields bordering KBTC.

“Kweli?” My retort a few years ago to a grocery store clerk after visiting the third store with no salt and asking a young worker if there was a shortage. His reply (translated from Swahili) was, “Return this afternoon. We will have salt for you.” This is when I had asked, “Kweli?" (Is this true?). Very seriously, he replied, “Mama, we can always hope.” My and his response to his comment was one that communicates in any language – laughter!

Photo taken yesterday morning after we were awaken
by rain before sunrise.  We are praying the seasonal
rains (twice a year) begin this week.

As I read of prayers for rain in the blogs, prayer letters, FB posts of coworkers and friends across Sub-Saharan Africa this week, I was reminded of this encounter. At the moment, rain is desperately hoped for in many parts of the world, but in Africa a lack of rain leads to starving people, kids not going to school as they spend their days hauling water, increased illnesses, and on and on.

I will not share a photo of our current piles of dirty
laundry, but a photo of a second-hand outdoor shop
which offer great prices on sinks, toilets, etc.
WE KNOW as we bought our last sink at a place
like this for a fraction of the price for a new one!

Even though the water in our part of Nairobi was turned off yet again this morning (after returning only long enough for me to wash two loads of two weeks of accumulated laundry thanks to no water), I am not complaining! My desire is to share how to pray more fully for Believers at work in our Father’s Harvest Field. We do need prayers for the Holy Spirit's guidance as we share our “living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3 NIV) with unreached peoples. Our workers need your prayer support as they minister to those who have been persecuted and those who are hungry, thirsty, sick, imprisoned, and in many more situations.

On Sunday, we had to fogo showers, but we did
provide a bit of water for a bath for this beauty...

We also need your prayers for perseverance and patience as we face what may appear as mundane/ unspiritual problems such as no water, electricity, or cooking gas, as well as too many bumpy roads with scary fellow drivers – all which leads to worries and frustrations, as well as hot sleepless nights with no cooling fans and no option of a hot or even cold shower! Pray that even during these times we will be bold witnesses of the overflowing hope, joy and peace our Father offers (Romans 15:13).

...which evidently was very refreshing!

Pray also for us to find a balance between our concerns and those of African friends. When I catch myself complaining about a lack of water or electricity, I remember the scenes we view often of people doing laundry in rivers and streams and toting heavy loads of water home for cooking and bathing.

One of many photos captured this week which was
shared at Bits of Our Hearts! (CLICK tab above.)

Another reason that I’ve searched for verses on hope this week is our concern for coworkers as many prepare to return to the States after accepting the IMB’s Voluntary Retirement Incentive. We are also hurting for who are staying and concerned about the ‘reset’ as we adjust to the reduction of staff due to limited funds and as new plans are put into place to best share the Gospel with our lost world.

Caught Jack last week opening his Intro to Evanglism
and Missions class with a time of prayer.

Pray that Jack and I will fully claim the hope which Hebrews 6:19 describes as the “anchor for the soul, firm and secure” as we seek to strengthen and encourage our coworkers and national Believers. Join us in claiming Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,” for retiring coworkers facing many unknowns as they seek to obey our Father’s call on their lives.

As I write today, Jack is attending a conference on Orality. We are thanking God for this opportunity to meet leaders from other seminaries and colleges who are also seeking to equip God’s children to share His message with all peoples in Africa through the printed word and various oral methods.

 Pray for me as I continue learning what God is doing among Sub-Saharan African Peoples and sharing these stories with prayer supporters and those who provide the funds to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and other ways of giving to global missions which allow us to be at work in our Father's Field. Pray for me also as I challenge more people to truly desire to proclaim the eternal Gospel to all peoples in our world, such as: What people or peoples are you prepared to give the reason for the hope that you have? BERT

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Remember to view the daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples (CLICK tab at top of page), a part of Bert's work as the Prayer Networker for Sub-Saharan African Peoples at https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples. This site and those below can be safely viewed by anyone!

For more about Jack's work at the Kenya Baptist Theological College, CLICK the KBTC tab above to visit -   https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege.

CLICK the Bits of Our Hearts tab for more view of our daily lives at  https://www.facebook.com/bitsofourhearts.