Joys and Prayers

View captured this morning in KBTC's library as Jack
taught the need of doing research if one wants to
carry out our Savior's Great Commission.

Jack’s special joys this week? TEACHING ‘Intro to Evangelism and Missions’ to the newest KBTC Diploma of Theology class. RECOGNIZING that one student is the first KBTC student from Iten in the Rift Valley of Kenya, and possibly the first Keiyo student, a part of the Kalenjin people group.

I caught this photo of how this young woman comes
prepared for her classes and yes, she is a super student.

HEARING a student share how when asked unexpectedly to be the worship speaker at her church on the previous Sunday, she relied on her newly learned Bible Storying skills. After sharing the story of Mary and Martha, four people accepted Christ as their Savior, including one woman of another faith who usually wears a black covering in public.

The student was not the only one smiling! Jack and the
THE STORY TELLER (what the students call their
Bible Storying teacher) were also grinning broadly.

His special joy, which I was around to capture in a photo, was the smile on the face of a South Sudanese student when he was told that finances were in hand to send KBTC teachers to the refugee camp in northern Kenya where he lives. His smile broadened as he was asked to choose 15 students from the camp to be trained in Bible Storying and in studying Following Jesus, the beginning book in the TEE (Theological Education by Extension) series.

Sorry, I didn't get photos of the kids, BUT I did ask
someone to take a photo of me with a chameleon!

My special memories of the week were provided by the families living on the KBTC campus who are studying Kiswahili. WATCHING two little sisters chattering in Korean playing outside as the sun set. LISTENING as a neighbor used her heart language, Chinese, to gather her chickens at nightfall. BEING SURPRISED when the young son of another Korean family spoke English with more of a Southern US drawl than my own. SPENDING time admiring the baby chameleon of a very shy little girl who knows no English or Kiswahili, thus we communicated through smiles.

This photo was captured last Sunday at Parklands
Baptist Church. A parade of flags and praying
for lost nations is moving in the States.  It is
extra moving to share it with African Believers! 

As I wrote, I realized that our joys are all a part of the diversity in our modern world even in Africa, which leads to one of the positives of the current reduction of staff by the International Mission Board. Workers returning to the States from around our world will strengthen the ability of American churches to reach the lost among them, especially those from other cultures as they join the army of Missionaries and Missionary Kids already in the States who continue their work with peoples with different languages and upbringings and with people who worship in different ways. Another plus: These men and women will be great champions for enticing and guiding others to share and live their faith among peoples who are family members, from one’s neighborhood or work place and from other parts of the world.

And catching this view of African kids praying for the
nations in darkness was especially moving! 

Please pray for God’s guidance and peace for those returning to the States as they seek new ways to be on mission with their Father. Pray for them as they find homes, cars, jobs (including the daunting task of writing job resumes), etc. Pray for them as they use their skills, abilities and past experiences to reach those who are still in darkness, searching for The Truth. Pray also for those of us who are staying as we face the loss of co-workers who are dear friends, as we adjust to the new number of workers and as we help our national partners understand the need for the staff reduction.

This sunbird showed up to pose and sing
for me this morning only moments
before I began my daily devotions!

Pray for Jack as he continues teaching and as he takes part in a Bible Storying conference next week. Pray for me as I seek the best ways to strengthen and encourage our co-workers as I respond to their newsletters, posts, and blogs. Pray for insight and wisdom as I share their stories – stories from IMB Sub-Saharan African Peoples which will help you understand WHY WE GO to live in other countries, among other peoples and why we need your prayers, your financial support and the personnel support you send our way!

My questions to you and myself this week comes from Ezekiel 36:23. Who, what people group or nation will you place in the first blank in this photo? Can you honestly put your name in the second blank? People are waiting near and afar to hear of your Good News. They need your prayers, your support, your sending and going as workers to our Father’s Harvest Field. Are you allowing our Father to make Himself holy through you?

BERT YATES

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