We may not be the smartest, but...

The question for this photo is not WhyWeGo,
but "Why are the students laughing?"
I took the photo, but do not know why?

So, WHY DO WE GO? Why have we called Kenya home for the last 37 years? Why did we recently turn down a great Voluntary Retirement Incentive? Why have we willingly missed many special events in the lives of those we love in the States? Why when things got tough or frustrating have we chosen to stay?

The question in Nairobi traffic is often, "Can we Go?"

Sometimes we think that stubbornness is one truthful answer. Another good answer is that East Africa is now our comfort zone, which if you know the reality of life in Africa, leads to another possible answer – We stay because we are a bit crazy!

The most truthful and honest answer to why we choose to stay and invest our lives in Kenya? We stay because of what we were taught as little kids in Sunbeams (Mission Friends today). Our answer was, “Here WE are, send US!” when we “heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send… who will go for us?’” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV). We are here because we may not always be the smartest people, but we’ve learned that the best and safest place to be going on with our lives is where God has called us to be!

Sometimes the answer in Nairobi is "You can go, but...."

But please understand, we do not believe that one must be a ‘professional’ missionary to hear God’s call and to serve as His ambassadors telling others that He “so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). We believe that being a Christian is synonymous with being a missionary. We believe that every Christian should and must be committed to carrying out our Savior’s Great Commission to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV).

This photo could have been captured not this week,
but in 1978!

Jack, our 4 year old son and I came to Kenya in September, 1978, for a one year assignment with the FMB (now IMB). Jack came to teach at the Shauri Moyo Baptist Centre; I came to be the administrative assistant in our regional office. By the time our one year assignment stretched to 2 ½ years and it was time to leave with a now 7 year old son and an infant daughter, we knew God’s call on our lives was to return to States only long enough to be appointed as career missionaries. Nine months later we were on-the-go again headed back to Kenya and we are still here and plan to be for a few years more!

Jack admiring the new light fixtures he chose last
week, which the electricians installed this
week in the new floor of Baraka Hall.

Over those years, Jack has remained in education (his BA and MA are in education) in Baptist high schools, Bible Schools and at the Kenya Baptist Theological College. He learned to be a builder of churches (the people part and the structure part of churches) as well as working with volunteers, and many other assignments. I asked this week, “What verse best answers WHY YOU GO now that you serve as the Principal of the Kenya Baptist Theological College?” He quickly replied, “For Christ's love compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14 NIV). It is Christ’s love for Jack, me and all peoples, including those who have never heard or had Christ’s love explained in a way that can be understood and accepted, that keeps Jack going, keeps him striving to equip and teach God’s servants to carry out the Great Commission.

My favorite photo captured this week -  KBTC staff kids
spotted as we headed back to Nairobi one afternoon.

My work assignments have not relied upon my studies in Social Work and half completed Masters of Counseling (one reason we only planned to come for one year in 1978). Instead it was my job experiences during college which led me to working as a writer/ editor/ administrator with Kenya Baptist Media. I now have the joy of working in Internet Media as the Prayer Networker for the IMB Sub-Saharan African Peoples affinity and my WHY I GO verse was spoken by Peter and John, “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20 NIV). I get to see and hear the stories of how God is at work among our peoples, which leaves me eager to share these stories with you. It leaves me passionate about sharing what I “have seen and heard” as I know when you hear these stories you will desire to pray more, give more to offerings such as the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and others global missions offerings, and to come to serve also! BERT YATES

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- Lottie Moon Christmas Offering - http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/default.asp
- 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 at https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege.
- CLICK the Bits of Our Hearts tab for more views of our daily lives at https://www.facebook.com/bitsofourhearts.

Praising God Among the Nations & Peoples

Another week of pondering how to best share my answer to WHY WE GO, the query IMB workers are answering at the end of 2015. And once again I've thought of many answers, but God provided a new answer during my devotions yesterday morning.

When we truly know of our Heavenly Father’s love, care and faithfulness and of the precious gift we have of serving and obeying Him, of fulfilling His purpose for us, how can we not sing and make music? How can we not want to tell all peoples of His glory? How can I not want to share what God is doing among our Sub-Saharan African Peoples and allow others to join in His work through prayer, giving and serving?

Lots is always happening at KBTC, including work
on Baraka Hall, cutting grass and feeding the students!

Jack received a note this week from a KBTC student which reaffirmed WHY WE GO: “I thank God for your tireless efforts, concerns and prayers which make my dream come true. Thank you again for the support I receive through your office, including assistance with school fees. I am looking forward to working hard and through God’s power to achieve my goal of being an effective minister by applying the materials received from professors. I am humbled before God to see how He will use me as an equipped servant in ministry for His people. It is my prayer that God may bless you.  THANK YOU." 

If you had visited the new upper floor of KBTC's Baraka Hall last
Friday morning (Nov 13) this is what you would have viewed.
We are continuing to praise God for how He is at work at KBTC!

If you doubt what this “Thanks and Appreciation Letter” meant to Jack, take a moment to read our prayer letters from early 2013! Though it was hard at times to imagine during 2013 and even until recently, God is definitely at work at KBTC and the school is being “Revived/ Restored/ Resurrected/ Revised/ Rescued, Resulting once again in a place where African Believers can be prepared to Reflect the Presence of God and become qualified and capable workers in our Father’s Harvest Field.”

One stop shopping/service in Nairobi's industrial area. While getting tires

repaired, one can get a bite to eat, play pool and get clothes laundered!

Please continue joining us in praying for strength and wisdom as Jack serves as the Principal of the Kenya Baptist Theological College. Pray for the team that is working towards KBTC being accredited and enabled to offer degrees. Pray for open hearts, minds and souls for the students who are currently on the campus and for those teaching the classes this month.

We have not started decorating for Christmas with
twinkling lights. God-provided rain turned our
yard into a wonder-land each morning this week! 

Pray for me as I serve as the Prayer Networker for our affinity and share what God is up to among Sub-Saharan African Peoples. To be honest, spending hours each day on the internet is not always ‘fun’, but I know that when those of you who support us through prayer, giving (Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Cooperative Program and other global missions offerings) and by coming/sending more workers learn how God has blessed your past investments, you will be astounded and want to invest more in prayers, finances and serving as you join us in joining Him in His work! BERT YATES
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- Prayer letters from early 2013 -http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.co.ke/2013_01_01_archive.html
- Lottie Moon Christmas Offering -http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/default.asp
- 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 at https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege. The NEW AND IMPROVED version of Praising God at Baraka Hall - November 11, 2015 (shared last week) is now up and ready for viewing and sharing on this page.
- CLICK the Bits of Our Hearts tab for more view of our daily lives at https://www.facebook.com/bitsofourhearts.

One of many photos shared this week at BITS of our HEARTS! 

Because of Who He is

Rain, rain and more rain in recent days!

I've pondered and pondered how to share my answer to WHY WE (I) GO, the question IMB workers are answering at the end of 2015.  I've thought of many answers which are good, even great, and I plan on sharing more answers later, but today I'm going to share two short visual answers!

My first answer this week to WHY I GO is BECAUSE of the joy we experience when we join in His work.  I can write lots to explain this, but I think the best way is by sharing this Praising God at Baraka Hall slideshow!  I know some of you may think that Jack and I must get excited about things very easily, and maybe we do, but what is happening at KBTC is beyond words AND you know I like to use words, lots and lots of words!  But as we've made the journey during the last three years of the ongoing revival, restoration, resurrection and rescue of KBTC, we learned over and over that obeying God may lead to lots of spiritual warfare heading your way, but it also leads to a joy and happiness that makes it all more than worth the journey!

My second answer this week to WHY I GO is Because of Who He Is! I go because God has given me the gift of being His child.  I go because He has commanded me to share His story and His love and His gifts with others.  I go because "God IS worthy of the worship of all."  Take time to view Because of Who He Is and also take time to view more of what is shared as resources for the 2015 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. If your church doesn't give through this offering, HAKUNA MATATA (no worries), there is lots at this site you can still enjoy and use as you carry out Great Commission!

Yes, we do have lots of prayer items this week to share with you.  Jack needs prayers for strength and wisdom as he leads the Kenya Baptist Theological College.  Pray for the team that is working towards KBTC being accreditation so that the school can offer degrees.  Pray for open hearts, minds and souls for the students who are currently on the campus and for the same for those teaching the classes this month.

View this morning which lifted my spirits as I prepared
breakfast without electricity - which happens often
during heavy rains.  For more photos of the week,
visit https://www.facebook.com/bitsofourhearts

Pray for me as I seek to share what God is up to among Sub-Saharan African Peoples, which leads me to one last reason explaining how I answer WHY I GO! I am here because I want to share these stories with you, the people who have invested in our lives through prayers, finances and serving.  I do this because I know without a doubt that when you know how God has blessed your past investments, you will be astounded and want to invest more in prayers, finances and serving as you join us in joining Him in His work!  BERT YATES

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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.

#Why We Go

I’ve sat at the computer for hours today working on photos (new slideshow shared at the end) and trying to put my rambling thoughts into words. To be honest, we are tired! The last few months have been filled with activities and experiences, some we can freely share, others we cannot, that have been exhausting, even though many have been good things or things we know are needed.

One needed thing is the Voluntary Retirement Incentive (VRI) offered in August by our sending agency, the International Mission Board. We totally understand the need for this offer. The IMB has shared many times over the years the need for increased support, but like most mission organizations, giving has not grown enough to continue supporting the required work to share the gospel with everyone in our growing and changing world. (See Financial Plan Updates and Related Stories for more.)

Even though we understand and believe the downsizing will result in our workers being enabled to more effectively share the Gospel with our lost world, it is painful. All workers over 50 with five or more years of service, which definitely qualified Jack and me, responded earlier this week to the incentive. Like others, we had spent many hours in prayer and in God’s Word before sharing our response which was THANK YOU, BUT NO! I don’t think many were surprised by our decision, but we have had many mixed emotions as our co-workers have responded and more have accepted the VRI than we anticipated.

This surprise has led to grieving for the loss of so many friends. We also grieve with our grieving friends as they follow a new unknown path which is frightening in parts even though all share that they are certain God guided their decision and they know they are obeying Him and will continue to serve Him. We are grieving with many adult missionary kids who are excited about having their parents closer, yet they are losing a tie to their childhood homes. Our thoughts are also with younger missionary kids whose lives will be changing as they follow their parents who are following their heavenly Father.

I asked Jack this morning to share his IT IS NOT and IT IS answers to #WhyWeGO, a question our workers are answering during this year’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Here are his answers:

“#WhyWeGO IS NOT about having a job to do or having all the answers and solutions. IT IS NOT about money. IT IS NOT about being surrounded by a host of influential or powerful people in order to get a job done or figure out the perfect solutions to problems.

“#WhyWeGo IS about allowing God to take control as we trust and obey Him. IT IS about knowing that when we pray for guidance and help, He will send or connect us with total strangers or friends with unexpected gifts to answer the prayer needs. One needed connection for the accreditation of KBTC was made by a coworker following a car accident! IT IS about trusting God to provide, encourage and surprise. Somehow KBTC has paid its debts, kept school fees low, added staff, and miraculously completed Baraka Hall where students sleep, study, worship and eat.

“IT IS about trusting God through the Holy Spirit to help us put off all earthly dependencies and run the race (call) focused on the goal (the prize of Christ) with no excuses, no falseness, no hidden agenda but by being a Christ-like example, a spiritual leader with vision and purpose and an encouragement to students and coworkers. IT IS believing that with God all things are possible.”

I’ve also answered these queries, but you will have to wait until next week for my answers related to my call to share stories of how our Father is at work among Sub-Saharan African Peoples and how you can join in His work! But DO NOT wait until next week to pray for us. We depend upon your prayers and need them for strength and wisdom as we continue obeying and serving our Father! BERT YATES
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Voluntary Retirement Incentive (VRI) - http://www.imb.org/updates/storyview-3516.aspx#.VjoAbrcrIgt

Financial Plan Updates and Related Stories - http://www.imb.org/storyview-3507.aspx#.Vjn-grcrIgs.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering - http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/default.asp

Why We Go Promotional Video - http://imb.org/resources/embedvideos.aspx?mvid=23782