#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