Why Am I Here?

“Why am I here? Why is my serving in Africa worth the investment you and others have made in global missions through the IMB?” These are questions I have asked as I began focusing on promoting the 2015 Week of Prayer for International Missions (Nov 29-Dec 6) and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and other offerings given in churches which support the work of the IMB.

  

These questions have also guided my choice of scriptures during my devotions in recent days. I’ve been a Believer for many, many years, but I am still truly amazed by the truth of Hebrews 4:12, “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” 
His Word also provides comfort, joy, peace, mercy, guidance, answers and so much more when we are listening to Him and ready to obey Him! When we call to Him, He does provide “great and unsearchable things” (Jeremiah 33:3), assurances and answers which one cannot find in any other place, even in these days of unlimited search resources on the internet!

These are also the questions I’ve considered while reading of co-workers’ journeys as they make their own decisions about early retirement in response to the IMB’s need to downsize due to financial restraints. Our decision to stay with the IMB for a while longer is made, but many colleagues are still seeking God’s guidance. Others have made their decision and to the surprise of many, after praying and praying, they feel that God has called them to leave their current assignments. Like us, they have peace and know they have heard and are obeying God’s will, yet they are grieving as they prepare to leave their peoples who are still in need of our Good News as well as new Believers in need of “strengthening… and encouraging… to remain true to the faith” (Acts 14:22).

In the midst of all my questions and searching God’s Words, God has shown me that to review and renew one’s call is a true positive. A continually renewed awareness of why I’m at work in our Father’s Harvest Field (Luke 10:2) should and will lead to my being a more committed and stronger “fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ” (1 Thess. 3:2). The truly amazing and astonishing part for me? He loves me enough to want and trust me to reflect His glory (2 Cor. 3:18) and share His story with those in our world in need of His love and salvation.

As I’ve grieved with friends who are leaving, it hit me that God is getting ready to do a new thing and make a new way (Isaiah 43:19). Our newly retired workers are going to be a passionate and equipped army of warriors praying knowledgably for the unreached unengaged peoples and leading others to prayer, to serving and to providing financial support for those at work in our Father’s Harvest Fields.

Will you join me in praying that all Believers will review and reclaim the call of every child of God to be a part of proclaiming the eternal gospel “to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Rev 14:6) until “all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God” (Isaiah 52:10)? 

I’ve not posted lots of photos in today’s update but simply shared my heart and what God is teaching me. I've also this question which I hope you will answer: What person’s, persons’ or people group’s name have you or will you fill into the spaces on this photo illustration of Jeremiah 24:7? BERT YATES

My Heart's Desire

It is Spring in East Africa, so rather than viewing colorful leaves, we are watching birds nesting, trees budding and I'm sneezing!  I'm sharing glimpses today of what we've experienced this week, beginning with the verse that captured my attention during my morning devotion and asking this question: How do you fill in this blank?

This has been a full week as Jack continues teaching Church Planting and Church Growth to one of KBTC's  two Diploma of Theology classes now on campus. Jack often asks guests to help teach his class which last week included a Kenyan pastor.  Our friend shared how medical camps, human needs projects and home visits led to the beginning of the church he now pastors in a part of Nairobi where most residents are followers of another faith.  For several years, the church family met in a building constructed by volunteers, but four years ago it was burned during a time of tension in Kenya. Many continue to fear returning to the building (steel  poles only/ no walls), so they now meet in the four Home Churches begun by the church, which has grown from 60 members to 120 members since the fire.  The pastor asked for prayer as the church continues meeting on Sundays.

Not yet a Nudge to Action for SSAPeoples, but a photo
I may use one day of one who cares for KBTC's flowers
who is a strong worker in our Father's Harvest Field. 

It has been pure joy this week for me to share special stories from our co-workers among Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Over and over I find myself writing letters asking if I can share their stories as these stories must be shared to show how our Father is at work and how we can encourage others to join in His Work! To view these daily posts, CLICK the IMB Sub-Saharan African Peoples tab above.

A special joy of Susan EVANS Brockway's volunteer
trip is visiting with friends of her parents, Betty and
Chuck Evans, who were IMB missionaries in Kenya. 

I've also had the joy this week of capturing photos of the on-going completion of KBTC's Baraka Hall and other happenings on campus, which yesterday included viewing a class in how to lead baptisms, communions and weddings; spending time on Monday with a returning adult Missionary Kid visiting with a volunteer team; and a few days ago taking photos of a very simple, but tasty lunch eaten by our construction workers which those who have moved away from Kenya often crave; and watching a bird create a very unique nest!  For a few of these photos CLICK the BITS OF OUR HEARTS and KBTC (Kenya Baptist Theological College) above, but you can view bits of the baptism in this "Training in Baptisms" slideshow!

There is so much more we would like to share with you, but I will close with these prayer items. Thank you for praying for us as we awaited more information about the VRI* offers being sent to IMB workers before we made our final decision.  We faced no "temptations, distractions, self-doubts" and were filled with the peace that only God can give as we submitted our decision to decline the offer and stay in Kenya with the IMB.

Jack and I had an unplanned mini-praise service as

we returned to campus on Sunday and viewed

KBTC's newly roofed Baraka Hall shining beyond

the tea fields in the late afternoon sun!

Please join us in continuing  to pray for colleagues still seeking God's will in what decisions they are to make as the IMB downsizes due to financial restraints. Pray for peace and strength for all (those leaving and those staying) during this time of transition.  Pray that each of us will confidently obey our Father as we determine when and how we are to complete the task He has assigned us. I also ask each of you to consider what God is calling you to do. How strong is your "heart's desire and prayer to God" for the salvation of the unreached peoples of our world?   BERT YATES

*VRI - http://www.imb.org/updates/storyview-3516.aspx#.Vfkl5xGqqko 

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I wish I had time to share more bits of our lives
and the joys God sends our way, but...

Photos captured during the students' lunch break after chapel last
Thursday. One young man read as others memorized scriptures.

And all enjoyed a sunny day after several cold and cloudy days.

The volunteer team from Jeffersontown Baptist Church shared
Monday morning chapel with the staff this week. The men of
the team have been teaching on campus this week while
the women are leading workshops in churches for women.
A special guest showed up to entertain them on Monday!

The hill side I climbed to get photos of the baptism class. These
boys also had difficulty navigating it, but had more fun than I did!
Afterwards I visited the class while they were learning
about preparing and offering communion.

Then I took a break and viewed the construction on the windows
and viewed the flowers.  To understand why I'm sharing these
flowers, you must find the special nest photo shared above at
the BITS OF OUR HEARTS tab.

I did return to class for the time of learning how to conduct a wedding.
And yes, the students re-enacted it everything EXCEPT THE KISS -
though the other students begged for this part also!

Hearing God's Voice

“ENOUGH, you heard me! Now do what I say and trust me and yourself!” This is what I heard very distinctly yesterday morning as I reacted with frustration when my morning devotion was interrupted by a knock at the door. Some may think it odd, but I heard our Father's chastisement as clearly as the electrician’s statement that he had come to rectify problems in our KBTC cottage.

In the last weeks Jack and I have been seeking God’s guidance in our response to the IMB’s announced voluntary retirement incentive (VRI). In all honesty, there are days that taking retirement now, rather than two or so years from now is very enticing. Like many IMB coworkers, we have dealt with a wide range of thoughts and emotions since the announcement, even though we were not surprised by the need for drastic measures. Another bit of honesty – we have often faced the dilemma in recent years of sharing our true thanks to those who give to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, while also needing to ask you to give more so that we and others can continue fulfilling His call in our lives to take His Eternal Gospel “to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6).

Photo captured this week of a KBTC student
from South Sudan finding a few minutes to
study during lunch in the future dean's office.

We will renew efforts to truly seek God’s plans for us as we peruse our personal VRI package when it arrives late this week, but God has already given us an answer and an inner peace. As we’ve talked, prayed and read His Word, we have received a strong reaffirmation of His call for our lives and an assurance that His current assigned plans for us have not changed, which means not accepting the offer. We continue to believe that when God called Jack three years ago to join Him in reviving the Kenya Baptist Theological College, a place where His workers are being trained and equipped, He was assigning Jack the responsibility to “finish THIS race and complete THIS task” (Acts 20:24). (You can view a bit of the ongoing race at Fulfilling His Purpose - KBTC - Sept 11, 2105 and by clicking the KBTC tab above.)

We have learned much about prayer from
our African brothers and sisters. This
was captured last Sunday at our church.

When He called me to serve as a Prayer Advocate for Sub- Saharan African Peoples three years ago, I also accepted a task. I am daily assured that the race I am to finish is “the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24) as I share what God is doing among our peoples and how others can join in His Work through praying, giving and serving.

A Nudge to Action for Sub-Saharan African
Peoples Bert composed this week sharing a
coworker's thanks. More thanks to
Lottie will be shared in coming weeks!

Another part of my task, which I feel strongly about as one who learned about the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program as a child, is to share how God’s dividend program for your gifts of prayers, finances and personnel far exceeds any human financial plan. (To see what has happened this week among our peoples and how God blessed your gifts to the LMCO, click the Sub-Saharan African Peoples tab above. For more personal items from us, click the Bits of Hearts tab.)

This term Jack is teaching Church Planting
and Church Growth.  Next month he will
teach Missions and Evangelism course.

One VRI option will be that we retire at the end of the year and stay on as volunteers. This has led to our questioning if we are allowing our financial concerns to cloud this choice. Some say IMB missionaries are not ‘faith’ missionaries because we do not personally provide our support, but we learned long ago that being a missionary always requires keeping the faith in (2 Tim 4:7) and our focus on the ONE who provides ALL our support! God has also made it clear that His plan for us is to complete our current tasks as IMB workers, not for our sake, but as a part of the past investments of Southern Baptists.

A view of Nairobi captured last Sunday, not
far from Shauri Moyo, where Jack worked
when we first arrived in 1978. 

We do ask that you continue praying for us and others with the IMB, including those not receiving the VRI offers as they grieve for the loss which will occur. Pray that we will not allow the devil’s temptations, distractions, self-doubts, and deceptions to lead us away from knowing God’s will as we each make our final decisions. Pray that each of us will confidently obey our Father as we determine when and how we are to complete the task He has assigned us. I also ask each of you to consider what God is calling you to do and how you are respond to His call to take His Eternal Gospel “to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Rev 14:6).  BERT YATES

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FOR a view of the relaxation therapy God sent my way last week, take a moment to view the new REST FOR THE WEARY photo album at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154125957860130.1073741856.685050129&type=1&l=251c35e80e. 

VRI - http://www.imb.org/updates/storyview-3516.aspx#.Vfkl5xGqqko
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering the Cooperative Program - http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/details.asp?StoryID=13782#.VfkthhGqqko
Fulfilling His Purpose - KBTC - Sept 11, 2105 at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1037314039620215.1073741840.466678516683773&type=1&l=116a18ce89
KBTC - https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege
Sub-Saharan African Peoples - https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples

Bits of Our Hearts - https://www.facebook.com/bitsofourhearts

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More scenes which brought us joy this past week!

I would love to see how they remove the dresses for
interested customers! Captured in a village outside of Nairobi.

View captured last Sunday only feet from the gate to our church,
Eastgate Baptist, and yes, this is in the city of Nairobi!

Pepsi is also sold in Kenya, but COKE does the better job
in adding colors to businesses!

And now just a few photos of the hundreds of bird photos captured this week

Singing out of Joy

Added JOY: Colobus monkeys were spotted
again this morning on the KBTC campus!

Things are not always perfect in our lives and things happen that concern us, even hurt us, but there are more moments when we want to “rejoice… (and) sing out of the joy of OUR hearts” (65:13,14) as we see God at work and view what He has done and is doing! This week’s update contains bits we’ve heard and seen this week, how we’ve seen our Father “come down to make His name known” (64:2) and views of the “awesome things” (64:3) He has done, is doing and can/will do as He leads all to know and call upon Him. (Bert’s interpretation of bits from Isaiah 64, 65.)

“Hakuna shule leo?” Jack’s question to four boys cutting grass around the tea fields beside Baraka Hall as we headed to chapel yesterday. There was ‘No school today' as teachers in Kenyan public schools continue a strike for better salaries. The youngest boy replied, “I want to SOMA.” In a country where many lack school opportunities, it was a joy to hear this child say, “I want to go to school and study." He and his brothers were having fun as they cut grass, but I’m sure he didn’t want to do this forever, to be daily cutting grass for free on someone’s land in exchange for grass to feed the family’s animals.

“‘Hallelujah, thine the Glory.’ The roof has ridges!” After leaving the grass slashers, we turned a corner, spotting a completed roof on Baraka Hall! I was surprised by how excited we got about seeing the ridges, the bits topping the roof panels, in place! Kenya Baptist Theological College continues to face many challenges, but all on campus are astounded by how God is providing for the college’s needs as we strive to obey and serve Him. We are thankful for those responding to His nudges to aid the college, but we know He is the One who deserves all the honor and glory for the awesome things we see happening.

“These are my students. I’m already training them.” This was shared outside of Baraka Hall by a student who recently completed his diploma in Christian Education. He had two young men with him (possibly also out of school due to the strike), showing them around his alma mater. It was a joy to hear him speak of the importance of discipling and training the younger generation. It was pure joy to dream that one day the four brothers and these youth may receive a degree and theological training at KBTC!

Viewed through the almost finished roof
is Dean Kamau and a student.

“Oh, they are still completing the porch roof.” We soon saw that workers were adding the last few ridges on the roof of the entry way as we entered Baraka Hall, where two classes working towards a Diploma in Theology were completing their morning studies before chapel. High on our list of current joys is that students’ fees are being paid and an even greater joy is that the newest of these classes has 20 students in it, a change from recent years when many classes had only a few students, which is definitely not a good situation for paying bills! An added joy? That students are from many people groups, as well as those from other countries, including South Sudan and Rwanda.

Variable Sunbirds are 4 to 4.5 inches in length,
a truly colorful creation of our Father!

“How big is the bird casting that shadow?” My question as I returned from chapel. As I searched the sky I discovered that it was not a huge bird, but a small Variable Sunbird in the perfect position under the mid-day sun to cast a huge shadow. Maybe due to my old habit of ‘composing’ Bible studies, which I did for years as I wrote materials for Kenya Baptist Media, my next thought was, “This is what we must be doing. Believers must be getting in the perfect position with the SON, our Savior, so that we can cast a big shadow on the world around us as we reflect Him in our world, as we go, make disciples and teach.”

Spotted as we returned VERY SLOWLY from church
last Sunday as streams of people headed to a stadium
in the city centre hosting a football game between the
Kenyan national team and the team from Zambia.

“They had never led a time of communion in their churches.” What Jack was told this week by a Kenyan missionary reaching other peoples in in own country. The young man shared that in a being-reached people group, he found churches, but their pastors didn’t know how to offer communion or even that they should be doing it. Pray for KBTC and others as they seek to find the best ways to train pastors and church leaders to truly guide their churches to know our Savior and be witnesses of Him among their people.

This was my surprise capture when I edited photos
taken outside of Jack's office last week!

Pray for our personal and KBTC concerns that we cannot openly share. Join us in praying that we will always be in line with our Father’s plans and purposes, and always ready and able to cast a ‘big shadow’ when it comes to reaching those who are still waiting for our Good News of the One who “Before they call… will answer; while they are still speaking… will hear” (65:24).

And one last story which I have to share happened last Sunday during worship with our church family at Eastgate Baptist Church.  As a group of our men led the service, I looked up and spotted the almost 4 year old son walking onto the stage with a small guitar.  This little one is very shy, so I was surprised, but a small chair was placed beside an older guitarist and he played the last song with them!  Later his Mom explained that he had begged for lessons and they finally accepted that this was not a whim, put his passion.  What I truly loved was learning that the men on the instruments that day had welcomed him to join their worship team and were working with him, helping this preschooler use his passion to praise God!  Another great lesson of always keeping our eyes open to the "awesome things" God adds to our journey with Him!  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!

Don't miss the new photo album, Boasting in the Lord – KBTC – September 4, 2015  at  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1032191763465776.1073741839.466678516683773&type=1&l=a5e58b9d62. 

CLICK the KBTC tab (top of this page) to view more of what is happening at KBTC and in Jack's work.

AND for added photos of our lives and experiences, also CLICK the BITS OF OUR HEARTS tab above. 

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Three added photos captured this week, chosen simply because I love them!

The bird was spotted in Nairobi last weekend as I
tried to focus on having devotions while sitting on our verandah,

The photo below was taken this morning from
the window in Jack's office at KBTC.

And the photo below was captured as we returned to KBTC last Sunday! 

LET ME TELL YOU...

A coincidence, luck or a fluke? No, a God-incident happened at our house yesterday morning. I’m always on the look-out during my daily devotions for a scripture to guide the week’s Yates-IMB-Kenya&SSAP update and this past week, I spotted Psalm 66. My to-do list including posting a video of “How Great Thou Art” being sung in Kiswahili captured at our church on August 23rd.

I have always loved “How Great Thou Art”, but the Swahili version has been my favorite hymn since I first heard it sung in 1978. It was especially meaningful as it was sung during the VBS presentation at Eastgate PBC on August 23 by the teachers of the children of our church, friends who not only believe the message of this song, but share it weekly with a new generation who will share it with others! Thanks to internet problems today, I cannot add the video to this update, but "How Great Thou Art/ Bwana Mungu Nashangaa Kabisa" can be viewed by all at  https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates/videos/10154101972510130/?l=4542303263579790030 or by clicking the BITS OF OUR HEARTS tab above.

Another item on my  -do list was asking Jack what he wanted to share this week. His first response was NOTHING, but after reading Isaiah 58 during his devotions yesterday morning he changed his mind and asked to share the following:

“Last weekend our Professor Emeritus, Weru, traveled to Naivasha to participate in a special service at Nyamathi Baptist Church. The meeting was called to bring together a consortium of denominations and government officials with the purpose of responding to a growing social need – abandoned widows. Often this part of the African society is forgotten as the focus in on orphans. It is forgotten how often widows are the one caring for and even taking in orphans, sharing what little they have. Weru shared that it was reported at the meeting of the vast number of widows in their area living without housing, even bedding and truly abandoned by society.”

God always knows when I need to relax a bit and He
He sends views such as this - A chicken delivery man!

Now back to the God-incident at our house yesterday morning! Later in the day as I looked carefully at my chosen guide for the week and what Jack read yesterday morning, as well as experiences He had sent our way, I spotted a theme. I was celebrating how Believers are reaching the younger generation. Jack was encouraged by Believers who were not relying upon missionaries from afar to minister to their people in need, they were claiming the joy of serving our Father and doing His work.

Jack loves new construction and
he especially is in awe of how the
added space at Baraka Hall can
 be used in training KBTC students
and missionaries from Africa!

I knew this God-incident was a reminder from our Father to focus on what He has called us to do, on the work He has equipped us to do. The International Mission Board, our sending agency, is in the midst of change, changes focused on getting totally serious about carrying out the Great Commission. This change is about fully reaching the millions in our world who have no access to the Gospel; it is about equipping and challenging all Believers to make disciples at home and around our world. (For more view FOLLOW ME.)

Thus our focus remains "Strengthening and encouraging as we engage lostness together” (Acts 14:22; Revelation 14:6) and our people focus is on Believers. We know that the job He has called us to do is to equip, train, support, and inspire others to be His workers in His harvest field (Matthew 9:37-38).

This week will you pray for Jack as he guides the Kenya Baptist Theological College? Pray that he will always be ready and able to strengthen and encourage past, current and future KBTC students; pastors, church leaders, and convention leaders; as well as missionaries and volunteers. Pray for wisdom and insight for me as I use social networking to enlist more prayer support for Believers who are working among unreached peoples in Sub-Saharan Africa. Thank God with me for the opportunities to strengthen and encourage our workers as they share the Gospel with those who have never heard our Father's Good News.

Once again I must say: Thank you for strengthening and encouraging us, as well as allowing us to obey and serve our Father as you pray, give and send workers to join us. 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. This site and those below can be safely viewed by anyone!

Don't miss the JOY on the KBTC Campus - Aug 27, 2015 photo album shared last Thursday, which can be viewed by anyone at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1028098637208422.1073741838.466678516683773&type=1&l=43d4fe92df.  CLICK the KBTC tab to view more of what is happening at KBTC and in Jack's work.

AND for added views of our lives and experiences, also CLICK the BITS OF OUR HEARTS tab above. 

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Now it is time for a few random photos captured this past
week, beginning with a few of the views spotted when
 work stopped at the KBTC administrative offices
yesterday to view the visiting colobus monkeys!

And a bit more entertainment last week as we

helped a new friend celebrate her birthday

with the smallest candle at our KBT

 cottage and views from our windows!