I will begin as I did last week:
“Running late today, very late … I have the best job. I do have to share some negative/ discouraging things, but my focus is usually on sharing the incredible positive…” Today’s delay is not due to a positive, but a negative. Yesterday’s headline in our local
Daily Nation was
“100 die in fuel fire” (1) and todays,
“Nation in mourning as toll rises” (2), sharing that “the death toll (is) at between 100 and 120” with hundreds homeless and injured and thousands suffering and traumatized. (Look at the following two posts for video news clips of the tragedy.)
I can share some ‘positives’ related to this fire. It is has been amazing how people are responding/reacting to the fire. We know that many ministering to those affected are doing it in our Father’s name. One Kenyan Baptist pastor/teacher shared with Jack that his concern is for the emotional healing from the trauma as well as for the meeting of physical needs (medical, housing, and finances) of those affected. We heard this morning that one friend, a Kenyan Baptist women’s leader, runs a school in this area and others are joining with her in ministry in her area. Please join me this week in praying for God’s comfort and the meeting of the physical needs for those suffering.
After today’s
Prayer Nudge from East Africa (3) was posted, I added this comment:
“Debated whether to post the Prayer Nudge prepared for today, but realized that especially in the time of trauma and pain, we must claim and share the joy we have as Believers.” I have become very aware of this as I’ve shared prayer nudges for the ongoing
Horn of Africa Drought Crisis (4) and the fire in one of
Nairobi’s slums (5). I expected someone to comment on two ‘conflicting’ emphases in last week’s prayer update – the drought and the slideshow,
“Satisfied Souls at Ridgeways Baptist” (6). One shared prayer needs related to famine and the other shared the ‘eating’ part of the celebration/ dedication of a new sanctuary. This is an issue faced often by those on mission with God! We do experience heartbreaking situations as we celebrate the ‘positive’ things our Father and His children are accomplishing. It is often hard to do both at the same time and to continue praising God in all situations – thus a prayer need for balance, strength, and wisdom for all of us serving as our Father’s co-workers.
I do have positives to share this week. Jack has begun another two week session at Kenya Baptist Theological College teaching Baptist Beliefs, History and Practice to 3rd year Youth Ministry. His prayer request is that these 11 students (from Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan/ 8 men, 3 women) will be strong and capable sharers of our Father’s love and salvation with the youth and children of East Africa.
My positive this week was finding time to create a Psalm 84 slideshow sharing a view of how God is at work among the members (past and present) of Ridgeways Baptist Church in Nairobi.
PRAISING GOD WITH RIDGEWAYS BAPTIST CHURCH (7) is a true Lottie Moon story – a story of how the desire of an IMB missionary family for a church in their community has resulted 23 years later in a church needing a sanctuary seating 1500. Another way to define Ridgeways Baptist: A story of how the investment of Believers on mission with our Father has resulted in incredible returns!
Sometimes I am so focused on praying for the needs around me (this week's list included the Horn of Africa drought, the deadly ferry accident in Tanzania, and the horrific fire in a Nairobi slum), that I overlook taking/ making time to praise God! A volunteer reminded me of this as we corresponded about my using photos taken while she ministered among the Samburu People. My question: "How should I credit the photo?" Her answer: "I believe God should get the credit for the photo. He created it, I just held my camera up and clicked." Join me today in taking/making time to praise our Father and I promise you that two things will happen: 1/As we give Him the praise He deserves, we will find joy. 2/ When we focus on praising Him, we will likely become so excited and joyful that we will want to "proclaim his salvation ... declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples" (Psalm 96:2,3).
