October 4, 2011

My lap is my desk as I write this week’s update, sitting in the midst of a rain forest with butterflies fluttering everywhere (but never cooperating for a photo) and birds and monkeys competing with the usual afternoon thunder to out-squawk one another. Definitely one of those times when missionary life is fun! The internet strength within the Kakamega Forest is better than the past, but sill rather ‘iffy’ – so I’m writing this a day early to allow extra time for sending! (The internet is acting very iffy as I post this, so look later for the photos which I will post when we travel through a larger town tomorrow!)

Thank you also for praying for us and Ron and Jan Langston as we travelled yesterday to western Kenya to ‘gather information’ on Bible Schools of the area. Things are going well and we believe that we are seeing/ sensing/ experiencing what God wants included in future plans. We did have a safe journey, but keep praying as we return home tomorrow, visiting at least one more Bible School along the way, and as we travel to the coast to visit their Bible Schools next week. Continue praying for God’s guidance in all we do and for safety on Kenya’s obstacle-course roads! Our vehicle is in Nairobi at the moment awaiting work on the brakes which overheated on last week’s trip; thankfully the Langston’s car had working brakes when cows, a sheep, a pedestrian, and multiple oncoming vehicles tried to share our lane – the zebras stayed off the road yesterday!

We have no clue why, but we were delayed in leaving Nairobi yesterday as we encountered stalled traffic in our part of the city. To get to the western edge of Nairobi usually takes less than 15 minutes, but it took over an hour yesterday, which led to today’s (October 4th) Prayer Nudge from East Africa (http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/ ) a follow-up of the story of a basket weaver that I shared in last week’s prayer update:

As we passed this morning, we watched a crafts lady place her ready-to-buy items on her 'sales floor' - a large piece of plastic. She then prepared a 'seat/work bench' from another piece of plastic next to the wall where she creates more items as she awaits customers along a busy road in an area of upper class houses. We had time to see all this as we were in a jam … But as we bemoaned the slow traffic, the lady looked happier than usual. I finally realized that the slow-down was in her favor as cars which usually zoomed-by had time to stop and not just smell the roses at the flower stall across the road (another makeshift shop), but have an extended view of her handiwork. Join me in praying today that as frustrations encroach on our schedules/ lives, we will use these to help us slow down and see the world around us and to sense opportunities to be ambassadors of our Father - opportunities we too often zoom past!

Do join us in praying that we will always be alert to the opportunities around us and sensitive to which of these God desires our response. We do encounter many things in need of help/assistance/etc., which can lead to our being overwhelmed, stressed and stretched. Please pray that we will always know when/ how/ where we should respond as our Father’s workers.

I guess I should add one more prayer item based on one of yesterday’s ‘I knew that, but…’ moments. As we entered the Kakamega Forest, we were explaining to the Langstons that the entry road we were taking was very different from the road on the opposite side of the forest and realized the explanation was simple: It is a totally different people group!

So before I search for the right place/ wind direction to send this message, please also pray for sensitivity and wisdom as we seek to strengthen and encourage East African Believers as we engage lostness together. BERT YATES

September 28, 2011

As we traveled around our city yesterday, I had my camera to capture scenes such as the view (below) of our street where one can buy clothing, food, puppies, toys, flowers, curios, car parts, and lots more! But, I can only share one set of viewed scenes in words as taking photographs would have been, simply said, disrespectful. In an upper class housing area, a woman sat along the road weaving bits of sisal into strips. A ‘shop’ of mats, baskets and purses were scattered around the woman as she watched the driver of a costly car purchase flowers at a stall across the road.

On our return trip, I spotted the basket weaver again – this time walking with her handiwork on her back in a large plastic bag which had doubled as her ‘display mat’. She looked so dejected and so tired. After having read/heard this week of the escalating cost of living in Kenya, which in August was 17.1% for the poor in our city – 4-6% higher that the inflation rate for the middle and upper class (1), many scenarios passed through my mind.

Had the woman made any sales at her ‘shop’ today? Did an evening meal for her family depend upon her returning home with a few shillings to purchase a bunch of greens? Had she eaten today, even drank a cup of chai, sweet milky tea which has recently become less sweet and milky in many homes? Was she sick, but unable to pay for needed care? Did she have kids, possibly grandkids who are AIDS orphans, who would not complete their homework after dark (always 6:30-7 in our equatorial part of the world) as she had no money for her kerosene lantern? Or had her kids been at home today as she has not paid their school fees and they will be home again tomorrow if her purse is empty. Their fees may be less than one restaurant meal for the lady buying flowers, but more than the basket weaver has.

None of my thoughts may explain why the woman looked so sad, but as I shared in yesterday’s, September 24th Prayer Nudge from East Africa (2), “… for the third time in three outings, a Kenyan salesperson suggested a less costly option as I sought an item on my grocery list. This puzzled me until I remembered that the … costs of foods and services are skyrocketing … millions of people in Kenya with limited or no income are doing without and … suffering.” Would you pray with me for the basket weaver I spotted yesterday. Pray that business and government leaders will find ways to halt the financial problems occurring also in other parts of East Africa and our world. Pray that decisions will be made that are good for all economic groups rather than leading only to increased money/power for a few.

I asked you last week to join us in praying for missionaries (national and international) from East African Baptist churches ministering to the hunger, thirst and illnesses in one area affected by Horn of Africa Drought (3). Prayers were answered and three groups that traveled to northern parts of Kenya, reported people receiving physical and spiritual food and healing! Please continue praying for safety, sensitivity, good health and that relief efforts will go smoothly. Pray especially for spiritual strength and wisdom as God’s children minister in His name. (Photo in today’s 2011 Prayer Nudge from East Africa is of a Turkana child who received food last week.)

Thank you for praying for Jack as he taught the 3rd year Youth Ministry class at Kenya Baptist Theological College last week. Pray for these 11 students and other men and women from East Africa as they study amid difficulties. Pray that the problems will be resolved and KBTC will be faithful in preparing God’s children to serve as His witnesses, teachers, leaders and shepherds.

Pray for Jack and a colleague as they travel tomorrow to teach in a Bible School in central Kenya. Pray also as we travel next week with this colleague and his wife to ‘gather information’ on Bible Schools inn western Kenya. Pray for safe travel and that we will see/ sense/ experience what God wants included in future plans. BERT YATES

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(1) “Panic as shilling hits lowest level” – DAILY NATION, September 27, 2011 – http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Panic+as+shilling++hits+lowest+level+/-/1006/1243546/-/wkmykkz/-/index.html

(2) 2011 Prayer Nudges from East Africa found at: http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/

(3) For more on how you can minister in our Father’s name to the Horn of Africa Drought Crisis, go to: http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/projects/view/horn_of_africa_drought_crisis

September 21, 2011

Yes, I’m running late again today thanks to multiple frustrations! First, the electricity is off at our house, so when Jack left to teach at our seminary, I packed up and came with him knowing that the neighboring Brackenhurst Baptist Conference Centre has a generator to use if their electricity is out – ONLY to discover that my speedier internet does not work in this area outside Nairobi. So, bear with me as try to complete what I began at home now that I’ve switched internet set-ups, which was complicated today (I rely on three types) and dealt with a few more frustrations!

This has been a week of praising God for how East African Believers are serving our Father, beginning with a story Jack heard from a third year student at Kenya Baptist Theological College (all items in quotes was added by Jack): “For the last two years I have travelled every month to the southern coast of Kenya to teach pastors of all denominations and tribes (an area where there are few Christians among the major People Group – most follow Islam and traditional beliefs). They invited me because I was a student at KBTC and I was willing to go. They pay for my travel (less than $3.50 per pastor, but a sacrifice for most) and I have a sponsor who paid my hotel arrangements. After a few months I realized that staying at a hotel separated me from the pastors. I asked the sponsor to give the money to the pastor who hosts me each session, so now the pastors rotate hosting me. I teach my sponsor’s curriculum, which is not Baptist, so whenever I find a section I don’t agree with as a Baptist, I leave it out! Since I am the only one trained at the simplest level, all the students are interested in attending KBTC someday – one even joined a class this year.”

Jack’s response to the story: I shared my CPM training manual with him and will mentor him when possible. During a survey trip to identify Bible School needs on the coast in October, we will look into the possibility of starting a Bible School in the area.

Now for Jack’s prayer needs: Pray for him as he continues teaching Baptist Beliefs, History and Practicethis week to the 3^rd year Youth Ministry class at KBTC. He continues to be impressed by the hearts and minds of these 11 students (from Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan/ 8 men, 3 women) and asks that you join him in praying that they will be strong and capable sharers of our Father’s love and salvation with the youth and children of East Africa. Pray for him as he helps plan the survey trip to the coast in October and prepares for the completion of the Baptist Beliefs course in November.

Another great story was shared in today’s 2011 Prayer Update from East Africa.* This prayer nudge was seeking prayer support “for a group of missionaries (national and international) from East African Baptist churches who will travel tomorrow to minister to the hunger, thirst and illnesses in one area affected by famine. Pray for safety, sensitivity, good health and that their work will go smoothly. Pray especially for spiritual strength and wisdom as they minister in the name of our Father, the giver of the greatest HOPE.” It is a joy for us to watch our younger missionaries partnering with pastors and members of our Baptist church as they serve our Father.

Yet another story was spotted this morning in a FACEBOOK message posted last night by a second generation Kenyan Baptist pastor: Thanks all for your prayers and encouragement. Our day started well at 6.45 a.m and went out for a journey that would take us to the remotest parts of Turkana were we see poverty but also the Joy of the Lord. Whenever we went, mainly under trees where they have churches, we were welcomed. We fed about 1200 people. Tomorrow we expect over 2000. Continue to pray.”

My response: “Great news! Thanks for being our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice among the Turkana, an area with many unreached people who are in need of physical food and water as well as Spiritual Food and Water!” Those of you who are already preparing for this year’s International Missions/Lottie Moon Emphasis will recognize the 2011 theme: “His Heart, His Hands, His Voices.” I have begun preparation for helping our staff and other Believers in East Africa share how we are serving as our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice. Pray that I will stay focused and productive as I work. Pray that I will be sensitive to our Father’s guidance, as well as sensitive to those who have a story to share. Pray that the new blogs, FB pages, newsletters, etc., I prepare to promote this year’s Southern Baptist International Missions emphasis will strengthen and encourage my fellow workers in East Africa as well as those who will be celebrating the upcoming Lottie Moon.

Thank you once again for being a part of our support team – especially for your prayer support! BERT YATES

* 2011 Prayer Nudges from East Africa - http://easternafrica2011prayernudges.blogspot.com/