June 12, 2013

It happened again this morning.  I read a verse which I have read lots of times, proven by all the highlights and notes in the margins of my Bible, but God's Words were alive and active in a new way!  The verse?  “Blessed are those who strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage” Psalm 84:5.

Photos this week were taken during our May 31st trip to Malindi,
which included viewing this herd of metal/man-made elephants
near the airport along the new northern by-pass around Nairobi.

Genesis 24:27, “As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey,” has always been a favorite verse, so I read what my NIV Study Bible shared about Psalm 84:5-7. The key words that spoke to me included “Joyful blessedness of those who are free to make pilgrimage to Zion”, “joyful expectations of the pilgrims” and those “on their hopeful way… experience anew the bountiful hand of God.”  

There is always something along the highways to catch
one's attention, including colourful fruits and vegetables...

During the last year, Jack and I have been very aware that God was adding new twists and turns on our pilgrimage with Him.  It began with a sense that change was ahead, followed by Jack seeking the position of principal of the Kenya Baptist Theological College. 

...cute kids waving your way...

As you know from our last update, the journey is on a break at the moment.  Yet, through all the “joyful blessedness” and frustrations of the last few months, we continue to possess an assurance that God is in control.  We are reminded constantly that our focus at the moment must be seeking His guidance and His strength “with joyful expectation” so that we will hear and be ready when He tells us it is time to stop resting and move on!

... as well as lots of obstacles to keep you alert.  We
passed over 400 trucks awaiting weight checks!

I shared last week that we would use this break in our journey to take a bit of vacation.  This has not happened!  Jack has been busy completing reports, studying and attending meetings. One very exciting meeting was with a sister Christian group who are challenging churches who are actively involved in carrying out the Great Commission to challenge other churches to do the same. Pray for sensitivity as Jack and others seek ways to challenge our Baptist churches.

One also spots lots of things which show the contrasts
of Africa - hauling water with very sophisticated electricity
lines and communication towers in the background.

I truly love my work* which includes reading the newsletters of IMB workers among Sub-Saharan African Peoples and finding ways to share their stories with you and others.  Thanks to good news received this week, I have a new reason to do my work as I use their stories to share our thanks and an assurance that we are being good stewards of the investments of our supporters!

One also spots reminders of the many peoples
in Africa who need to hear our Good News

The good news?  The tally is in for the 2012 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the “total of $149,276,303.72 is a $2.44m increase over last year, making this the third largest offering in our history. We are profoundly grateful for this 1.67% increase in giving.” (This report can be found at http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?StoryID=11925&LanguageID=1709.)

Pray for the members of  Mariakani Baptist Church
and other Baptist churches as they proclaim
the eternal gospel to their neighbours and families...

Please join us also in continuing to pray for the Kenya Baptist Theological College as decisions are made related to the college’s leadership and future.  We remain confident that God has great plans for the college and we are eager to see how He fulfills his purpose as his children are trained and equipped to be a part of proclaiming his salvation, declaring “his glory among all nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples” (Psalm 96:2,3) until the day when “the whole earth if filled with his glory”(Psalm 72:19).

...in a part of the world where people are seeking joy... 

Pray also for the very critical General Meeting of the Baptist Convention of Kenya which will be held tomorrow through Saturday.  Pray for God’s guidance and strength as Baptists of Kenya seek to build a stronger convention and support system for their ministries such as the college.

...and friendships with joyful people.

Thank you for praying for us as we and the current staff of KBTC are making our pilgrimage with our Father.  We know it is your prayers that are strengthening and encouraging us.  Pray also that Jack and I will claim Psalm 84:5 and rely upon our Father’s strength, blessings and guidance as we continue our journey with Him! BERT YATES

Pray that Believers will stand out in their communities
and boldly tell their world about their Saviour!

* For one part of Bert's work, view the daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples at http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ or on the FB page, Sub-Saharan African Peoples ( https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl ). Non-Facebook members can visit the Sub-Saharan African Peoples FB page.

June 9th SSAP Nudge to Action

Praising God and thanking those who gave to the 2012 Lottie Moon Offering.*  Your gifts strengthen and encourage your missionaries as together we “proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.” (Psalm 96:2,3)

*http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?StoryID=11925&LanguageID=1709

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For daily Nudges to Action - Praying, Serving and Giving for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl

(non-Facebook users can view this page).

June 5, 2013

Lots of catching up to do today after sharing in our last update (May 22^nd) that we were headed to the coast for graduation at the Malindi branch of Kenya Baptist Theological College and for two days of rest.  Then a few hours after sending that update, we sent an urgent prayer request.  Thank you for your prayers and encouragement as we truly, truly needed it.  One of the major obstacles that arose was Jack’s contract with Kenya Baptist Theological College was terminated by the Board of Governors, which became official today. 

Yes, our reaction has been hurt, confusion and discouragement, but also an incredible sense of peace and continued assurance that God called Jack to be the principal for the last few months – which we know is the result of your prayer support.  Other things have or will also be happening in coming weeks related to the college’s leadership and future, yet, we are confident that as these things unfold, our God is in control.

We are due several weeks of vacation and that is what Jack will be doing in the next few weeks  as he studies and catches up on many things which have been delayed during recent months.  We are not sure if he will return to the college, or if so, in what role, although he will surely be teaching and spurring training of God’s workers in some way.  So our first prayer request this week is for patience as things come together which will affect our future and the future of KBTC.  We continue to believe that God has great plans for the college as his children are trained and equipped  to be a part of proclaiming his salvation, declaring “his glory among all nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples” (Psalm 96:2,3) until the day when “the whole earth if filled with his glory”(Psalm 72:19). Please join us also in praying for a very important General Meeting of the Baptist Convention of Kenya which will be held June 13^th -15^th.  Pray for God’s guidance and strength for  the men and women attending this meeting as they seek to build a stronger convention and support system for the entities such as the college.   

Pray also that Jack and I, as well as the current staff of KBTC, will continue trusting God to deal with the problems at KBTC.  We have definitely felt God answering your prayers in the last two weeks during our personal devotions.  Every day, and I do mean EVERY time we’ve opened our Bibles, God has led us to exactly the encouragement and guidance we needed.  One example occurred as Jack was in yet another meeting this morning.  I spent the time praying and reading God’s Word and he led me to Psalms 42-43.  I know that it was not by chance that I began reading these verses which were the perfect words to guide my prayers for Jack and his staff and the small group now making decisions related to the college.  So, another prayer request is that as we and others are downcast and disturbed by all that is happening, we will put our hope in God and continue praising him (42:8).  Pray that we will allow him to be our stronghold (43:2) and focus on seeking his light, faithful care and leadership (43:3) as we deal with all our mixed feelings in our personal lives and for future of KBTC.

Pray also for me as my work as the Prayer Networker for Sub-Saharan African Peoples requires a ‘creative’ spirit, which is in short supply at the moment as we’ve not been sleeping well and I am recuperating from either a severe stomach virus or food poisoning which began late last week after our return to Nairobi.  Additional praises/needs include that although we felt it necessary to skip the graduation in Malindi, we were able to deliver the needed graduation gowns and certificates for over 40 newly trained men and women and watch as they excitedly practiced the ceremony the evening before graduation.  We also had an incredible time of rest at a lodge overlooking a game park where God provided an incredible show of his creation! 

Due to today’s meeting I was late beginning this update, so I've included only one photo today of a few of the 100 plus elephants that we spotted for hours at a time!   But I promise next week to share lots and lots of photos from our end of May trip with you!  I must get this completed and sent to you, but I can’t close without thanking you for the assurance of your prayers and other ways you strengthen and encourage us as we engage lostness together (Acts 14:22, Revelation 14:6).  BERT YATES