March 12, 2014

Spotted on Saturday as we
travelled.  We do agree. It is
time for warm weather in NC!

Writing today from a hotel and we need to be checked out in less than an hour, so this update will be written quickly.  I had considered skipping writing an update today, but we are too excited to not share bits of new information we gleaned this week at the HIS WORD/HIS WORLD Scripture translation conference.  We also must thank you for praying that we would travel safely and on time to our planned destinations over the last few days. 

It was a true joy to visit with Haymore Memorial Baptist in Mount Airy over the weekend.  It was a definite time of encouragement and strengthening to meet with  women who are excited about celebrating the 100 year of WMU in their church in 2015 and to meet with many of all ages in the church who are excited about being on mission with our Father. 

Jack speaking last Sunday! Pray for us as we speak and that we can
always share our passion for joining in God's Work!

Once again (until today) the weather has been incredible as we’ve traveled and we had no problems.  BUT our bodies are a little confused as thanks to springing forward, we awoke an hour earlier in NC on Sunday thanks to the beginning of Eastern Daylight Savings time, turned our clocks an hour back as we crossed into middlel Tennessee and awoke Monday morning on Central Daylight Savings time, then on Tuesday we had returned to EDS time!  Thus we awoke at 6AM on Saturday through yesterday with our bodies losing or gaining an hour for four days straight!’

Acting out the story of Jesus calming the sea during the His Word/
His World conference. Not the most focused photo, but  I loved how
the pastor (Jesus) had such a hard time staying serious as his
church members played the role of  a bunch of passionate disciples!

Our time at the HIS WORD/_ HIS WORLD* conference  was truly a time of being “informed and activated”, which was the desire of the church hosting the conference.  Your prayers were answered as this was a time of meeting others with a passion for learning “how the Bible is translated and made available to Bible-less peoples all around the world” and “how to share Bible stories.”  

Jack's treat yesterday.

We had great expectations of this conference, but Jack and I both now feel equipped beyond our expectations as I use the internet to nudge you to action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples and as Jack incorporates these strategies into plans for reviving Kenya Baptist Theological College.  I encourage you to take a few minutes to view today’s additions to your MISSIONS TOOLBOX (shared below), which will allow you to learn many of the things that we learned on Monday!

Jack also had great expectations as he met yesterday with the Lambs in Boiling Springs, NC, who represent the Fellowship of Baptist Educators.  We left our visit knowing we had two new friends and lots of added support for Jack as he works at KBTC.

Bert's treat - spotting daffodils in full bloom!

We will continue meeting with volunteers and speaking today at Troutman Baptist Church, so don’t stop praying for us.  Pray that we will always share our passion for serving our Father in a way that only brings glory to Him and does encourage others to join in His work at the Kenya Baptist Theological College and among Sub-Saharan African Peoples.  Pray for us in the coming week as we seek to get a bit of rest in between local opportunities to share and catch up on lots of work that doesn’t get done as we travel!  BERT

--- MISSIONS TOOLBOX ---

What is Orality? Why the need for missionaries to use Orality Strategies? Answer at https://oralitystrategies.org/about.cfm.

What is a StoryTogether Project? Answer at http://storytogether.imb.org/ .
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Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples   – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607

Kenya Baptist Theological College – https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege

What we're doing today - Visiting with this man, who came
with a volunteer trip to Kenya more than 4 years ago,
and his pastor, as they plan more trips of service in Kenya.

March 10, 2014

Too young to read, but this little one is loves looking at Mom's Bible.  Will you pray for sensitive and open hearts and minds for those learning “how the Bible is translated and made available to Bible-less peoples … and how to share Bible stories” at today’s HIS WORD/HIS WORLD conference in Tennessee.  Pray that this training will lead to more people groups hearing our Good News in their own language. 
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HIS WORD/HIS WORLD – http://www.brentwoodbaptist.com/brentwood/announcements/2014/02-25/scripture-translation-conference

More on Orality Strategies – https://oralitystrategies.org/strategies.cfm
More Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607.

March 5, 2014

Sitting today at my makeshift work space on the dining room table at our borrowed mission home and listening to Christian music on the internet.  I do miss my private work space (a closet, left photo) in Nairobi, but I love having strong unlimited internet while in the States and listening to music as I work. 

Yes, all our going and doing is a bit exhausting, but we truly love travelling around to share what God is doing in Africa and visiting with old and new friends. It may sound trivial, but please join us in praying that we will not only travel safely, but get to our destination on time (Translated: Without getting lost).  Though we have explored new routes (Jack’s definition for ‘getting lost’) twice now, God has somehow guided us in the right direction and we arrived with time to spare!

It was a joy last Sunday to celebrate
the annual WMU Focus Sunday
at Earlys Baptist Church.

After we took a few of those new routes, we did arrive at Earlys Baptist Church (Ahoskie, NC) last Sunday and were able to laugh at Jack’s method of finding the church.  When our GPS tracking device was inaccurate, Jack reverted to his way of finding places in Kenya.  Using the sun, he figured out our north/ south/ east/ west bearings and headed on the road that which he expected the church to be and within a mile, the church appeared! 

Continue joining us this coming week in praying that we will clearly and boldly share what God is doing at the Kenya Baptist Theological College (Jack) and among Sub-Saharan African Peoples (Bert) and how others can join in His work through prayer, giving and serving.  Pray also for safety as we begin another long trip next Saturday which will include meeting with a church group (Winston-Salem, NC) desiring more information on serving God in Kenya, speaking at a WMU banquet on Saturday night and two worship services on Sunday in Mount Airy.  That afternoon we will head to Tennessee for a HIS WORD/_ HIS WORLD* conference on Monday!  On Tuesday we will return to North Carolina to visit Gardner Webb University to share what is happening at KBTC, before heading on to Troutman, NC, where we will meet a group who have already served as volunteers in Kenya and speak at their church.  

Special photo from the past - Taken at the
dedication of Zimmerman Baptist Church,
a new church plant.  One of the two visible
Bibles is in English, the other in Kiswahili.

Yes, a lot of miles, but we have lots of stories to share of what God is up to in Kenya and all of Sub-Saharan Africa and we want others to know the joy that comes from serving our Father and watching what He can do!  We are especially excited about next Monday’s HIS WORD/HIS WORLD conference and joining with others who share our passion for learning “how the Bible is translated and made available to Bible-less peoples all around the world” and “how to share Bible stories.” A strategic part of Jack’s vision for the revived Kenya Baptist Theological College is a Missions School where African Believers can receive training in the things that will be shared at this scripture translation conference, thus the reason for redoing our schedule and registering for this conference when we learned of it a few days ago.

Another special photo from the past recently
edited for use as a  Nudge to Action for
Sub-Saharan African Peoples.  Remember
to check out this past week's nudges!

Thanks again for the many ways you strengthen and encourage us through your prayers, giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Cooperative Program, and sending personnel our way.  Thank you also for taking time to view the links listed below which can be added to your Mission ToolBox.  Yes, preparing this does lead to added work on my part, but we want you to share in the joy that comes from joining our Father in His work!  BERT

--- MISSIONS TOOLBOX ---

Population Clock – Download the IMB’s “population clock as a visual reminder that to get the Gospel to every last unreached people group, we must be totally His – and totally His heart, hands and voice! The clock updates itself as the population – including those without Christ – increases.” Found at http://www.imb.org/main/give/page.asp?StoryID=8709&LanguageID=1709.

Quick View of the Population Clock at http://master.media.imbresources.org/files/179/17983/17983-100088.swf.

(A MISSIONS TOOLBOX section is found as a 'tab' under the Yates-IMB-Kenya&SSAP blog heading.)

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More on the HIS WORD/HIS WORLD scripture translation conference at http://www.brentwoodbaptist.com/brentwood/announcements/2014/02-25/scripture-translation-conference.