November 12, 2014

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and
certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1(NIV)

Last night, I also thought of the photos I wanted to
use today and thought about this unexpected scene
of carrots being prepared for market spotted
below campus.  No, I didn't think about counting
CARROTS rather than sheep as a sleeping aid!

Last night was one of those “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night” (Psalm 63:6) times for me and I must admit that I was not trying to imitate David. It was just one of those nights – not because of concerns, but as often happens, worries surfaced as I remained awake.

The first arising concern centered on a note I received earlier in the day of a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Ebola scheduled for November 19th. As the Prayer Networker for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, I have the joy of reading the newsletters, blog and Facebook posts of our workers, which is the source of the stories shared in the daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples. It has not been a joy in recent months to read of the effects of Ebola on the people of West Africa.

My next concern was remembering the Nigeria school blast in Potiskum kills dozens report spotted in the morning news. I tried to prepare a Nudge to Action based on this story, but the information was too disturbing. As often happens, I realized that to lead others to prayer, I had to find a balance of sharing the painful facts without overwhelming the readers and weakening their ability to focus on prayer.

One of those times of joy that keeps us going -
KBTC's Maasai guards singing and dancing, which
always includes jumping, during a "Welcome
 Back" for the Hoke family, long-term volunteers.

Then during my sleepless ‘watches of the night’, I remembered the message shared at our church last Sunday by a guest from Zimbabwe. Pastor John Bell used Hebrews 11 to share his understanding of how our faith affects our actions and our ability to be used by our Father. Just as the actions of Abraham, Moses, Rahab, David were guided by their faith, his message reminded me that I must “hold firmly to the faith (I) profess” (Hebrews 4:14) and allow my faith to guide my prayers and how I lead others to prayer. I realized that I needed to claim Hebrews 11:1, acknowledging that I cannot “see” or understand how to pray for problems to be overcome, but I can rely upon my faith and my hope in God as I trust Him to answer my problems and the problems of our world.

Another joy - getting to know short-term
volunteer teachers  at KBTC, which
this session includes Pastor Ken Hein!

So next Wednesday will you also join our workers in West Africa in praying and fasting “specifically for those affected by Ebola, for the epidemic to be stopped in its tracks, and for those putting their lives at risk to share the hope of Jesus Christ (Col. 4:2, 1 Thess 5:17)”? Would you also pray for wisdom and direction for those sharing how you can get involved and be a part of ending this epidemic and ministering to those affected? I also ask that you take time to visit Day of Prayer and Fasting for Ebola and begin sharing this event with your friends and church family? This is on Facebook, but can be viewed by anyone.

The rainy season began late, but rain has arrived, which the flowers
are loving, as well as the potatoes being grown on campus!

Why do I ask you to do this? Because I know that God answers our prayers in ways we cannot see or imagine. A great example is a story of a prayer told to Jack after he began serving last year as the principal of the Kenya Baptist Theological College: “John and Nelson have worked at KBTC for a long time as non-teaching staff. They saw the school decline financially, relationally and most importantly, spiritually. Their response? They prayed! For six years they met daily and quietly asked God for forgiveness, newness and restoration. Today we can thank God for men of faith such as these. Prayer IS the response and God is answering our prayer, including prayers for the restoration of KBTC!”

Two staff members enjoying morning chai (prepared by Nelson)
and the beautiful flowers (nurtured by John) outside
of KTBC's administrative buildings last week.

And yes, this story is very special to us as we know that their prayers impacted our lives! BERT YATES
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Day of Prayer and Fasting for Ebola – https://www.facebook.com/events/620951474694649/

Nigeria school blast in Potiskum kills dozens – http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29985252

Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples – https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples

Favorite captures of the week:

Sunbird spotted last week on campus.

Spotted this creative 'hat shop' in Banana Hill,
a town passed as we return to Nairobi.  

A young friend brought this group to pose
for my camera at church last Sunday.

This critter was sitting outside our living room in Nairobi last
Saturday! Loved the close-up view of his balancing act.

November 5, 2014

“God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord... it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may… shine like stars… as you hold out the word of life. (Philippians 2:9-16 NIV)

God definitely had a sense of humour when He created
these Hornbills which we spotted last month in the
Kakamega Forest and yes, they are REAL!

I have often quoted, taught and wrote about Philippians 2, but recently as I read this chapter I found myself laughing. I don’t remember what I had been “complaining or arguing” about earlier that day, but I do remember why I laughed.  God had done it again! He had used familiar verses – verses I thought I knew well – to correct me. 

I haven't counted, but I likely captured 200
photos of this African crowned eagle. Having
something this big eyeing you was a bit scary!

The laughter came not just from God’s crafty way of offering a rebuke, but also from the thought that some of you may be a bit surprised by the types of work missionaries do as we work towards the day when “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (v.10-11).  In all honesty, often what we must do to accomplish this is not in the expected Great Commission ‘discipling/ baptizing/ teaching and obeying’ categories!  

Another photo which held
a surprise.  I thought I spotted
two tails as I took the
photo, but didn't spot the baby
until I edited the photos.

Example:  I love taking, editing and using the photos to share what God is doing among the Sub-Saharan African Peoples, but I hate organizing my photos for later use.  I dislike taking the time to sort thousands of photos (which I must do as my computer is having problems due to being ‘overloaded’) and deleting the majority (but I keep remembering the hidden ‘gems’ found in photos I’ve viewed umpteen times and how many times I’ve deleted a photo and later wanted it to illustrate a prayer nudge, etc.), as well as labeling/ tagging the photos so that I can easily find an illustration when needed (I find tagging to be a very, very boring and time consuming job). Yes, that was a super-duper, run-on, too-long sentence, but I think you understand why I’m so far behind in organizing my photos.

Jack ahead, followed by Jane and her husband, Weru,
two who have been with KBTC since the beginning,
walking to chapel this week.  Pray for the students
who began three weeks of classes this week.

Jack’s current example which might appear as time-consuming busy work is sorting through volumes of past KBTC reports/ records and figuring out where missing files can be found.  It is exciting when he finds a needed file or an unexpected bit of information which completes the current puzzle he is encountering, such as finding past work which can be used in the current work towards accreditation, but he also comes home discouraged as he is reminded of past problems and difficulties. 

Contrasts are constantly experienced in Africa.  On Tuesday while eating
lunch in our cottage at KBTC, I heard a monkey screeching nearby,
but I didn't get outside quickly enough to get a photo.
Later in the afternoon, I did capture this view of the city of Nairobi
glistening in the sun. An amazing view considering it takes at least
an hour to drive from KBTC into the city centre!

Another example occurred this morning when I had to delay writing this update to repair curtain rods in one of KBTC’s guest houses.  I did complain a bit (to myself) before remembering Philippians 2 and that proper window covers would help a family feel  more comfortable as they study at the language school housed at KBTC – a Chinese couple whose hearts’ desire is ‘hold out the word of life” among peoples who speak Kiswahili. 

Not sure I'll ever need  to use this photo to illustrate a
Nudge to Action for our Sub-Saharan African Peoples,
but you never know! Make sure you spot these daily
Nudges to Prayer, Serving and Giving at
www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples.

So this week, pray for us to remember that what we are doing is God’s work and we must allow Him to work in us “to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Pray that we will wisely discern and DO God’s work.  Pray that as edit and label photos that I will remember that this will help you and others pray in the future, which I know is a part of His will.  As Jack continues reading through more and more files, pray that he will remember that this is not simply busy work, but work that will allow KBTC to be restored and better able to train and equip African Believers to “to will and to act according to GOD’s will” as we join together in holding out the word of life to those without our Saviour. BERT YATES
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Two more photos captured during our trip to western Kenya -
these of the resident rooster at the KBTC branch
in Kisumu - one from outside where it was supposed to be
and one taken inside the men's dorm where it was not to be!

Now for a serious bit.  I've not mentioned EBOLA having any effect upon us, other than praying for those affected by this deadly outbreak and this borrowed illustration explains why!

October 29, 2014

We did not share two weeks ago that we would be
making a long trip as it is not wise to announce that
your house will be vacant!  But we always need you
praying for safety as we travel.  The blur in the photo
is Jack's hand - which means these animals were
beside the road.  We did stop many times on our
trip for donkeys, cows, monkeys, etc., on the road.

Today’s update is Jack’s response to my request to share what was accomplished and how we have seen God at work during our recent trip to western Kenya and since our return. He may be a bit offended, but I laughed when I read his notes as they definitely prove that he is in the mind-set of reading/ writing scholarly documents as he titled his report “Vision Enlarged, Vision Defined, Vision Strengthened.” Here is his “VISION” report with added queries, answers, explanations and prayer requests.

 There was also lots of people walking along the road and lots and lots of
people travelling on various kinds of vehicles and we were always
on the look-out for broken down vehicles and those passing unwisely!

Travelling is never boring on African roads thanks to
sayings found on buses, trucks, matatus (public vans)- as proven
by the wise comment (but lousy spelling) on the back of a truck!

---   ---   ---   ---   ---

VISION ENLARGED: To interview potential students from the Kisumu area for the class beginning in 2015 on our main KBTC campus and hear their call to ministry was exciting, but to experience an expanded vision for the KBTC center in Kisumu and what God is doing was totally invigorating.

Some of those in a KBTC class meeting at the Kisumu branch were
among those to be interviewed.  A student led the class and guests
in prayer before the interviewing began.

-  (Bert’s editorial query) One or two examples needed of the expanded vision.

The applicants took completing the
KBTC application forms very seriously...

-  (Jack’s reply) Kisumu Branch can become a full blown college campus with faith that the Lord will provide the necessary requirements. Students would not have to travel to our main campus to receive the highest level of theological training. (Bert: Travel costs is a major problem for students.)

...and they became extra serious
during the interview which followed!

-  (Bert) One or two examples needed of what you saw God doing that was invigorating.
-  (Jack) Kisumu is blessed with wonderful servants dedicated to evangelism, church planting and devoting their energies to training future leaders and pastors. God is doing amazing things through these folks.

Photo shared a month ago with this caption:
"Hopefully one of the last photos
 of KBTC's incomplete building."

VISION DEFINED: The main KBTC building has remained unfinished since 2007. We knew time and weather had taken a toll, and as I met with a Structural Engineer last Saturday evening for his report, he shared distressing news. Then God took over and blessed me to know that mistakes can be corrected and the building made safe. (Bert: This is the building students began using in April 2013 after termites destroyed the old chapel/dining building and student housing was in need of major repairs.)

Another project that is taking longer than expected.
Mole traps (with small potato baits) are still
being placed around campus.

Bert: Pray for fresh eyes and minds as Jack and others look at what KBTC has and is using. Pray that they will truly see what God wants done and how to use and develop their resources for His use.
Jack: Pray for faith that God knows much better than us and that all issues will be resolved.

Thankfully the numerous moles have not
hurt the beautiful flowers around campus!

VISION STRENGTHENED: Seeking accreditation is a long and tedious job, nothing to be relished! As I began the task however, I discovered that much of the work was begun by my predecessors. I also was encouraged (Bert’s note: As he read pages and pages of government guidelines) to see more clearly the directions God intends for KBTC to follow. Much is to be done, but as I looked through the applications, requirements, and process; in my mind, God just filled it all in!

Another beautiful view on campus -
wildflowers on the fence separating
KBTC from nearby tea fields.

Bert: Pray for wisdom and insight as Jack works through the many forms and requirements and as he seeks the right answers and persons to help complete everything.
Jack: Pray that the college will have the determination to see accreditation reached within the next two years and that all our plans and goals will bring glory to God.

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Thank you for being our partners as we serve among Sub-Saharan African Peoples and YOU ARE our co-workers as you pray, send volunteers/ career workers our way and as you give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program.  BERT YATES

One of the incredible views spotted at the retreat center
where we worked last week.  I did not spot the white-headed
baby Colobus Monkey in the Mom's arms until I edited my photos!

Added Note: Don't forget to view the past week's Nudge to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples at  https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples.