October 29, 2008

I just perked myself an extra mug of coffee, a much needed boost this morning! Yesterday was Diwali, the Hindu New Year. With temples on three sides of us and a wealthy Hindu family on the fourth side, we heard the popping and sizzling of fireworks in surround-sound-stereo through midnight. Our view of the sparkling sky is limited by trees and high buildings, but after reading yesterday why fireworks are a part of Diwali celebrations, my enjoyment was dampened.

An advertisement in yesterday’s Daily Nation sponsored by the Hindu Council of Kenya explained that the many clay lamps, plain and ornate ones, burned during Diwali and the colourful decorations in homes are to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, Lakshmi, and the fireworks are used as “effigies of Narakasura who was killed on this day.” Narakasura is credited with being the demon responsible for oppression and fear in the world and for torturing people and kidnapping women. I found much of the information in the eight-page Diwali insert confusing and startling as the names of multiple Hindu deities are mentioned, such as “the mother of the slain Naraka (three spellings are used in this article for this demon), “declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice” – thus the fireworks. Our assignment is to share our Saviour’s Good News with those of African descent, but all the reminders in Kenya of those who worship the Hindu gods – temples and shrines, as well as images of gods which one can purchase are all around us – and as we hear the call to worship from a nearby mosque numerous times each day, we are constantly prompted to pray for these people who also need to know of our Father’s love and salvation.

Now for a related praise – Prayers were answered for the Gujarat Gospel Music Concerts held by the United Church of Gujarat, a Parklands Baptist Church mission, this past weekend. Mainly Kenyan youth of Parklands and the Indian members of the United Church of Gujarat attended on Sunday night, but many Hindu guests attended on Saturday night and all the seats in Parklands’ youth tent, which holds over 1000 chairs, were filled with people standing outside. Sharing with those of other faiths is slow and difficult, but we praise God for the seeds that were sewn as many heard our Father’s message of love and salvation through music and as Kenyans opened their hearts to their Hindu friends. For more pictures and information on Diwali and the concert, go to: http://parklandsgujarati.blogspot.com/

Jack and I have lots of work in the coming week and we need prayers for strength and wisdom. Pray for Jack as he prepares materials to give new staff and others which will help them understand and be involved in the Legacy Work, the older, established Baptist work in Kenya. Pray for me as I prepare prayer items related to the adoption of the Baptist Nairobi Street Kid Ministry by one of our legacy churches, Ridgeways Baptist Church, and as I prepare other materials to help Southern Baptists recognize the good investments that they have made in the past as they supported our work through prayers, finances through the Lottie Moon and the Cooperative Program, and through volunteering – investments that are still providing incredible returns even in these days of economic turmoil!
Bert Yates

October 22, 2008

The annual short rains have begun – A good thing, but one of the common results is also occurring at the moment – The electricity is off! I am trying to do what our pastor, Simon Mwangi, says: “Don’t complain. Praise God!” To be honest there are many things that could lead to our being discouraged at the moment, things that I cannot freely share in a prayer letter. BUT, we have learned that these types of problems, many covered under the title of spiritual warfare, is usually a sign that we are in God’s will and doing what He needs us to do. So today’s first prayer request is that you join us in praying that we will focus on the work and not let frustrations dishearten us and affect our ability to do the work we should be doing!

Now for the praises! We had a good break last week beginning with a visit to Nyeri Baptist High School. We checked on the North Carolina Baptist Men (and women) volunteers who were there building a needed classroom. We praise God that the North Carolina Mission’s Teams are assisting and encouraging Nyeri Baptist High School. Pray for these teams as they find ways to assist the Baptist churches in the area in witnessing and discipling during their visits.
We then went on the Sweetwaters Tented Camp in Nanyuki. It was a true pleasure to spend two days away from the noise and dust of the city of Nairobi, but even more incredible was that this is our “Spring Time” which meant we viewed not only adult animals, but saw baby animals – elephants, chimps, rhinos and many others. I also took lots of new pictures to share with you in coming weeks – Including a special group of pictures you can find on a new blog!

A friend recently asked how many blogs I have developed – and the number is over 20. I don’t do these simply to satisfy my creative urges – even though I love the work – I develop these blogs as a way of sharing our lives and the prayer needs of Kenya more fully with you. I know everyone will not be committed to long term prayer support to all the needs I highlight, but my prayer is that at least one or two people will be affected in one of the following ways as they take time to view the blogs: An increased commitment to prayer for specific needs; a greater awareness that it is a wise investment to give to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Offering to support the work of the IMB; and a growing sensitivity to God’s voice as He calls his labourers to do His work!

This new blog relates to a current very needed prayer item, “Kenya’s Future – Students” at http://kenyastudents.blogspot.com/ . Through November 17th, Form Four (Senior) students, including those of Nyeri and Mombasa Baptist High Schools (begun by Southern Baptist missionaries and funds from the Lottie Moon Offering and Cooperative Program) will sit for multiple papers (exams) in six or seven subjects – those they have studied during their four years of high school. The total scores of these exams will determine the future of these youth as this grade, not any past scores, will determine if they will be invited to universities for further studies. Students who receive lower scores may qualify for technical or other types of training and those with the lowest scores, the large majority of students, will have no further educational opportunities unless their parents are very wealthy. For more explanations and ways to pray, as well as lots of pictures of Nyeri Baptist and her students, go to the blog. Why do I ask this? High school students are the future of Kenya and they desperately need diligent prayer warriors on their behalf in the coming weeks! Bert Yates
*** You can send assurances of your prayers to the Form Four students of Nyeri and Mombasa Baptist High Schools through the comment feature below. Your messages will be forwarded to the students.

Living the Great Commission

I hate to overwhelm you with prayer items during these days of economic stress and election fever, but as I sat in church this morning, I realized that I had to share what I was experiencing! I owe it those of you who have supported the Baptist work in Kenya as you prayed, gave to the Lottie Moon Offering and Cooperative Program, and as many have come to serve with us. Plus this is good news, really good news, unlike most news these days!

I must admit that I arrived at church this morning a little frustrated. The chairman of the Trustees of our mission board (IMB), Dr. Paul Chitwood, is in the city and it was arranged for him to speak at Parklands Baptist Church this morning. I love Parklands, but I know from past experiences that many of our special guests have more unique experiences if they attend a newer church start or one of the churches that is located in the slums or more difficult areas rather than our biggest church. But I left the service praising God that this seminary professor has experienced such a testimony to what happens when the Great Commission is lived out!

Now to begin, you must understand that this morning was not designated a special service, but between the announcements and guests it became an incredible time of praise and worship. Early in the service, the leader of the United Church of Gujarat, a mission of Parklands, reminded everyone of the special “Gujarati Gospel Music Concert” to be held this next weekend. He shared their desire to reach the thousands in Kenya from India who do not know of our Savour’s love and salvation. Then a special volunteer team was introduced from Tokyo Baptist Church in Japan! The group included a man from the Philippines, a woman from Taiwan, an American businessman working in Japan and his family, Kenyans working/studying in Japan, and several Japanese women. This team worked last week with a Parkland’s team among the Ilchamus, a Kenyan unreached people group that Parklands has engaged with the gospel by sending Kenyan missionaries and teams to the area. The Tokyo Baptist team first made contact with Parklands through a young Kenyan, John Mativo, who attended their church while completing his doctorate in Japan – a young man who was in the Royal Ambassadors group that some of the missionaries at Parklands began in the late 1970’s!

Later the church watched a film clip that was taken by a deacon last week as he visited in Southern Sudan. The star of the film was a greatly missed member of the church named Mark, who is the leader of the church’s popular Christian rock group and a member of the Kenyan armed services. Mark sent greetings to the church from his post in Southern Sudan where he is serving with a peace-keeping unit. During his time off, Mark who has been discipled and trained at Parklands, is active in starting new churches in this country where few “foreign” missionaries can survive or are even allowed! I almost forgot to include two other exciting announcements we heard this morning – A Parklands team will go next month to Indonesia on a mission trip to East Timor AND the Prison Ministries’ Team in western Kenya this week-end called the pastor to report that 300 prisoners accepted Christ as their Saviour yesterday in the Kakamega Prison!

I have not talked with Professor Chitwood and heard his reactions, but I know how I felt after the service this morning – it was a true example of what happens when God’s children obediently participate in their Saviour’s Great Commission of going to all nations to make, baptize and teach disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). The missionaries who struggled from 1978 to begin Parklands had great hopes, but I think this morning was proof that God has been at work blessing their early work in ways beyond even their dreams! Their seeds have not only taken root, but grown and are multiplying. All of this is also the result of lots of prayers and lots of financial giving so THANK YOU for your part of God’s work in Kenya! And don’t stop praying, giving, and investing time in Kenya. The harvest remains plentiful in Kenya and workers are needed for prayer, financial and personnel support! Bert Yates