June 24, 2009

The most frustrating part of my work as a Prayer Advocate: Figuring out what will catch and hold the attention of Americans! I don’t intend to be rude or critical, but I’ve lived in Kenya for over 30 years and I now think/respond as my Kenyan friends. The political/economic/social issues that affect my daily life are those from East Africa. This is one reason missionaries need stateside leaves: to be re-acculturated with our American homes and those of you who are our support system.

Being on Stateside Assignment is helping me understand you and your concerns, worries, hurts and joys. Hopefully it is helping me understand how to increase/encourage your prayers for Kenya in your busy daily schedule. So today, I’m offering prayer resources based on your use of incredibly fast and loaded communication tools – your phones, iPods, internet, etc, PLUS I need your help!

First, have you ever thought of using your phone as a prayer reminder? Did you know that you can download the national anthem of the country that is your heart/prayer focus? Then when your phone rings, you are reminded to pray for Kenya, Afghanistan, Iran, etc. Many of you may know how to find a “ring-tone” for your phone or favorite music list, but for those of you who aren’t as internet savvy, go to the search box on your internet page (Google, Yahoo, etc) and type in: Free Ringtone, National anthem, plus the name of the country on your heart. The Kenyan national anthem can be found at: http://www.national-anthems.net/KE

For those of you who are prayer warriors for Kenya, I found a site this week that has no pictures, but great information – Swahili Language and Culture – http://www.glcom.com/hassan/index.html . Check this out to find lessons in Swahili, a national language of East Africa. You can hear Swahili words pronounced by a real Kiswahili speaker! You will also find a Swahili Dictionary and bonus information on Kangas, the rectangular cloths which are the most all-purpose-items imaginable – shirts, skirts, head-coverings, baby-carriers, sleep-wear, bedding, table covering, etc., plus when they are “finished” they are incredible dust cloths!

Now for the bit about my needing your help: I have begun a new PRAYER TOOLBOX blog and I want it loaded with great prayer tools. So I need to know:
Have you found special websites that have helped you and/or your church pray for a country or an unreached people group?
Do you want more information on any prayer interests? (Possibly by my helping you find the answers, we can help others become strong prayer warriors!)
What has motivated you to pray or any other advice? (This does not need to relate to the internet. I want one section of what keeps people praying for missions!)

Thanks once again for praying for us and more importantly for praying for Kenya and the lost of our world, Bert Yates
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For more pictures and a chance to translate the Swahili proverbs, go to:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=121331&id=685050129&l=70b5bca988

June 17, 2009

Why do I feel it is urgent to share these prayer letters each week, even during our time in the States? God is at work in Kenya and He has called me to be a part of that work. One way to fulfil His call on my life is by getting you involved through your physical presence in Kenya (or wherever God has called you to be active in his Harvest), through your financial support, and most importantly, through your prayers.

I am currently reading through the book of Luke during my devotions and for the last week, I keep returning to the Parable of the Good Samaritan and the conflict between Mary and Martha (Luke 10:25-42). No, I am not a very slow reader, but every time I began to move on, the Holy Spirit sends me back to reread this passage and a phrase I had highlighted in each story. In the Good Samaritan, the phrase was Luke’s description of the expert in the law wanting “to justify himself” (Luke 10:29). In the sisters’ story, it was “But Martha was distracted by …” (10:40). I have to admit that my first reaction was to apply these phrases to the shortcomings of others, but after reading our Saviour’s teaching on prayer in Luke 11, I applied it to myself.

How does the Holy Spirit’s use of the Scriptures to teach, rebuke, correct and train (2 Timothy 3:16) me relate to my believing it is urgent to continue sending weekly prayer updates even during our time in the States? I realized/recognized that my need to justify things/find excuses and my being distracted even by good/spiritual things often keeps me from having the heart which allows me to be a part of my Father’s work or to be a strong prayer warrior. The plentiful harvest in need of workers (Matthew 9:37) in Kenya and in all our world requires that I and others not allow anything to keep us from doing all we can to serve our Saviour.

Last week I shared of the IMB work with the Maasai (“Feeding the Maasai” at http://imbmaasai.blogspot.com/ ). I omitted Nancy Calvert’s recent prayer item concerning a home security problem. Nancy ended that prayer item with: “Our greatest defense, though, is prayer.” Our greatest defense/need is prayer and I don’t want to lose your prayer support for Kenya – I want you praying even when I’m not there. I also know without a doubt that IF you are praying, the personnel and financial support issues will all be solved as praying will lead you to giving not just financially, but also of your time, of your lives!

I also know that prayer leads to incredible blessings. It leads to the joy of being strengthened and encouraged as we engage lostness together (Acts 14:22, Revelations 14:6). It leads to the joy of being a part of harvest field work as we give of our time, our lives, and our finances. It also leads to the joy of communicating/ building a relationship with our heavenly Father through talking with Him through prayer. Thus another reason for sending our prayer updates – I want you, our prayer supporters, to claim these joys! Bert Yates

June 10, 2009

Prayer requests and answers to prayer straight from the mission field; “behind the scenes” views of ministering to those facing hunger; a special look at the logistics/problems/realities/frustrations/joys of missions; a report on how your investments are reaping incredible benefits; a thank you note; news that includes happy/good bits; a kaleidoscope of emotions and colours from another culture captured in pictures; or simply a “great read” to include in your summer reading program – The following newsletters (begins with April update) from Bob and Nancy Calvert, IMB missionaries with the Maasai People, will provide all of these as you read of how they minister to Kenyans who are hungry due to the ongoing famine in Kenya.

These are the beginning words of the new blog that I just* completed. A friend wrote last week to say that there had been a few more showers after we left for our Stateside Assignment in late April, but the rains in Kenya are over for another season and once again, the rains were insufficient in most of the country – which means the drought is continuing – which means prayer is a continuing need for the famine situation. Please take time this week to go to “Feeding the Maasai” at http://imbmaasai.blogspot.com/ . I ask also that you take time, not just once, but at least daily to pray that the Maasai and other people of Kenya will receive both physical and spiritual nourishment. Pray that “They will know that He is the Lord” (Ezekiel 6:14). Bert Yates
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Explanation of why people from Kenya often use the word JUST: Kiswahili has a “present” past tense – expressing that something has “just” occurred rather than occurring in past hours, days, etc. Therefore the logical way to say this is to add the word “just” when translating Kiswahili into English. Good or bad, this becomes a part of our spoken English even when we are only using English! So … please take time right now to check out: “Feeding the Maasai” so that you can say: “I have JUST read about how I’m a part of ministering the Maasai!”