SPECIAL FINAL Yates/Legacy Team Prayer Update for 2009

Like many of you, we are trying to relax a bit more this week and not go at our usual pace – and I fully intended to prepare a short and simple prayer update to share with you today. BUT as I looked for a few special pictures to share, the pictures led me on a time consuming detour. I am trusting that this was the answer to prayer for spiritual guidance as I worked, so a new Prayer Walk THROUGH DOORS AND WINDOWS is prepared with our invitation for you to “Take a Walk through DOORS AND WINDOWS in Kenya that will guide you in prayer as you praise God for what has happened in Kenya during 2009 and join us and Kenyan Baptists in praying for how people can come to know our Savior's love and salvation during 2010.”

The PICASA (Google’s) version of this Prayer Walk is completed, but as I tried to download the FACEBOOK version, my internet died! And just as I’ve learned that a total change in direction is a sign of the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a total failure of my internet usually happens when prayers are being answered and the Holy Spirit is at work WHICH does not please the devil. I truly believe the internet can be used as a special blessing from God to share and do His work, BUT the devil is also crafty at using it … SO I hope some of you are praying as I work this morning and by the time I complete this e-mail that the internet will work again! (Would you believe that I posted a comment saying I was downloading the week’s prayer update on FACEBOOK before the internet went down and later learned that within minutes three of you were praying!)

My original intention for this prayer update has not changed – to thank you for being our prayer warriors this past year. Without your prayers our work would only be busy work and not God’s Work. We are also thankful to Southern Baptists who give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program which provides our financial support – our salary, our housing and car, and the monies to help pay for our internet so I can share prayer praises and needs and for Jack’s travel to the places where Baptists are at work in Kenya – as seen in pictures on the Prayer Walk! I can think of lots of way to say thank you, but I think the best way is the simple way – THANK YOU for allowing us to be at work in our Father’s Harvest Field! The lost of Africa ARE COMING to know and claim His love and salvation! Bert Yates

PS: Once again your prayers worked – after an hour, my internet returned at full strength – or at least my usual full strength which would drive most Americans crazy!
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Prayer Walk Through DOORS AND WINDOWS sharing praises and needs from 2009 of the Yates/IMB/LEGACY WORK in Kenya can be found at Picasa, Google’s web picture program, or at FACEBOOK (even those not a Facebook Friend or Member came view the prayer walk):

PICASA: http://picasaweb.google.com/Bertndovu/DoorsAndWindowsYatesLegacyTeamPrayerUpdate091230?feat=directlink
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=181131&id=685050129&l=923a5dcf4f

December 25, 2009

December 22, 2009

I envy the snow scenes many of you are experiencing, but I am enjoying our summer weather! Many things about celebrating Christmas has changed during our 31 years in Kenya, especially the trees for sale along our roads – they are now more than sprigs! Our first Kenyan Christmas tree was two trees wired together which barely supported our few ornaments – all homemade as NOTHING was available in the stores. Now our malls – nonexistent in 1978 – have resident Santas and Christmas special items are seen everywhere!

But, as we shared a Christmas party last week with a new ministry, Sema Leatherworks,* I realized that one thing has not changed – Kenyan Christians celebrate not just the birth, but the life of Christ during Christmas. Sema Leatherworks was begun this year by the Business as a Mission Team to reach “the most challenging areas of Nairobi with the Good News”. A small group of committed Christian men produce leather products Monday through Thursday, providing a modest income for their families, and on the other days they share the gospel and disciple new believers – resulting in over 30 new Bible Storying groups in less than a year – and yes, this is happening thanks to those of you who have given to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offerings and Baptist Global Response!

It was exciting to be with these young men and their families – many whom we have known over the years as active members of local Baptist churches. It was challenging to hear one young man’s story of how he and his wife decided early this year to move to an unsafe slum area to plant churches! They did this while expecting an addition to their family which turned out to be twin boys! They also made the decision BEFORE they knew of the planned Sema Leatherworks which would provide their financial support!

It was a reminder of the true joy of Christmas as we watched the kids of these Church Planters use the “cooking time” for our Christmas feast to prepare and present an impromptu concert of songs about the joy of being our King’s Soldiers! I realized later that other than the banana leaf tree bearing Sema Leatherworks ornaments, there were no traditional Christmas decorations and we sang not one familiar Christmas chorus, but it was definitely a true celebration of our Savior!

We will celebrate Christmas day by sharing a traditional meal of turkey, ham, cranberries (all now locally available, but the costs still make them a true treat!), etc, with friends, but we will spend Christmas Eve at a Wienie Roast/Carol Sing with our fellow missionaries – a tradition our family began more than 10 years ago. Another unique part of this Christmas is that this is our first Christmas with no child at home. Pray for us and our children – all who are now in North Carolina – as we celebrate in our familiar and unique ways.

Much has changed during our time in Kenya, but our assurance that we are exactly where God wants us has not changed. Another constant is our assurance of your prayer and financial support which allows us to be a part of our Father’s Work in Kenya! THANK YOU! Bert Yates--- --- --- --- ---
For more pictures, go to FACEBOOK page - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=178245&id=685050129&l=ad36d63ed6

* For more on the Sema Leatherworks ministry, go to: http://www.semaleatherworks.com/