December 29, 2010

2010 – A year of HIGHS, LOWS and WOWS!  

HIGHS include memories of events such as 20+ Bible School students sharing reports of their “homework assignment”: “Prayed for 148 lost people; 93 people saved after prayers; 40 new people attended church; 151 people discipled; 31 new small groups begun; and 8 new churches planned or begun!” Catching kisses thrown by our granddaughter via SKYPE is a definite HIGH!  A HIGH comes from viewing the fruit of missionary co-workers as we watch well discipled Kenyan Baptists begin a new church, such as  Parklands Baptist Church/Mombasa Road or as we hear how the Samburu People of northern Kenya are not only being reached by the gospel but they are sharing God’s love and salvation with the Pokot, their traditional enemies!  I considered linking HIGHS to past updates found on this blog, but there have been too many HIGHS this year as God’s children carry out his Great Commission in our part of the world!

LOWS are missing family and disappointments as we watch as a few of God’s fellow workers do “more harm than good” (1 Cor 11:18).   LOWS are experienced as we travel around Kenya and continue to see displaced people in tented villages three years after the chaos of the 2007 elections.  LOWS come from experiences that at first appear to be a HIGH, such as being told by a person of another faith: “My child is healed thanks to your prayers,” followed by “God hears your prayers because you are a better person that I am.”  Yes, there is truth in the last comment, but the friend has so much to learn about the true God.

WOWS often appear at unexpected moments, such as when zebras cross your pathway moments after you ask God to help you focus on positives rather than negatives!  A WOW comes when you realize that what is happening in a church is a continuation of a program you began years ago or they reference a book that you wrote – and those in the church have no knowledge of this being your past work!  A recent WOW moment occurred while admiring the clear blue sky and realizing palm trees are on the horizon – a reminder that you are really living in Africa!  WOW comes while listening to a young pastor preach an incredible sermon and remembering the retired co-workers who mentored and discipled him as a child! A WOW moment was definitely when I was asked to take a photo of a visiting retired missionary and friends he discipled – all now leaders in many churches and Christian organizations – and extra pictures had to be taken as the group continued to mushroom and I could think of several not in the picture – and this picture was not taken at the church where the missionary ministered!

I could go on and on with examples of our HIGH, LOW and WOW moments from this year alone, but I’m out of space and must take time to thank you for allowing us to experience these moments.  Your gifts to the Lottie Moon Offering and the Cooperative Program provides the financial support we need and we can’t imagine what our lives/ work would be like without your prayer support!  You also support us by coming as volunteers and enlisting/ supporting  new co-workers.  A simple Thank You/ Asante Sana sounds rather inadequate, but these words are shared from the bottoms of our heart!
Bert and Jack Yates
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Last three pictures are from Lottie Moon 2010/Are We There Yet Daily Prayer Nudge Photo Album from Kenya (updated through January 1, 2011)  -
https://lottiemoon2010kenya.wordpress.com/  or http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=333830&id=685050129&l=146c063c0c  

Praise God that we can answer YES to "Are We There Yet?" for these munch-kins! The Baptist church in their community is committed to ministering to not just one People Group, but to all in their community. The Sunday schedule at Ruiru First Baptist (between Nairobi and Thika) includes services in English and Kiswahili, a special time for children followed by a youth service, an early morning Ethiopian service and a Sudanese mid-afternoon service, as well as a special service where praise to our Father is signed rather than spoken! Thank you for all the ways you support us so that we can be a part of touching our world with our Father's love and salvation.  

December 22, 2010 - Sharing Our Gift

At this time of gift giving, we want to share a “gift” Jack received in early December – a  gift not bound in colorful paper and ribbons, but found in exam papers! Jack’s thanksgiving overflowed as he graded the final exams of the “Baptist Faith and Beliefs which leads to Discipleship and Church Planting” class he taught in October and November at Wamunyu Bible School (north of Machakos).  At their December session (students meet one week each month for three years), the 25 students shared reports of their last assignment:  Pray for 5 lost persons; Pray for 5 disciples; Teach CPM (Church Planting Methods)to their church or group; and Start a small discipleship group.   The following totals and comments (only a few of many!) from their oral presentations and written exams, will help you understand the excitement we feel when those we disciple/ teach/ train/ mentor catch the excitement of carrying out the Great Commission. 


TOTALS – Prayed for 148 lost people; 93 people saved after prayers; 40 new people attended church; 151 people discipled; 31 new small groups begun; and 8 new churches planned or begun!


COMMENTS 
– One on my prayer list was a criminal.  He called and said I could remove his name, he is no longer lost!
– Not only did those I prayed for come to church, amazingly many others came with them!
– Prayed for my choir and started discipling them;  Those I prayed for lost their fear.
– I prayed for the lost 5.  They came to me and I made them disciples.  One then came with 2 others and the other 4 brought 3 others!
– Four people I prayed for accepted Jesus; one was my brother.  They are now my disciples and new members in my church.

– I prayed for 5 lost; immediately one called to save he was saved! 
– Started discipleship; had to extend it to another place where I will meet next week with 15 people to start a new church.
– God gave me names of 5 people far away.  I prayed for them and called them via cell phone.  One, my brother, had left his family, but is now reconciled!
– I taught a small group of children how to witness – they brought friends with them for our next class!
– I informed church of what I learned; in last 3 weeks we had 10 converts and 7 in church! Some from far away; have a vision of starting a new church for them.
– After meeting and praying, 7 persons have accepted Christ; one a former witchdoctor.  Received a bad cell phone message; I know the devil is not happy!

– Two I prayed for accepted Jesus; the other 3 are on the way!  I got 15 new Believers to teach and disciple; some have been baptized and are in Bible study.
– I prayed for the power to do the job well.  I taught CPM.  I found five disciples.  The whole church is interested.  Some backsliders are returning.  
– I prayed for the lost.  A youth I prayed for came to church on Sunday.  Preached CPM and challenged all to make disciples.  Eyes were opened; small groups started; people are coming to Christ through our fellowship.
– Started small groups as prayer groups; practiced storying and disciples were formed; fellowships formed; going door to door; revival has resulted! One location asked for a crusade which we had for 5 days!
– I prayed first that evil spirit would be bound up.  My son started behaving; my brother-in-law came to Christ.  Went 20 kilometers away where I met a man selling meat; he received Jesus and wants to be baptized.  Some women heard this and wanted to talk with me; pressured me to open a new church.
– Went to the top of a mountain; two groups begun; doing door to door sharing. Complaints that the church was too far; we plan to start a new church.  
– Started in my home, my son accepted Christ.  Found some people in my village; 2 accepted Christ.


As you read these totals and reports, I hope that you realize that you are a part of the harvest happening around us!  These reports are just a few results of your  investment of prayer and finances, as well as your investment as volunteers!  THANK YOU for allowing us be in East Africa watching our Father at work as we join you and others in sharing our Father’s love and salvation with all People Groups in our world!  


Krismasi Njema, Jack and Bert 
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Don’t forget to check the new photos added daily to  Lottie Moon 2010/Are We There Yet Daily Prayer Nudge Photo Album from Kenya: 
https://lottiemoon2010kenya.wordpress.com/  or http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=333830&id=685050129&l=146c063c0c   
AND the special “JE! TUMEFIKA? Lottie Moon 2010” at:  http://lottiemoon2010-kenya.blogspot.com/