November 30, 2011

Last week I wrote, “Please don’t … ‘feel sorry’ for us or think we live a ‘hard life’. There are many joys in our lives – which will include a traditional Thanksgiving lunch with co-workers tomorrow.” If you had seen the banquet we shared with 30+ of our mission family, you would agree! Between the roasted turkey and ham there was even a real Sweet Potato Casserole thanks to American sweet potatoes now being available at times in our part of the world – definitely better than our usual substitute of Kenyan sweet potatoes, which are white, thus requiring orange food coloring and added sugar!

Though Thanksgiving 2011 is over and we are now in the Christmas season (no decorations yet at our house, but Christmas carols are playing), we are still in a ‘thanksgiving’ mode as the 2011 International Missions/ Lottie Moon emphasis begins. It is your prayers and gifts to the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Offering that allows us and others to be where God is calling us to serve. We were asked this week to share our 2011 answered prayers in a prayer guide used by mission colleagues. As I sent our answers, I realized these praises also express how you have supported us as you prayed and funded our budgets.

Jack praised God for the teaching opportunities with local Believers with hearts for planting churches. Records from just 6 months of the year include church planting training in 34 locations; 672 people representing 191 churches at 2 day conferences ; 18 (known) small groups were started that have the potential of becoming new churches; 6 new Bible schools began; and at least 96 new Believers resulted from the 'practice' witness times outside the meeting places!

Bert’s praises: For the direction God has given me in using the internet to share our stories from East Africa - which has led to added personnel, finances and prayer support. An unexpected result is that many people are logging on to the blogs which share our stories - the newest being "Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa" ( http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/ ) from other countries where missionaries face many restrictions. Pray that these blogs and Facebook posts at Lottie Moon 2011 East Africa ( https://www.facebook.com/LottieMoon2011.EastAfrica ) will continue to glorify our Father and help others understand how God is at work in East Africa AND how they can join His work in East Africa and in other parts of the world, especially those areas where Believers cannot freely share their stories.

As I write, Jack is teaching the third day of two weeks of another round of Baptist Beliefs, History and Practice at the Kenya Baptist Theological Seminary. Please join us in praying for Jack and others as the KBTC Board of Governors meet on December 19^th. Critical personnel, academic, administration and financial decisions are to be made. Pray that their decisions will help the school begin 2012 with newness of life, a new creation able to serve our Father.

My greatest prayer this week is that I will be able to harness/put into action all my ideas of what can be done during December to help you recognize how thankful we and our colleagues are for your support and how we do depend upon you! Make sure you check out the Prayer Nudges* this week as new examples are shared daily of how the Lottie Moon Offering impacts our lives as we and others serve as our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice. BERT YATES

* Prayer Nudges, WHICH YOU ARE WELCOME TO SHARE with others, can be found at:

"Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa" blog at http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/

Or three options on Facebook:

Special Page: Lottie Moon 2011 East Africa - https://www.facebook.com/LottieMoon2011.EastAfrica ) or on my personal page, https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates or the new page for Imb East Africa - https://www.facebook.com/Imb.East.Africa – Yes, this may look as if I’m overdoing it, but I’ve learned that different pages/names expands the options for people finding our stories from East Africa!

November 27th Lottie Moon/East Africa Prayer Nudge

The next time you have a ‘wish I had skipped looking in the mirror’ day or face discouragement, disappointment, frustration – use this ‘low point’ as prayer nudge for those serving as our Father's Heart, Hands and Voice in East Africa and other parts of our world. Very often the things those on mission with our Father most want to share, they cannot due to security issues, a need for sensitivity, the complexity of the problem, or simply they are hurting too much to share at the moment! Any difficult time you are facing is likely faced also by a missionary somewhere – so double your prayers!

*** SOME SAY that warthogs are proof that our Creator has a sense of humor!

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New daily Lottie Moon 2011-East Africa Prayer Nudges sharing how God's children are serving as His Heart, Hands and Voice in East Africa can be found at: http://lottiemoon2011eastafrica.blogspot.com/

You are encouraged to view and share with other Lottie Moon supporters this blog site or the Facebook Page, Lottie Moon 2011 - East Africa -

https://www.facebook.com/LottieMoon2011.EastAfrica

November 23, 2011

My camera usually leaves home when I do, but there are many scenes that I cannot capture. This week I want to share some captured and uncaptured scenes which I pray will lead you to seeing our world and joining us in prayer.

Many recently viewed scenes include mud and more mud. After years of poor rains, Kenya is having a proper rainy season which comes with blessings of flourishing crops and overflowing water reservoirs. The good rains also leads to the suffering of floods. This is especially a problem in slum areas with buildings constructed of throw-away items. Also many Kenyans rely on foot power, which means they are rather damp these days which leads to illnesses with many having limited medical care. Another problem: Areas affected by famine are not yet benefitting from the new crops and relief trucks are mired in mud, unable to make the journey. For more on the Horn of Africa drought, go to the “Too hungry to cry” - Africa Stories (1)or to BGR Updates and Videos at Horn of Africa Drought Crisis (2).

There were also many unexpected scenes last week. Driving to church last Sunday, we questioned if our car was invisible as we faced many near collissions as big and small vehicles sought our spot on the road. Then a motorcycle with a special cargo appeared – which relieved our tension and helped us focus on blessings and joys rather than our discouragements.

A unexpected scene not captured was meeting a woman while shopping. The woman said several times in Swahili, “You are a woman, you have children. Mine are starving, please give me money.” I had money to offer, but I know the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to note the woman’s good health and the dazed look in her eyes. It broke my heart, but I knew the Holy Spirit was telling me that this was not a time to give, but to pray for the woman.

Later in the week, a young man shared with us how he had lost his house and possessions due to the illegal action of others. We had only a few shillings in our pockets that day, but the Holy Spirit led to assure him of our prayers and a later financial help. We rarely leave home without encountering people in need, which leads to a needed constant prayer: Alertness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we decide how/when to respond to the needs around us.

Please don’t read of these experiences and ‘feel sorry’ for us or think we live a ‘hard life’. There are many joys in our lives – which will include a traditional Thanksgiving lunch with co-workers tomorrow. We are thankful for where God has called us and the gift of doing His work – which leads to a few prayer requests: For guidance and sensitivity as I share stories from East Africa, especially as the annual Lottie Moon Offering time approaches.

Pray also that our co-workers will be encouraged as their stories are shared. Pray for Jack as he travels this weekend to a central Kenyan Bible School. Pray that he will strengthen these pastors as he teaches how to share our Father’s love with followers of other faiths. Pray for Jack also as he begins another two week teaching session next week at our seminary, KBTC.

One more thanksgiving before I close: Thank you for all the ways you support us through your prayers, sending personnel and giving to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Offering! BERT YATES

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(1) “Too hungry to cry” / Africa Stories – http://www.africastories.org/

(2) BGR Horn of Africa Drought Crisis – http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/projects/view/horn_of_africa_drought_crisis