February 27, 2013

“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date.” Not from the Bible, but from “Alice in Wonderland,” but the words are appropriate as it is 3:00 in the afternoon and I’m just beginning my ‘date’ with you. We spent the day with a group of Baptist volunteers from North Carolina. Thus, I’m exhausted before I begin writing, but it was a good morning as we took them on a tour of Kenya Baptist Theological College and shared our dreams and hopes for God’s work at the college (Jack’s work) and for the Unreached Peoples of Sub-Saharan Africa (Bert’s work).

These times always recharge us, especially as Jack shares his dream of the college training and preparing pastors, church leaders, and national missionaries to carry out the Great Commission on their continent and as I share the need for more churches and Believers around our world committed to reaching the Unreached Peoples of Africa.

One unexpected blessing God has sent our way in the last two months is visits by volunteers.  Some are those here for other mission projects and some, like Brian and Jeff Rouse, two brothers, and a long term friend of the college, Kevin Hoke, have been working at the college.  The brothers spent a week transforming two termite eaten/moldy cottages into suitable homes for guest teachers and Kevin is helping the college with long-term development plans.  So our first prayer item is a praise for the strengthening and encouragement we (Jack, I and the college) receive from the volunteers.

Last week I shared verses from 1 Kings 19 about the time that “Elijah… came to a broom brush, sat under it and prayed that he might die, ‘I have had enough, LORD’” (vv. 3,4). I then added: “No, Jack and I are not ready to sit down under a broom bush and give up, but we are exhausted by all the planning, moving between our home in Nairobi and a cottage at the college, and stressed by the magnitude of problems at the college.”

Well, that was last week and this past week Jack and I each had our “I’ve had enough” moments!  Thankfully these times were at separate times and we were able to help the other climb from under the broom bush!  When I say ‘thankfully’ I need to explain that we know it was your prayer support which gave us the strength and encouragement needed to realize that the “the journey IS too much for” us (v.7), but not for God when we are doing His work!  SO, THANK YOU for praying!

Please continue praying that we will depend totally upon God as we seek His will and guidance.  Pray for wisdom and patience as we await His answers and as we determine when and how to respond as many logistical, personnel and financial problems are faced – logistical, personnel and financial problems which are continuing to surface.  Pray also that we will focus on the answers we see God providing and totally trust Him and claim His promise that “If (we) do whatever I command you and walk in my ways and do what is right… I will be with you” (1 Kings 11:38).

One more prayer need this week.  Kenya holds national elections next Monday, the first since the chaotic 2007 elections when hundreds were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced, with some still remaining in displacement camps or fearful of returning home.  Many are fearful and projecting chaos again, and to be honest some chaos is already happening.  We are being cautious, but we have been very encouraged by three things we experienced last week. 

At our church last Sunday we heard a sermon on peace and all adults and a few kids (safety pins and kids can be a problem!) were given white peace ribbons as they arrived.  We know our friends at church very well, but we have never heard anyone say anything that led us to know how they will vote, instead we hear of their desire for peace during the elections and electing God’s chosen leaders!  Then after church last Sunday, we passed a giant peace rally at Uhuru Park in the city centre.  We spotted hundreds of the thousands attending the rally and once again this was encouraging!  SO please join us in praying for peace in a country where elections are not known for being fair and/or peaceful. 

The third thing that truly encouraged us was the joy of joining hands with fellow church members and singing Kenya’s national anthem as our benediction last Sunday.  I will close by asking that you listen and read the words of this beautiful prayer (which can guide your prayers) at the links* shared below.  Once again, thank you for praying for us and God’s work in our part of the world, BERT
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*Kenya National Anthem – “Oh God of All Creation”/“Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu” with printed lyrics in English and Kiswahili at http://www.kenya-advisor.com/kenya-national-anthem.html.  If you would like to hear the “Wimbo wa Taifa/National Anthem” sung in Swahili, go to http://complit.la.psu.edu/swahili/songs/anthem.html. 

“My Land is Kenya” is not the national anthem, but this song by Roger Whitaker, a Kenyan by birth, is a great tribute to the beauty of Kenya’s people and the country.  But I must warn you, if you are homesick for Kenya, you might want to skip this beautiful song with pictures at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RltL8xqaijg.

Remember to visit the daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, one part of Bert’s work as the SSAP Affinity Prayer Networker which is found on a blog http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ and on Facebook (Bert Yates (https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates) or at Sub-Saharan African Peoples  ( https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl )

February 24th Nudge from SSAP

“Like milking an elephant.” How a Ugandan pastor described teaching Alur Believers to share God’s Word with their Unreached People! For this latest update from the training among the ALUR People of Uganda/DRC, go to today’s post on Sub-Saharan African Peoples Nudges to Action.* *http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/

SSAP Nudges to Action can also be viewed Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl.  Non-Facebook members can view this page.

February 20, 2013

“Nothing is too hard for you… O great and powerful God, whose name is the LORD Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds.” (Jeremiah 32:17-19). As a Kenyan friend quoted these verses in a prayer during last Sunday’s worship service at Parklands Baptist Church/Mombasa Road, I finally felt peace about Kenya’s future in coming weeks. She also prayed that we would claim God’s promise of His blessings, such as peace, when we obey and serve Him.

Believers in Africa are often challenged to claim our Father’s blessings. Yes, some in Africa preach ‘blessing’ promises that are not based on the Bible, but this is one area that I’ve learned a lot from my African Believers. I am learning anew that when I truly seek our Heavenly Father’s will and obediently serve Him, I should expect His blessings, expect answers to our prayers, and be ready to claim promises such as those He promised in Ezekiel 34:26 and Malachi 3:10. So our first prayer request today is that you join us in praying for true peace* during Kenya’s national elections on March 4th.

“Is there any hints of when the problems will be solved?” “No. God has made it clear that I’m not to worry."  This is His problem.” My question and Jack’s answer during lunch today as we discussed things such as our future housing. We do believe Jeremiah 32:17-19, that “Nothing is too hard for” our God. We also truly desire to know His great purposes and obediently join Him in accomplishing His mighty deeds...

BUT too often Jack and I (especially me) do worry and do try to come up with our own solutions rather than allowing God to show His might, power and glory! So our next prayer request is that you continue praying that Kenya Baptist Theological College will be “REVIVED/ RESTORED/ RESURRECTED/ REVISED/ RESCUED KBTC, RESULTing once again in a place where African Believers can be prepared to REFLECT the PRESENCE OF GOD and become qualified and capable workers in our Father’s Harvest Field.”**

“I have had enough, LORD.” “Get up… for the journey is too much for you… Go out and stand on the mountain… for the LORD is about to pass by.” Elijah’s words to God and God’s response which I read in 1 Kings 19 yesterday. No, Jack and I are not ready to sit down under a broom bush and give up, but we are exhausted by all the planning, moving between our home in Nairobi and a cottage at the college, and stressed by the magnitude of problems at the college. So pray that we will depend totally upon God as we seek His will and guidance. Pray for wisdom and patience as we await His answers and as we determine when and how to respond as many logistical, personnel and financial problems are faced.

“…the LORD says, ‘Do you see this vast army. I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the LORD.’” “But who will do this?” Quotes from 1 Kings 20 which I read during devotions this morning. Pray also that we will be alert and thankful for all the blessings He has already sent on our current journey. Yes, new problems are still being discovered, problems requiring lots of wisdom, patience, finances and total dependence upon God, but He is providing answers and has blessed us with co-workers to make the journey with us. Our co-workers are not kings and a future prophet (1 Kings 19:15,16), but fellow missionaries, volunteers from the States, and Kenyan co-workers. So include in your prayers: Ron and Jan Langston, our IMB co-workers; Kevin and Sheryl Hoke, long-term volunteers and James and Brian, our first construction team; and Zack Mahalanganga, a Kenyan friend who is serving as Jack’s Personal Assistant; and the very committed staff at KTBC.

“I need Thee, oh, I need Thee… Oh, bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.” The hymn that closed last Sunday’s worship service at PBC/Mombasa Road. Pray that we will never forget that our work is God’s work and that we do need Him, to depend totally upon Him and to be ready to claim His blessings, His help and His guidance! BERT
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*Those of you who like viewing videos and music, can use the following as additional nudges to prayer for Peace in Kenya during the upcoming elections.

- CHOOSE PEACE (Kenya) – a video of a 9 year old Kenyan girl’s “appeal for a peaceful Kenyan election” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAe2lRHg5AY

- DAIMA – A beautiful song by Eric Wainaina, who worked with “kids to make this video soon after the post-election violence of 2007… This patriotic song was used extensively to bring back sanity to a beautiful land that was rapidly consuming itself after the 2007elections.” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh3oKHJ7KZQ

** Specific ways to join Jack in praying can be found at: January 2nd Yates/IMB/Kenya&SSAP Update – http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-2-2013.html.

A special urgent prayer request was added to today’s Nudge to Sub-Saharan African Peoples Nudges to Action – http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/ .