November 10, 2013

Thanks for praying for us!  We finally slept (or more accurately stayed in bed) until the alarm clock buzzed at 6 this morning, so hopefully we will be less dinghy today.  After being more than a bit overwhelmed by buying a car so quickly, God led us to the perfect spot (one of those times when you're heading one way and remember another option as you pass it) to purchase exactly what we needed from a young Christian man God had waiting to help us! We've also had great visits with two of our kids and their family and will visit with our youngest today!

We're heading out in a few minutes for our first opportunities to share what God is up to among Sub-Saharan African Peoples (Bert) and at the Kenya Baptist Theological College (Jack) and how others can join in His work. Pray for us especially as we represent the International Mission Board (IMB) at the North Carolina Baptist State Convention this week.

I had a photo to share with you today of water rushing into the washing machine of the Temple Baptist Mission House, but posting it seemed very insignificant as I read of the typhoon that hit the Philippines on Friday.  Updated reports of how you can pray and help can be found the IMB Connecting website (http://www.imb.org/main/default.asp).  BERT

November 6, 2013

We're loving the colours of a NC autumn.

For the second morning straight, we awoke early and had breakfast before 4:30. By 6 this morning, we had the internet system purchased last night working in the mission house of Temple Baptist in Raleigh, NC., so I can  send a very, very short update today!

Welcome home...

We arrived on time and with all our luggage on Monday afternoon - a true praise! Thanks for praying. We've also survived our first visit to a grocery store and a Walmart, and yes, both were more than a bit overwhelming. It did help to be told that the Walmart was an extra big one, so we were not simply responding as culture-shocked missionaries!

... BABU and BIBI (Swahili/granddaddy and grandmama).

We've yet to arrange for transport or to locate my 'stored' coats and purchase Jack a warmer jacket - it is COLD here - so keep praying as we adjust to six months of life and work in the US during our Stateside Assignment (STAS).  Pray especially that we will be good ambassadors for the IMB and especially for our Father's work among Sub-Saharan African Peoples as we 'work' at the North Carolina Baptist Convention next week.

I'm enjoying watching the birds, especially as the
cardinals and blue jays, play outside our window!

And yes, do pray that we will adjust to living one-third of the way around the world. We wish there was a re-set button for our internal clocks which are a bit confused.  With the 8 hours time difference, our bodies are finding it confusing to be going to bed for the evening when we usually are arising for the day!  BERT
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During our STAS, I will continue adding daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, which can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607.

October 30, 2013

Principal's wife: How was your morning? 

Principal: I'm exhausted! Trying to keep up with God and all He is doing for the college is hard work! You're not going to believe all the doors He has opened this morning!

After Jack spoke at our church last
Sunday, a friend said, "I always
assumed that Jack was a preacher,
but he is a trained and gifted teacher!"

This is today's post on KBTC’s Facebook page of Jack's lunchtime report yesterday after a busy morning of meetings with a future teacher in the college’s music program, a teacher in the youth ministry program, and as he ‘linked’ a KBTC student working among the Maasai with a KBTC graduate, a Kenyan Baptist pastor searching for mission opportunities for his church!  Jack could have also said this on Monday morning as he met with a group of partners in theological education!  God is at work in truly amazing ways at Kenya Baptist Theological College. 

Our home in Nairobi is surrounded by tall buildings,
so we rarely spot a sunrise, but we awoke
to this gift yesterday morning.

Thank you for being a part of what is happening at KBTC through your encouragement and as you have prayed for things such as a past request for the staff to depend upon our Father’s guidance and provision. Please join us in continuing to pray for  KBTC to be REVIVED/ RESTORED/ RESURRECTED/ REVISED/ RESCUED, 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.

One of the stresses of life in Nairobi - roads are obstacle courses!
The centre bit of colour between the buildings is the mass of
people near a market and the country bus depot.

As I write today, I'm still surrounded by packing materials, suitcases, clothes, gifts, etc., but thankfully the’ to-do-before-we-leave’ notes are becoming fewer! Do keep praying for physical and mental strength as we prepare to leave on Sunday evening AND as we settle in the mission house of Temple Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC.  Our ‘to-do-after-we-arrive’ notes include setting up internet and arranging for a vehicle so that we can visit many of you and your churches sharing what God is up to in our part of the world and how you can join in His work.  Pray also for us as we reset our ‘body clocks’ as Kenya is 8 hours ahead of North Carolina! 

The views along Nairobi's roads don't all lead to stress!
These are less than half of the the perfectly
balanced toddler shoes for sale along one street!

I will likely be without internet and too busy unpacking and enjoying time with our family next Wednesday to send the usual update, but please keep praying for Jack as his focuses during our Stateside Assignment (STAS, once called furlough) on sharing God’s work at the Kenya Baptist Theological College and how others can be a part of the needed restoration.  Pray for me as I seek to nudge more people and churches to action (prayer, serving and giving) for Sub-Saharan African Peoples.

I'm looking forward to views such as American churches filled with
potted poinsettias during Christmas, but I will miss daily views
of poinsettias and other flowers that grow year round in Kenya!

Thank you once again for all the ways you strengthen and encourage us as we engage lostness together (Acts 14:22; Revelation 14:6), which you do as you pray for us, serve with us and as you support us through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering!  We do depend on you and we are so thankful for you - thankful enough to take a break from packing to post a new photo album for you, Nairobi - A City of Obstacles; A City of Beauty. BERT

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Today’s post on KBTC’s FB page –  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=679748638710092&set=a.467093746642250.110685.466678516683773&type=1&theater
Today’s post on SSAPeoples FB page, with a view that you will not want to miss - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539963782748279&set=a.389236874487638.90503.100173880060607&type=1&theater

Posts shared on the SSAPeoples and KBTC Facebook pages can be viewed by anyone(including non-FB members) who wants to catch a glimpse of what God is up to in our part of the world and how you can join His work!  
SSAPeoples Nudges to Action (Prayer/ Giving/ Serving) – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl

KBTC –  https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering - http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/default.asp

Nairobi - A City of Obstacles; A City of Beauty - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152286119510130.1073741845.685050129&type=1&l=ce88820f96