Samson Kisia, a leader of the Baptist Convention of Kenya and the pastor of Ruiru Baptist Church (between Nairobi and Thika) sent this message after reading the last update of how Kenyans are to responding to God’s command to proclaim his message and make disciples of “every nation, tribe, language and people” (Matthew 28:19-20, Revelation 14:6): "Thanks for sharing what God is doing, I do thank God this is happening and I pray that we can do more of this. In my church we had a very nice baptism. We had 12 Kenyans, 3 Ethiopians and 12 deaf. It was so good to see this happen. We also had one week training of deaf. We had volunteers from USA teaching. God is working, He just needs someone to go and evangelize. God bless."
Please pray for strength and guidance for Kenyan Christians such as Samson and the members of his church who truly have a vision for sharing God’s love with the world beginning in their own community, including people of a nearby area where many displaced from other countries reside. The Deaf are among the groups of unreached peoples in Kenya and the Ruiru Baptist is one of the few churches that has truly opened their hearts to sharing God’s love with this group. Pray that their desire to minister to the Deaf will help other Christians become aware of the need for sharing God’s love and salvation with these people with special needs.
(Picture is of a relief project at Ruiru Baptist which used monies given by Southern Baptists for relief during the post-election chaos.)
News such as this from Ruiru Baptist Church helps many of us stay focused on our Father and his work, not the negatives news around us. Yes, today’s Daily Nation did share some uplifting news beginning with front page picture with this caption: “President Kibaki hands over the national flag to the national Olympics team captain Wilfred Bungei.” The main story was not as positive – “Kimunya quizzed in hotel sale probe” – more about a suspicious sale of a hotel that many fear is another incident of corruption by government and business leaders..jpg)
The news on the back page (60) of the Daily Nation was also discouraging, “Shocking rise in HIV prevalence … Government set to announce three per cent increase in the rate today.” Then I remembered that there are Kenyan Christians who are God’s workers responding to this need. Pray for the Kenyans on the staff of BARA (Baptist AIDS Response Agency) who are in a retreat/training session this week. (Picture is of a BARA staff member making a TRUE LOVE WAITS presentation at a rural school.) This agency, started by IMB missionaries and the leadership of the Baptist Convention of Kenya, are offering hope to individuals with HIV/Aids and to those who want to avoid this deadly illness. Pray that this week will be a time in which they are spiritually and mentally strengthened and that they will leave even more capable of being God’s ambassadors to our hurting world. Bert Yates
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“Kibaki boosts Kenya’s Olympic Spirit” – http://www.nation.co.ke/sports/athletics/-/1100/444062/-/tkghd7z/-/index.html
“Kimunya quizzed in hotel sale probe” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/443976/-/tj0yxc/-/index.html
“Shocking rise in HIV prevalence” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/443904/-/tj0yr3/-/index.html
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
I had not planned to send an update today, but I must share this special Praise Update! This will be longer than I would like, but I promise it will be worth reading as you hear of my pride as I sat in the Parklands Baptist worship service this morning, the final service in the annual Missions Week – A pride that came from viewing how Kenyan Baptists are responding to God’s command to proclaim his message and make disciples of “every nation, tribe, language and people” (Matthew 28:19-20, Revelation 14:6).
As we arrived, Caroline Awinja was leading a special choir of many of the church’s Mission Team. It gave me tingly feelings as she led them in “He’s got the whole world in his 
hands.” Caroline truly believes these words. She has been all over Kenya proclaiming God’s message to many of our tribes, languages and peoples. Last year, she travelled on a mission trip to another continent where few know of our Saviour’s love and salvation. She is currently looking for new ministry opportunities after the Tanzania government gave the final refusal earlier this month of her work permit as a missionary in their country. She had already begun living among an unreached people group there sharing God’s love and salvation before the work permit stalled.
Flag parades in worship services are always meaningful, but they reach a whole new level of meaning when they are viewed in what is traditionally a “foreign mission field.” The first four flags to enter the sanctuary were the flags of Kenya, Israel, Zimbabwe and the USA – the latter two which are included in all recent prayer emphasis in our church. After our post-election problems, Kenyans are praying with extra zeal for Zimbabwe’s current problems and for the coming American elections. The parade of the flags or as it was called – Ushering in the Nations – ended by everyone arising to sing the Kenya National Anthem*. This is a beautiful song, but after the events of this year, there was a new depth in understanding and a new sense of pride as these words were sung.
The service included the introduction of Parklands’ “home” missionaries to the Ilchamus and Endo peoples, two of Kenya’s unreached people groups, as well as students of these ethnic groups who are in school thanks to members of the church. Others On mission with God in other parts of Kenya – thanks to the 
encouragement and support of Parklands – were also introduced and a few shared incredible challenges including: “Go out and see what God can do through and with you” and I learned about life as a missionary and that God uses available people”. It was especially meaningful as my husband reminded me that we had known two of them as kids. One very distinguished young man was the little boy that Jack rescued as he lost control running down Ngong Hills (not a hill) during a RA (Royal Ambassadors) sleep-over almost 30 years ago!
Another highlight of the service was a special song by the Gujarati Church – a church that meets at Parklands the last Saturday of each month. Few understood the song in Hindi, the national language of India, but all joined in singing the last Hindi words – “Haaleluyaaha.” Before the group of all ages sang about their desire to worship only the true God, we learned that their service last night had been a special prayer time as they prayed for those affected by yesterday’s 17 bomb blasts in Gujarat, the part of India where they all have family and friends. They praised God that they had received word that all of their family members were safe and uninjured and the ones who were Christians were in their places of worship today!
Our pastor, Ambrose Nyangao, must have also felt the pride that I felt as he shared, “Today we are celebrating missions … not thinking of people from outside coming to us, we are the ones going out with God’s message!” This was followed by Wachira, the pastor of Membley Baptist, one of Parkland’s mission churches, sharing how he and others have learned that “We don’t do missions because we are strong, but because our God is strong” and that being involved in missions is not for God’s benefit, but for our own – we simply have to be obedient and willing to follow Him!
I also felt pride this morning as I recognized that I was viewing the “footprints” and “fruit of the work” of my past and current IMB (formerly FMB) co-workers. As I listened to the missions’ choir sing “We are not ashamed of the Gospel … The truth we will proclaim. We are committed and we choose to tell the world the good news, the gospel … We will go, telling everywhere, tell every man and woman and boy and girl,” I realized how all of those involved had been touched directly or indirectly by your missionaries over the years in Nairobi and in other Baptist work around our country (the pictures are of three of our Kenyan Baptist churches: Parklands, Ebenezer/Rift Valley Garsen/Coast). I remembered the dreams and hopes of many of my co-workers who have worked with South Asians over the years. I thought of the many who taught in community centres, high schools and Bible schools and how they had discipled and mentored so many young Kenyans – some who were involved in today’s service and a few were even the children of those touched by your missionaries. The many IMB missionaries who have invested their time in university work also came to mind and the hours they spent not just sharing their faith, but challenging others to do the same. I could go on and on, but I think you can now understand why I had to share about this morning.
I also felt re-challenged to continue the work that God has called me to be a part of in Kenya. Yes, things are different today here, but I realized once again why God led me to choose the following as my personal goal: “Strengthening and encouraging as we engage lostness together.” Acts 14:22; Revelations 14:6
Thank you once again for allowing me and so many others to serve our Father in Kenya and in other places. Thank you for your prayers and for the financial gifts which allow us to be a part of the development of Baptist work in Kenya and of seeing the fulfilment of the multiplication principle found in Matthew 28:19-20. Thank you for how you have allowed the development of the group of disciples who this morning proudly sang: “We are not ashamed of the Gospel … We choose to tell the world the good news.” Bert Yates
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*The Kiswahili and English words of the Kenyan national anthem can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/national-anthem/nairobi-full.html
The tune can be heard at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RRLLaq2VM8
Saturday, July 26, 2008
“100 DAYS TOGETHER” – today’s Daily Nation is followed by this question: “Just what have old rivals Kibaki and Raila achieved in their first three months of sharing power as leaders of Kenya’s Grand Coalition?” Answers provided are often contradictory, but all share praise that the country was saved “from imminent civil war” through the leaders actions. Yet, there are still problems. “Deals that put a dark mark on the coalition” (p.3) tell of “A new spate of questionable deals amounting to millions of shillings.” .jpg)
Continue praying that Kenya’s government and business leaders will bring about change that strengthens the country and provides a better life for its citizens. Pray that Christians in Kenya will be an active part of the change of attitudes and responses to corruption within the country.
Local papers continue to share stories about the Internally Displaced Persons, but few are now found on the internet search of the papers. “Women in camps forced into sex to get food” (Daily Nation, p.8, 7/25/08) shared today that “In addition to sex for food, other women also suffered rape and indecent assault” in the displacement camps. The reason given by one man for these happenings leads to a great need for prayer – “The lack of awareness of their rights was compounded” by their lack of education. Pray that women in Kenya will learn of their value to their Creator. Pray that they will strive to become all He created them to be.
“Three times unlucky in polls violence” (Daily Nation, p.9, 7/25/08) quoted one woman with “no reason to live. Twice she has lost a spouse and twice she has faced death … because she exercised her democratic right to vote.” Pray for those who continue to hurt due to the post-election violence. Pray for physical healing and for spiritual healing. Pray that Christians will rise up to boldly share the source of true peace and hope.
The government and relief groups have sought to close all the large IDP camps and move people .jpg)
home or to transition camps. “Donor shift to affect refugees’ stay in camps” (Daily Nation, p.6, 7/21/08), does appear on the internet and shares the ongoing problems faced by the displaced. Pray for those who are fearful of new attacks if they return home and others who are waiting for help “to rebuild their lives.” Pray that those who are Christians will truly depend upon God during this time and be bold ambassadors of His help. Pray that those who are not Christians will truly learn of the “perfect love (that) drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).
I have given two other references to past prayer items that some of you may want to read, but I ask that all of you to continue praying for the high schools affected by recent riots (“Central tops list of riot-hit areas,” Daily Nation, p.4, 7/25/08) and for the continuing political unrest in Zimbabwe (“Cash shortage hits Zimbabwe as food prices shoot up” (Daily Nation, p.17, 7/25/08). Pray that affected Christians will be bold witnesses of their Saviour’s love and peace during this time. Bert
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CALLED TO ACCOUNT/100 Days Together – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/442672/-/tj089o/-/index.html
Deals that put a dark mark on the coalition – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/442732/-/tj08xl/-/index.html
Donor shift to affect refugees’ stay in camps – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/434816/-/tif4ff/-/index.html
Central tops list of riot-hit areas – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/442752/-/tj090d/-/index.html
Cash shortage hits Zimbabwe as food prices shoot up – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/-/1066/442668/-/14aqfy0z/-/index.html
Friday, July 25, 2008
Today’s Daily Nation carried another “SCHOOLS CRISIS” headline – “Students face life in prison over strikes.” I don’t understand the rioting and destruction, but I do know that students and their parents are under great pressure. A common conversation with parents of students in Class (grade) 8 or Form 4 (high .jpg)
school senior) is how the entire family is working to help the student excel on the upcoming exams. For parents of kids in the lower classes, conversations revolve around getting children in to the schools with the best national exam scores. I’ve always found it painful to be out early in the mornings and see how many children are already on their way to school. Some have long treks to school, but many are headed to tutorials before class. Countless students also return home long after dark.
“Students speak out over unrest” (Daily Nation, 7/25/08, p.5), shares that “mock examinations were squarely blamed for the unrest … there are other issues … students felt that some compulsory subjects … ought to be optional … Another contentious issue is school management … sexual harassment, misuse of school funds and corporal punishment …. they don’t have time to rest … in class at 4am for morning preps … protesting against … badly cooked and little food.” Pray for students who know these problems are “a big burden to their struggling parents” and one who said, “I am not happy that I had to be sent home because of a few rogue students.” Pray that government and school officials as well as students and their parents will find ways to end this time of unrest and bring about positive and long lasting change. Pray for the students who truly desire to study and that this time out of school will not affect their ability to learn. Praise God also for the students such as those in our Baptist High Schools who have not joined in the unrest.
Pray also for the church in Kenya as they react to these problems. In “Churches root for religious education” (Daily Nation, 7/25/08, p.5), “major church bodies want religious education made compulsory to curb the rising cases of strikes … The solution … is in a restoration of a 
wholesome education and the development of a national value system … The church called for … chaplains to the institutions … said … students need time for … playing, resting and worship.”
I will end with a unique prayer request, but any who have visited Kenya’s south coast will understand. “Thousands delayed as ferries break down” is found on page two of today’s Daily Nation. Mombasa, Kenya’s leading coastal city, is an island, and the easiest way to get to the South Coast is on one of the Likoni ferries. Only one of the four ferries is currently working which is leading to long lines of trucks ferrying goods to Tanzania and vans of vacationers heading to the South Coast hotels. Pray for patience during this ferry shortage. Pray especially for a Christ-like attitude for Christians in this area where many people follow a faith that does not claim God’s love and salvation through his Son. (see note attached after internet sites!) Bert Yates
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Students face life in prison over strikes – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/442262/-/tj053y/-/index.html
Church roots for religious education – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/442062/-/tj03j2/-/index.html
For a “You Tube” report on the student unrest from NTV Kenya go to: http://www.nation.co.ke/
Commuters stranded after ferry breakdown – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/442208/-/tj04xt/-/index.html
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After sending today’s update retired missionary Jim Musen, who served for many years with his wife Jenny on the Kenya coast, sent this information on how to “beat the ferry” which is also a great insight into the unique lives of missionaries!
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There is a way to beat the ferry wait. On the Mombasa side of Mazeras there is a road that cuts off to the south. Following it around towards the Kwale - Kinango road. When you hit that road go to Kwale. Pass the Shimba Hills Park and Kwale town of to the Likoni - Lungalunga tarmac road. Go south to Ukunda. If it is raining ask about the road to Kinango from Mazeras before you take all. It can be a long and interesting drive, you will most likely come across elephant before Kwale, but it can beat and hours long wait at the ferry.
There is another way if you can take a matatu down to south coast. There is a foot ferry near the harbor that will take you to Likoni and if it is full you can always get a canoe. For the rich get a small private plane for the old part of the airport in Port Ritz and fly down to Ukunda air strip.
Having to wait on the Likoni Ferry brings back a lot of memories to me. If you are stuck get some cassava chips, peanuts, roasted corn, Arab coffee, ice cream or a cold drink and read your Bible or a book or talk to someone. There are other ways to get around the ferry and I have been on several of them.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
“Rioters to be expelled” – Today’s Daily Nation headline is similar to the lead articles in our news since Monday’s, “Crisis talks as riots rock more schools.” Children and teens around the world face many pressures related to schooling, but in third world countries there are often extra pressures including: parents .jpg)
making great sacrifices for their children to attend school; the fact that doing exceptionally well in school is the only hope for a bright future not just for the child, but for the whole family; the conflicts many students face in substandard schools; and the frustrations that children such as those in slums or in pastoral areas (areas where people follow the animals in need of grazing which includes many of the people groups unreached by the Gospel) face in simply getting to school regularly.
Another problem in Kenya is the dissatisfaction by many people of the school curriculum. National exams are given at the end of Class (grade) 8 and at the end of Form 4 (year of high school). Exams are given in every subject studied and the cumulative of the grade on these exams determine if the student progresses on in schooling and the quality of the education offered. Many reasons, often contradictory, are given for the current problems in which at least one child has died, 300 schools have been closed in the last month, and many more have been damaged by fire or mob destruction, but all agree that part of the pressure is that this is “mock exams” time – when students take past tests to determine if they are prepared for the exams to be given at the end of the school year (Oct-Nov). 
In most Kenyan schools, the year has three terms: January-March, May-July and September-November. April, August and December are to be school breaks, but many, too many children spend their breaks with tutors as they face the fears, pressures and challenges of doing well on the national exams.
Pray that the unrest in schools will not continue spreading. Pray that more government officials will react as “MPs (Ministers of Parliament) from the pastoral communities” who are striving to find ways to interact “with residents in matters of development.” Pray that others will be challenged to “think outside the box and look critically at why basic services such as … education do not reach the people on the ground” (“Pastoral regions’ MPS deplore poor service”, Daily Nation, 7/24, 2008). Pray for the committed students who desire to be in school during this time of unrest. Pray that students will able to continue learning during this time. Pray that the Christian students, teachers and parents will be strong ambassadors of their Saviour’s love and peace. Pray for the parents as they react to their children during this stressful time. Pray for the students arrested – pray that the guilty students will be identified correctly and innocent ones not included. Bert Yates
“Rioters to be expelled” – http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=127954
“Crisis talks as riots rock more schools” (July 21, 2008) – http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=127772
“35 students arrested over arson” (July 21, 2008) – http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?premiumid=0&category_id=1&newsid=127761
Sunday, July 13, 2008
A quick note before I begin packing for our time at Brackenhurst, the Baptist Conference Centre on the edge of tea fields about 30 minutes from Nairobi and 3000 feet higher, so it will likely be rather chilly as this is our winter time! The annual meeting for our IMB staff begins tomorrow and will end on Saturday. Many of you will call this time Mission Meeting, but it now has a new name – Cluster Meetings – and this year it is a Sectional Meeting as the Central Corridor Cluster 
(basically the old Kenya mission) will be meeting with clusters from Southern Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
I will not be sending out prayer items during the week, unless there are urgent needs, but I will share these prayer items for the week: Pray for the kids as they have VBS (Vacation Bible School). Pray that this will be a week of encouragement and strengthening as the adults have time to pray, study the Bible and fellowship together as well as learn new things/ways to do our work. Pray for the volunteer team that is coming from several churches that have ties with First Baptist Church Daytona Beach, Florida. Members of this team will bring God's Word to us, work with out Youth, lead us in worship and run the VBS programme for our children. Pray also for good health for all at the meeting and for safety in travel to and from the meeting.
Each Cluster is to provide a Prayer Point for a display to share our prayer needs. The above picture is of the two items I will use for the Central Corridor Cluster prayer point. As I thought of what to feature, I realized that the Kenya flag is a great inspiration to pray, especially after the unrest of the post-election period which has affected all of our work. Here is what is found on the printed prayer guide - and yes, you may copy it:
BLACK stripe – Praise God for the people of Kenya, their diversity and gifts.RED stripe – Pray that all tribes, languages, and peoples within Kenya will come to hear a proclamation of the Saviour who freed them from their sins by his blood.
GREEN stripe – Praise God for the natural wealth and fertile land within Kenya. Pray that all Kenyans will come to know the Creator that gave them these gifts. Pray that they will also take responsibility for caring for His gifts and for sharing His greatest ones – His love and eternal life. WHITE stripes – Pray that Kenyans will claim the peace that can only come from believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.
MAASAI SHIELD AND SPEARS, representing the Fight for Freedom – Claim 2 Corinthians 3:17 for Kenya: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Saturday, July 12, 2008
This past week, I met Daniel, the young man whose story I shared in a “Young Maasai’s Lottie Moon Story” (June 18th). As we talked, I learned more of his story, plus a few corrections, and I .jpg)
heard his dreams. Daniel will graduate with a BS in Geophysics this coming week from Jomo Kenyatta, one of the national universities. I jokingly asked if he was planning on wearing the traditional Maasai beadwork that one often sees on graduates in the news reports – even when these “sophisticated” youth rarely wear these items (everyday wear is seen in the picture of Maasai youth). His reaction was: It wasn’t in his plans, but he was certain it would be in his mother’s plans as she was so very, very proud of him! And yes, I did respond that his Mom has every right to be proud and he should do as she asks!
He also shared how his mother became a Christian. When Daniel was still in elementary school, an IMB missionary named David, visited his boma (Maasai homestead) and shared of God’s love and salvation. Daniel’s Mom responded by becoming a Believer during that first visit! It was the same missionary that realized Daniel’s potential and helped him attend Nyeri Baptist High School. Daniel had done very well in his elementary school, but it was a simple school and the change to a more challenging school was difficult. Thankfully, God used another missionary, Jill, a teacher at Nyeri, to help Daniel catch-up and meet his potential – which resulted in his moving to the top of his class and making the best scores ever achieved by a Nyeri Baptist student in the national exams.
Daniel is now a very confident young man who is in the process of applying for a local master’s .jpg)
programme in water sanitation. He is using this time out of school to write a proposal for a water project in the Lake Bogoria area related to a problem that Americans may find a bit unusual. Kids in this area and many other parts of Kenya avoid toothpaste with Fluoride – there is so much naturally in the water of their areas that it turns their teeth brown. Finding ways to reduce the fluoride content is one of Daniel’s dreams. Daniel also spoke of one reason he wants a Masters – the increased salary potential – and he has plans for the salary! He dreams of helping poor and orphaned children in his home area to have increased opportunities for quality education. Daniel also has a heart for helping street kids and finding ways to help them dream of a future full of opportunities, including the opportunity to hear of God’s love and salvation.
Continue praying that Daniel and other Kenyan Christian youth will continue growing in their relationship with Christ and their desire to be his servants. Thank God for other servants, including your IMB personnel, who obediently share the Good News of our Saviour. Pray that each of your missionaries – those you sent from the States and Kenyans “on mission with God” – will be sensitive and dependent upon the Holy Spirit as we invest in the lives of others so that we don’t miss any DANIELS that God places in our paths! Bert Yates
July 9, 2008
A search for a definition of the roles of chiefs in Kenya “defeated me” so here is my description: Kenya is divided into provinces, which are divided into districts and chiefs are assigned to govern over divisions in the districts. I’m sharing this because two articles in today’s Daily Nation about chiefs led me to prayer.
This morning, I first read “20 chiefs face graft charges” on the back page (p.68) of the Daily
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Nation which reported a speech of the Nairobi Provincial Commissioner. The PC said that chiefs are the ones with “a duty not only maintain law and order but also to protect people’s lives and property.” The chiefs were warned not to meddle “in land matters … the duties of land allocation, registration and certification lay with the Ministry of Lands.”I then read “Slum dwellers face eviction from oil pipeline’s reserve land” (Daily Nation, 07-09-08, p.14) and came to this quote about some of the 7,200 households facing eviction: “The resident’s association secretary says that most of the people who have settled in a one-kilometre stretch along the pipeline bought the land from a former chief and a district commissioner.” Yes, the land that was sold was reserved land with no title deeds, yet today the area includes not just residences, but “health centres, churches and schools” on this borrowed/grabbed or illegally sold land!
Ownership and use of land in Kenya and especially Nairobi is one of the greatest challenges for the citizens of Kenya and unfortunately one of the greatest sources of corruption. I have learned this in a new way this past week as the road beside our mission residence which borders a “green” area was grabbed by a wealthy group of individuals to build high rise apartments. Thankfully, our prayers were answered and the national environmentalist groups saved the road beside our land, but often the grabbing is not done by the wealthy, but by people with no or little money who simply want a place to live or start a business. This definition covers many of those living on the pipeline reserve land. The article describes the area as a slum and reports that many of the residents have nowhere else to go – even though they are aware of the dangers of living so close to pipes which could lead to explosions.
Why am I sharing all of this? First, the article on the evictions can help you learn how to pray for the ongoing complex problems of Kenya and many other places in our world. Secondly, I hope this information will help you understand what life is like for many of the people that your missionaries
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and churches are ministering to in Nairobi. In the last few years, many of your missionaries have gone into the lower cost housing areas of Nairobi with a new method of reaching those who do not know our Saviour’s love and salvation – T4T training. I could spend hours explaining this, but basically this is training a Christian to begin Bible study in his/her home or workplace. Sometimes that Christian is a new Believer who has responded to the witness of the missionary or Kenyan Christian. These Bible exploration groups can become House Church Groups, which is not only a great method for rapidly reproducing Believers as the groups expand and divide into trained new groups, but this is also a great way to deal with the lack of land in the city – which includes lack of space for traditional church buildings. So I ask that you pray for the poor of Nairobi. Pray for those who are trying to share God’s love and salvation with these people. Pray that they will find the best way to make new Believer and train them to share the Good News they have received – the Good News of the greatest source of hope and joy! Bert
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
“Until Dad goes home” – these words were found in an e-mail sent last Saturday by one of our older Missionary Kids, Aprile. She was sharing an update on her father, Allen Stickney, who was facing the closing days of his fight with cancer – You have to know Allen and Alice to understand how diligently they did fight this illness so that they could continue obediently serving God discipling and mentoring African university students.
Aprile was referring to her Dad’s upcoming journey to his Heavenly home – a safari he made on Sunday afternoon from his hospital bed in Texas. Yet, I’m sure many of my former and current co-workers thought of other places as they read Aprile’s words. I’ve often heard that home is where the heart is – and for many missionaries this means that as they proudly boast of their home state, their heart says home is in the country where God called them to serve and invest their lives.
Aprile also shared that they had reserved hotel rooms for out of town friends who might come to see Allen. I thought of the hundreds of their friends who would be unable to make that visit. I am certain that there are many strong American Christians who are thankful for the mentoring and discipling that they received over the years from Allen and Alice, yet, there are many, many more in East Africa who are leaders in our churches and in our countries who are reproducing disciples –as they were taught by their disciplers, the Stickneys. I found myself laughing (inappropriately!) on Sunday as I listened to our pastor (left, Simon Mwangi at a church event) who used over 30 verses during his sermon – quoted not read – and remembered that he was once a university student who hid from Stickney’s discipling team rather than admit that he had not memorized the verses that week as was required by those discipled by the Stickneys! This is only one example of the many seminary lecturers, heads of international businesses and Christian organizations who were taught by the Stickneys how to develop their relationship with their Saviour..jpg)
As I read Aprile’s e-mail, I also thought of how Americans were reacting to the large family that were gathering around the Stickneys as family also takes on a new meaning for your missionaries. Our family becomes the missionaries that we work and live with. The pictures I have included today is from a family event, a waffle supper, held monthly by our Nairobi IMB personnel. After eating, the 30 plus there last Sunday afternoon listened as two of the kids had their end of the school year “piano recital” – and yes, their teacher is one of their missionary aunts. The MK holding a “normal” pet, is not just my niece – I get to love on her extra as she is also is my great-niece – 
Her Mom (green sweatshirt) grew up with my kids and now she serves in Kenya as her parents did! Chloe and her siblings are very close to their American uncles and aunts, but it is us, their mission family, who get to routinely share things like her big brother’s and sister’s piano recital and their birthday parties and even holiday dinners. Yes, like families, we sometimes fight and disagree, but we also share lots of joys and sorrows.
Please understand that I’m not sharing today’s update to glorify the Stickneys, as they would never desire this, but to help you understand the heart and minds of those of us who serve as your missionaries away from our birth countries. My hope that this will help you fight as diligently through your prayers for us and the work God has called us do accomplish as the Stickneys fought Allen’s cancer. I am also sharing this so you will know how your past prayers and financial gifts to the Lottie Moon offering and Cooperative Program have resulted in disciples that are multiplying and multiplying, Bert
Saturday, July 5, 2008
From the most recent newsletter sent by Charlie, Sandra and Joseph (4 years old) Daniels, members of the Samburu Team living in Maralal, Kenya:
It is Sunday afternoon here. The weather is mildly warm with high clouds, and enough breeze to soften the bright sunshine. This is the best of the best. I am sitting just inside the front door (wide open) and all I hear are the sounds I want: .jpg)
The breeze blowing, the birds chirping and IPOD shuffling those tunes. Just now … I am reminded of good friends … who speak words of prayer …
God continues to show us where He is working, which keeps us on track for where WE should be working.
Joseph and I went with Charlie to the forest on Saturday and as I watched the people listening, it was clear that several were really paying attention. One older woman was careful to repeat the details of the story along the way, presumably to make sure she was catching it. She shared how she had told others last week’s story of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well. An extremely relevant story for these people as they continue to have problems with the elephants drinking their water (see our blog, www.samburuofkenya.org/blog
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for more about resolution) … As the story closed and the time for questions began, some asked about the daylight and dark mentioned in the story. After all the explanations where given and much was discussed and believed, this woman made a declaration. “I have two moran (young men). I am going to find them and tell them about this light.” Pray for others to understand, believe and spread the good news.PRAYER AND PRAISE … Praise God for opening our eyes to see where He is working and guiding us in how and where we should be working. Continue to ask for His clear direction in our lives and ministry … Pray for us to stay encouraged as drought and poor conditions affect so many living around us.
I believe we have much more opportunity in the area of ministry to children than we are taking advantage of. It is (another) area where the workers a few … So I asked God what to do about getting more teachers and in response, we are calling a meeting this week to see who God may be calling in this area. Pray for wisdom and time management for me in this area. I don’t have an idea right now of where this will go. I only know that if we want to see more teachers come forward, we must ask them to do so and give them some training. If you have a special burden for children, please join us in praying for these workers and the task at hand.
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END VISION FOR THE SAMBURU PEOPLE: For every Samburu man, woman and child to have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We will do this by planting reproducing churches in villages and population centers, requiring thousands of churches. As this is accomplished these reproducing churches will carry the Gospel and the vision into the neighboring tribes of Pokot and Turkana. HABAKKUK 2:3
Check out the Samburu website! http://www.samburuofkenya.org/
Friday, July 4, 2008
The GenerationKenya45 report continues in today’s Daily Nation, with stories of Kenya’s heroes “As we mark six months since the traumatic General Election and begin the countdown towards the 45th anniversary of independence” (Daily Nation, 7/3/08, p.14). Today’s story is entitled, “She was there for the sick and hungry, nourishing hope in Kibera villages” (p.24). It is hard to describe a huge slum to those who have never seen one – but yes, it is so large that it has its own divisions. The 26 year old woman featured today was “born and brought up in a Kibera ‘village’ called Kisumu Ndogo … In Kibera, gang .jpg)
wars, landlord-tenant stand-offs, and more everyday madness periodically break the peace, but the post-electoral violence that rocked the nation at the end of 2007 ushered in the ‘3rd World War’ … Kibera began to burn … killings…started … Before long, Kibera had no food. With the violence escalating, the settlement was cut off from the rest of the world … Bitter fights broke out as nerves grew raw with pain, frustration and hunger.” This situation is what led this young woman to think of “those who had neither youth nor energy to fight” ands she responded by asking those around her in to the slum to help the “bedridden and weak.” Through this and other actions, she “helped set an inspiring precedent, endlessly trying, endlessly vying for sustained peace in Kenya. Forgetting her own fears and her own tears, she stayed steadfast and true to the words of our Kenyan national anthem: ‘Natukae na undugu, Amani na Uhuru. Raha tupate na ustawi (May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty, Plenty be found within our borders’…” The article ends by describing this young woman as “a brilliant flicker of hope for this wonderful nation.”
I am not sharing all of this to simply break your heart, but to lead you to prayer. One of my personal greatest concerns is the constant statement that I have heard while on leave by those who desire to pray for us – “But I often don’t know how to pray for you.” I can understand this, .jpg)
especially as when things are tense, your missionaries and national friends may be limited in how/what they can share with you. My hope is that as you read stories such as this, not only will you be able to pray specifically for Kenya’s needs, but you will have a better understanding of how to pray for the people of other countries with similar needs – especially those who cannot freely share their stories with you. Some of you may also want to read the additional information on the GenerationKenya45 website which includes more stories and pictures from Kenya.
Sometimes I find myself feeling apologetic for continuing to bombard your inboxes with so much mail from Kenya, but then I remind myself of the importance of prayer. Prayer is the greatest weapon/tool/method we have to correct/heal/answer the problems in Kenya and in other places in our world. Prayer is the gift that God gives all of us to impact the world around us and allow us to be a part of “every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6) coming to know of the greatest source of unity, peace and hope – our Saviour! Bert Yates
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“She was there for the sick and hungry” – http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=39&newsid=126601
GenerationKenya45 – http://generationkenya.co.ke/main/category/champions/
Thursday, July 3, 2008
A special report appears in today’s Daily Nation entitled, “Generation Kenya 45” (pp. 14-22), searching for Kenya’s heroes “As we mark six months since the traumatic General Election and begin the countdown towards the 45th anniversary of independence” (p.14). An older MK from Africa wrote recently and asked if there was truly hope for this continent. I think if you read some of the articles included in this special report, you will join me in answering a very loud YES!
“Dreamers still have faith in motherland” (pp.16,18) shares that with believing hearts, Kenya’s school children continue to .jpg)
sing the national anthem which proclaims, “Oh God, of all creation, Bless this our land and nation, Justice be our shield and defender.”
“Brothers who set up a home for the homeless” (pp.19,21) tells of a “Centre started as a shelter for street boys but now holds poll chaos victims.” The young man who started this was once a street boy himself “before a religious awakening finally took him into church” and he is now a “beacon of hope.”
“Why Anyango chose to be an activist” (p.20) is the story of a young woman who chose to become a peace-maker and bring positive change in the slum where she lived, rather than become bitter.
“He risked his life to preach peace” (p.21) tells of a young man “Armed only with his Bible” who “continues to pray and work for peace.”
“He used reason and not a baton” (p.22) relates one police officer’s belief that peace should come from talking, rather than guns.
The beginning words of “A long season of healing” (p.3), in the LIVING magazine of yesterday’s Daily Nation, startled me as I read a pastor’s comment about the Internally Displaced Persons – “IDP has just become another word … These were people with lives, people just like you and
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me, people who were reduced to nothing. So let’s not become too used to the word to the point where it loses meaning.” This was repeated and expanded as the article ended: “What many of us have forgotten is that those who were directly affected by the post-election violence are people just like us, who once led ‘normal’ lives full of family, friends, work, school and treasured property. Now they are people hurting, angry, bitter and broken … seeking justice and a way forward to the future.”As I read these words I realized that this not only describes many Kenyans today – It also describes many people in our world and many, too many of them do not possess the hope and internal peace that the pastor in this article was sharing as he met with people. Please join me in praying today that the “hurting, angry, bitter and broken” people of our world will have an opportunity to learn of the greatest healer and source of peace – our Lord Jesus Christ. Bert
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Once again, I was not planning on sending an update today, but reading the morning news changed that plan. On page three of today’s Daily Nation, an article under the heading of CRISIS, shares what our friends in Zimbabwe are facing. This article written by a Nation sports writer shares his amazement at realizing that at the moment he entered Zimbabwe for a sports match, he became a billionaire as “The only bank changing currency into Zimbabwean dollars (Z$) at the airport … is exchanging (US) $1 for an astronomical Z$7.4 billion!” The writer did not add that this amount was much higher by the time his week-long visit ended, but he did write that any newly issued bank note “carries an expiry date. I came across some notes of Z$200,000 discarded in the streets. Little wonder. They were expired (May 2008) and their value was of also worthless.” I encourage you to read this article on the web – I can promise you that you will be guided in many areas of prayer as you continue praying for the leaders and people of Zimbabwe..jpg)
Another article will be of great interest to those of you who have lived in Kenya as it is definitely a sign of the change the country has faced in recent years. Landlines are still iffy in Kenya and hard to get, but thankfully, cell phones and other wireless systems are now available and offer greatly improved services by Kenyan standards. A Daily Nation Business News article on page 24, shares the latest promotion of one of Kenya’s major cell phone companies – “Celtel targets rural market with new offer – six-month promotion that entitles customers to free monthly airtime … (with) purchase of low cost phone … retailing at Sh 2,100.” Today’s exchange rate is US $1= Ksh64, which means these subsidized phones will cost around $32. This is still unaffordable for many, but we hear that cell phones are the first items purchased by the newly employed and many adult children provide their aging parents with phones. And yes, missionaries find that it is good stewardship to provide cell phones and/or airtime to some of their pastors/leaders. I wish I had a past advertisement picture of one of the cell phone companies to send to you – a Maasai warrior in traditional garb WITH a cell phone attached to the strap which held his shuka (rectangular red and black material) in place and YES, I have seen a picture of a Maasai warrior with a cell phone caught in his ear loop!
A more serious article that some of you may want to read appears on page 32, “Alert over high .jpg)
child deaths.” Please do pray for better medical care as in Kenya “More than 400 children under the age of five die daily from preventable diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea, pneumonia and HIV. ‘It is sad to note that one in every nine children dies before the age of five,’ said Public Health minister … launching a campaign to reduce maternal and child deaths.” A general knowledge of Kenya affirms that the peoples unreached by the Gospel are the ones who face the highest incidences of maternal and child deaths due to their usually living in inaccessible places. These are usually the areas with the poorest schools, roads, medical care, etc. As you pray that the figures quoted in this report will quickly decrease, pray that the number of people who know of our Saviours’ healing and love will increase. Bert
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“Pain of being a billionaire for a week” – http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=39&newsid=126382
“Celtel targets rural market with new offer” – http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=3&newsid=126385
“Alert over high child deaths” – http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=126414
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