Omba4Kenya

Changing Times

2010-05-20T10:56:00.014+03:00

This OMBA4Kenya Blog (Omba is the Swahili word for Pray) was begun in January, 2008, in the first days of Kenya's Post-Election Crisis. Thanks to the prayers of people from around the world, Kenya made it through that difficult time. Thanks also to prayers, this was an incredible time of spiritual maturity among Kenyan Christians as they met the challenge of boldly sharing their Father's love and salvation - a true praise!

Those who read this blog, also prayed Kenyan through a disastrous famine that led to great pain and destruction. The famine is over - Thank you for praying - BUT don't stop praying as the end to the drought has led to new problems!*

I began this blog as a part of my work as the Prayer Advocate for Kenya. Due to reorganization, this position no longer exists and I have moved on to new responsibilities - but don't worry, if you want to continue knowing how you can join Kenyan Christians, especially Kenyan Baptists in praying for their country, you can find those prayer needs/praises at another blog, Yates-IMB-Kenya, at http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com. This blog shares my husband's work with the churches/organizations related to the Baptist Convention of Kenya and my work with IMB work in Equatorial Africa.

Thank you for your prayer support in the last few years as you shared Kenya's needs with God and praised Him when prayers were answered! This blog will remain open so that you can use it for pictures** and information*** on how to pray for Kenya and other places with people in need of our Saviour!

Thank you again for your support. Your prayers have, are and will make a difference! BERT YATES
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
* Updates on how to pray for the problems after the drought can be found at:
Yates-IMB-Kenya, May 12, 2010 ~ http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/2010/05/may-12-2010.html and Yates-IMB-Kenya, May 19, 2010 ~ http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/2010/05/may-19-2010.html

** All pictures can be easily saved/copied and used for mission/prayer promotion.

*** By typing a key word in the SEARCH area on the top right, you can find information on subjects (such as drought or the name of a people group) included in this blog over the years.

Feeding the Maasai

2009-12-05T16:42:00.001+03:00

FEEDING THE MAASAI found at http://imbmaasai.blogspot.com has been updated. For an awesome look at how God is working among the Maasai People of Kenya and how Southern Baptists are a part of His work, please check out this blog!

Kenyan Kids in Need of Prayer

2009-11-09T15:26:00.006+03:00

I eagerly await the opportunity to read the our local newspaper each morning, but it often results in frustration and disappointment, UNTIL I remember that I can do something – I can pray and I can enlist other prayer supporters for my concerns for Kenya. The titles of the three articles in today’s Daily Nation (p.4) include many discouraging words: “Flooding fears”, “displaced”, “plea for more security”. The unifying subject: KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education).

The annual KCPE exam begins today with the practice tests, followed by exams tomorrow (Tuesday) through Thursday. Today’s Daily Nation lead editorial says, “Starting tomorrow, 727,000 candidates will sit the all-important Standard Eight examinations, knowing well their academic future depends on how well they perform ... the only opportunity for the pupils to be assessed on what they have been taught and prepared for over the past eight years ... to determine which of the 6,000 secondary schools would admit them for Form One in January ... knowing that less than half of them would find secondary school places.”

Our worship service yesterday included a special prayer time for the Standard Eight children taking the exams this week. The kids were in the Youth Worship Service, so their parents stood as our congregation claimed Isaiah 26:3-4 for the test-takers. Please do pray for “perfect peace” for the children taking this critical exam. Please join Kenyan Baptists/Christians in praying for good health and a lack of stresses for the students, especially those living in parts of Kenya were the drought has been followed by flooding rains, the children who are still displaced as a result of the post-election crisis of 2008, the students who live in the northern parts of Kenya where banditry and raids are rampant, and the students who will take the test hungry due to the recent drought. Pray also that innocent students will not be punished due to others in their schools cheating on the exam.

Ngina, on the right, is a Baptist kid. When asked how we can pray for her and her friends, she answered: “That God will give me heavenly wisdom.” As I think of Ngina and her Christian friends, I do not get discouraged or frustrated or think of negative words, instead I get excited as I imagine how she and her classmates will mature in coming years and find opportunities as educated young men and women to share their Father’s love and salvation within their country, continent and world! Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
KCPE EXAMS, Daily Nation, Nov 9, 2009
“Flooding fears as exams start” (p.4) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/683654/-/uomjkv/-/index.html
“Displaced students may miss test” (p.4) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/683656/-/uomjkx/-/index.html
“Candidates’ families in plea for more security” (p.4) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/683658/-/uomjl0/-/index.html
EDITORIAL, “We wish candidates success in the exams” (p.12) – http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Editorial/-/440804/683694/-/ph79twz/-/index.html

Feeding the Maasai

2009-06-10T20:10:00.004+03:00

Prayer requests and answers to prayer straight from the mission field; “behind the scenes” views of ministering to those facing hunger; a special look at the logistics/problems/realities/frustrations/joys of missions; a report on how your investments are reaping incredible benefits; a thank you note; news that includes happy/good bits; a kaleidoscope of emotions and colours from another culture captured in pictures; or simply a “great read” to include in your summer reading program – The following newsletters (begins with April update) from Bob and Nancy Calvert, IMB missionaries with the Maasai People, will provide all of these as you read of how they minister to Kenyans who are hungry due to the ongoing famine in Kenya.

These are the beginning words of the new blog that I just* completed. A friend wrote last week to say that there had been a few more showers after we left for our Stateside Assignment in late April, but the rains in Kenya are over for another season and once again, the rains were insufficient in most of the country – which means the drought is continuing – which means prayer is a continuing need for the famine situation. Please take time this week to go to “Feeding the Maasai” at http://imbmaasai.blogspot.com/ . I ask also that you take time, not just once, but at least daily to pray that the Maasai and other people of Kenya will receive both physical and spiritual nourishment. Pray that “They will know that He is the Lord” (Ezekiel 6:14). Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Explanation of why people from Kenya often use the word JUST: Kiswahili has a “present” past tense – expressing that something has “just” occurred rather than occurring in past hours, days, etc. Therefore the logical way to say this is to add the word “just” when translating Kiswahili into English. Good or bad, this becomes a part of our spoken English even when we are only using English! So … please take time right now to check out: “Feeding the Maasai” so that you can say: “I have JUST read about how I’m a part of ministering the Maasai!”

"Poor Rains to Persist"

2009-04-17T11:10:00.007+03:00

Persistence is usually a good quality, but not when it refers to drought. Today’s Daily Nation reports: “‘Poor rains to persist, say experts’* … More people will be famished and increase the hungry to more than 10m Kenyans … although April is the rainfall peak period for the March to May long rains season, Nairobi and most parts of the country will continue to receive deficient rainfall … The forecast spells doom for farmers, who have received poor rains in the last four consecutive farming seasons. Pastoralists, whose animals have been dying in their hundreds due to lack of water and pasture, will also be devastated.”

The “GLOOMY OUTLOOK” of this article continues as it reports that the drought will also lead to increased charges for fresh produce and electricity (“thermal power … is more expensive), water rationing to homes, as well as outbreaks of illnesses such as cholera due to the resulting poor sanitation.

In a strange twist of fate, but a common one in Africa, there are some parts of the country receiving rain, but not relief: “the western parts of the country … are receiving enhanced rainfall, which has resulted in flooding.”

Continue praying for the people of Kenya, both those facing drought and those facing flooding. Pray for farmers receiving their fourth season of insufficient rains. Pray for pastoralists who are watching their animals and their livelihoods die. Pray for those advising “farmers on the best agricultural practices … as well as the appropriate crops suited for their respective areas.” Pray that “Contingency measures … be put in place to avoid any loss of lives and property” in the flood areas. Pray for good health and quality medical care for those who have no access to clean water due to drought or floods. Pray for those with no or little income as the costs of food rise due to the drought and failed crops in flooded areas. Continue praying for those planning relief efforts. Pray that government officials will truly look beyond their differences** and respond speedily to the needs of their people. Pray for wisdom and strength as they plan and deliver food – there are limited resources and choosing the most needy recipients and getting the food is often difficult. Pray that through all of this, God’s children will be strong ambassadors of His love and salvation as they relate to those who are physically and spiritually hungry and thirsty, Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
(Pictures of the Samburu taken by the Daniels - www.samburuofkenya.org/blog )
* “Poor rains to persist, say experts” (Daily Nation, 4/17/09, p. 9) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/561032/-/u4a7nl/-/index.html
** “A ceasefire, for now” (Daily Nation, 4/17/09, pp.1,2) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/561038/-/u4a7nr/-/index.html

Praising God on Easter Sunday in Samburu Land

2009-04-14T13:59:00.002+03:00

Rather than the “bad news” carried in the local press of more and more politicians/government leaders involved in graft, corruption and seeking discord rather than peace, the following FACEBOOK* posting by Sandra Daniels shares lots of praises of how God is at work among the Samburu people. You can find more about the Samburu work and the Daniel family at: www.samburuofkenya.org/blog
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Tobolo mlango, Papa, panying shumata inoo.” We gathered for worship this morning at the Good Samaritan Home for the Aged. Several different Baptist churches sang praises, but as one group sang the lines “Open the door, Father, I’m entering Heaven”, the joy began to spread. The politician who invited us was moved to dance and sing. It began a wonderful celebration of praising our Lord and remembering the promise we have on this Resurrection Sunday. Everyone joined in. In traditional style, several people met each other face to face and shook hands as they sang. I don’t confess to understand all of it, but it was genuine rejoicing and praise.

We met councilor Fred during March, just after the food distribution in town. He told about his work helping the elderly and invited us to visit. Out of the profits from 2 businesses he owns, he feeds over 100 elderly men and women every day. He provides housing for some and has plans to obtain more rooms. He has visions of starting a residential home/rehabilitation center for street boys. He tries to help some of the drunkards stop drinking and has had some success in this area, as well. It is encouraging for us to meet someone who is trying to do good things to help people. It is especially encouraging to find a politician whose life is an example to others. He and his wife are both believers.

We also received news today that a church we thought was “gone” is still in existence and that they are reaching out to others and have begun new “preaching points.”

Also in attendance was a councilman from the area of Baragoi, to the north of us. He was also rejoicing and very nearly preaching when it came his time to greet everyone. If Maralal is remote, Baragoi is definitely out there. Perhaps he may be the connection we need to help get work started in that area. Councilor Fred says even he would be willing to go there and help preach if we needed him! All in all, it was a day of great blessing for us.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --
FACEBOOK members can find more pictures at: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1072369268&ref=nf#/album.php?aid=2020507&id=1072369268

Baptists Awaiting Relief Food on Alabama

2009-04-10T15:25:00.006+03:00

"Somali pirates attempt to hijack a container ship, the Alabama, carrying relief food to Kenya’s port of Mombasa.” When I first heard this news, I did take a moment to pray, but then I moved on. To be honest, ships being hijacked by citizens of our northern neighbour, Somalia – a poverty stricken country in total turmoil – is a daily occurrence in our part of the world. It did catch my attention that the ship was carrying relief food and that the crew were Americans.

I now know that I should have prayed with more nguvu (en/gue/vue, Swahili for strength). Do you remember praising God in February* for dehydrated food that Baptists distributed in Ukambani, one of the areas where thousands are hungry? This food was shipped by SERV Ministries International, a Christian organization that receives emergency dehydrated food from USAID and ships it in containers that can hold up to 1 million meals** to Kenya. In the following e-mail, Shem Okello, the Associate in our Volunteer Office and an officer of the Baptist Convention of Kenya, shares the additional need for prayer for this ship: “I got a call from the Shipping line Maersk Kenya Limited informing me that the vessel (the Alabama) that was carrying the two containers of Serve Food that we had anticipated to take to the hunger stricken regions has been hijacked. Please pray for the Crew and that they will release the Vessel so that the food can be taken to the people who need it most.”

Please do join Shem and others in praying for safety for the captain who we now know has risked his life to save his crew. Pray for the negotiators who are seeking solutions in handling this problem. Pray for peace and progress in Somalia that will lead to her people not resorting to hijacking ships. Pray also that when the ship arrives, hopefully this weekend, the relief food can be unloaded quickly and without any hassle, including payments of bribes and high custom charges. Pray for those planning and carrying out the distribution of food so that the food will get “to the people who need it most.”

Rains have come to parts of Kenya, but rather than reducing the need for prayer, it increases the need to pray for those needing food. In Nairobi, we are having only limited rain, but there are reports of flooding in other places, which leads to new problems including increased illnesses and the inability to access and deliver relief food. So … PRAY WITH NGUVU! Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
* http://omba4kenya.blogspot.com/2009/02/famine-leading-to-frustration-hope-and.html

** http://www.servintl.org/where-we-serve/kenya/kenya-feeding-program

PICTURES from February Delivery of food to Ukambani from last SERV container

What are their stories?

2009-04-05T16:35:00.004+03:00

The little girl, a lonely woman, and a lost lamb – Due to moving too quickly, bumpy roads, or battery malfunctions, none of these were captured on film during out trip to Kitale, but they all remain captured in my heart – all reminders of the ongoing drought as once again, the rains came for a few days and stopped.

It was mid-morning and the little girl was standing on a brown hill side surrounded by scrawny goats. I read recently that these smaller grazers are less affected than cows by drought as they are better foragers and less picky eaters. The animals tended by the young shepherdess disproved this theory. A simple dress hid her small body, but looking at her lean face, it is likely that her ribs were as exposed as that of her charges. Did her family depend on goat milk for nourishment? If so, she was hungry. Why was she not in school? Could the family afford the needed uniforms, pencils, etc? Or did survival require that all the family work?

At noon, we traveled on a dirt washboard road under repair. It was a forsaken area with no homes, grazing animals, or even farmers tilling the parched soil. Then, as the dust from a passing truck cleared, I spotted a young woman sitting on the side of the road. Two small pails of potatoes set beside her. Based on the heat we felt in an air-conditioned car and the wee size of the top potatoes, if she had sat there for long, the potatoes were roasted to perfection – which I’m certain was not her desire. As we traveled on, the writer in me thought of many different endings for the woman’s story. Did she sell the potatoes? Why didn’t she have the customary umbrella to deflect the sun rays? Was it a costly luxury item? Did she get sick from the dust she inhaled while waiting for a buyer? Why was she desperate enough to sit in that deserted equatorial area during the hottest time of the day? Did she have hungry family members? If she sold the potatoes, how much could she purchase with the few shillings she received? When did her family last eat something other than potatoes? Were her children in school?

We shouldn’t have seen the lamb, but late in the afternoon, we made a wrong turn and spotted the little lost lamb as we back-tracked – and yes, this is when my batteries died, but to arrive at our destination before dark there was no time for switching batteries. The small lamb was standing alone in a recently ploughed field, more truthfully a field of dust ripples being swirled by the windy mountain air. I thought of the person who was searching for this lost little one – fearful of all that could happen with cars whizzing nearby and the total absence of any food or water. Was the lamb’s mother also searching frantically?

I also thought of scriptures that refer to shepherds. I know my heavenly Father loves the little goat-minder, the potato seller, and even the baby lamb. I know he expects those of us who are receiving His love to also care about those who are suffering. He wants us searching for the hungry, thirsty and lost. He wants us to minister to them – meeting their physical, mental and emotional needs, especially their spiritual needs. Please continue praying for rain in Kenya and that the suffering from drought will soon end. Pray that the leaders of the country will end their political wranglings and focus on meeting the needs of their people. Pray especially that God’s children will find ways to share His love with those who are suffering in Kenya and in other parts of our world. Bert Yates

Winnowing the Remains: Praying for the SAMBURU

2009-04-02T10:27:00.006+03:00

From Sandra and Charlie Daniels, IMB workers with the Samburu People:

I’ve been hungry, but I’ve never been starving. I’ve never been so desperate that I picked up individual pieces of spilled dried corn and beans out of the dusty ground. I’ve never held out a plastic container and begged for “just a cup” of corn. You probably haven’t either. But as food was distributed at the Baptist church in Maralal, Kenya, and greed overtook some people who grabbed and pushed, others sat in the dirt with their plastic cups and bags and winnowed the remains in the hopes that it might be enough to make a meal. I couldn’t see how such a little amount could make a difference to anyone, but I suppose that is the difference between want and need. I beginning to believe there is a certain psychology accompanying extreme hunger that affects people in a way that most of us will never understand.

In the Samburu district in Central Kenya, we have not seen a drop of rain fall for over four months. If drought persists, conditions will worsen. As grasslands dry up there is no pasture for livestock. Cows no longer provide milk which is vital as a source of food and also money to buy other food staples like flour, tea and sugar. This is the life of the pastoralist. The water holes where women walk daily have become little more than cracked and dried depressions of dirt. They now must walk much further and in some areas must wait for elephants for to have their fill before they dare draw their own daily supply.

Many Samburu are having a difficult time these days; some more than others. While some are still able to walk and wait and survive on a little, others are in real danger. They are sick with HIV/AIDS, elderly, widowed, orphaned. These are the ones we sought out as we gave food provided by Baptist Global Response. Over a period of 4 days, we were able to give 31,680 pounds of beans, 63,360 pounds of dried corn and 3,520 pounds of fat. Each person received enough food to get them through the next month.

Purchasing goods and transport through local vendors with whom we have relationships allowed us to provide adequate nutrition for one month for approximately 5,760 people. Living and working in the area allowed us to utilize local pastors, church members and community leaders who worked (without pay) to distribute food with honesty and fairness. At the same time, we demonstrated the incarnate love of Christ as we gave to the “least of these”.

Thank you for your prayers and support of our work, our ministry and the Samburu people of Kenya. Continue to pray for rain.
www.samburuofkenya.org/blog
http://www.imb.org/
http://www.baptistglobalresponse.org/

"Well Beyond Rain Failure"

2009-03-29T20:08:00.004+03:00

As I photographed the opening prayer of a concert this afternoon, I heard the most amazing sound – RAIN! I don’t know how you would have reacted, but to be at a Concert for Famine and to hear what – based on increasing clouds in recent days and intense heat that broke this morning – is the first rain of the much prayed for rainy season left me with chills and it was not from the cooler air! BUT don’t stop praying, Kenya needs a really good rainy season which should last for weeks. Pray also for the full end to famine. An article in yesterday’s Saturday Nation* reported: “Most of the 10 million Kenyans threatened with starvation are not … in the drought-stricken rural areas. They are … in the country’s urban centres ... 4.1 million people in Nairobi and Mombasa slums are threatened with starvation.”

The writer was quoting facts from “The Kenya Food Security Update”**, an report compiled by USAID, UN World Food Programme, and others, which “lays bare the reasons for Kenya’s hunger – and they go well beyond rain failures … Those affected by the extended drought are only 2.5 million – and they have among their number some 850,000 school-age children.”* Wait a minute! ONLY 2.5 million! How often do we allow ourselves to look beyond problems by adding little words like this ONLY? The number of 2.5 million may be ONLY one fourth of the total of “those threatened with starvation” in Kenya, yet they are 2.5 million people who need food and water. They likely also lack proper medical care and quality education for their children. Most importantly, many of them live in the pastoral (northern Kenya where raising animals is the major livelihood) which means their people groups lack a knowledge of our Saviour’s love and salvation.

Another group that are currently facing starvation in Kenya is “1.9 million people … affected by HIV and Aids” – this number includes those infected and their spouses/children/parents/etc, who have lost a breadwinner. The writer also cites from the report that those starving include “150,000 people displaced after the elections who are in transit camps … the resettlement effort has only benefitted …16 percent of the revised total of 663,000 displaced people”.

Part of me wishes I had missed the bad news in these reports, but if I want to truly pray for the people of Kenya, I must know the facts. I also wish that Kenya was the only place suffering in the world, yet it is not. If you are also a prayer warrior for another country, google that country’s name followed by Food Security Update. These reports are not intended as prayer guides, but there is much in these reports that needs prayer. If your time in limited, choose and pray for one of the mentioned groups of people – those in slums or those in the countryside, those affected by HIV/Aids, those who are displaced, the children among these groups, the people groups unreached by our Saviour’s Good News, etc. Being a child of our Father requires that we do something and WE CAN PRAY! Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
* Special Report/Mokokha’s Memos/“Hunger’s in the slums and not the dry areas” (Saturday Nation,” 3/28/09, p.16) – http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/-/440808/553674/-/44obs7/-/index.html
** “The Kenya Food Security Update” – www.kenyafoodsecurity.org/mod.php?topic=38

"I Know, But..."

2009-03-27T17:16:00.004+03:00

A friend, who lived in Kenya for many years, returned this week for a visit. One night, a group of us went to her favourite spot for Indian food – Bhajias, palak and tika dishes, masalas, nan, etc – if these are unfamiliar, you have missed truly great food! By the time our guest’s order arrived, she had already sampled favourites from many of our plates – which meant she simply couldn’t clean her plate. Being a witty person, she said: “I know there are hungry children in Africa, but…”

We all laughed, but her statement, one that is repeated daily around our world in different versions including placing the children in China, later returned to me in the form of a rebuke during a prayer time : “How often do I recognize a problem of people suffering and add a ‘but’ before I move on to another concern?”

There are hungry children in Kenya and other parts of our world – children hungry for attention, food, clothing, education, peace, love, etc. During this time of chiding, that I know came from God, I remembered several pictures that I took last weekend during a Church Planting training in the western Kenya town of Kitale. The first was of three children who stood for a short time outside the Tumaini (Hope) Baptist Church. In my pictures of the trio, the two older children expressed many different expressions, including a smile, but the youngest boy always had a look that … there are no words to explain the look in his eyes. But it did lead me to pray as I took the pictures and as I’ve looked back at these. The look in his eyes would not allow me to add a “but” and move on without praying for him.

I also remembered another captured scene that I will long remember. Three boys in threadbare clothes had played near the church most of the morning. After the pastors and church leaders had been served lunch, beans and rice (not fancy, but tasty and nutritious), I spotted the pastor’s wife talking to the boys. She offered them some of the left-overs. The older boy refused at first and passed it to the two younger ones. The pastor’s wife insisted that the three of them eat, but the older boy made certain the younger boys ate most of what was on their shared plate. The woman must have also seen what I viewed – when the younger boys ran off to play, she brought another full plate to the older boy.

Then I saw another amazing thing – after everyone had been fed, including more neighbourhood kids, and the meeting’s afternoon session began, I spotted someone sitting behind the last pew. It was the pastor’s wife – she had finally found time to eat a bit of lunch! I don’t think I will ever read our Saviour’s words, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat” (Matthew 25:35) without remembering this lady.

Please join me in praying for the hungry children of Kenya and of our world. Pray that they will adequate housing, clothes, education, security and medical care. Pray that Christians in their midst will respond also to their spiritual hunger and be active and nurturing ambassadors of their Father’s love and salvation. Bert Yates

A little happy news for a change!

2009-03-24T20:28:00.004+03:00

I don’t want to over load your e-mail boxes, but it seems that news these days rarely brings a smile and I made a discovery this morning that I think will brighten your day. Yesterday, I sent my personal prayer list a picture of a little girl that I spotted while we were in Kitale (western Kenya) this past weekend so that Jack could lead a Church Planting Movement training and I could take pictures and find new ways to raise prayer support for Kenya. I had snapped three pictures of this little girl who posed for me and as I scanned the pictures more closely today, I realized that in addition to the little doll tied to her back, she had a small set of binoculars around her neck! It appears that not only was she playing “mommy,” she was also playing a favorite game of my kids when they were little – actually a favorite game of most African Missionary Kids – TOURIST! No offence to the many of your who have been volunteers, but we all have been entertained at times by “tourist watching” and many, many missionary kids have (or have had) toy binoculars, broken cameras, and safari hats, etc, among their toys for use when they include being a tourist to their repertoire of playing teacher, doctor, cook, etc!

Sometimes playing tourist comes with a little extra! When our son was four, we heard him talking on our balcony with three other people – one with an English accent, one with an Indian (Asian) accent and one with a distinct Kenyan accent. This was a little confusing as our apartment was on the second floor and we were certain that John was alone on the balcony. He was alone, but was trying out all the accents he was hearing in our multi-culture new home! We later realized that this is another common source of entertainment of Missionary Kids – perfecting and using new accents! AND YES, more than one missionary is also a pro at this!

Have a good day, Bert
(For the screensaver of the little girl, go to http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com)

And now the "Really Bad" and the "Really Sad"

2009-03-19T22:00:00.000+03:00

Earlier in the week, you prayed over the information in “‘Not Bad’ and Not Good” – now your prayers are needed for the “REALLY BAD and the REALLY SAD.” A week after the release of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exam results for those completing high school, the Daily Nation carried this headline: “Government runs out of cash for free school” (3/10/09, pp.1,2). The reason given for this really bad news – money budgeted to support the 9.5 million students in government schools had been diverted to import food. Thankfully, within a few days the news was, “At last, free learning funds released” (Daily Nation, 3/14/09, p.1,2).

It takes little imagination to realize how schools were affected by this delay, especially as funds were also limited last year which depleted supplies such as chalk, textbooks and lab equipment. “Booksellers deny credit to schools” (Daily Nation, 3/13/09, p.37) reported that due to a bill of Sh1.7billion ($25 million), a national bookseller association has “resolved to stop giving credit facilities to public schools … ‘it appears that the free education scheme is collapsing,’ said Chairman John Mbugua.” Pray that this prediction is wrong. Many Kenyans find it a struggle to pay even the reduced costs of government schools and private schools are not an option for many families. Pray that kids accepted into high schools and universities will have the needed money to continue in their education.

Individuals involved in relief projects are also reporting that funds for free lunches at many schools have also ceased and thousands of kids are surviving on little or no food as Kenya faces drought or not attending due to hunger. As you pray for ample rains this rainy season – which could begin any day – pray that adequate relief supplies will reach those who are suffering. The local news continues to be filled with stories of graft and corruption in the government, so please pray that those making decisions for the country will make wise decisions that will benefit the poorest/hungriest/neediest citizens of Kenya.

The REALLY SAD news is that when the KCSE results were announced, girls once again scored much lower than boys. Only one girl was in the list of the top ten students and she was ranked fourth. There are many reasons for this discrepancy including traditional views and customs that lead to boys being challenged and facilitated in their abilities to study including less chores at home and more money spent on their tutoring and quality education. Praise God for schools like Nyeri Baptist High School who chose girls for their new Form One (Freshman) class based not only on the scores of the national exams for students completing Standard Eight, but on their class ranking – a good indicator of their desire to learn even in limited situations. Nyeri Baptist is also developing separate classes for the girls as research shows that in the Kenyan society girls who study in separate classes are more likely to reach their full potential. Thank you for praying, Bert Yates

"Not Bad" and Not Good

2009-03-17T14:33:00.004+03:00

“Not bad.” This was Leonard’s answer when asked about his recently released KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) score. Seeking a more enlightening answer, without possible embarrassment, I replied, “Will you be able to fulfil your dream?” His smile appeared. “I’m going to Strathmore University.” Leonard’s parents are likely not saying his scores were “Not bad.” Strathmore has high admission standards and their degrees are ranked the best in East Africa!

Thank you for praying in recent months for Standard Eight (Primary) and Form Four (High School) students as they took national exams at the end of last year and as they waited weeks for their results. Standard Eight students learned their scores in January – those who did well and had finances have begun their high school studies. Last year’s KCSE (High School) scores were released two weeks ago and unfortunately few kids received not bad scores. “Of the 305,000 candidates who sat the papers (exams), only 72,649 or 24 per cent scored C+, which is the minimum for university entry” (“Top Marks for Alliance” – Daily Nation, 3/4/09, pp,1,2,16). The scores were much lower than past years – not unexpected as last year’s post-election chaos led to many schools missing one-third of the school year, as well as disruptions when school strikes erupted during second term (May-July). To add to the discouragement, it was announced that of those who did qualify, “60,000 to miss varsity slots” (Daily Nation, 3/4/09, p.9) as “there are limited placed in the public universities” and they can only accept “about 10,000 each year … Of those who will not find a place in public universities, some 10,000 are expected to join private universities while another 10,000 will join foreign ones.”

What will happen to the 40,000 kids with a C+ or above score who will not be offered positions in universities/colleges, the 230,000 others who scored lower, and those who skipped the tests? Some will attend other types of professional training and many will have no further opportunities for traditional education. With all this bad news in need of prayer, there is one praise item. Most college/university/training programmes will not begin until next September or January ’10, so as students await further studies or make “What next?” plans, many churches offer special training for high school leavers (graduates).

One such programme, INDA, is sponsored by Parklands Baptist Church. This year, 65 young men and women, are participating in this January-August intense Christian leadership/discipleship training which includes: Involvement in missions; Nurturing to maturity; Development of God’s given potential; and Acquisition of knowledge and experience. This week, Leonard and 59 other INDA participants are on a mission trip to the Ilchamus, an unreached people group in the Rift Valley. Pray for these kids as they share their faith, work with needy schools, and help with relief efforts. As you also pray for the thousands of high school kids facing uncertain futures, praise God for churches that offer intense spiritual training to their kids who desire to grow in their faith. Bert Yates

Finding the Perfect Drought Story

2009-03-09T17:23:00.004+03:00

We had finally spotted a river and I had the last picture. Added to the earlier shots of farmers preparing parched fields for planting, I was ready to complete another article about the ongoing drought. As we traveled towards Nairobi from an overnight stay on the eastern edge of Kenya’s Central Province, I began to mentally compose the new story – “The river was a babbling brook, not the customary mighty torrent. It could not begin to quench the thirst of the people, animals and fields along its way as it meandered to Eastern Province, just as it had left behind barren land and thirsty and hungry people in the Central Province.” A perfect introductory sentence…

Then it happened. We spotted people running with empty bags. Seconds later, women and men carrying filled sacks or with gathered shirts and skirts holding something walked past the runners in the opposite direction. Then people appeared hauling damaged bags on their backs, heads, shoulders, bicycles, or between two sets of arms. A trail of corn kernels marked their paths.

A scene that was a writer’s dream then appeared – a scene filled with emotions, activity, drama and possibly even death. We saw joy, hope, fear and greed all played out before us. Moving through the stalled traffic and scurrying people, we saw the wreckage of a truck. Hauling two trailers, the driver had lost control on the mountain road only minutes before our arrival. A mangle of metal remained, cushioned by bags of corn emptied on the highway. We spotted a clearly marked bag – it was labelled USAID. The truck was carrying relief food to starving Kenyans.

I cautiously clicked my camera as it was not a safe time to be snapping photos, but the most memorable views could not be recorded. These were the evolving facial expressions as the arriving runners and bikers gathered the remaining split bags and scooped the corn from the road with their bare hands, filling whatever they could find. Some of the faces were lean and their clothing was threadbare. Others were glancing around, watching for police that might send them away. It did not take much imagination to sense relief and joy as the scavengers walked away with their filled bundles. It was not just my vivid imagination, but likely reality, that these people were hungry. Many were young adults probably taking corn home to their hungry children and elderly parents.

There were also scenes of a joy that oozed of greed! It was painful to see strong men jump from the cars and matatus (public transport vans) ahead of us and throw open their doors and trunks. They then gleefully flung the few intact bags of corn in their vehicles before speeding away.

Finally we snaked our way past the accident scene. We never saw any sign of the driver or passengers in the truck. It is doubtful that they walked from the accident, so hopefully a Good Samaritan ahead of us took them to a local clinic. For the next few kilometres, we continued passing people racing towards the wreckage. Some were gaunt and weak looking kids and adults, others – to be honest – simply looked like youth who had been alerted through their cell phones of free entertainment!

It was last runner that I will remember even when this drought ends. She was a middle aged woman dressed in her Sunday best. Running is not the best word to describe her actions – she moved with a slowing limp. But her face showed an incredible determination. She was on her way to an obviously needed commodity. From her determination, I doubt that her thoughts were of herself, but of her children and others that were starving. It was improbable, extremely improbable that this woman would return with food. At the rate the corn was being salvaged, there would only be a few stray kernels remaining by the time the woman traveled the distance to the accident scene.

Yes, my goal was to share a great famine story with you, but not to win literary awards or merits. My desire is to share the perfect story for leading you to prayer. I know many of you, your friends and families are also suffering at this moment as our world faces economic difficulties. So why am I burdening you with the prayer needs of those who are starving in Kenya? Prayer is their only option. There is some relief coming their way, but it is impossible to adequately feed everyone until the rains come and crops are harvested in September or even next year. Some of those starving are the ones who lost everything during last year’s post-election chaos. Many are people who have no savings or even items to barter so they can provide their children with at least one meal per day.

I am also asking for your prayers because often, very often as these people face physical hunger, they also face spiritual hunger. They may be the ones who have not yet had the opportunity to know of and claim our Father’s Living Water and Bread of Life. Others are people who have neighbours, business associates from neighbouring people groups who lack the knowledge of the true God and His gift of Eternal Life. So as you pray for food and rain to end the physical hunger, pray also that Christians among the starving and those ministering in the famine areas will be strong and bold ambassadors of their heavenly Father during this difficult time. Bert Yates

Pray for Those Ministering to the Hungry and Thirsty

2009-03-04T14:22:00.005+03:00

My greatest frustration as a prayer advocate is the thoughts that pass through my mind after I send an update – the bits I wish I had added! Today while writing our weekly personal prayer update (Yates-IMB-Legacy Work), some of these delayed thoughts returned, thankfully not-too-late for inclusion. So, I’m sharing my personal update with you today, not simply to correct my mistake of omission, but because my prayer is that these added notes will enable you to be stronger prayer advocates for those in Kenya facing starvation and to give you insight into how to pray for drought/hunger situations in other parts of our world.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
I closed the last update to my prayer list for all Baptist work in Kenya, Omba4Kenya , with these words: “pray for … Kenyans who are hungry and thirsty … the maturity and wisdom gained from last year’s post-election chaos is being expressed as Kenyans respond to the famine … Pray for wisdom, sensitivity and strength for all those planning relief efforts. Pray also that ministering Christians will be strong ambassadors of their Father’s love and salvation to all those “who live on earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6).

As I considered what to ask you … to join us in praying this week, I realized these words covered our concerns. We are praying for the 10.6 million Kenyans who are starving. Although raising the finances is difficult, the answer appears simple: Feed the people! But the answer is much more complex. Decisions must be made: Who/where are the starving? What are their greatest/true needs? How can they be helped in short-term ways that will benefit them in the long-run? (Example: Pray for my husband as he determines how much money to request for corn for eating and corn for planting. The seeds saved for planting have been eaten!) Who has the best time/experience/ability/energy/assets to meet these needs? Where/how can the best, but most economical resources such as food and milk be found? How can the resources be delivered so all those in need will benefit? How can we be the best stewards of the available resources? Etc…

As you pray for those facing starvation, pray also for those who are responding to their needs. These men and women are facing physical, emotional, and spiritual battles. Pray that they will have exceptional strength in all these areas. When Jack saw a specialist this past week (Our praise: Tests show no sign of the kidney stone that delayed his relief work last week!), he asked if Jack was working in the famine areas. The doctor is not a mystic – he knows from experience that people in dry areas, the areas of famine, face a high chance of developing medical problems such as kidney stones – both those suffering from famine and those ministering to them … we also know that those ministering suffer emotionally from all the pain they see. Plus, the devil works overtime to discourage these helpers whether it be broken down vehicles, administrative delays, greedy government officials and suppliers, family problems, depletion of spiritual strength, etc.

As you pray for these things, join us in praising God for how Kenyans are responding to the needs of their brothers and sisters. Praise God for a renewed desire of Kenyan Christians to obey their Saviour and feed the hungry and give something to drink to the thirsty (Matthew 25:31-46). Praise God for their deeper commitment to prayer. I wish you could have stood with Jack and me during our last Sunday morning worship service as our pastor led hundreds of us in committing ourselves to our Saviours’ words in John 15:7 (NIV): “If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you” – which leads me to how you can truly minister to those hurting in Kenya – PRAY! And I’ve made it easy today – prayer guides are in red. Bert Yates

"Cows are dying and many, many people are very hungry"

2009-03-01T15:45:00.005+03:00

From the Maasai Team: “Cows are dying in Maasai area and many, many people are very hungry. This is true for many parts of Kenya but due to a faulty … report … Maasai areas have been excluded from the government food provisions … we have close to 200 pastors gathering and counting names of the ‘poorest of the poor’ in all areas of Maasai-land in Kenya. Unlike some other organizations, we give food to those who need it, whether or not they be church members or even believers … a Baptist feeding project of about 90,000 people (was completed) in 2006, this project will be much larger, currently estimating about 180,000 people to receive food … working hard on the getting prices of food and transport (arguing and haggling over the price would be more like it) in order to get request submitted. Please pray for God's will to be made known in this matter for if the entire project is approved, it would take over a month of daily sending out trucks to deliver food! Meanwhile, we ask you to pray with us for rain … Our pastors say that they need about two weeks of steady rain in order for the grass to grow sufficiently to feed their remaining animals. Meanwhile, the men are gone long distances from their bomas, searching for any grass whatsoever where ever they can find it.”

From the Samburu Team: “We plan to do a feeding project this month. Pray that the food will go miraculously far. The numbers being given to us are exceeding the amount we feel we can feed with the requested money. Pray that it will not only make an impact in people's physical lives, but in their spiritual life, as well.”

From missionaries in the Naivasha area: “The people of our area are desperate for food and water. There are some local efforts struggling to carry through. Please pray for these folk.”

Today, please do pray for the estimated 10.6 million Kenyans, a third of all Kenyans, who are hungry and thirsty. Praise God for His servants who are responding to the needs of those facing famine. Help is needed from missionaries and international relief groups, but throughout the country, the maturity and wisdom gained from last year’s post-election chaos is being expressed as Kenyans respond to the famine. Last year’s turmoil has also led to a new spiritual awareness of what God expects of His children and the importance of prayer. Many churches heard pleas such as I heard this morning at Parklands Baptist Church as a deacon challenged church members to give what they could – from a small bag of cornmeal to a sack of dried milk that costs 8,000KSH ($100) – so “We can feed our brothers and sister.” Pray for wisdom, sensitivity and strength for all those planning relief efforts. Pray also that ministering Christians will be strong ambassadors of their Father’s love and salvation to all those “who live on earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6). Bert Yates

Medical Care for the Poor: Wrong drugs and wrong dosages

2009-02-26T18:17:00.004+03:00

For the first time in thirty plus years, my husband, Jack, stayed overnight this week in a Nairobi Hospital. He has not purposely avoided this opportunity – other than my stays when our girls were born and difficult wisdom teeth removal, our family has been blessed and we have not needed special care. But as our Kenyan friends reacted to his hospitalization, I realized again how fearful they are of illnesses.

First, we didn’t have to worry about the extra financial strain. As IMB missionaries, we were confident that we would be well cared for and our needs met through our salaries and medical coverage provided through the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas offerings. Unlike some Kenyan friends, I didn’t have to spend time while Jack was hospitalized borrowing/searching/begging for funds so the hospital would treat him and then release him – many Kenyan hospitals require that you locate/purchase your own drugs and they do not release a patient until the bill is fully paid! Also, when Jack faced his first kidney stone attack, he didn’t have other problems that would delay or complicate his healing. Yes, we were concerned until we were sure of the cause of his pain, but our worries were also cushioned by basic medical knowledge that our culture/background/education had taught us. And yes, we did pray, but we didn’t pray with the strength that some of our Kenyan friends would have prayed. Why? We did not have only one resource for/or access to healing – PRAYER!

I don’t want to alarm those of you reading this and think we cannot receive good care in Kenya. There are still some tests/treatments that are not available in Kenya, but those of us with adequate income in Nairobi can receive quality care by excellent doctors and pharmacies for most problems and it is usually less costly than equal care in the States. But, even these lower costs are too high for most Kenyans and not available to those who live outside of Nairobi. There also are not enough doctors and chemists (pharmacies) and many people must travel long distances to access care and these people usually lack any means of transport to travel.

Another problem was exposed in yesterday’s Daily Nation. A lack of national policies and monitoring has led to “Health Crisis: Alarm as 90p.c. get wrong drugs” (Daily Nation, 2/25/09, p.60). Even the chemist who “offered the correct medication did not give the right dosage, frequency or duration” to the poorer residents. A 2007 government survey was cited which “said more than 60 per cent of Kenyans can hardly afford essential drugs and have to stay without treatment.”

How can we help the many ill Kenyans who cannot access quality medical care? Do what they do! Join them in praying! Pray that providing quality medical care for all – one of the ways that God answers our prayers for healing – will be a priority for the government of Kenya and other countries. Pray also that the many medical personnel who are Christians in Kenya and other places will be strong ambassadors of their Father’s love and salvation as they minister. Praise God also for the glory being brought to Him through the witness of poor Kenyans who share of His answer of healing in their lives! Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“HEALTH CRISIS: Alarm as 90p.c. get wrong drugs” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/534580/-/u2hryt/-/index.html
“Herbalists milking sick in Gilgil” (Daily Nation, HORIZON, 2/26/09, p.2) – http://www.nation.co.ke/magazines/artandculture/-/1222/534854/-/87ecckz/-/index.html

For Your Prayer Tool Box: Nairobi Articles from BAPTIST PRESS

2009-02-20T11:50:00.005+03:00

Whatever your special interest – urban cities, slums, national Baptist churches, reaching business people, sharing God’s love and salvation with people from other countries and faiths, etc – at least one of the articles released yesterday (February 19th) by Baptist Press will motivate you to pray with more nguvu (en-gue-vue / Kiswahili for strength) for Kenya. The pictures and other information found in these articles will broaden your prayers as you learn of many praises and needs. These articles also share how Southern Baptists and Kenyan Baptists are obediently working in the Harvest Field of Kenya.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
KENYA--NAIROBI: Healing Africa's wounded urban heart. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29911

KENYA--Hope flickers in Nairobi's slums. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29912
– This story includes “An audio slideshow about life in Nairobi's ‘trash dump’ slum at: http://www.commissionstories.com/?p=53
KENYA--No throwaway people: Church aids forgotten 'trash dump' community. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29913

KENYA--Penetrating Nairobi's rugged business scene. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29914KENYA--Nairobi's south Asians respond to prayer. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29915

KENYA--Cruising Nairobi's 'Little Mogadishu.' http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29916

KENYA--WORLDVIEW (Erich Bridges): The next Nairobi. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29919
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
MORE FROM Baptist PressBPNews -- Witness the difference! http://www.bpnews.net/BPSports -- Sports with a spiritual attitude! http://www.bpsports.net/

********************

To subscribe to BP en Español, which is e-mailed each Friday, click here: http://www.bpnews.net/ESPANOL/Subscribe.asp

********************

Check out our feature cartoons at http://www.bpnews.net/bpcartoons.asp

BPLife Lighter Side -- "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." Proverbs 17:22

********************

Click here to download today's Baptist Press stories: http://www.bpnews.net/StoryDownloadAll.asp?mo=2&da=19&yr=2009

"On the Brink of Losing Hope"

2009-02-17T11:45:00.006+03:00

Famine, scandals and the IDPs continues to dominate the local Kenyan news. Famine, scandals, and the Internally Displaced People are also the subjects requiring intense prayer support!

“FAMINE: New maize scandal…”* unveils “A fresh controversy … involving 6,500 tonnes of maize … the Kenya Bureau of Standards … has declared … unfit for human consumption. But other competent government agencies … say there is absolutely nothing wrong with the maize. Now a source … is alleging that it is all part of a clever plan to sell the maize … at a throwaway price as animal feed. The buyer will certainly mill it and sell it as ordinary flour at a neat profit.”

Based on facts such as this and the questions (Who is responsible and where are they going) surrounding a shipment of tanks held for months by pirates and now being unloaded in Mombasa, it is not surprising that on page three of today’s Daily Nation an article appears entitled: “POOR LEADERSHIP: Coalition has failed … Most Kenyans believe life has become worse and have little hope in the Grand Coalition Government … These are the damning findings in the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation Monitoring report … blames the lack of political will for the … scandals in government … (and) the loss of billions of shillings … also points to the failure in national healing and reconciliation as exemplified by the hostility towards internally displaced persons.”

This is discouraging, but there is some hope in the news. Kenyans are questioning why all of this is happening and what can be done. One such article, “The two faces of Kenya on Valentine’s Day” (Sunday Nation, (2/15/09, p.3), asked why a few Kenyans had spent anywhere from the equivalent of $50 to $350 on dinners last Saturday as “about 10 million Kenyans are facing starvation.” This open questioning would not have happened in Kenya even a few years ago.

Pray for courage, boldness and protection for Kenyans who are asking questions and seeking change that benefits all Kenyans and not just an elite few. Praise God for those who are finding ways to respond to the famine such as the milk company that ran a large ad in today’s Daily Nation (p.31) advertising “Highly discounted prices on … milk to all relief agencies, corporates, churches and Kenyans of good will … to support famine relief” and provide nourishment for “Kenyan child(ren) on the brink of losing hope.” Pray for churches that are seeking the best ways to minister in the name of their Father. Pray especially that relief foods will not be unavailable or slow to arrive due to requests for bribes and other forms of corruption. Bert Yates
*** Resources for raising prayer support for famine in Kenya and other places can be found at: Praying for Famine, Lifting Our Hearts and Our Hands to Heaven http://prayingforfamine.blogspot.com/
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
* “FAMINE: New maize scandal as Ruto is grilled” (Daily Nation, 2/17/09, pp.1,4) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/531316/-/u2fnad/-/index.html
“Tanks off ship and ready for rail journey” (Daily Nation, 2/17/09, p.2) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/530336/-/u2ey0y/-/index.html
“POOR LEADERSHIP: Coalition has failed, say Kenyans” (Daily Nation, 2/17/09, p.3) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/531266/-/u2fmmc/-/index.html
“The two faces of Kenya on Valentine’s Day” (Sunday Nation, 2/15/09, p.3) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/530512/-/u2f0j0/-/index.html

FAMINE: Leading to Frustration, Hope, and a New Blog

2009-02-12T16:11:00.006+03:00

Rather than focusing on the millions of Kenyans who are starving, today’s headlines were about graft, corruption, and which disgraced persons are running for national office. Two articles “Food Crisis” articles were found on page 14 of today’s Daily Nation, but neither are on their internet site. “The hungry turn to charcoal” shares: “With the choice of starvation or going to jail, villagers gladly choose the latter and take to the hills to fell trees for fuel, hoping to earn a few shillings,” so they can provide food for families who may not have eaten in days. Providing charcoal is not only illegal, it is also difficult – a bag (not the compact bags sold in American supermarkets, but wide sacks that are up to the waist of most adults) sells for only 100 KSH ($1.25) and the person may have walked 37.5 miles to find the wood to “bake” into charcoal. “Children now orphaned as adults flee famine area” shares that the school feeding programmes upon which many parents relied is no longer functioning as the government supply ended last year. So the children are relying upon wild fruit which only makes many kids sicker.

My frustration increased as I found one internet article from today’s Mombasa Daily Nation edition – “Starving people in Taita to wait even longer for relief food … More than 100,000 hunger stricken people in Taita district may have to wait longer before the delivery of a huge consignment of relief food.” Why? Lack of transport from Mombasa! Taita is not is in the western or northern corners of Kenya, it is just inland from the coastal city of Mombasa on a newly restored road!

Yes, this is discouraging, but I know there is hope. First, I know that some groups such as the Red Cross are providing relief to the starving. I also know that the representatives of the Baptist Convention of Kenya are partnering with SERV Ministries International, a Christian organization that receives emergency dehydrated food from USAID and ships it in containers to Kenya. A large truck load of this food was distributed last Saturday in the Lower Eastern Province (Ukambani, northwest of Taita) where the drought is also leaving thousands hungry. For a report on this feeding project which includes a modern-day miracle, read the latest prayer update of the IMB Legacy Team in Kenya at: http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/2009/02/february-11-2009.html

I’m also not discouraged because I know prayer works and that many of you are praying for the famine in Kenya and other parts of our world. To strengthen and encourage your prayers, all the recent Omba4Kenya famine prayer updates are now “grouped” at a new blog: Praying for Famine: Lifting Our Hearts and Our Hands to Heaven. In addition to the prayers and updates, there are pictures from the current and passed droughts that you can copy for use as you enlist others in praying for the drought. Thank you for the assurance I have that you are lifting your hearts and your hands in prayer! Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Starving people in Taita to wait even longer for relief food” – http://www.nation.co.ke/Mombasa/-/519978/527872/-/mo8omh/-/index.html
Report on last Saturday’s feeding project in Ukambani: http://bertandjackyates.blogspot.com/
Praying for Famine: Lifting Our Hearts and Our Hands to Heaven – http://prayingforfamine.blogspot.com/

"Sucking Away Children's Hope"

2009-02-09T12:35:00.003+03:00

I first heard of the beauty queens’ special project last year while Kenya was in the midst of the initial pain and suffering of the Post-Election Crisis. To be honest, Cecilia’s* (Miss World Kenya 2005) special interest – Awareness of the Jigger Menace – seemed rather shallow to me. After learning more, I now admire this young woman for promoting what is a nuisance for Missionary Kids who love to go barefoot, but a great source of embarrassment and pain to many people as their bodies are attacked by these tiny sand fleas. “Rural dwellers face blunt of jiggers,” an article in Africa News/Wordpress** says that “In most parts of Kenya, jigger infestation is touted a curse while in other areas, people affected by jiggers are considered outcasts.”

“Parasites sucking away children’s hope in school,” *** an article in yesterday’s The Standard on Sunday (2/8/09, p3), shared how jiggers and other health issues such as bilharzia (an intestinal infestation) “greatly affect access and success in education.” I know that taking time to read this article on the internet may be difficult, but if you want to be a strong prayer warrior for the children of Kenya and other third world countries, the facts shared in this article will greatly strengthen your prayers. This article shares specifics of how many preventable health problems leave untreated children with “short term memory and slower reactions … malnutrition, iron deficiency … smaller bodies … ‘weight loss, appetite loss, decreased activity and poor academic performance’ … reduced cognitive abilities and poor attention span in school … affected children cannot write properly or play games … (school) Absenteeism is also high.”

If you don’t have time to read the article, simply pray for improved “prospects of a bright future for the children” of Kenya and our world. Pray that governments will make the health of their children a priority. Pray for success for groups tackling problems such as jiggers. Pray for the availability of low cost drugs that will all children to become physically and mentally strong. Praise God for these children who are the future of our world and pray that they will also be spiritually strong and come to know our Father’s love and salvation! Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
* Ahadi Trust/Anti-Jigger Campaign – http://www.jigger-ahadi.org/
** Africa News/Rural Dwellers Face Blunt of Jiggers – http://africaheadlines.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/kenya-rural-dwellers-face-brunt-of-jiggers/
*** “Parasites sucking away children’s hope in school” (The Standard/Sunday, February 8, 2009, p.3) – http://eastandard.net/news/InsidePage.php?id=1144006099&cid=159&
Wikipedia/Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schistosomiasis

A New Movie About Witchcraft?

2009-02-07T12:41:00.003+03:00

"They live in fear of witch-hunt killers – A fresh outcry has been sounded over a wave of killings targeting grey-haired elders … in Magarini, Malindi district … ‘seven elderly people have been lynched on suspicion of practicing witchcraft’ …hacked to death by gangs of youths purporting to be cleansing the villages of witchcraft … Malindi County Council chairlady … says … ‘Instead of grey hair being a source of joy, a symbol of old age and wisdom, old people in my ward … (are fearful of being) branded as witch doctors.’” A government officer says, “‘Belief in witchcraft is deep-rooted in the local community. It has seriously affected development and caused deaths of many innocent people’ … In the latest such incident … Mr. Pendo … was found dead 50 metres from his house. Malindi police chief … said, “We have arrest four suspects … the four are close relatives of the deceased. ‘According to reports we received, a relative … died a few days earlier. The suspects went to the traditional seer and were told that he bewitched the relative so they took revenge.’” The police chief also said “the belief in witchcraft is hard to rout out of the Mjikenda community. ‘Fighting it is fighting culture. It is like fighting religion. It is so deeply rooted.”

This is not the summary of a new movie being filmed in Kenya. This is the lead story in today’s Saturday Nation (2/7/09, pp.1,2). What some might find surprising about this article is the fact that Mr. Pendo was only 50 years of age! It is not surprising that he is considered elderly when one learns of Kenya’s life expectancy at birth. CIA-The World Factbook/Kenya shares that it is: “total population: 56.64 years; male: 56.42 years; female: 56.87 years (2008 est.)”

There is some good news though, news not found in the daily paper – Two Baptist volunteer groups (one with LifeWay) have been in Magarini this past week discipling and training in the local Baptist churches. Also, a survey of this area was made in late January by the leaders of the Baptist Convention of Kenya. They heard many great things such as the desire of the Malindi and Magarini Associations to partner with more IMB volunteers to reach the whole Tana River area in the next ten years – an area where many people/affinity groups of our world live, people who have not had the opportunity to claim the Good News of our Saviour.

So pray today for the Christians in the Magarini area. Praise God for the recent and past training they have received. Pray that they will depend upon their Father’s guidance to use what they have learned to be bold ambassadors of His love and salvation. Pray that they will be strong witnesses of the His truth, a truth that is stronger than any witchcraft, as they share the gift of everlasting life offered by our heavenly Father. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Malindi elders live in fear of witch-hunt killers” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/525846/-/u1w0no/-/index.html
“Witch hunts not unusual in Malindi” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/525860/-/u1w0pa/-/index.html

CIA – The World Factbook/Kenya – https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ke.html#People

Mixed Feelings: Disappointment, Grief, Despair and Hunger

2009-02-03T17:34:00.005+03:00

As Government primary schools re-opened on Monday morning, there were many mixed feelings. Disappointment was felt by many teachers as their strike ended after the government threatened “to withhold … January salary and sack striking teachers.” * The teachers will get an increment in pay, but it is smaller than they requested and will be given over a three year period rather than fully added to their salaries next July. Continue praying for these teachers who have the incredible opportunity to work with Kenya’s greatest asset – her children!

In the Rift Valley, grief was the emotion felt in some schools. The first page of today’s Daily Nation carries the sad news that “Sixteen boys playing football were among the villagers burned to death in the Molo oil fire. In all 36 children aged between six and 17 were reported missing … The 16 were among 26 children playing near the place where the tanker overturned … The boys were attracted by the commotion and went to see what was happening … and then the tanker blew up. Ten are being treated at the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital and four were flown to Nairobi for specialized treatment.” ** Join in prayer the woman who visited some of the hospitalized children and prayed, “Heal them, ease their pain.” Pray for those counseling the families and the children affected by the fire, both those injured or killed and their friends. Pray that Christians in the area will be strong ambassadors of their Father’s love and comfort during this time.

To add to the tragedy, some of the 115 fatalities were residents of a nearby “camp for people displaced in post-election violence last year.” “January curse for displaced” *** shares the stories of several of the survivors and family members who are “in despair, saying the tragedy is too much for them.” One of the stories is that of two displaced preschool girls whose mother died. Continue praying for those struggling to rebuild their lives. Pray that Christians among these people will be bold witnesses of their Father’s strength and love. Pray that those who are not Christians will have an opportunity to claim the Good News of our Saviour.

An additional current feeling in many schools is hunger caused by the ongoing drought and the difficulty the government is having in dealing with the national crisis. Many children are too weak to attend school. Others are out of school as they search for or raise money to buy food. Pray for an end to the problems of distribution which are reported in articles such as “2,000 bags of relief food yet to reach the hungry in Taita” **** (southern Kenya). This article also shares that some children are not dying because of the lack of food but because of eating things that are “unfit for human consumption” such as deadly cactus. Pray that long-lasting solutions will be found that will end the suffering caused by continuing droughts. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
* “Teachers’ strike called off” (Daily Nation, 1/30/09, p.72) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/521656/-/u1t6ty/-/index.html

** “Boys’ team killed in Molo oil blaze” (Daily Nation, 2/3/09, pp.1,2) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/523958/-/u1umtq/-/index.html
*** “January curse for displaced” (Daily Nation, 2/3/09, p.4) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/523962/-/u1umug/-/index.html

**** “Relief food yet to reach the hungry in Taita” (Daily Nation, 2/3/09, p.29) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/regional/-/1070/523800/-/71dhcs/-/index.html

Praying for "All these Fires!"

2009-02-01T15:09:00.002+03:00

“All these fires! What is happening in our country?” This is what I was asked this morning by a young man who is a very strong Christian. This has been another difficult week for Kenyans. On Wednesday afternoon, a fire began in a major grocery/department store in downtown Nairobi which completed gutted an old building. Today’s Sunday Nation* shares that “46 people are reported missing, and 23 bodies have been recovered” from the Nakumatt building on the corner of Kenyatta Avenue and Kimathi Street. The fire has led to many questions related to city’s inability to deal with fires, as well as the extreme security measures taken by businesses (blocked/locked entrances and windows) – all which contributed to the high number of deaths.

The store owners asked that the country join them in praying this morning for those affected by the fire and an incredible bit of information was shared before our church prayed this morning – A pastor from our church and others have been holding prayer times with the staff of this store before it opened in the mornings and again in the evenings after the store closed. So as the man prayed, he praised God for those among the dead who are now with Him!

Most people learned of the second fire when they opened the daily papers this morning. “Now 91 killed as oil tanker explodes” was the headline on today’s Sunday Nation.** The updated internet article now lists the number as 111. This fire occurred in Molo (Rift Valley) on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway at 7:30 yesterday evening. The fire did not begin when the tanker crashed, but later as people “were siphoning off petrol.” You may question why people were exposing themselves to such a risk, but this is poor area where many people cannot afford kerosene, etc. Hungry, desperate and especially uneducated people are unaware of the risk or desperate enough to take the risk.

Do pray for peace and healing for all the individuals and families affected by these fires. Medical care for most people in Kenya is very limited, so pray especially for those who were injured in the fires. It appears that the number of those with injuries in the Nakumatt fire may be low, but the Standard on Sunday in “Oh, not again” (2/1/09, p.2) stated that 139 were rushed to hospital with severe burns” from the Molo fire – and this is probably a low number. Pray that Christians, especially those among those affected by the fires, will be strong ambassadors of their Father’s strength and peace during this time. Pray also that these horrible fires will spur changes in Kenya that will prevent future events like this from happening. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
* “NAKUMATT FIRE: Angry relatives have to endure long agonizing wait to identify loved one” (Sunday Nation, 02/01/09, pp.4,5) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/522540/-/u1tucm/-/index.html

** “Toll rises to 111 from tanker explosion” (Sunday Nation, 01/02/09) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/522578/-/u1tufi/-/index.html

Frozen Pay, Artifical Shortages, and a Lack of Confidence

2009-01-27T12:17:00.005+03:00

The first page of today’s Daily Nation shares definite prayer needs, yet I find it difficult to know how to guide your prayers. “It’s all-out battle as teachers’ pay frozen” shares the government’s latest response – withholding salaries, evicting teachers from staff housing and sackings – to striking teachers who “are demanding SH19.2 billion in salary increases effective July 1 for one year, but the government has offered Sh17.3 billion payable in three years from the same date.”

In “Parents seek private tuition for children” (Daily Nation, 1/27/09, p.6), one mother whose “child will be sitting for KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) this year,” the national exam for kids in Class (grade) Eight, is concerned that the strike will affect her child’s ability to do well on the exam late this year. This article notes that “More than 19,000 primary schools have been affected by the standoff that has now entered its second week.”

What is not noted in these articles is that those most affected by the strikes are the poorer kids of Kenya – the ones whose parents cannot afford the costs of private schools where teachers are not striking. The only chance these kids have of continuing their education after primary school is to do well enough on the national exam to be accepted into less costly national high schools. And unlike kids from wealthier homes, they cannot afford extra tutoring to prepare for the exam.

There is little doubt in anyone’s mind that teachers in Kenyan government schools are underpaid and many cannot survive on their salaries. It is also accepted that the government will have difficulty meeting the demands. Yet, confidence in the government is low as they deal with many problems. People can understand that the current famine is the result of drought and last year’s post-election crisis, but they also know that there is an additional reason for the shortage of corn meal and dried corn, the staple food items for many Kenyans. The second cover article in today’s Daily Nation, “Board chiefs sacked in bid to tame maize crisis,” shares that yesterday the government sacked most of the directors of the “State-owned marketing body and the biggest buyer of local maize … The move is meant to contain rampant corruption in the grain sector … aimed at ending the artificial shortage created by mismanagement of maize stocks by the board and politicians.”

So how am I praying? I’m praying that solutions will be found that will allow the teachers to return quickly to their classes with confidence in their government and with a greater assurance that they will receive adequate salaries to provide for their and their families’ needs. I am praying that the Kenyan government will meet the needs of all her citizens, not just a few who desire personal riches and power. I am praying that the Christians among the teachers and within government will rely upon their Father’s guidance and be true ambassadors of His love, peace and salvation. I am also praying for brighter futures for the poor of Kenya – especially that they will come to know and fully claim our Saviour’s love and joy. Also, as I praise God for the rain we received in Nairobi last night, I am praying that these are good rains that will lead to a great rainy season (March-June) and not bad rains that come too early for great harvests. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“STRIKE: It’s all-out battle as teachers’ pay frozen” (Daily Nation, 1/27/09, pp.1-2) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/520408/-/u1sfti/-/index.html
“Board chiefs sacked in bid to tame maize crisis” (Daily Nation, 1/27/09, pp.1,4) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/520402/-/u1sftc/-/index.html
“FOOD SHORTAGE: Maize price increase ruled out” (Daily Nation, 1/27/09, p.5) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/520376/-/u1sf87/-/index.html

How to pray specifically for drought

2009-01-26T12:47:00.004+03:00

The headings of articles that filled page eight of last Saturday’s Daily Nation (1/24/09) could keep one praying for quiet awhile and the facts included in the article would suffice for a whole prayer retreat. As you read these specifics of Kenya, pray also for other places in our world facing drought:

“TO THE RESUCE: UN agency to feed 3.2 million” – “The 3.2 million excludes the 1.2 million people in arid and semi-arid areas currently dependent on food aid from the UN agency …carrying out an assessment in the affected areas to determine the extent of the drought, which has left more than 10 million people starving … They intend to being distributing the food in the coastal region, one of the areas worst hit by the crop failure.” Pray for this assessment and others being done by government and aid organizations. Pray that the assessments will be speedy and reveal the greatest needs and the best ways to respond.

“Koreans donate Sh120m for water supply project” – “The project will ensure provision of safe water to the people of Awendo and surrounding communities … will improve the livelihoods of residents by reducing poverty levels and waterborne diseases.” Pray that during this time of drought that people will have the means to clean water or be able to purify available water and take the time to do so in order to reduce illnesses caused by “bad” water.

“Act on law to protect us, plead potato farmers” – Pray that farmers, including these in the North Rift, will not be exploited by others who are seeking to benefit from the drought situation.

“Farmers reduce herds as animal feed prices rise” – Pray for the economic situation and the increased higher prices that results from drought, especially the “higher prices” that are caused by greedy individuals.

“Hungry villagers hurt in scramble for bull’s meat” – “Scores of people were … injured after a fight ensued over meat from a bull killed by lightening.” Pray for peace in areas where drought is leading to starvation. Pray that additional deaths and hurt will not occur due to the resulting tensions. Like many areas suffering drought, there are many people unreached by the knowledge of the Good News of our Saviour in the Teso (western Kenya) where this happened, so pray for an end to their spiritual “drought” as you pray for an end to the physical drought they are facing.

“Team pleads for relief food as 63,000 starve” – This article is from one small area, Narok District (southern Kenya), so the number is low, yet it is a good reminder that a starving person is in need whether he/she is included in a group of 10 million or ten. Remember to pray for the individual persons facing starvation, especially that each one will come to know and depend upon our Saviour, the Bread of Life (John 6:35).

“Quelea birds destroy wheat” – Pray that additional problems such as this bird invasion in Meru (central part of Kenya in the Eastern Province) will not lead to “worsening an already fragile food security” in areas facing drought.

“Animals face death as drought persists” – “More than 13 million animals are facing death due to the persisting drought…” Many Kenyans are totally dependent upon their animals for their livelihoods. Pray for recovery programmes that the Kenyan “emergency interventions to mitigate the effects of the drought … and salvage loss of livestock” planned by the Kenyan government.

Yes, all of this was on just one page of last Saturday’s Daily Nation! Thank you for praying for Kenya and other places in our world facing drought, Bert Yates

How to pray for Kenyans and other facing drought and starvation

2009-01-22T14:01:00.003+03:00

As I choose which Kenyan prayer items to share with you I try to balance it against other needs in our world as I know you time for intense prayer is limited. I also try to be sensitive in choosing prayer items when I fear they will break your heart – which can lead to prayer, but sometimes leave you too despondent to pray with strength. Yet, after weighing these factors and more and definitely sensing the guidance of our Father, I am sharing another prayer item today on the drought, famine and starvation situation in Kenya. My intention and my prayer is that as you read the specifics of Kenya’s current problems, you will not only pray for Kenya, but you will be better able to pray with all your heart, mind and soul for other places in our world experiencing the same problems – especially areas where prayer items cannot be freely shared due to restrictions by their local governments.

“Famine Pushes Families to the Edge”*(in yesterday’s Daily Nation Living Magazine) and the Image Gallery** (on the internet with the article) told the personal stories of families facing starvation. This article shared the pain of knowing your family needs water, yet you don’t have the energy to make the trip to the nearest well “because of the long distance … descend to the bottom of the hill and carry water uphill, about ten kilometres” (over six miles). It shares the pain of having no food to offer your children for days – and knowing they are too weak to complain. This is one of those articles that at first I decided to not share with you because of the pain it causes readers, yet as I re-read it today, I realized that though painful, this article can help you understand the pain and cycles of problems related to starvation – an understanding that I hope will help you pray for this situation as well as guide you in praying for similar situations in the future.

“Famine claims three children,”*** leads to several prayer needs for all drought situations. Pray for good health for the affected children – children will be the first to die due to the lack of proper food, followed by the elderly and those with pre-existing medical problems. Unfortunately, common sense tells me that the areas where people face the greatest threat of malnutrition are the same places that likely have the poorest medical care, so pray for available and adequate medical care for those facing starvation. Pray also for the sanitation situation – many do not die due to the malnutrition, but due to the diseases that occur when there is little or no water for washing the few dishes that are used, etc. or the little water that can be found is not clean water, but water that carries deadly diseases.

“Why number of starving Kenyans is on the rise”**** shares additional needs that lead to prayer. “The government has cited last year’s post-election violence and crop failure in various parts of the country as the main contributing factors to the current famine in the country … the situation is compounded by a majority of Kenyans identifying maize as their staple … locals were forced to share the little they had with the integrated internally displaced persons contributing to the current famine.” Many places facing drought are also the places facing political turmoil and even war, and an influx of refugees. An additional problem in areas where many poor people live is their reliance upon only a few foods as their staple items such as corn and beans. Pray for the government situations of places facing drought. Pray that war, corruption and bad decisions do not compound the hunger problems. Pray for those accustomed to only eating certain foods – pray that they will put aside taboos and old customs and be open to eating new foods.

An adult Missionary Kid introduced me to a new prayer tool today that is now added to my prayer tool box - NASA’s Earth Observatory. An Image of the Day earlier this month, Poor Harvest in Kenya, uses an image and news articles to explain why “10 million Kenyans risk hunger.” This website may be a government site, but the trusted information given on situations in our world can definitely be used to guide our prayers.

Part of me wants to apologize for sending such a long prayer item today, but I cannot apologize for asking you to pray specifically and directly for those in our world facing drought, famine and starvation. I cannot prove it with statistics, but experience has taught me that often, if not most often, the places facing these problems are the same areas that are starving for something even more needed that physical food and water – they need the love and salvation offered by our Heavenly Father through his Son, the bread of life (John 6:35). As you pray for the drought, famine and starvation situations in our world, pray also that these people are among “those who live on the earth … every nation, tribe, language, and people” where the eternal gospel is being proclaimed (Revelation 14:6). Pray that Christians among those bringing help to the areas will be bold witnesses of their Father’s love and salvation. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
*“Famine pushes families to the edge” (Daily Nation, LIVING/The Family Magazine, 01/21/09, pp.6,7) – http://www.nation.co.ke/magazines/Living/-/1218/517164/-/s1epw8z/-/index.html

**“Image Gallery/Faces of hunger” (Daily Nation, posted 01/20/09) – http://www.nation.co.ke/magazines/Living/-/1218/517222/-/s1ep8dz/-/index.html
***“Famine claims three children” (Daily Nation, 01/21/09, p.8) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/517862/-/u1bugd/-/index.html
“Famine hitch in famine relief loan” (Daily Nation, 01/22/09, p.56) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/517860/-/u1bugb/-/index.html
****“Why number of starving Kenyans is on the rise” (Daily Nation, posted 01/17/09) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/516286/-/u1b1hc/-/index.html
NASA Earth Observatory – http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
NASA Earth Observatory Daily Image/“Poor Harvest in Kenya” – http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=36683

Sadness among the Celebrations

2009-01-20T12:18:00.005+03:00

I expected today’s newspaper to focus on Kenya’s celebratory mood as the new US President is inaugurated. The lead picture in today’s Daily Nation is of Obama, but the headline that stretches across the front page is not one of joy, but of sadness. “Strike teachers arrested”1 is one of many articles within the first five pages stating that only two weeks after the new school year began, “Learning paralyzed as union declares Day One of national boycott a success … The Teachers Service Commission … said the strike had only succeeded in primary schools, with learning continuing in secondary schools … Teachers are demanding a … salary increase … with the least paid teacher’s basic salary rising to Sh13,750” (approximately $175 per month).

Please pray for a quick, but positive resolution as “Millions of pupils miss lessons” (Daily Nation, 01/20/09, p.4). Pray that all that happens will lead to long term benefits for both teachers and students. Pray that Christians among the teachers and negotiators will be bold ambassadors of their Father’s love and that they will depend fully upon His wisdom during this difficult time. Pray especially for peace for the Standard Eight students who will face national exams next October/November which will determine their future educational opportunities.

Pray also for the current “FOOD CRISIS” as “Debate rages on over second grain handler as millions face starvation.”2 Pray for resolution of the problems which have led to a few politicians and individuals benefitting financially and causing additional shortages of food during this time when the country is facing drought as they heal from the effects of last year’s post-election chaos.

Pray especially as “Thousands stare hunger in the face in arid North,”3 an area where the majority are among the people groups of our world that face another hunger – they do not know of our Father’s love and salvation. Pray for these people where schooling is not an option as parents are joined by “young children … in their daily search for means of livelihood as hunger bites.” The daily livelihood likely only brings in Sh100 (approximately $1.25). One woman, whose “husband died as a result of thirst … as he searched for pasture and water” for their animals, says, “‘We work the whole day for just one meal’ … hunger is sapping her strength … ‘Death is just on the horizon.’” These people need a miracle – They need water and food – They need available food items to be priced fairly – They need their animals to stay healthy so they can sell them for good prices rather than the animals dying due to the lack of pasture and water or being weak when sold – They need a break from locusts invasions which worsens the availability of food for the people and animals – They need quick response by government and aid agencies – They need the few Christians in the area to be bold witnesses of our Father’s love and salvation! Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
1 “Strike teachers arrested” (Daily Nation, 1/20/09, pp.1,4) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/517064/-/u1bo6r/-/index.html
“Sacking threats fail to deter pay protest” (Daily Nation, 1/20/09, p.3) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/517024/-/u1bo38/-/index.html
2 “Debate rages on over second grain handler as millions face starvation” (Daily Nation, 1/20/09, p.14) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/516910/-/u1b6s6/-/index.html
3 “Thousands stare hunger in the face in arid North” (Daily Nation, 1/20/09, p.30) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/regional/-/1070/516884/-/70t1m7/-/index.html

Patience, Tool Boxes and "A Ray of Hope"

2009-01-16T14:00:00.003+03:00

Time for a little honesty – One of the reasons that I accepted the job of prayer advocate for the Central Corridor Cluster (Kenya) was my lack of patience. It gave me the opportunity to respond to the comment that I have heard too many prayer supporters voice during my stateside assignments (furloughs): “I want to pray for you, but I don’t always know how to pray.” I hope I never showed anyone just how much this comment irritated me! My lack of patience always led me to think: “They have a newspaper and TV/radio news. They have the Bible. Why don’t they know how to pray for us?”

I am sharing all of this to help you understand why I send prayer updates to you. Kenya and Kenyan Baptists need your prayers and I want you praying specifically and purposefully because our heavenly Father hears our prayers and He responds – as I will prove in a moment. I also send prayer items to educate you. I know there are many prayer items that cannot be shared with you due to time and because of security restrictions in many places of the world. My goal is to open your eyes, ears and hearts so that when you hear future bits of news and information about Kenya and other places, your prayer tool box will be ready – You will know how to pray when needed without detailed directions and where to find more information to guide your prayers. I have recently added a new tool to my box that I think you could also develop. As I read through the Bible, I’m keeping a list verses that I can later claim to strengthen and guide my prayers.

Now for the example of how God is answering your prayers. As I was typing I heard yelling from the flower vendors beside our house. Earlier this week a report from the national meteorological department stated that Kenya should expect no rain for at least two months. Like others in Kenya, I’ve learned that you should know what this office says AND be prepared for the opposite. This is what happened this morning! It was raining – not the sprinkling variety, but a downpour that led to the shouts of joy from the flower vendors! And the rains are not only in Nairobi. “RAY OF HOPE: Relief as rain soaks and region” in today’s Daily Nation (1/16/09, p.38) shares that “Light rains caused excitement among residents of Nyeri and parts of Laikipia districts which have been experiencing prolonged drought. The showers … were greeted with cheers in … areas … facing severe famine … particularly the pastoralists, were very hopeful.” As the article says, “weather experts say it is not time to celebrate,” but those with a bit of refreshed pastures for their animals and the schools with a tad more water in their catchment systems are thankful for even a little. These people would say that your past prayers for the drought situation in Kenya are being answered! And I say: “Thank you for praying for Kenya and for others places and people in our world. Your prayers are making a difference!” Bert Yates

Scandals, Strikes, Famine and ... Jeremiah!

2009-01-15T11:48:00.008+03:00

I believe that “the word of God is living and active” (Hebrews 4:12), but I was astounded when I read the headlines this morning and then read God’s words during my devotions. “But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain … and on oppression and extortion” (Jeremiah 22:17) had more meaning after reading the bold words, “Land of Scandals,” across today’s Daily Nation. The scandals include a Sh7.6 billion “irregular transactions” between an oil firm and the national Kenya Pipeline Company, “Sh825m … fraud involving maize millers and a cartel which includes top government figures … Sh43m … paid out … by Kenya Tourist Board without following procedure.”

Jeremiah 22:13, “Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness … by injustice, making his countrymen work for nothing” also had more meaning as “Rival unions fight over members” reminded me of the planned national teachers’ strike which is scheduled to begin next Monday, January 19th. A strike would be devastating to education in Kenya, yet many teachers, like policeman and others working for the government, receive salaries that cannot cover even basic necessities, even though those in Parliament recently gave themselves a large raise which places them among the highest paid politicians in the world.

It is hard to accept the scandals that continue to be exposed as our media also continues to share of the “FOOD CRISIS” (Daily Nation, pp.6,7) in the country. And yes, Jeremiah also had something to say about this as God reminded a king that his father had done “what was right and just … He defended the cause of the poor and needy” (22:15,16) and unlike in Jeremiah’s time and currently in Kenya, the people had adequate food and water.

As I questioned how I could pray for all of these incredible needs, I thought again of Hebrews 4:12. Please join me in praying that those who can bring about positive change in Kenya will allow God’s Word to direct their “soul and spirit … thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Pray that the Christians in leadership will be bold servants and ambassadors of their Saviour’s peace, love and salvation. Pray that Kenyans will receive the needed physical and spiritual nourishment. Pray that Kenya will become a nation who truly worship, obey and serve only our heavenly Father and be a witness to their neighbours of God’s love and salvation. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Land of scandals” (Daily Nation, 1/15/09, pp.1,2) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/514734/-/u19qms/-/index.html
“Sh825m lost in maize fraud as hunger bites” ((Daily Nation, 1/15/09, pp.1,2) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/514798/-/u19qs8/-/index.html

“Rival unions fight over members” (Daily Nation, 1/5/09, p.5) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/514742/-/u19qnm/-/index.html
“Secondary school teachers given pay raise…” (Daily Nation, 1/14/09, pp.1,2) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/514374/-/u19nli/-/index.html

“FOOD CRISIS: Dry weather conditions here to stay, warn experts amid dwindling supplies” (Daily Nation, 1/15/09, pp.6) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/514740/-/u19qnk/-/index.html
“FOOD CRISIS: Government to release 200,000 bags of maize” (Daily Nation, 1/15/09, p.7) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/514898/-/u19rko/-/index.html
“Alarm as country’s productive regions plead for share of relief food supplies” (Daily Nation, 1/13/09, pp.8,9) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/514004/-/u19l2x/-/index.html

Growing Numbers and Growing Need for Prayer

2009-01-10T15:20:00.005+03:00

In the last ten days you have been asked to pray for Kenyan students needing places in high school and for the drought situation in the country. The front page of yesterday’s and today’s Daily Nation give new information with increased numbers of those affected by both problems – increases which require increased prayer!

“200,000 to miss places in public secondary schools” (Daily Nation, 12/31/08, p.13) led to a prayer request on January 1st for the selection by Kenyan high schools of those offered places in new Form One classes. “Why fewer students will join Form One” on the front page of yesterday’s Daily Nation, gave this bad news: “Nearly 50,000 places for Form One students have been lost because classrooms and other school facilities were destroyed during last year’s post-election violence … situation … made worse by an acute shortage of teachers.” The corrected number of affected students is “about 250,000 without places in secondary schools … pushed the population of Standard Eight leavers currently without access to secondary school education to about 2.3 million.’ Pray for those making decisions about school admission. Pray that the best and most deserving students are accepted. Pray that Kenyans will respond to the need of many worthy students who lack needed finances even if they are offered places. Pray also for the kids who are facing a future with no further educational opportunities.

“2m risk starving as drought bites” (Daily Nation, 1/6/09) shared in last Monday’s prayer item was updated in today’s Saturday Nation. “Emergency as 10m face starvation” states that “One in every three Kenyans is in danger of starvation due to crop failure … The 10 million Kenyans who are suffering food shortages include 1.5 million children under the school feeding programme … partly causes by the post-election violence last year … Maize harvested … should be entering the national food chain from this month, but because of the disruption of ploughing, the burning of food in stores and the fact that people were prevented from planting during the violence last year …contributed to the shortage. Added to this, the crucial long rains (March-May*) were inadequate in most places and the short rains (October-November*) failed altogether in some districts … Most parts of the country … experiencing food and water shortages … Of the 10 million Kenyans facing starvation, three million are in arid and semi-arid areas (pastoral areas where most of the people are among the people groups unreached by the Gospel*), two million are poor and affected by the HIV and Aids, while three million live in slums (includes many employed people but with incomes too low to provide food and other basic necessities even in normal times*) and the outskirts of towns … 150,000 internal refugees were also affected by the food shortage.”

As you pray for food, water, medical care, etc, for those facing starvation, pray that government leaders will make wise decisions. Some of the early actions appear to be poorly planned and include restrictions that are limiting response by businessmen and other partners. Pray that the decisions/plans will not be to the benefit of a few who desire to profit from the problems of others in the country. Pray that Christians who are affected by the drought and those ministering to them will be bold ambassadors of their heavenly Father, the one they depend upon for not just their daily bread, but for His love and salvation.” Bert Yates
*I have added explanations to the quotes in italics to help you prayer more effectively.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Why fewer students will join Form One” (Daily Nation, 1/9/09, pp. 1,4) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/512242/-/u18940/-/index.html

“Emergency as 10m face starvation” (Saturday Nation, 1/10/09, pp.1,4) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/512778/-/u18d44/-/index.html

Tears and Fears

2009-01-06T10:24:00.003+03:00

Dressed in her crisp blue gingham dress and a new little pink pencil case hanging from her neck, the small child is screaming and reaching for something in the distance. This picture found on the back page of today’s Daily Nation (1/5/09) tells the story of the first day of kindergarten. In Kenyan schools this is the year when children learn to read and do simple math, so staying put with the teacher, rather than returning home with Mom, is a necessity for the little girl.

The first page shared more heart-touching news that leads to prayer, but not the type that also brings a smile. “2m risk starving as drought bites” shares that “Nearly two million Kenyans face imminent starvation following crop failure in parts of Eastern and Rift Valley. In Eastern, maize and bean crops have withered due to a long dry spell, while in Rift Valley Province, the shortage has been attributed to the delayed effects of the election violence, which caused delays in planting last year.” Several bits of information are shared that lead to specific prayer in addition to the need for food. First, is the listing of the affected areas – Moyale, Marsabit, Isiolo, Mbeere, Embu, Machakos, Kitui, Kyuso and Mwala districts in Eastern Province are hardest hit, with the lives of 1.6 million people at risk … about a quarter of the six million people in the region have been affected. In Pokot, a similar fate awaits more than 120,000 people.” God’s love and salvation is known and claimed in many of the listed areas, but the first three and the last – Moyale, Marsabit, Isiolo and Pokot – are areas where the people face an additional drought, they are among the peoples of our world where few have had the opportunity to claim our Saviour’s Good News. Pray for all those in Eastern Province and in Pokot (Rift Valley Province) who are facing drought and hunger. Pray also that not only will government and aid organizations bring physical food, but that the Christians among them will bring spiritual food.

Later in the article, other prayer needs arise: “An Embu farmer said … ‘All my crops have withered,’ … Others said that their children would have to drop out of school due to lack of fees. ‘We won’t have anything to sell to raise fees this time,’ a farmer said … would not have seed to plant in the next season … rise in food prices.” Pray for the children who will have to delay schooling due to the drought. Pray that this will only be a short delay – a lack of education increases their likelihood of living their entire lives in poverty and need. As you pray for rain for this area, pray also that the farmers will be prepared for the next growing season and not become deeper in debt due to the increased food prices and purchase of seeds. Pray that through all of this, the Christians in these areas will be strong ambassadors of their Father’s love and peace and those who are “unreached” will be reached by our Saviour’s love and salvation. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“2m risk starving as drought bites” (Daily Nation, pp.1,6, 1/6/09) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/510996/-/u1713e/-/index.html

"Top Marks for Orphaned and Displaced Boy"

2009-01-02T17:01:00.004+03:00

Among the articles about the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education 2008 results released this week, there were other articles that reflect last year’s problems in Kenya. Thursday’s Daily Nation includes “Top marks for orphaned and displaced boy” which shares: “Talk of achieving against all odds. An orphan displaced from a children’s home due to post-election violence emerged the top candidate among chaos victims in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education.” This young man scored well enough to move on to a government high school, but he said, “I would have performed better were it not for the challenging life at the camp.” The challenges and odds he and others faced which were listed in the article includes: “213 pupils at Eldoret IDP (Internally Displaced People) School lacked clocks, clipboards (needed during the testing) and sanitary towels (many girls miss school one week per month and often miss exams due to the lack of these items)… (worries) about the plight of the parents and siblings in the camps … lacked text books” and no classes until second term. (Italicized words are added for clarification.)

It is hard to determine how many of those who sat for the KCPE exams were affected by last year’s post-election chaos as government leaders are seeking to downplay these facts, but page three of Wednesday’s Daily Nation also carried an article entitled “Thousands still waiting to be resettled” (not found on the internet). Numbers that do appear in the article include: “2,460 people are still camping at the Eldoret ASK Show Ground and 52,183 others are still in transit camps in the North Rift region.” In most articles about the resettlement of the IDPs it is not noted that many are not resettling at home or settling in new permanent homes, but moving on to transit camps – which means they are still Internally Displaced People dealing with insecurity and limited food, housing, etc. The article does share that “In the North Rift, parts of Nyanza and Western provinces, 127,000 people are receiving food.” To be honest, as one reads between the lines and especially as one realizes what is omitted at times, it is likely that the numbers given are just a small account of the ongoing problem.

I have not added the personal perceptions/thoughts in this last paragraph to be negative, but to lead you to prayer. As you praise God for the kids affected by the clashes who did persevere and do well on their exams, pray for the many who have now added poor exams marks to their and their parent’s frustrations. Pray for the Kenyans who are still “internally displaced” a year after the post-election chaos began. Pray that these people will find peace in their living situation and more importantly within their hearts. Pray especially for the families that continue to be separated. Pray that Kenyan Christians will continue to strive to meet the problems and use this difficult time to share their Father’s love and salvation. Bert Yates

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Top marks for orphaned and displaced boy” (Daily Nation, 1/1/09, p.13) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/509272/-/u0qkij/-/index.html
“200,000 to miss places in public secondary schools” (Daily Nation, 12/31/08, p.13) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/508940/-/u0q1lu/-/index.html

"Girls Shine in KCPE"

2009-01-01T19:37:00.002+03:00

“Girls shine in KCPE” – yesterday’s Daily Nation headline announced the results of the test taken last November by “some 695,737 candidates (who) sat the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education” for kids completing Standard (Grade) Eight. “Monica …of … Mombasa, was the best student countrywide with 460 marks out of 500” on the test of eight papers covering English, Kiswahili, Social Studies, Religious Studies, Mathematics, and Science.

After all the good news, there was bad news as it was revealed that some candidates did not receive their scores due to cheating and other irregularities. Another concern was the “gender parity … (in) North Eastern (Province) where boys compromised 75 per cent of the candidates and girls only 25 per cent.”

“Girls shine…” also shared that although “About half of the candidates … scored 250 marks (50 per cent) and above … that does not mean they automatically qualify to join … the 6,400 secondary schools countrywide.” An article on page 13 of today’s Daily Nation explains that “200,000 pupils who sat this year’s national examination” will miss the opportunity to attend high school as existent public and private schools can only accommodate 70 per cent of those who took the exam. This report does not mention those who did not sit for the exam as they could not afford the fees, knew they would not do well, or had already dropped out of school for lack of fees, interest or the need to work. Some students who do not move on to high school will receive technical training, but the majority will have no more educational opportunities. And many of those who are accepted into a high school will not attend due to a lack of money for needed fees.

Please pray that those choosing which kids will be selected to national schools (with reduced fees) will be fair and wise. Pray that kids who are selected for admission to high schools will find the needed funds. Pray for the kids entering Standard Eight next week – kids who are already preparing for next year’s KCPE. Pray that their studies will not be interrupted by a feared teacher’s strike (teachers continue to receive very low salaries and poor work situations in Kenya). Pray for protection and opportunities for the children whose schooling in finished. Pray also for the educational situation in the pastoral areas, including the North Eastern Province, where too many children, especially girls, are denied an opportunity for education and a bright future. Bert Yates

(For more ways to pray for Kenya's youth, go to Praying for Kenya's Future-Students)
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Girls shine in KCPE” (Daily Nation, 12/31/08, pp.1,2) - http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/508980/-/u0q1pe/-/index.html
“Top marks for orphaned and displaced boy” (Daily Nation, 1/1/09, p.13) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/509272/-/u0qkij/-/index.html
“200,000 to miss places in public secondary schools” (Daily Nation, 12/31/08, p.13) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/508940/-/u0q1lu/-/index.html

Spreading the Gospel through Education

2008-12-28T17:44:00.004+03:00

After sitting through the Kenya Baptist Theological College Graduation Ceremony on December 18th for six students who had completed the Diploma in Church Music, I realized that I had to share this additional incredible example how God has blessed your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering! To be honest, Spreading the Gospel through Education * cannot begin to share the excitement of the graduation service or the expectations shared that day of the five young men and one woman who have trained to be an active part of carrying out our Saviour’s Great Commission, but the pictures of proud students, parents, pastors, Baptist Convention of Kenya officers, and IMB missionaries, as well as many of their comments during the service will give you a glimpse of how God is at work in Kenya through theological education!

So, I invite you to view one more Lottie Moon Stories from the Harvest Field of Kenya and see what is happening at the Kenya Baptist Theological College – soon to be Kenya Baptist University – which is the dream that came true in Kenya thanks to your Lottie Moon Offering, prayers and lots and lots of work from many people, including your IMB missionaries and many Southern Baptists volunteers.

Plus, I know of no better way to wish you a Happy New Year than by sharing some really, really good news about how our Saviour’s Good News is being spread and how your prayers are being answered and your stewardship of time and finances is being blessed! Bert Yates
* http://omba4kenyaspreadingthegospel.blogspot.com/

A Special Christmas Thank You: The Kenyan 12 Days of Christmas

2008-12-19T11:01:00.004+03:00

Several weeks ago a giant billboard for the Christmas promotion of a national bank appeared in Nairobi along the stretch between Forest Road and Thika Road – an area where traffic seems to always be backed up, so one definitely has time to view the ad. My first reaction was that this advertisement would be a great cultural study for anyone new to Kenya. Then I realized it was just what I needed to share a light-hearted Christmas greetings with you – it shares what is of value to most Kenyans with those of you who have never visited Kenya as well as something that will surely bring back lots of memories to those of you who have called this place home for even a few days!

So please accept my Christmas greetings as you “hum” through The Twelve Days of Christmas beginning with the twelfth item – with explanations for those who need it – and be assured that your IMB missionaries in Kenya do value your prayer support and depend upon it all year round! Bert Yates

*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me 12 Kukus Klucking (Chickens)
11 Tanks of Fuel
10 Crates of Soda (You must have sodas for any special event – yes, they are likely served at room temperature, but…)
9 Bags of Unga (large sacks of corn meal)
8 Fares Upcountry (One may have been born and bred in Nairobi, but home remains your great, great…grandparents ancestral home.)
7 Supa Jikos (the gas containers that fuel tiny cooking tops)
6 Goats a-baaing
5 Hundred Bob – of Airtime (bob=hundred – shares in cell phone companies are great investments in Kenya)
4 Shopping Vouchers (Yes, for you “old” guys, sales happen in Kenya now and you can buy gift certificates!)
3 TV’s
2 Radios (Note that radios are still more valuable than TV’s!)
1 Holiday (Not for the American family of 4, but the Kenyan family of 6!)

A Hidden News Article and an IMB E-mail: Leading to Prayer

2008-12-16T17:54:00.002+03:00

The article hidden deep in last Tuesday’s Daily Nation made an initial impression on me because I’m a “word” person and a new phrase caught my attention – mobile herder. As a large picture of a camel was located next to this comment, it was easy to understand its meaning – mobile herding is the new, possibly politically correct way, to describe the work of pastoralists – people groups who follow their animals in search of water and pasture.

As I continued reading, another past personal interest caught my attention. I grew up on cowboy movies telling stories of the changing face of the American west. “Herding becomes a tall order …” shares a similar story of how mobile herding is facing changes that have already “forced hundreds of families to change their lifestyles” due to “climatic conditions … erosion of access to land and water … ‘the lack of grazing fields’ … (and) the emergence of new settlements.” The article only hints at another reason – many African pastoralists live in countries at war or in areas where cattle rustling is a common occurrence.

This article tells the story of “a 67-year-old herder … where temperatures are hovering around 40 degrees Celsius (104F), he looks helpless as his few camels face an impending shortage of pasture and water.” This “mobile herder … on the border of war-torn Somalia – braves the harsh realities of living in the tangled bush on just 10 camels … the only source of livelihood for his family of seven … ‘We live from hand to mouth … We get around 6 litres (6 quarts+) of milk from them daily …barely enough to provide for our daily sustenance.’” This man “bred through pastoralism” was once an “affluent pastoralist with more than 400 goats, 300 head of cattle and 200 camels … ‘Our livestock was a sign of prestige, life was smooth and traditional … our biggest challenge is access to basic pasture and water …mobile herding is slowly getting extinct.”

All of this impressed me, but another of the mobile herder’s comments became a personal prayer item as I read: “We survive on a wing and a prayer.” The next day we received an e-mail from the IMB that left me realizing how more prayer is needed! As I looked at the list of the Affinity Groups that will determine future IMB work, I recognized the names of many people groups that make up the “close to 15 million people (who) depend on livestock” in the Horn of Africa. These people “survive on…prayer” – so what is the problem? These people groups do pray, but the vast majority of them are among the people of our world who do not know the true God. They have not heard of our Saviour’s Good News. Few have had an opportunity to claim our heavenly Father’s love and salvation.

So as many of you are facing cold weather in coming days and celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus, please take time to pray for these people who live where freezing is an unknown condition. They are people who are facing major changes in their lives, yet they do not know their greatest need – a need for the Saviour who shares living water – Our Saviour who offers eternal life. Pray that Christians, both those from Africa and other places, will respond to God’s call to share His love and salvation with these people. Pray that the mobile herders will come to know the one who can offer them all they need. Bert Yates
*** *** *** *** *** ***
* “Herding becomes a tall order as drought occurs more often” (Daily Nation, 12/9/08, p. 34) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/regional/-/1070/499852/-/6lpowr/-/index.html

Answered Prayer: The Samburu Responding to the Gospel

2008-12-13T19:51:00.002+03:00

I invite you to take a journey with me to a far-away place to experience joy, excitement, answers to prayer, as well as a rainbow of colours! A new blog, The Samburu – Responding to the Gospel *, begins with a prayer request posted on September 4, 2008 by Charlie and Sandra Daniels, the IMB missionaries now living among the Samburu, a people group unreached by the Good News of our Saviour. Answers to this prayer request are also included which gives you a glimpse of a very, very colourful baptism service and a special pastor ordination service – all the result of the work of many of your IMB missionaries supported by the Lottie Moon Offering, assistance from the Baptist Convention of Kenya, and lots and lots of prayer support from Southern Baptist.

The best part which cannot be included in this blog: The Samburu’s Lottie Moon Story is continuing! God has great plans for this “unreached people group” –An unreached people group who are not only being reached, but have the potential of reaching many of their neighbouring unreached people groups!

If for no other reason than you would like to hear some truly good news for a change, please take time to view this blog at and share it with others. I promise you that you will not be bored for even one second as you see how God is at work among the Samburu of Kenya! Bert Yates

* http://samburuomba4kenya.blogspot.com/

How would our world be transformed?

2008-12-08T12:31:00.002+03:00

“More than two million Muslim pilgrims gathered around a mountain peak east of Mecca today at the peak of the haj to beg God’s forgiveness, chanting, “O God, I am answering your call!’ … At Arafat, Muslims pray for forgiveness and their own and fellow Muslims’ welfare.” These words in today’s Daily Nation left me asking this question: How would our world be transformed if “more than two million” Christians gathered together once a year to BEG for God’s forgiveness and each one truthfully affirm, “O God, I am answering your call!”

I am not suggesting that we must return to where our Saviour walked as we emulate every able-bodied Muslim’s desire to retrace at least once in their lifetime Prophet Mohammed’s path during the “Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide” (Wikipedia). What I am suggesting is that our world would be transformed if more Christians truly made seeking to know and being obedient to our Saviour’s words and commands a priority in their lives.

The Eid al Adha holiday offers an incredible opportunity to share our Saviour’s love and salvation with our Muslim friends. Did you know that the Eid al Adha Feast is also called the Feast of Sacrifice based on a story in our Bible? It “commemorates Ibraham's (Abraham) willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son. Muslims believe the son to be Ishmael rather than Isaac as told in the Old Testament. Ishmael is considered the forefather of the Arabs. According to the Koran, Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son when a voice from heaven stopped him and allowed him to sacrifice a ram instead. The feast re-enacts Ibrahim's obedience by sacrificing a cow or ram.” (Kansas University Medical Center).

I ask that you join me today in praying that we open our hearts to people of different faiths – That we allow their beliefs to challenge our own commitment to our faith and that we seek to share our faith with those who do not know and/or claim our Saviour’s love and salvation. Bert Yates

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Daily Nation, 12/8/08, p. 24, “Muslims beg for forgiveness at pilgrimage peak: http://www.nation.co.ke/News/world/-/1068/499336/-/s0hyi3/-/index.html

Wikipedia/Edi al-Adha: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_ul-Adha

Kansas University Medical Center/Valuing our Differences: Celebrating Diversity – http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/ethnic_relig/eid-al-adha.html

Strengthening and Encouraging through Lottie's Support for Education

2008-12-07T16:53:00.006+03:00

“Thank you for the nice school room. Thank you for all the nice things in my school room. I hope you're enjoying America and I would like to send you a lesson about why I like my school room. Lesson number 1: I like my video games. Lesson number 2: I like the big dipper story. The big dipper is my favorite book, because it's magical. Lesson number 3: I really like my new stories. And lesson number 4: I like my math, but I'm getting tired of it. So please send me something that will not make me tired. Love, Joseph”

This is a thank you note from five year old Joseph, whose parents work with the Samburu, one of our unreached people groups. Joseph’s note and much, much more appears at the newest blog to thank Southern Baptists who give to the Lottie Moon Offering – the offering which allows your IMB missionaries to be workers in our Father’s Harvest Field. This blog entitled Strengthening and Encouraging Through Lottie’s Support for Education is found at: http://lottiemoonkenyaeducation.blogspot.com/

Through “thank you notes”, testimonies, and lots of pictures, this blog has been prepared to share how your gifts to Lottie Moon and the Cooperative Program are used to support the education of IMB missionary kids. Thanks to your gifts, missionaries are able to provide great educations for their kids while obeying God’s call to share his love and salvation among the unreached of our world – one more example of how your investments that are still providing incredible returns even in these days of economic turmoil! The blog also shares information about Kenyan national schools, including a slideshow of Kenya students in their rainbow of uniforms as well as a slideshow sharing different views of Kenyan schools.

Please take time to view this blog – it is my gift to you to thank you for supporting me and my IMB colleagues around the world and for allowing us to support our families as we obediently serve our heavenly Father. Bert Yates

Thanks to Lottie

2008-11-25T19:22:00.005+03:00

This week’s Lottie Moon promotion from Kenya is being sent early so that you will receive it before Thanksgiving Day. This timing is important as your IMB missionaries in the Central Corridor Cluster have a special thank you to share with those of you who support us through your prayers, giving and service.

Last year’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering funded a greatly needed spiritual retreat for our staff this past weekend, November 21-23, 2008. During one prayer session, each person shared how he/she are, have been, or will be "God's fellow worker" (1 Corinthians 3:9), "Christ's ambassador" (2 Corinthians 5:20), "Loved by God" (1 John 4:10), "Upheld by God's Hand" (Isaiah 41:10), and/or a "Worker in his harvest field" thanks to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

Their answers, lots of pictures from the “Renew my Heart” Spiritual Retreat at Brackenhurst, special notes of thanks written by our Missionary Kids (MKs), plus a few pictures sharing what turns even the oldest missionary into a kid are shared at Thanks to Lottie , a blog found at http://thankstolottiekenya.blogspot.com/ .

Thank you again for being our prayer supporters – we do depend upon you and we are thankful for you! Bert Yates

Celebrating the Great Commission!

2008-11-20T17:17:00.003+03:00

Recently during a sermon, a Kenyan pastor talked of how some people proudly share their genealogy/family tree. He then asked, “Do you know your Christian genealogy? Have you ever thought that your family tree could begin with Jesus or with Paul?”

This week’s Lottie Moon Promotion, Celebrating the Great Commission, shares a few branches of one man’s “spiritual tree.” Celebrating the Great Commission shares the Lottie Moon story of Baptist Chapel, a church that celebrated its 8th anniversary last week. Celebrating the Great Commission shares how obediently carrying out the Great Commission leads to many Great Commission Stories!

Celebrating the Great Commission also shares how missionaries, Kenyan Baptists, and Southern Baptist Volunteers – including those that took part in the Greater Nairobi Evangelistic Effort of 1996 – are a continuing part of an incredible Great Commission Story. Celebrating the Great Commission shares of the great returns from the past investments (the prayers, service, and monies given to the Lottie Moon Offering and the Cooperative Program) of Southern Baptists who are committed to God’s multiplication plan – our Saviour’s Great Commission!

If you haven’t yet clicked into the blog, take time now to view the Lottie Moon story, Celebrating the Great Commission! And don’t miss a glimpse of Covered Dish Dinners at Kenyan Baptist Churches prepared with the fresh, really fresh chickens! Bert Yates

* * * * * * * * *
For those who may have trouble “reading” the site for the blog, it is: http://celebratingthegreatcommission.blogspot.com/

A Time to Wait!

2008-11-18T14:08:00.003+03:00

Standard 8 and Form 4 students now have a break from study, but not a break from worry. Cecilia, a member of Baptist Chapel in Nairobi says, the Kenya Certificate of Primary Examinations for kids completing Standard 8 “were not hard, but they were fair.” She hopes that when the results are released in late December that she will be chosen to attend her first choice, Statehouse Girls’ High School – a top Kenyan national high school. Before taking the exams, Cecelia marked several national schools as her choice schools. After the scores are released the students with the higher scores will be offered places at the national high schools. Those who are not offered one of these limited national positions will then begin applying to private high schools where parents pay higher fees. At present there are only enough places in public/private high schools for 60% of the students who sat for the KCPE exams, so a few of the remaining 40% will move on to training schools, while most will have to accept that their formal schooling is over.

Norman, who sat for the Form 4/Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations, was busy on Sunday helping in the younger children’s Sunday school class at Baptist Chapel. A man of few words, Norman said, “My exams went fine,” but he will not know for sure until the KCSE scores are released in early February. If his scores are high, he may be accepted into one of the few national universities. If this happens, he will not choose the degree for which he will study – it will be chosen for him. Norman is simply praying that he did well enough to be offered a position in a national university. If not, like others, he will begin looking into studying at one of the private universities, colleges, training schools or full-time work.

Most universities/colleges in Kenya will not accept new students until Sept of 2009 or January 2010. Pray for local churches who offer special programmes during the waiting time for those who have just finished high school. Pray that these discipleship and mentoring programmes will offer the foundation they need to become strong and growing Christians. A few churches also offer special programmes during January for the kids awaiting admittance into high school as most Form 1 classes will not begin until next February. Pray also for the opportunities that churches have to spiritually train and strengthen these young teens.

Cecelia and Norman are thankful that the exams are over and were excited to learn that people they didn’t even know had been praying for them. They both were also excited that you would continue praying for them as they await their futures! Bert Yates

Strengthening and Encouraging Through Lottie's Medial Support

2008-11-15T20:15:00.005+03:00

A year ago a young girl in Nairobi often had high fevers and simply felt too horrible to play with her friends. Today she is healthy and full of energy thanks to the medical care provided by her parent's employer, the International Mission Board. Her parents are thankful for their employers and for Southern Baptists who provided the needed finances through the Lottie Moon Offering and Cooperative Program so that their daughter could receive quality medical care.

A man came to Kenya to live among the Maasai and share his Father's love and salvation. A car accident changed his life. Many thought his career was over, but thanks to the giving of Southern Baptists, the IMB made certain he received the needed care, surgeries and therapy. When doctors said the man had to adjust to ongoing limitations due to the accident, the IMB continued their support. Today this man and his wife are planting churches in the slums of Nairobi.

These stories and many more found on a new blog are not just missionary stories, they are testimonies of how IMB medical support funded through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Cooperative Program strengthens and encourages missionaries. They are stories of how this support allows them to continue serving their Father as workers in his harvest field. Another story is also shared on the blog, the BARA story. This is a story of how a Lottie Moon Offering investment is continuing to have a positive impact on the HIV/AIDS problem in Kenya. It is also a story of how the investment continues to mature and grow as BARA expands to other African countries.

Where can you find these stories? At: Strengthening and Encouraging Through Lottie’s Medical Support

Why are these stories shared? To let you know that IMB missionaries do need your support and we are thankful for your support. We know that without you we would be unable to continue serving in our Father’s harvest field. These stories are also shared to help you realize the returns of your investments, your prayer investments, your investments in the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program, and your investments as co-workers in the Harvest Field! Bert Yates

Humble Candidates and KCPE Candidates

2008-11-10T13:06:00.008+03:00

This morning’s international news shared how US churches prayed yesterday for last week’s elections, but none of these prayers were what I heard in my Kenya Baptist Church. The prayers of my Kenyan friends were prayers of thanksgiving that “Americans were conquerors” last week, not for who was elected, but for the peaceful elections. Prayers were offered for the humbleness of the candidates who lost – the fact that they accepted defeat in a peaceful manner. These prayers were from men and women who are still suffering from the recent elections in their own country – elections that were not defined by peace or humbleness.

“Tough Rules to curb leaks as KCPE starts,” today’s Daily Nation (11/10/08) headlines, reflects another current candidate concern of Kenyans – The month-long examinations which continue through this week for those completing high school and the Kenya Certificate of Primary Examinations which begins today for the Standard (grade) Eight students. Many US schools offer special exams to determine if the child progresses to the next class, but few American parents or students fear that failing these exams will mean an end to formal education for the child – nor is there a fear that corruption and cheating will affect the scores.

An editorial, “KCPE: May the best students excel” (Daily Nation, p.10), states that “Some 669,318 Standard Eight candidates have been registered for this … examination that determines those who proceed to secondary and eventually higher education, and those who drop out to face an uncertain future ... Although the transition rate has improved considerably” only 60% of those sitting this exam will have the opportunity to join Form One (first year of high school). The article does not mention that many potential exam candidates have already dropped out of school due to poor grades and others are skipping the exam rather than pay the fee for an exam the child will surely fail. Often the school made this decision as they illegally allow only the students who are likely to pass to take the exam.

Tomorrow (November 11th) through Thursday, the Standard Eight students will take exams in English, Swahili, Science, Math, and Social Sciences. Pray that the best students will excel. Pray for the hundreds of students who are still among the Internally Displaced. Pray that they will excel in spite of poor housing, food and inability to study in recent months. Pray that the situation in Kenya will change and all students will have access to quality education. These students are the future of Kenya – They are the ones who can become the Kenyan’s leaders – They are the ones who can bring true peace to Kenya. Bert Yates

Lottie Moon Stories from the Harvest Field of Kenya

2008-11-08T18:08:00.010+03:00

Do you need help promoting the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering in your church? Do you have questions about how much you can personally give to the offering this year? Do you have questions about what or who is Lottie Moon? Or do you simply like things organized? Hopefully, all the above questions and possibly more will be answered at a new blog – Lottie Moon Stories from the Harvest Field of Kenya

During the last year many Great Commission/Lottie Moon Stories of Kenya have been shared through Omba4Kenya , true, living stories of how God has been, is, and is continuing to be at work in Kenya thanks to the support of Southern Baptists. These stories were shared to encourage you to continue supporting us through your prayers, giving, and through joining us as workers in the harvest field, but also because they were great news that deserved praise, not for the people involved, but for our Heavenly Father! Why are all these stories now found in one place and why will new stories be added in coming weeks? To encourage and strengthen you! These stories tell of the good investments that you made in the past as you supported the work of the IMB through your prayers, finances through the Lottie Moon and the Cooperative Program, and through volunteering – investments that are still providing incredible returns even in these days of economic turmoil! These stories are shared to let you know your investments are appreciated. These stories are shared so you can share them with others. Most importantly these stories are to challenge you to continue praying, giving and sending workers until the eternal gospel is proclaimed to all those “who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelations 14:6).

So, now you know why this new blog is available. Why don’t you click on to it now at Lottie Moon Stories from the Harvest Field of Kenya – simply click these words and you should find your way to the blog!

And before I forget, thanks for your support this year and for all your prayer support of the prayer needs and praises from Kenya. Bert Yates

Some Face a Permanent Holiday

2008-11-06T11:31:00.003+03:00

“No school tomorrow” – many Kenyan parents received this message yesterday. After a difficult year of fear, death, pain and disorder, Kenyans, who highly value family ties, have something to celebrate with pride – the next president of the United States is the son of a Kenyan! Most Kenyan students were thrilled when today was declared an unexpected national holiday, but there are many students and parents who are using the day to study, not to sleep late and play!

As the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations for those completing high school continues into the last days of the 2008 round of national exams, the Kenya Certificate of Primary Examinations (KCPE) for Standard/Grade Eight students begins next week. Like the exams for the older kids, these national exams, not any past scores, will determine their future opportunities for education. In many societies there are certain years in a child’s life that become a milestone – that year is Class Eight for most Kenyans. Often beginning the year before, all of a family’s time and finances are focused on helping the child prepare for the KCPE. Aunts, uncles, cousins and friends with special skills become valued tutors. The exam is the centre of any conversation you have with family members. Especially for the kids from lower income homes, the majority of those sitting for the exams, a poor score when the results are announced in early 2009, will mean an end to formal education. High school is now “free” in Kenya, but there are many hidden costs and not enough free national high schools for all those who would like to attend.

“Pupils left behind by free schooling” (The Standard, October 29, 2008), an editorial, shares more: “When dust finally settles on the national examinations at the end of the year, three quarters of the country’s best young brains will have gone to waste, perhaps never to be redeemed, thanks to a competition heavily tilted in favour of the privileged few. Against that backdrop, 211,475 of the 704, 918 pupils who sat KCPE last year did not qualify for secondary school and they now confront an uncertain future at a tender age … Free education …sounds hollow in the ears of poor parents … the rich … have their children in top-notch schools with state of the art facilities and some of the nation’s best-qualified teachers … Examinations are set with no regard to such disparities.”

Please join Kenyans in praying – and they have been, are, and will be praying – for the Class Eight students who have rehearsal exams next Monday, November 10th, to learn how to mark their test papers. They will sit for the national exams in five or more subjects on Tuesday through Thursday (11th-13th). Pray that the many students who remain in camps for Internally Displaced People will have adequate food and sleep during the exams. Pray that the government’s plans to help them get to the exam centres will succeed. Pray for confidence for the students who have been without teachers this year due to the tensions in the country. Pray for an exceptional ability to remember all they have learned for students in the northern arid parts of Kenya where “rocks, stones, bricks, logs and even exposed roots of giant trees come in handy for pupils whose parents are too deprived to afford desks” (“Pupils left behind…). Pray that these students, Kenyan’s future politicians and leaders, will enter the test rested and capable of doing their very best during the exams. Pray also for peace for the parents. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Pupils left behind by free schooling” (The Standard, October 29, 2008) – http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?&id=1143998065&catid=14&a=1
“Exam help for students hit by poll chaos” (The Nation, November 6, 2008) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/487718/-/tljv34/-/index.html

Cell Phones and Laptops; Bows and Arrows; and Expensive, but Fake Tests

2008-11-04T12:26:00.005+03:00

Tomorrow will be a holiday or a great day of mourning in Kenya based on the major news of recent days. Usually we are well informed of the news during American presidential elections, but this year this is THE NEWS! On the back page of today’s Daily Nation there is even an ad for a special sale of cell phones and laptops at an electronics shop entitled OBAMA MANIA. Much of this excitement is explained by the pride felt by most Kenyans that one with a Kenya link is running for US President. But below the surface there is more behind the attention given to American politics, including the need of many Kenyans for good news and for something to be positive in their lives. Many are also attentive simply because they admire the US for their ability to have a free and fair election.

Many are still hurting and fearful after Kenyan’s recent presidential election chaos and hundreds are still displaced. “Families flee as gangs raids camp” in today’s Daily Nation (11/4/08, p.46), shares that “Families that had returned to their farm in Molo fled when about 300 men … armed with blows and arrows attacked their camp. The raiders slashed maize plantations and … destroyed several tents … Molo bore the brunt of the post-poll clashes in which more than 350,000 people were uprooted from their homes.” Prejudice, revenge and a desire for land are some of the reasons for the continued problems. This article lists another factor: “Reports of threats targeting the refugees settled in transitional camps next to their farms, warning of dire consequences should the Waki finding be implemented.”

The release of the Waki “Commission of Inquiry into Post-Election Violence” report in mid-October has led to varied opinions of how to handle the findings which includes the names of those “suspected to have caused the clashes.” Some want the guilty exposed and punished fully. Others are fearful that exposure will lead to more problems and a destabilizing of the current government. Pray that the response to this report will be peaceful and that actions taken will lead to ongoing peace and development for the country.

Pray also for the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education testing of Form Four (high school senior) students. “Man held over fake papers” in today’s Daily Nation (p.46) tells of a man caught “with a set of six fake KCSE examination papers … tests scheduled for next week.” The man “intended to sell each set at between Sh15,000 and Sh30,000 (Kenya Shillings 79=$1). Continue praying for the students taking these exams through mid November – they are the future of Kenya, the young men and women who will be tomorrow’s leaders. Pray that the stresses and pressures they are feeling will not prevent them from doing their best as these tests, not any past scores, will determine their opportunities for future studies and their opportunities for serving and leading their country! Bert Yates

A GIFT FOR YOU

2008-11-01T19:15:00.004+03:00

As I considered how to share my thanks to those of you who will be giving to the upcoming Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and to those of you who give to the Cooperative Program year-round, I realized that one way to share my thanks is by giving you reports in the coming weeks – reports of how your past investments in our Father’s work in Kenya has not only been blessed, but continues to provide incredible returns even in these days of economic turmoil!

During the last few months I have shared several of these Great Commission/Lottie Moon Stories (listed in the right column) – true stories of how God has been, is, and is continuing to be at work in Kenya thanks to your support. Yes, it is part of my job to encourage you to continue supporting us through your prayers, giving, and even through joining us in our work as a volunteer, but to be honest, as I prepared each of these blogs my motivation was simply that these stories were news too good to keep to myself – I HAD TO SHARE THEM WITH YOU so that you could join me in praising God for what is happening in Kenya.

And now I have another incredible story to share with you. Last Sunday I attended Ridgeways Baptist Church which was started in the late 1980’s by your missionaries and a very special group of people – second generation Baptists. Elijah Wanje, the pastor, and several others who began this church are the children of some of the first Baptist pastors in Kenya. In the new blog, “Bringing People to Christ,” a retired missionary who was a part of beginning Ridgeways shares her memories. The blog also includes another story – the story of Ridgeways Baptist Church becoming involved in a new ministry of bringing people to Christ – A ministry with the Street Children of Nairobi.

My prayer is that you will take time to join me in praising God for how Ridgeways Baptist Church is joining a few Christians – some of your IMB missionaries and Kenyans with a heart for ministering to street children – as they work together sharing God’s love and salvation with some of the neediest members of our world. I wish I could have wrapped this new blog in coloured papers and added an intricate bow to help you realize that it is my gift to you – my way of saying thank you for how you allow me and other IMB missionaries to be among the workers in the harvest field of our Father! Bert
*** *** *** *** ***
To open the NEW BLOG, “Bringing People to Christ,” click the following: http://ridgewaysbaptistchurch.blogspot.com/

Diwali, Death Rates and Damaged Exams

2008-10-28T14:44:00.005+03:00

I need some committed prayer warriors. There is so much to pray about at the moment that rather than bombard you with many items, I am sharing three prayer items today and allowing you and the Holy Spirit to do the rest!
1) Today is Diwali, the Hindu New Year. If you have a heart for praying for people of other faiths, you will want to go to “From Darkness to Light” which is found on the United Church of Gujarat/Nairobi, Kenya blog listed below. At this posting you will also find an answer to your prayers for the Gujarat Gospel Music Concerts which were held by this mission church last weekend as a way of sharing God’s love and salvation with other Hindus.

2) If you are a prayer warrior for children or those affected by poverty, you will want to read “Grim Outlooks of Life Expectancy” at “Open Arms and Extended Hands,” a prayer guide for poverty issues such as a recent international report that stated that the “Mortality rate for newborns, infants and children under the age of five has increased in the past 10 years.” This posting will help you pray more effectively not just for Kenya’s children, but all children in our world – especially those who are still among the Unreached People Groups which have not yet learned of eternal life.

3) If you are an educator or pray for teens, please join those who are praying for Kenya’s students who have just completed four years of high school as they sit for national exams which will determine their future. You can find specific prayer nudges at “Flaws, Leaks, Fakes, and Cell Phones” as you continue “Praying for Kenya’s Future – Students.”

Thank you for your prayer support – your prayers are being answered and making a difference in East Africa! So, please click one of the internet links below (in blue) and claim more prayer power for Kenya. Bert Yates
*** *** ***
“From Darkness to Light” – http://parklandsgujarati.blogspot.com/2008/10/happy-diwali-and-prosperous-new-year.html
United Church Of Gujarat/Nairobi, Kenya – http://parklandsgujarati.blogspot.com/

“Grim Outlooks of Life Expectancy” – http://openarmsandextendedhands.blogspot.com/2008/10/grim-outlooks-of-life-expectancy.html
Open Arms and Extended Hands – http://openarmsandextendedhands.blogspot.com/

“Flaws, Leaks, Fakes and Cell Phones” – http://kenyastudents.blogspot.com/2008/10/flaws-leaks-fakes-and-cell-phones.html
Praying for Kenya’s Future – Students – http://kenyastudents.blogspot.com/

Silent Prayers and "Scenting" for Rain

2008-10-27T13:02:00.002+03:00

“A visitor to Dertu in Garissa is often appalled by the sight of villagers staring into the clear blue skies and sniffing the tinder dry air for possible signs of rain. Theirs are silent prayers, just for a few drops. This is the season in North Eastern Province (NEP) when all eyes are focused on the clear blue sky, scanning the horizon for signs of rain. Dry air is inhaled for ‘sent’ of moisture … hungry and thirsty children flagging down motorists to beg for water … tread dangerously between survival and death … ‘If is doesn’t rain in the coming month, our livestock will perish.’ When drought sets in, the first casualty is education … The few children who attend school are lured with free food provided by the World Food Programme … Although the Government, donors and NGOs provide food … too little for the … hungry people … In Mandera District, food distribution has been hampered by … clan wars … over pasture and water … Local hospitals have to grapple with a high number of malnourished children as cattle and camels that provide milk are driven away … in search of pasture and water.” These facts were found in “Despair forces village to ‘scent’ air for rain” in yesterday’s The Standard (Sunday, October 26, 2008, p.3).

“Here its survival of the fittest,” a small box nestled within the article, added that temperatures in this area fluctuate between 95and 107F and high winds are common at midday. “In these expansive semi-desert plains live a people who are resigned to the hardy lifestyle. They are pastoralists, who supply more than 80 per cent of the meat consumed in Kenya, but are still perceived by other Kenyans as backward and primitive.”
The facts in this article leads to a comprehensive list of how to pray for drought situations and pastoralists – the starvation and hunger, the resulting death and illness, its affects on children including opportunities for education, etc., BUT one great need is not noted – the “silent prayers” of these people may be to the true God, but the large majority of these people are uncertain of who this God is. Many people groups are found among the pastoralists of Kenya and all are among the people groups where few if any of their people know of our Saviours Good News. They have not had the opportunity to know of the true God and of His love and salvation or they are so bound to their old ways, traditions and fears that they are not able to accept what they may identify as the “white man’s” or modern way. Do pray for the drought conditions and the resulting problems listed above in the North Eastern Province of Kenya. Pray also for the additional drought they face – a lack of the knowledge of our Heavenly Father’s love and salvation through his Son, the Son who shared the message of living water. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Despair forces village to ‘scent’ air for rain” – http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?&id=1143997859&catid=259&a=1

The True Light of the World

2008-10-25T15:10:00.005+03:00

While walking around a new shop for linens and dishes in Nairobi, a wonder-land imported from South Africa, I noticed the two Asian women ahead of me because of their beautiful saris. As I walked past them, the shorter one responded to something her friend said and I had to fight turning around to stare. It was not what the woman said, but her extremely Southern drawl – not from Southern India or South Africa, but the Georgia/South Carolina variety! As I began to think of what to share in the last prayer update on the Hindu festival of Diwali, I thought of this woman again – Was she a Christian? More likely, she is a Hindu or of a related religion. If so, do/did her American acquaintances know anything about her faith and how to use this knowledge to share God’s love and salvation?

As I searched for additional information on Diwali today, I found a site entitled “Valuing our Differences: Celebrating Diversity”, sponsored by the University of Kansas. This site is not designed as a way on helping Christians learn about the holidays celebrated by acquaintances from other faiths, but I will use it in the future for that reason. This is what is shared at their link to Diwali which will be celebrated by Hindus around the world next Tuesday, October 28th:

“Diwali is a five day Hindu festival which … means ‘rows of lighted lamps’ and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights … homes are thoroughly cleaned and windows are opened to welcome Laksmi, goddess of wealth. Candles and lamps are lit as a greeting to Laksmi. Gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared … In at least one area, the festival begins with … a day set aside to worship Laksmi. In the Indian culture … a wealthy person is considered to have been rewarded for good deeds of a past life. On the second day Kali, the goddess of Strength, is worshipped … On the third day… lamps are lighted and shine brightly in every home. The lamp symbolizes knowledge and encourages reflection upon the purpose of each day in the festival … The fourth day of Diwali falls on the first day of the lunar New Year … old business accounts are settled and new books are opened. The books are worshipped in a special ceremony and participants are encouraged to remove anger, hate, and jealousy from their lives. On the final day … of the festival, Bali, an ancient Indian king, is recalled. Bali destroyed the centuries old philosophies of the society … he is remembered for being a generous person. Thus, the focus of this day is to see the good in others, including enemies … there is no one universally accepted Hindu calendar, this holiday … always falls in the months of October or November.”

Please join me in praying for our Hindu friends and contacts who are celebrating Diwali this weekend and early next week. Pray that they will come to know of the true Light of the world (John 8:12). Pray that they will learn that a relationship with our heavenly Father is not based on good deeds, but in believing in His Son and confessing to the world that He is Lord (Romans 10:9-10). Pray that they will come to know the true giver of knowledge, peace and joy. Pray also that the Hindu guests who are visiting the “Gujarati Gospel Music Concerts” offered by The United Church of Gujarat at Parklands Baptist Church tonight and tomorrow evening will come to have a desire to learn more about the Saviour who gave his life so they could have eternal life. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Valuing our Differences: Celebrating Diversity” – http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/
“Diwali” – http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/ethnic_relig/diwali.html

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

2008-10-22T19:32:00.004+03:00

A friend recently asked how many blogs I have developed – and the number is over 20. I don’t do these simply to satisfy my creative urges – even though I love the work – I develop these blogs as a way of sharing our (missionaries) lives and the prayer needs of Kenya more fully with you, our prayer supporters. I know everyone will not be committed to long term prayer support to all the needs I highlight, but my prayer is that at least one or two people will be affected in one of the following ways as they take time to view the blogs:
- An increased commitment to prayer for specific needs
- A greater awareness that it is a wise investment to give to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Offering to support the work of the IMB
- And a growing sensitivity to God’s voice as He calls his labourers to do His work!

Why am I sharing all of this? TO INTRODUCE A NEW BLOG designed for a current very needed prayer item, “Kenya’s Future – Students” – which you can find at http://kenyastudents.blogspot.com/

Through November 17th, Form Four (Senior) students, including those of Nyeri and Mombasa Baptist High Schools (begun by Southern Baptist missionaries and funds from the Lottie Moon Offering and Cooperative Program) will sit for multiple papers (exams) in six or seven subjects – those they have studied during their four years of high school. The total scores of these exams will determine the future of these youth as this grade, not any past scores, will determine if they will be invited to universities for further studies. Students who receive lower scores may qualify for technical or other types of training and those with the lowest scores, the large majority of students, will have no further educational opportunities unless their parents are very wealthy. For more explanations and ways to pray, as well as lots of pictures from Nyeri Baptist, go to the blog. Why do I ask this? High school students are the future of Kenya and they desperately need diligent prayer warriors on their behalf in the coming weeks! Bert Yates
*** *** ***
Use COMMENTS below if you would like to send assurances of your prayers to the students of Mombasa and Nyeri Baptist High Schools and your greetings will be forwarded to the schools.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

2008-10-19T20:22:00.003+03:00

I hate to overwhelm you with prayer items during these days of economic stress and election fever, but as I sat in church this morning, I realized that I had to share what I was experiencing! I owe it those of you who have supported the Baptist work in Kenya as you prayed, gave to the Lottie Moon Offering and Cooperative Program, and as many have come to serve with us. Plus this is good news, really good news, unlike most news these days!

I must admit that I arrived at church this morning a little frustrated. The chairman of the Trustees of our mission board (IMB), Dr. Paul Chitwood, is in the city and it was arranged for him to speak at Parklands Baptist Church this morning. I love Parklands, but I know from past experiences that many of our special guests have more unique experiences if they attend a newer church start or one of the churches that is located in the slums or more difficult areas rather than our biggest church. But I left the service praising God that this seminary professor has experienced such a testimony to what happens when the Great Commission is lived out!

Now to begin, you must understand that this morning was not designated a special service, but between the announcements and guests it became an incredible time of praise and worship. Early in the service, the leader of the United Church of Gujarat, a mission of Parklands, reminded everyone of the special “Gujarati Gospel Music Concert” to be held this next weekend. He shared their desire to reach the thousands in Kenya from India who do not know of our Savour’s love and salvation. Then a special volunteer team was introduced from Tokyo Baptist Church in Japan! The group included a man from the Philippines, a woman from Taiwan, an American businessman working in Japan and his family, Kenyans working/studying in Japan, and several Japanese women. This team worked last week with a Parkland’s team among the Ilchamus, a Kenyan unreached people group that Parklands has engaged with the gospel by sending Kenyan missionaries and teams to the area. The Tokyo Baptist team first made contact with Parklands through a young Kenyan, John Mativo, who attended their church while completing his doctorate in Japan – a young man who was in the Royal Ambassadors group that some of the missionaries at Parklands began in the late 1970’s!

Later the church watched a film clip that was taken by a deacon last week as he visited in Southern Sudan. The star of the film was a greatly missed member of the church named Mark, who is the leader of the church’s popular Christian rock group and a member of the Kenyan armed services. Mark sent greetings to the church from his post in Southern Sudan where he is serving with a peace-keeping unit. During his time off, Mark who has been discipled and trained at Parklands, is active in starting new churches in this country where few “foreign” missionaries can survive or are even allowed! I almost forgot to include two other exciting announcements we heard this morning – A Parklands team will go next month to Indonesia on a mission trip to East Timor AND the Prison Ministries’ Team in western Kenya this week-end called the pastor to report that 300 prisoners accepted Christ as their Saviour yesterday in the Kakamega Prison!

I have not talked with Professor Chitwood and heard his reactions, but I know how I felt after the service this morning – it was a true example of what happens when God’s children obediently participate in their Saviour’s Great Commission of going to all nations to make, baptize and teach disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). The missionaries who struggled from 1978 to begin Parklands had great hopes, but I think this morning was proof that God has been at work blessing their early work in ways beyond even their dreams! Their seeds have not only taken root, but grown and are multiplying. All of this is also the result of lots of prayers and lots of financial giving so THANK YOU for your part of God’s work in Kenya! And don’t stop praying, giving, and investing time in Kenya. The harvest remains plentiful in Kenya and workers are needed for prayer, financial and personnel support! Bert Yates

Preparing for a Festival of Lights

2008-10-18T17:20:00.006+03:00

“A day of fun, festivities and joy for people of all ages … every … family is busy … decorating their homes, and shopping for gifts … mothers are busy preparing special dishes for the family feasts … Streets, stores and buildings are lit with electric lights … every street echoes with the laughter of children. People … visit relatives and friends to exchange greetings and gifts.” This is not a description of Christmas, but words describing Diwali, a Festival of Lights, at “Diwali Festival Fun” found on the web (the “w” in Diwali is usually pronounced as a “v” – each “i” is similar to the “i” in “did” and “wa” is sounded as “vah”). This Hindu festival will begin next week-end and the main celebration will be on Tuesday, October 28th. “Diwali Festival Fun” also shares that during the Diwali Festival “Late evening is the time for a special Pooja (worship) at home, and illuminating the exterior of their houses with the rows of oil lamps, candles and colourful lanterns.”

A group of Christian Believers in Kenya will celebrate this festival of lights next weekend in a unique way as they obediently follow their Saviour’s teachings in Matthew 5:14-16 and “let their light shine before men.” The United Church of Gujarat have planned two free “Gujarati Gospel Music Concerts” next weekend at Parklands Baptist Church to coincide with the Diwali activities of their Hindu friends. Four musicians are coming from Gujarat State in India to perform at the concert which is planned to be an opportunity for sharing God’s love, joy, peace and salvation.

Please begin praying for these concerts which will take place on Saturday, the 25th and Sunday, the 26th. Pray for God’s guidance and wisdom for members of the United Church of Gujarat and the Parklands Baptist Church as they invite their Hindu friends, business associates, neighbours to be their guests at this Christian concert. Pray that those who are invited will choose to attend the concerts. Pray for the seeds that will be sewn in the hearts of those who need to learn of our Saviour who is “the light of the world” and promises “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). Begin praying also that as the Pooja services are held in Hindu homes during Diwali, the participants will hear our true God’s voice in their heart and boldly respond. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Diwali Festival Fund: http://www.diwalifestival.org/diwali-festival-fun.html
To learn more about the United Church of Gujarat go to: http://parklandsgujarati.blogspot.com/

Friday, October 17, 2008

2008-10-17T11:51:00.008+03:00

As we drove from Nyeri yesterday and again this morning as we passed through the Westlands’ area, we viewed groups gathered around the papers piled on the ground awaiting buyers as the newspaper vendors bounced from car to car likely working towards record sales. The big news – the release of the report of “The Waki Commission (which) was established … on May 23” which looked “into the role of the security agencies in the violence caused by last year’s election results … as well as facts and circumstances surrounding the post-election violence” (Daily Nation, “The Commission”, 10/16/08, p.2).

Yesterday’s cover article entitled “Election Clashes, THE TRUTH” (Daily Nation, 10/16/08) listed the following summary of the report:
“KEY FINDINGS
- Government failed to act on repeated warnings of post-election violence
- Violence due to tribalism, culture of impunity and poor police conduct
- Police failed abjectly: shot dead 450 people, including children, and raped women they were to protect
- Naivasha attach planned at State House meeting
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
- Set up independent international tribunal to try all indicted for criminal acts
- List of 10 prominent politicians and businessmen to be given to Kofi Annan for future prosecution …”

Please pray for Kenya as this report is received and as politicians begin discussing/implementing its recommendations. Pray that President’s Kibaki’s words will become reality: The report “marks and important step forward in our efforts to resolve the social and political challenges that have faced our country … the recommendations will provide the way forward in building a stable, united and prosperous country” (“Cabinet to discuss report”, Daily Nation, 10-16-08, p.8). Pray also that Kenyans will find the right path as they choose between what some feel is the current “stability of the government or justice and accountability” (“Catch-22 in trial of the ‘powerful’, Daily Nation, 10-17-08, p.5). Pray that Christians will be leaders in bringing unity to the nation and boldly share and live out their Father’s love and salvation as the country seeks the truth. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Probe targets ten politicians and businessmen” (, 10/16/08, p.2) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/480800/-/tlf1l9/-/index.html
“Top officials planned Naivasha clashes” (Daily Nation, 10/16/08, p.3) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/-/1064/480744/-/ywbq1gz/-/index.html
“Secrets of the Waki list” (Daily Nation, 10/17/08, pp.1-2) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/481008/-/tlfjn0/-/index.html
“Catch-22 in trial of the ‘powerful’” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/-/1064/480996/-/ywboc2z/-/index.html

Do They See Christianity Being Lived Out?

2008-10-11T09:07:00.005+03:00

A 2001 census stated that 50,671,017 people (Wikipedia) live in the Gujarat State in northwest India. Why is this important? The Joshua Project, which highlights “the ethnic people groups of the world with the least followers of Christ”, estimates that the 743,000 people of Gujarat ancestry live in East Africa –278,000 in Uganda, 153,000 in Kenya, and 312,000 in Tanzania – which means that more than one of our every 70 of this people group live in our part of the world instead of India. The most important fact that Christians need to know is that less than .02 percent of these people worldwide claim our Heavenly Father’s love and salvation.

The large majority (90% plus) of Gujarat and millions more in India and other parts of our world completed celebrating the Hindu Festival of Navratri this past Wednesday and on Thursday, October 9th, celebrated the Festival of Dussehra. Indiasite.com shares that “This hugely popular festival falls on the 10th day of the waxing moon during the Hindu month of Ashvin … A fascinating collection of mythological legends and regional tales are embroidered around Dussehra. On this day, Rama, the god-king and hero of the great Hindu epic, Ramayana, killed the unrighteous Ravana, the 10-headed demon king of Lanka who had abducted Rama’s wife, Sita. It is believed that Lord Rama’s brother Lakshmana, along with an army of monkeys, fought a colossal battle that lasted 10 days. Rama, who was a devout believer of Durga, the Goddess of War, prayed to her for the first nine days of battle and killed the evil Ravana on the 10th day. He shot Ravana with a bow that pierced his navel. Out flowed the nectar of immortality that was stored in a pot in his navel, thus destroying his invincibility. Ravana’s own brother Vibhishana (… he had switched sides) had divulged this secret to Rama … Dussehra is the festival that commemorates this triumph of Good over Evil.”

Did the last paragraph leave you overwhelmed? An answer found at About.com may be even more startling – “What are the major Hindu deities? Hinduism believes that there is only one supreme Absolute called ‘Brahman’. However, it does not advocate the worship of any one particular deity. The gods and goddesses of Hinduism amount to thousands or even millions, all representing the many aspects of Brahman” and they also worship nature including trees, animals, etc.

The Joshua Project shares: “The Gujarati Hindus hope to better their positions in this life and in the life to come by exhibiting charity, being devoted to the gods, and showing mercy to fellow humans and cows … The Bible is available in their language, but the Gujarati must see Christianity lived out. Only then will they understand that true freedom and peace is found in Jesus Christ alone. Prayer alone has the power to release (them) from the bondage of worshipping many gods.”

There is some good news – At least one Baptist group in Nairobi meets monthly to worship in the language of Gujarati. Learn more about the United Church of Gujarat at: http://parklandsgujarati.blogspot.com/ . Then as you praise God for these Christians who desire to be ambassadors of their faith, pray also for those still in the “bondage of worshipping many gods.” Pray that their Christian friends and acquaintances will be strong daily witnesses of their Father’s love and salvation and that all Hindus will come to “understand the true freedom and peace found in Jesus Christ alone.” Bert Yates
Pictures from Wikipedia - top picture is of Early Morning on the Ganges, one of the sacred rivers to Hindus and the lower picture is of a Hindu home temple
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Gujarat State/Wikipedia/census – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gujarat
Evangelized Gujarat in East Africa/Joshua Project – http://www.joshuaproject.net/peoples.php?rop3=103544
Dussehra Festival/Indiasite.com: http://www.indiasite.com/festivals/dussehra.html
Gujarat People/Joshua Project – http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php?rop3=103544&rog3=MV
Purpose of Joshua Project – http://www.joshuaproject.net/joshua-project.php
About.com/Number of gods and goddesses – http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/p/hinduismbasics.htm
United Church of Gujarat, Nairobi, Kenya – http://parklandsgujarati.blogspot.com/

Celebration/Thank You Blog

2008-10-08T16:46:00.005+03:00

“Today is a day to celebrate. It is a Celebration of the Goodness of the Lord. If you have come for any other reason, you are in the wrong place.” This is how a member of the worship team began the 11:00 worship service at Membley Baptist Church on Sunday, October 5, 2008.” These are also the introductory words to a new blog – http://goodnessofthelord.blogspot.com/ – A blog to share the excitement that Jack and I felt on Sunday as we participated in the 5th anniversary of Membley Baptist Church, a mission of Parklands Baptist begun not by preachers, but by committed laypersons from Parklands Baptist Church and missionaries, Dena and Roy Brent.

“Our 5th Anniversary is a time of Thanksgiving for what God has done and looking forward to what He will do. We seek to join him where He is working and Glorify His Holy Name!” The purpose of the new blog and my prayer is that as you see what has happened in the past and what is happening and what can happen in this one church and in the lives of its members, you will glorify our Heavenly Father. For this story is a true Lottie Moon Story of our Saviour's Great Commission being fulfilled. This is also the story of what has happened thanks to the prayers and the time and financial investments of many Southern Baptists since the beginning of our work in Kenya in the late 1950's!

The above paragraph is also taken straight from the blog, not just because I’m too tired to think of anything new to share with you (although between taking over 500 pictures on Sunday during our six-hour visit to the church and working for hours since then preparing the blog, I am exhausted!), but because I want to thank you for being a part of this story. You are the ones who have prayed and invested your time and finances in the work in Kenya. THANK YOU for how you have participated in what is happening at Membley Baptist Church and in other places in Kenya through your prayers. Thank you for your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and to the Cooperative Program which supports your missionaries and allows us to be a part of God’s work in Kenya.

I often wish I had my camera with me so I could share our lives with you and thankfully I did have the camera on Sunday. In addition to the slideshow of the kids of Membley, there are two large slideshows on the blog that hopefully will allow you to experience the special anniversary worship service and the afternoon celebration presentations to Dena and Roy Brent who will be retiring in a few days after serving with the IMB for over 35 years.

Thank you once again for being our prayer partners. We do depend on your prayers and we know you are praying – we are experiencing the blessings, watching as prayers are answered, and feeling the needed strength and encouragement when there are problems. Bert Yates

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

2008-10-07T11:34:00.004+03:00

Two articles on environmental issues in today’s Daily Nation (10/7/08) are “triggers” not just “nudges” to prayer!

“Justice denied as court orders to save the Illchamus delayed” (p.32) shares: “The quest for justice for the minority Illchamus community in Baringo seems to be a pipe dream … The community, with a population of about 40,000.” The villain is “Mathenge, a weed introduced in the 1970’s” which now “occupies half of the community’s land. It was introduced to curb soil erosion.” Instead, the children can “not enjoy the land of their ancestors due to the Mathenge nuisance and … their animals (are) deprived of pasture and (are) continuously threatened … the weed had maimed people and livestock. Its thorn … cause(s) paralysis of limbs, leading to amputation.” Another phrase gives a clue into another prayer need of the Illchamus – “The right to life … the most fundamental right of any human being.” The Illchamus, another of the pastoral groups of the Rift Valley, are among the least evangelized people groups in our world – they do not know of our Father’s promise of eternal life. A praise is that the children of Parklands Baptist Church, Nairobi, learned about this unreached people group a few years ago and led their church into sending a missionary and many volunteer teams to this area. A Baptist church and permanent missionary are now located there, but there is still much to be done. So as you pray for the issue of the mathenge weed that is leading to increased poverty and physical harm among the Illchamus, pray that this people group will come to know of our Saviour’s love and salvation. Pray that they will not only become an evangelized people group, but that they will become the ambassadors to share His Good News with their pastoral neighbours who are also among the unreached/unevangelized in our world.

“Environment the casualty as need for houses soars” (p.3) shares to conflict between nature and the needs a growing city. “Every single day all over Nairobi, trees are being chopped down, both legally and illegally, to make way for new residential and commercial developments. Meanwhile, rivers are being polluted by slum-dwellers who, because of desperate economic circumstances, have no other option.” As the World Habitat Day was celebrated yesterday, it was said that “the informal settlers should have access to the basic services like water and electricity so that they do not exploit the environment … slum dwellers (who) do not enjoy opportunities to find jobs and improve their living conditions.” The slum dwellers are made up of many ethnic groups, but this people group estimated to be more than one/third of residents of Kenya’s capital, also include thousands and thousands of people who do not know of our Father’s love and offer of salvation. Pray for Kenyans and missionaries from other countries as they search for the best ways to offer them the opportunity of hearing the Good News. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Justice denied as court orders to save the Illchamus delayed” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/477886/-/tkxd5e/-/index.html
“Environment the casualty as need for houses soar”– http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/477968/-/tkxdv5/-/index.html

Seeking Purity through Condensed Milk

2008-10-04T13:38:00.005+03:00

Last Wednesday as local newspapers carried pages of “Eid Mubarak” and “Have a Happy Eid” advertisements for Muslims celebrating the end of Ramadhan, another festival was featured in the Daily Nation with no joyful words. “147 killed in Indian temple stampede” (p.22) reported “Victims trampled as they attempt to climb ramp leading to a shrine on hilltop … as Hindus gathered to begin one of the most important religious festivals of the year … the crowds were especially large … as pilgrims gathered for the start of the nine-day Navratri festival … stampedes are relatively common at temples, where thousands gather to pray during festivals.”
Yes, this happened in India, but a large percentage of those killed had relatives or friends in Kenya and other parts of the world. As Navratri is the first of two major Hindu festivals being held in October, Christians have a special opportunity to learn about these festivals so that we can better understand our Hindu neighbours/acquaintances and be better able to share our faith with them. It also gives us a special opportunity to pray for them as they spend extra time in prayer.

The Festival of Navratri began on September 30th and ends October 8th. “INDIA - A site to explore…” shares that Navratri is a time of “Worshipping of Diverse Goddess – This nine-day festival is celebrated in a unique manner. A different form of the Mother Goddess is worshipped on each different day. On the first three days, the Goddess Durga (Goddess of Valour) is venerated. The next three days are spent in the worship of the Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) and the last three days are a celebration of the Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Learning and Arts) … the three goddesses are worshipped as the feminine equivalent of the Hindu Holy Trinity … This festival symbolises health and prosperity … People perform yagna (sacrifice offered in order to procure purification through fire) or havana (symbolic ceremony involving the purifying aspects of fire). During both the ceremonies, ghee (clarified butter), paayas or kheer (rice cooked in condensed milk) and sesame seeds are poured into the holy flames to the chanting of mantras (holy verses). Each cycle of oblation culminates with the priest summoning Swaha, the consort of Agni, or fire. Some believers fast (vrat) throughout the nine days, whilst others settle for a daylong fast. Fasting is considered to be one of the most popular means of self-discipline and spiritual development. On the fifth day, known as Lalitha Panchami, it is customary to gather the books in the house and place them before a sacred lamp in order to seek the Goddess Saraswati's blessings. Artisans also lay their tools at the feet of the Goddess for a more prosperous trade.”

Please join me in praying for those celebrating Navratri this week. Pray that as they pray they will come to know the true God, the source of the pure heart and renewed spirit they desire (Psalm 51:10). Pray that they will claim God’s Words in 1 John 3:1-3 and come to know the true way of finding purity. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“147 killed in Indian temple stampede” (Daily Nation, 10/01/08) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/world/-/1068/476236/-/ry7ryh/-/index.html

To learn more about those in Kenya whose primary religion is Hinduism, go to the following site and Click Country: Kenya and look under the Primary Religion – http://www.joshuaproject.net/countries.php

To learn more about Navratri:
Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navratri/
Rudra Centre – http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/navratri.htm/
India/A site to explore – http://www.indiasite.com/festivals/navratri.html

Unity or Discord?

2008-10-02T10:47:00.003+03:00

“As the sun sets on the 29th day of Ramadhan, multitudes of expectant eyes focus on the horizon, eager to sight the new crescent that will usher in Eid-ul-Fitre.” These words began the last of the Daily Nation’s Ramadhan series, “A moment with the Chief Kadhi.” “Eid celebrations vital in uniting Muslims”, 9/30/08, p.2) related that the celebration of Eid is “a sign of gratefulness to the Creator for having enabled Muslims to complete the month of Ramadhan … during which they fasted, prayed, recited the Koran and engaged in other forms of worship.” Unity comes from “Eid celebrations attract(ing) various areas, cultures, races and backgrounds to a stronger sense of cohesiveness … as Eid approaches, joyful expectations increase, houses are cleaned and decorated and new clothes are prepared as it is encouraged for one to wear his best ... also a time to strengthen family relations as it involves visits and sharing of gifts among families and friends … emphasis on the strengthening of social ties within the community … After Eid prayers, it is customary for Muslims to extend goodwill greetings to each other.”

Articles on the second page of yesterday’s and today’s Daily Nation does not express the hoped for unity. “Section of Muslims end Ramadhan fast” (10/1/08) shared that “Some Muslim worshippers gathered for prayers across the nation yesterday (Tuesday), marking the end of the holy month of Ramadhan … after the moon was reportedly sighted in Saudi Arabia, contradicting an announcement by the Chief Kadhi … that Muslims should continue to fast because the moon had not been spotted …The ending of Ramadhan on different days has become the norm in recent years.” “Muslims end fast with unity calls” (10/2/08) begins with “Faithful urged to avoid spreading rumours about moon sighting – Muslims across the country yesterday (Wednesday) marked the end of their month long fast … with messages of unity, peace and reconciliation.” The Chief Kadhi is quoted as saying those who celebrated a day early “did not complete Ramadhan.”

As I read these articles and questions followed, I remembered our Saviour’s words in Matthew 7:3, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eyes and pay no attention to the plant in your own eyes.” It is easy to look at others and note their wrongs, weaknesses, etc, yet this verse challenged me to question how my relationship with my heavenly Father is expressed in my life. It also led me to pray, using the “faults” I found to guide my prayers for those who follow the ways of Islam. It challenged me to pray that my personal witness will bring unity and not questions to those judging Christianity by my life. As this season of Ramadhan ends, I ask that you join me in praying that those who celebrated this time of worship may have their prayers answered. Pray they will come to know true “unity, peace and reconciliation” and the reality of the “joyful expectations” that can only come from truly knowing and accepting our Saviour. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Muslims end fast with unity call” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/476476/-/tkwkni/-/index.html
“Eid ul fitr celebrations” Feature from NTV Kenya on Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJrS_BPY0bM

A Celebration, A Reward

2008-09-29T11:46:00.005+03:00

As we approach a national holiday in many places of the world to celebrate Eid (on October 1st in Kenya), I pray that reading parts of “A moment with the Chief Kadhi: Celebrating the end of Ramadhan” (Daily Nation, 9/29/08, p.2) will lead you to prayer. Once again, I have highlighted the words that led me to prayer for those who will celebrate Eid. I have also highlighted the parts that challenged me in my walk with my Lord Jesus Christ.
*** *** *** *** ***
“A the end of Ramadhan, Muslims celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr as a sign of gratitude to Allah for having completed the fasting period. The festival is also a reward from Allah for the believers who spent the month of Ramadhan fasting and worshipping … ‘Eid-ul-Fitr is the day on which people break the fast’ … On the days of Eid, fasting is totally forbidden as these are meant for joy and celebrations. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated with special prayers, glorifying Allah (Takbeer) and acts of charity to the less fortunate. Prophet Muhammad legislated several acts which accompany this day. These include:
- Waking up early and establishing the Fajr prayer … a bath … and cutting nails.
- Dressing in the best available clothes … new clothes are preferred.
- Reciting the Takbeer wile going to the place of prayer … None has the right to be worshipped but Allah … all praise is due Allah.
- Although menstruating women are not supposed to attend prayers during the Eid time they are urged to go to the prayer place and listen to the sermon. They cannot, however, participate in actual prayers
… The end of Ramadhan should also not mean an end to the acts of worship that characterized the blessed month … it is highly recommended to fast six days in the month of Shawwal. The Prophet said fasting during these six days, in addition to Ramadhan, will be similar to fasting for the whole year.
*** *** *** *** ***
In closing, I will share a few of the questions that I was challenged to ask myself as I read this article – questions which may also lead you to prayer:
Do others see an expression of joy in my life that centers on my relationship with my Heavenly Father?
What actions do I include in my worship and actions that are more about tradition, seeking rewards or accumulating “goody points” than strengthening my relationship with my Father and/or increasing my ability to serve Him?
Do I truly realize what a privilege I have to be able to “participate in actual prayers” to my Father at all times? Bert Yates

Cherished Privileges

2008-09-27T12:24:00.000+03:00

I wish that the ongoing short Ramadhan articles (always on page 2) in the Daily Nation were on the internet and you would/could have your heart touched and be spurred to prayer as I have been. I have copied parts of two of the articles below and highlighted the words that led me to prayer.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Wednesday’s article, “Benefits of fasting during Ramadhan,” (9/27/08), explains more about the “Night of Power (Laylatul Aadr) … a hidden night in Ramadhan during which God, the Most High, gives blessings and forgiveness to all Muslims engaged in prayer and supplication. All good acts of worship conducted during this night are valued as if the same have been done repeatedly for 1,000 months. Muslim faithful could, therefore, be rewarded for a life devoid of sin.”

Today’s article, “Why Muslims should read Koran during Ramadhan” (9/27/08), shares “To lead believers astray, Satan prevents them from reading and benefitting from the Koran. But in the month of Ramadhan, as a tradition of Prophet Muhammad states, Satan and his associates are chained. This gives Muslims an opportunity to concentrate on reading … the words of Allah, the Koran provides a person with the cherished privilege of directly conversing with his Creator … As a guide to mankind, the Koran deals with all aspects of life. It provides moral instruction, important lessons from historical events and interpretation of natural phenomenon. It is an admonition and harbinger of good news to those who follow the right path. The book is also an exposition of the spiritual and physical doctrine. Every verse has an intimate bearing on the life of a person. Ramadhan … provides an opportunity during which a Muslim gets to cross-reference his entire life with the reading of the Koran, ensuring that a person gets to change to graduate to a higher spiritual level. For a fasting person, it is recommended to complete reading the Koran at least once during the month of Ramadhan ... should be recited in a slow rhythmic manner while pondering over its verses and meanings. This is the best way to benefit from reading the Holy Scripture … Allah describes it as a blessed book (mburak) and its blessings can be attained if the reader ponders over its divine words, which contain vast teachings. These teachings provide insights and wisdom that do a long way in achieving spiritual and material happiness, which is the highest state a person can attain during his lifetime.

I was planning to write a prayer request to end this prayer update, but I will allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you pray for those celebrating the final days of Ramadhan 2008 – people who truly need to know the “good news.” I do ask that you praise God for the “cherished privilege of directly conversing” with him and our cherished privilege of “reading and benefitting” from His Word, our Bible, every day and every moment of the year. Bert Yates

Thursday, September 25, 2008

2008-09-25T11:34:00.008+03:00

Is Thursday the day for especially discouraging news? The Daily Nation’s lead article last Thursday (9/18/08) began “Kenyans will never know the real winner of last year’s Presidential election. That was the verdict as the Independent Review Commission (IREC) presented its final report … ‘the conduct of the 2007 elections was so materially defective that it is impossible … to establish the true or reliable results for the presidential or parliamentary elections.’”

This Kriegler Report was not surprising, nor is today’s Daily Nation report of the early findings of the Waki Commission (to be completed by October 15th). “Thousands are still stuck in IDP camps” (p.1,5) shares that the final report will state that “Resettlement of those displaced by the poll violence is not a success story … over 80,000 people … still languishing in camps around the country. And at least 220,000 others were still living on doles from the Kenya Red Cross, in their homes and refugee camps around the country.” A breakdown is given of those “still living away from their homes … 3,900 in Nakuru, 2,900 in Eldoret, 890 in Naivasha, 76,400 are living in satellite camps around the country – Most in Uasin Gishu and Molo … other areas include Koibatek and Kipkelion.” The picture covering much of the front page was of a group of women wearing strings of bead, shells, seeds, etc described as “Internally displaced people who fled Trans Nzoia and Nandi areas during the post-election violence wait for their food rations at Lokichar trading centre in Turkana South District yesterday … The region is facing hunger due to prolonged drought … not rained since October of last year.”

Please pray that measures proposed as a result of the reports will “prevent the country from witnessing (EVER AGAIN) the violence it did after the 2007 elections” and that “issues of (the) post-election violence … (will) be dealt with.” Pray that Kofi Annan’s statement yesterday to the press concerning the IDP’s (Internally Displaced Persons) will become a reality: “A durable solution must be found expeditiously.” Pray especially for the Christians who are among the displaced and those working with these people – pray that they will be strong witnesses of their Saviour’s love and peace. Pray also for the displaced who are among the “unreached people groups” of our world. Pray that during this time of transition they will hear and accept the Good News of our heavenly Father.
Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Thousands are still stuck in IDP camps” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/474336/-/tkv656/-/index.html
“Kriegler’s verdict on the elections/Polls: We will never know the winners” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/472140/-/tktpxm/-/index.html

Night of Power, Night or Prayer

2008-09-23T09:45:00.005+03:00

I try hard not to overwhelm you with prayer items, but a short article on page two of today’s Daily Nation (9/23/08) left me “shaken.” I will simply quote bits of what was in this article, “A moment with the Chief Kadhi: Why the last 10 days of Ramadhan are special” and let you form your own prayers beginning with the prayer that those praying during Ramadhan will have their greatest prayer answered – that they will come to truly know our Heavenly Father.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“The last 10 days of the month of Ramadhan hold a special place during this season. One important feature in this period is the night of power, Laylatul Qadr, which to Muslims is considered as the best night that the Holy Qur’an revealed. For this reason, Prophet Muhammad urged Muslims to undertake more acts of worship during these last 10 days. These include:

Praying – Allah praised those who offer night prayers … the Prophet would wake up his family during the night in acts of worship.

I’tikaf (seclusion) – I’tikaf implies staying in the mosque with the intention of getting closer to God … the longer one stays with the intention of making I’tikaf, the more rewards are attained. For one who is making I’tikaf, it is preferable to engage in many acts of worship such as prayers, reciting the Qur’an, glorifying and praising Allah, repenting and asking for forgiveness and sending salutations on the Prophet (may peace be upon him).

Seeking Laylatul Qadr (the night of decree) – … the greatest night of the year … it is recommended to engage in as many acts of worship as possible so as to get the unique benefits of the blessed night. Acts of worship such as prayer, charity, recitation of the Qur’an done on this night are better in reward than the same acts done on other nights. Laylatul Qadr can be sought during the last odd nights of Ramadhan. Its exact day is not known, but can found during the 21st, 23rd, 25th and 27th night of Ramadhan.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Dependent upon whose calendar you use and where in the world you are located, Ramadhan began on August 31st or September 1st and will finish on the last day or so of September, so we are within the days for Laylatul Qadr at this time.
***All pictures from fotosearch.com

Chocodates and Comfort Zones

2008-09-21T17:16:00.004+03:00

Chocodates, chocolate covered dates stuffed with an almond, are available locally at the moment in varied packs – tiny ones to expensive gift packs. After I bought a small bag, I understood why they were available when “a series of educative and informative articles on Ramadhan” appeared in the Daily Nation (Sept/16-19/08, each on p.2, not on the internet) which reported, “Dates are recommended for breaking the fast.” No, I didn’t buy the dates to break a daily Ramadhan fast, but because three of my husband’s favorite foods are chocolate, almonds and dates!

As this series helped me understand this Muslim ritual, there were two other results – I was challenged anew to pray for those taking part in Ramadhan and I was challenged to be more diligent in openly living my faith and developing a stronger relationship with my heavenly Father. Through a knowledge of the Bible, God’s Word, I know that it is not my “acts” that determine this relationship; it is an undeserved gift that I received by acknowledging my need for my Saviour, seeking His forgiveness, and by accepting His love and salvation. Yet, I do have a responsibility to share His love and salvation and I cannot do this if my life does not show that I am His ambassador OR my actions do not prove to those around me that I am His child. These are a few of the bits that enlightened and challenged me:
“Islam is a universal religion and a complete way of life” (1st of the series) – My relationship with my Saviour should lead to a “complete way of life.” What parts of my life do I NOT allow him to completely control, direct and guide? How often do I leave Him out of my life as I plan, work, etc.?

“Swalat prayers – 5 times a day every day” (1st article) – How important is prayer in my life? Do all my friends and co-workers know that I am a woman of prayer? Have all of them watched me pray at some time other than meal times?

“What makes Ramadan special is that it is a joint effort by all Muslims…who support each other on a spiritual journey … We fast together, we break our fast together, we even cultivate a habit of inviting one another for evening meals and thereafter pray together” (2nd article) – Do I take time to fellowship and pray with others who serve and know my Father as the early Christians did in Acts 2:42-47? Do I support others in their spiritual journey and allow them to strengthen mine?

“Taraweh prayer – This is the long night prayer, usually … one out of the 30 volumes of the Qur’an is recited daily during this prayer” (3rd article) – How transformed would our churches be if we spent more time reading God’s Word? How would my ability to serve my Saviour be affected if I spent as much time reading, memorizing, reflecting on the Bible as I do reading and absorbing the daily paper and listening to the televised news (or whatever takes your time)?

“On account of his immense mercy, God has not introduced a total ban on eating and drinking during Ramadhan … eating and drinking is … restricted to night time only … encouraged to have two meals per day – the evening meal and an early breakfast” (4th article) – Our local papers carry Ramadhan timetables each day as the time for fasting changes daily according to the moon – in Kenya, these meals must be before or around 5 in the morning and after 6:30 in the evening. These statements about Ramadhan led to my questioning if my personal comfort zone weakens my relationship with my Saviour and the strength of my witness to others. I thought of the many volunteers who come to Kenya each year to witness and share the Good News. They often eat meals of strange foods at odd times, take extra powerful medicines to stay well during their stay, visit toilets that they would like to forget, as well as walk further than they ever imagined.

As you praise God with me for the volunteers who do stretch their comfort zones to be ambassadors of our Saviour in Kenya, please continue praying this week for those celebrating Ramadhan. Pray that they will truly come to know, understand and believe the Good News found in our Bible.
Bert Yates

Thursday, September 18, 2008

2008-09-18T14:13:00.002+03:00

Jim and Linda Sellers, a retired couple from Texas, began another term with the IMB Master’s volunteer programme in July. They ministered with the Maasai in Tanzania for many years and working with this people group in Kenya. The following is a condensed version of their Sept Update about their work and new life.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Jim’ Gems: We have spent the last two months getting the house in order and then getting acquainted with the area and the people here. We have been very pleasantly surprised with the attitude of acceptance and cooperation that we have encountered with the established churches here. We have visited a different church every week and have had great experiences each time. The difficulty here may be the churches wanting us to work with them rather than going out in the bush where there are no churches. We have done some exploring down to the south. We went all the way to the Tanzania border one day and visited some established churches there. These churches are struggling and need our prayers. My heart goes out to them and I wish I could do something for them, but I have little time and other marching orders. I have found two places that will be good to start work. One is a place where a young pastor name Moses has already started a preaching point. Another pastor that lives nearby, Godfrey, and I are going down there this week and do evangelizing for two days; then we will go down the following Sunday with other pastors to have a day of preaching and celebration at the church (tree). This will give this preaching point a boost and begin training some of the pastors in the use of the story cloth. Pray for our week of evangelism and training. We also found several bomas right outside the gate of Amboseli game park where there is no church. The next week I plan to go there and begin trying to start a preaching point. This will be starting from ground zero without knowing anyone or anything about the area. Pray for us to find a man or woman of peace so that we will have a place to start.

Linda’s Lines: While in the states 3+ months … It was a very busy time with several key speaking opportunities, some travel time, family time, and fellowship time … We have good workers: Night guards 5 times a week and Darius 2 times a week; Boniface is an absolutely wonderful yard worker/landscaper/day guard/gate opener and his aunt, Joyce, is our amazing househelper …. She speaks excellent English and the other workers speak English okay … Darius also pumps water from a nearby borehole into our holding tanks 2 times a week - when he remembers to do so! The one time we have run out of water was so unnerving … but he hasn't forgotten again. Our water is pumped from melted snow off of Mt. Kilimanjaro which we can see most evenings from our backyard. What a beautiful sight … It is so dry here; rainy season should start in late October they tell us. Traveling these rough dirt roads is quite dirty! Jim installed a solar system … a great supplement to our big generator. I know that gasoline in the states is high right now, but it is out of sight here … we recently paid cash to fill one of the two tanks on our vehicle and the equivalent cost in dollars was $120. We … save on fuel by making no more than 1 trip a month to Nairobi for supplies …I keep a list going all the time and although we can't find much in the local market in the way of fruit, we can find other produce and eggs which helps a lot ... Join us in prayer for the start of our ministry here this week and next. To have the encouragement and the blessing for what God has called us to do here from so many local churches is indeed a treasure we did not expect to find. We will be able to use several of those pastors who speak good English as translators … we are really remote out here in the Kenya bush, much more so than in TZ. It is right at 4 hours to get into Nairobi from here, any of the several ways we have already tried.

I have just completed a personal in depth study of the book of Hebrews and will close this month's newsletter with a wonderful passage from Hebrews to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Be blessed!

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” HEBREWS 13:15-16

Monday, September 15, 2008

2008-09-15T10:33:00.005+03:00

“At Maela Township Primary School … Huge padlocks hang on the abandoned classes and offices. And in the back streets of the timber structures in Maela trading centre, some youths are gathered in groups. Armed with all manner of crude weapons – arrows, spears, blunt machetes and clubs.” How I wish this was the scene of a movie being filmed in Kenya, but this quote is from “Mayhem returns to Maela”, an article in yesterday’s The Standard (9/14/08, p.9) – a “news analysis” of the a new round of ethnic clashes which you prayed for in an update last week. The article shares that “For residents of Maela, 50 km south of Naivasha town, life has been marked by fear and hopelessness … Locals say land and dwindling water resources are the cause of the skirmishes” between “Maasai herders … saying it is their ancestral land” and farmers of other ethnic groups who have lived in the area for years.

As you pray today for those in our world who are suffering from too much water from monsoons, cyclones, and hurricanes, also continue praying for the problems in Kenya and much of Africa related to too little water. Pray that the problems in Maela and nearby areas will “be solved in a manner that all sides are happy with the outcome.” Pray that “Government, farmers and herders (will stop) point(ing) accusing fingers at each other” and that “Their hope and prayers … (for) a lasting solution be found.” Pray especially for the children who are “unable to understand why their mothers are panicking.” Pray for the students who cannot attend school during this time, especially those in Class Eight who will sit for the national exams next month – exams which will determine their futures including the likelihood of their becoming a continuing part of this problem if they lack education. Pray also that the Christians in the Maela area – those among the farmers and those among the herders – will boldly share with their neighbours and relatives the Good News of their Saviour, the answer to “fear and hopelessness” – the answer to the padlocks on people’s hearts. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Mayhem returns to Maela” – http://eastandard.net/news/InsidePage.php?id=1143994843&cid=159&

Lower picture is of a group of Maasai Christian women

Saturday, September 13, 2008

2008-09-13T13:56:00.003+03:00

“Who should fast during Ramadhan and who should not? This is the question Muslim scholars sat down to discus in Mombasa this week” (Daily Nation, p.8, 9/13/08). This question may or may not have been answered, but the article did much to help me answer many other questions I had about what is expected of Muslims during their holy month of prayer and fasting. It also explained some of the regulations of carrying out this ritual such as: Younger children, pregnant women, diabetics and others with medical conditions, the elderly are among those who may be exempted from fasting. Others “who are exempted from fasting are those in battle, and travellers who intend to stay fewer than five days away … one is required to make up for the days missed after Ramadhan is over but before the next one. If one’s condition is permanent or lasts for an extended period, one may make up for the fast by feeding a needy person for every day missed.”

The complexity of all of this was followed by a startling comment – “Muslims are expected to put more effort in following the teachings of Islam by refraining from violence, anger, envy, greed, lust, sarcastic remarks and gossip.” I think you will agree that it is good to refrain from these things, yet I did question why there should be certain times of the year when you were more diligent in doing these things – Things a true follower of God should do each and every day.

Pray for the people in our world fasting and praying during Ramadhan. As they take part in “fasting … an act of deep personal worship” and as they “seek a raised closeness to Allah”, pray that they will come to fully know our Father’s love and salvation. As they cut themselves from “worldly comforts” and focus “on the purpose in life by being aware of the presence of God”, pray that they will come to know the simplicity of our Father’s commands – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Pray that they will come to claim His presence in their lives through His Holy Spirit. Pray that they will come to accept this Comforter who will teach and remind each of them as individuals; then they can have a personal relationship with their Heavenly Father (John 14). Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Muslim scholars clear the air on exemption from fast” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/469760/-/tkd721/-/index.html
*The attached picture/clip art are from http://www.fotosearch.com/

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

2008-09-09T14:12:00.003+03:00

The host of feelings harbouring in the children’s eyes initially caused me to overlook the unsafe means of their transport. What father would travel with his four small children – two sitting in front of him and two behind – plus luggage on his motorcycle? The article accompanying the picture* explained – the father was as terrified and confused as his children as they fled Naivasha as an “Uneasy clam after ethnic clashes” prevailed. This is not an old article, but a new one in today’s Daily Nation (9/9/08, p. 2). Some say “Tension sparked by death of a member of one of the feuding groups in bar brawl” led to the current “fighting between two communities.” Others blame “it on illegal grazing … which resulted in destruction of crops.” No matter what the cause, “A 96 year old man died when the house he was sleeping in was torched by raiders. More than 10 houses were burnt during the attack, with seven people sustaining arrow wounds.”

Another result of the current “Uneasy calm” is that yesterday “Several schools remained closed as pupils and students kept off following the tension.” This seemed almost a paradox as today’s Daily Nation’s front page picture is of children, colourfully dressed in Maasai blankets, performing during the World Literacy Day celebration – which also occurred yesterday! “Free learning offers hope for millions of Kenyans wallowing in ignorance” (Daily Nation, 9/8/08, p.8) seems an empty promise if the schools are not in session due to ongoing fears, lack of teachers proper school materials and facilities, etc.

When I asked about the current problems in Naivasha, I heard a familiar phrase: “The area has many unemployed, bored and possibly hungry youth.” This fits exactly with the facts given in yesterday’s article about “Free learning … As the world celebrates the International Literacy day today, about seven million Kenyans can neither read nor write. Illiteracy has limited their ability to function in society, placing them at a disadvantage, with fewer options in terms of jobs … ‘Currently the country has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the world, with only 68 per cent of the population able to read and write.’”

To be honest, it is frustrating to continue asking for prayer for those in our world who choose to fight, kill and cause suffering when so many others are facing natural disasters out of their control such as the current hurricanes and cyclones. Yet, prayer is the one thing that can bring a change to hearts – prayer that these people will come to know the true source of peace, our Heavenly Father. Do pray for comfort and wisdom for those who continue to face ethnic problems in Kenya. Pray also for “The massive shortage of teachers and lack of materials … that hinder efforts to reduce the 7.2 million illiterate adults” in Kenya and the “Stigmatisation of the programme” which contributes “to the large number of illiterate adults” (“Adult tutoring project”, Daily Nation, 9/8/08, p.9), including the many youth without jobs due to illiteracy. Please pray for Kenyans and others “without hope and without God in our world” (Ephesians 2:12). Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Uneasy calm after ethnic clashes” (*with the picture of the children) – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/468488/-/tkcffh/-/index.html
“Free Learning offers hope for millions of Kenyans wallowing in ignorance” DN 9/8/08, p. 8 – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/468210/-/tkcdo5/-/index.html
“Adult tutoring project needs 25,000 teachers” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/468224/-/tkcdp5/-/index.html
“High illiteracy rates a global shame” (Daily Nation, 9/8/08, p.10) – http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Editorial/-/440804/468246/-/qlhfrdz/-/index.html

Savvy Shopping and Prayer

2008-09-06T13:45:00.006+03:00

Last night as I ate PALAK PANEER with a buttered NAAN – if you don’t know what I’m talking of you have missed some of the best food in our world! – I remembered the TV show we watched the previous night. Reporting from where we were eating, Diamond Plaza, the announcer called this place “Little India” – the place in Nairobi for homesick Indians. As we heard a nearby Mosque calling out the evening prayers to mark the end of fasting for the day and men praying in a part of the shopping area, I thought of another part of Nairobi, Garissa Market in Eastleigh. If Diamond Plaza was more active due to Ramadan, Eastleigh was “hopping” last night – but it is one of the busiest shopping areas in the city. Kenyan savvy shoppers say you can find anything you can imagine at Garissa Market at unbeatable prices! This part of town is also known as “Little Somalia” – another part of Nairobi with a very different cultural atmosphere! Some say more Somalis are in Nairobi than in many towns in Somali! And if you have ever been in Eastleigh you trust this statement! There are also many, many Somalis in northern Kenya in relief camps fleeing their warn-torn country or those who have settled in the northern arid parts of Kenya.

Why am I sharing this with you? This morning when I came to page 17 of the Saturday Nation, I was reminded again of Garissa Market as I read the article, “Why nobody dares touch the cash and gold in Eastleigh.” I’m also sharing this because the Somalis in Somalia, in Kenya and those in the United States are people who need to know of our Father’s salvation and love. The Joshua Project website shares that the primary religion of the vast majority of these people is Islam. There are Christians among the Somali, but a BBC article shares their struggles. “In a secluded house just outside the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, a group of men and women meet at least once a week to meet in secret … they live in constant fear of persecution” (“Somali Christians Struggle in Kenya”, BBC News/September 1, 2008).

So this month during Ramadan, the Muslim month of prayer and fasting, pray for boldness and opportunities for Kenyan Christians to share their source of joy and peace with the Somalis in our country. Pray for strength and fearlessness for Somali Christians. Pray that Kenyan Christians and missionaries will find sensitive ways to strengthen and encourage these few Believers. The Joshua Project, who provide research on people unreached by the Gospel, suggest: “Pray for effectiveness of the JESUS Film among them; ask God to anoint the Gospel as it goes forth via radio and television to the Somali; ask the Holy Spirit to soften their hearts towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel; and ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Somali.” They share another prayer that is especially needed during Ramadan – “that God will reveal Himself to (those celebrating Ramadan) through dreams and visions.” Bert Yates

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Why no one dares touch the cash and gold in Eastleigh” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/467668/-/tkbrmg/-/index.html
“Somali Christians Struggle in Kenya”/BBC News/September 1, 2008 – http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7464035.stm
Joshua Project/Country Listings - Go to this site and then click Somalia: http://www.joshuaproject.net/countries.php
Joshua Project/People in Country Profile/Somali – http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php?rop3=109392&rog3=SO
The Somali of Kenya – http://strategyleader.org/profiles/somalikenya.html

A God Story, Lottie Moon Story, Great Commission Story...

2008-09-05T11:49:00.004+03:00

A God Story, Lottie Moon Story, Great Commission Story, 2 Timothy 2:2 Story – I’m not sure how to describe what you will find if you accept my invitation to log on to - http://legacycelebration.blogspot.com/

Yes, it is long and I can’t claim to be as gifted as Paul in writing long epistles worthy of being fully read and absorbed, yet, I do think that Pastor Samweli’s story will challenge you. I think you will quickly find that learning more of this exceptional pastor’s life will not lead to your honouring him, but to your seeking anew how you can bring honour and glory to our Heavenly Father as His servant. Bert Yates

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

2008-09-03T14:01:00.004+03:00

Once again after preparing our weekly personal prayer update, I realized that I should also send this to those of you on the Omba4Kenya list as it’s an update of a recent prayer item and an incredible story of being “On mission with God.” Bert
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
We don’t know how many churches he started … he was always starting churches. I know of seven now pastored by young men who grew up in Mwimuto Baptist Church. All were sponsored to go to the Nairobi Baptist Association’s three year Bible School. All finished because of financial support by Pastor Samweli and his church … The church started before the village developed so it was among the first in the area. Of the 17 churches of all denominations now in this part of the city, seven of their pastors were led to the Lord, baptized and discipled by Pastor Samweli … Well over 60 Baptist churches were represented at the service. Pastor Samweli always drew people together.” These are a few of the quotes heard at the Celebration service held last Saturday for a “life well lived” by Pastor Samweli Kihugu. There were a few sad moments, but the day will be remembered as a day of praising God and seeing how He has been and IS at work in Kenya.

As I stood outside during the service (the church building is large by Kenyan standards, but the seats ran out quickly!), I realized that Jack and I were a part of the ongoing story of God’s living and active Word (Hebrews 4:12) that day. As I tried to decide if Matthew 28:19-20 or 2 Timothy 2:2 was the best scripture to describe the event, I realized the day covered both! We were celebrating what happens when God’s children obey our Saviour and “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV). We were also getting a glimpse of our Saviour’s Multiplication Table as we viewed one servant’s participation in Paul’s directive: “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2 NIV).

Two parts of the service were especially moving – The prayers using the word “Asante” (thank you in Kiswahili) over and over and with the plea to our Father for forgiveness for those who killed the beloved pastor. Second, the plan of salvation shared at the close of the service as the cycle of making new disciples continued.

Do continue praying for comfort, strength and wisdom for Samweli’s family, the members of Mwimuto Baptist Church and the community. Jack has been given the opportunity to mentor the young man the church has called as their new pastor. Pray for this man and for Jack as they use their time together to grow in their knowledge and ability to serve their Father. Pray for me as I write this special living and active story of our Saviour’s Multiplication Table and share it with others as a way of bringing honour and glory to our Father and helping others realize how they have been and can be an active and living part of God’s Word and plan.

Thank you for also being a part of this story as you sent/send and supported/support missionaries financially and through your prayers – missionaries who have also been and are a part of God’s Multiplication Table! Bert Yates

* Above pictures are labelled: (1)2 Timothy 2:2 in action; (2)The overflow at the church; and (3) Will they be discipled?

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

2008-09-02T14:47:00.003+03:00

“CORRUPTION” and “LET THE FAST BEGIN” – the headings on the front page of today’s (9/2/08) Daily Nation represent two very contradictory aspects of life in Kenya. The second heading rests above a picture of a row of men kneeling in prayer “as the faithful worldwide began fasting in the holy month of Ramadhan.” The lead article, “Ministers keep jobs despite graft cases,” thankfully does not refer to preachers, but to Ministers of Parliament. This is Kenya – a country proud of being strongly religious, yet one that has leaders in “court accused of a range of offences … corruption, theft, irregular acquisition of public land, and incitement.” Join Kenyans in praying that their leaders will not use their positions “to improperly enrich themselves” but be men and women of high conduct and ethics.

As I read “Muslims start Ramadhan fast as moon is sighted” (Daily Nation, 9/2/08, p.6) I thought of the Wise Men using the star to find the newborn king. No, Muslims do not rely upon a star, but on the sighting of the new moon to being Ramadhan. “Although the announcement that the moon had been sighted in Bungoma (western Kenya) and Mombasa, (coast) came late – at about 10:30pm on Sunday – the faithful immediately started preparations for the fast … This year’s announcement was without controversy in what is believed to be efficient transmission of information that include the use of FM stations and text messages.” The spotting of the moon is often debated with disagreements over the timing of Ramadhan, yet there was a unique problem – The leader “said he would have made the announcement earlier had it not been … that faithful jammed his phone trying to confirm the start of the fast.” I ask that you join those celebrating Ramadhan in praying for “peace and unity” in our world. Pray that as they diligently seek this month to know the truth, that they will come to know the truth about Jesus, not just that he was a prophet or earthly king, but to know him as “the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant” (Hebrews 9:15, NIV).

Another prayer need is for students returning this week for their third and last term of the school year. Pray for protection as many travel to their boarding schools. This has been a long school year with the first term delayed by the post-election crisis and the second term, which ended in July, marred by riots and destruction at many schools. Pray for a peaceful and profitable term, especially for the Class Eight (primary) and Form Four (high school) who will take national exams which will determine their future educational opportunities at the end of this term. Pray especially for the students and teachers at Nyeri Baptist High School as they return and continue working through the death of the Form Three student from Ridgeways Baptist Church who drowned while on a youth mission tip. Praise God for how the students worked together to raise money to help their classmate’s family and how many sacrificed to travel to the funeral. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Ministers keep jobs despite graft cases” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/466512/-/tkb2e8/-/index.html
“Muslims start Ramadhan fast as moon is sighted” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/466466/-/tkb1qb/-/index.html
“Tough term set for students who rioted” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/regional/-/1070/466528/-/6jswug/-/index.html

Special Request for September: Flavoured Dates and Prayer Dates

2008-08-29T17:10:00.007+03:00

Did you know there are many kinds of dates, not the calendar or romantic ones, but the edible ones? My favorite grocery store’s holiday display with rows of varieties and flavours of dates amazed me yesterday – all available for evening and pre-dawn meals during the upcoming Ramadan. The timing of this celebration changes yearly and for 2008 it begins on September 1st and ends September 30th or October 1st, all dates dependent upon the sighting of the new moon.

This is also a time when Christians should pray for our neighbours, friends and even our enemies who claim a very different faith. Often different is a negative, but we can learn from one difference in their religion: Good Muslims stop and pray publicly five times daily and they will spend extra time in prayer during the month of Ramadan. Several times each day as I sit at my desk, I hear the Call to Prayer of a nearby mosque and I use it as reminder to pray for those it is calling to prayer.

A friend who has a special heart for those who celebrate Ramadan shares: “It's that time of year again … it is time for the Muslim's holy month of prayer and fasting. Around the world many are in busy preparation and anticipation of the announcement that the month of Ramadan has officially begun. While I was in the midst of the Muslim world … this time of year was exciting and everyone looked forward to this month of sleepy days and active nights … this is an important month … to lift up our prayers for the Muslim people and for those working among them. Ramadan is a month of increased outward dedication but it is also a time when many realize the emptiness of ritual. It is a time when workers have increased opportunity to share meals with and speak words of truth and light into the darkness … Please join me in prayer … take a specific time or day of the month of September to fast and pray for the Muslim people … I am planning on hosting a 'Prayer Tea' with other women during the month … pray for those living around the world in need of a witness.” My friend ends her letter with Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

As I read the news this week, watching for special articles for you, I found “Famine looms in the North…” (Daily Nation, 8/27/08, p.32). Written to inform readers of the increasing “HUNGER THREAT” in northern Kenya, the lack of hope of the residents led me to prayer. “Terrible … acute hunger and thirst in their faces … emaciated villagers line up, each family getting 20 litres (litre is a little more than a quart) of water for the week … water they share with their weakest goats … amid scorching temperatures … ‘Fear is always there’ … among the 1.2 million Kenyans in northern Kenya … little hope … ‘watch in despair.’”

This article ends with haunting comments that should lead Christians to prayer: “Already 60 per cent of the population need food and water. Remember the fasting month of Ramadan is coming and we might witness tragic scenes if this condition persists … We’re awaiting our fate. I’m sure death is just around the corner.” Not only are these hopeless people dying, they are among the tribes, languages and people who have not heard and accepted the proclamation of the eternal message of our heavenly Father (Revelation 14:6). They also need our Saviour’s “living water … welling up to eternal life” (John 4:10, 13)

I ask, NO, I plead that you take time during September to pray for those in our world who need to know of our Saviour’s love and hope. Write Revelation 14:6 and Hebrews 11:6 on a card and use it to guide your prayers while the Muslim world celebrates Ramadan. Take time to view, hear, experience and pray through the YouTube listings. Search on the internet for information on Ramadan and use what you learn to strengthen your prayers. Take time to join those celebrating Ramadan in praying that they will come to know the “truth and light”. Pray that they will come to know and accept the eternal message of our Father. Bert
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
YouTube/Muslim Call to Prayer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nOxHn-rDW8
YouTube/Ramadan Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG0uhRIxOe8
For more about hosting a prayer tea: http://btw.imb.org/
Daily Nation, 8/27/08 p.32 “Famine looms in North as livestock begins to die” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/464086/-/tk9k0w/-/index.html
For more about Ramadan:
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/ramadan1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

2008-08-27T18:21:00.003+03:00

The contrasts in the picture caught my eye first – A woman from northern Kenya, with her short braided hair, layers upon layers of colourful beads resting upon her neck, and her traditional dress covered by what appears to be a pink sheet tied across her shoulders. In her left hand, covered by the draped material, she is carrying something – very likely water. She is walking on a patch of road freshly levelled by the very large and shiny new TONKA-yellow road scraper sitting behind her.

The heading above the picture: “LET THERE BE DEVELOPMENT”. Description under the picture: “A woman walks down a road under construction … The road which will connect Isiolo Town to Moyale on the Ethiopian border … Research has shown that improving infrastructure can reduce poverty in marginalized areas.” This picture was found in the Daily Nation this past Monday (8/25/08) on page 13. I searched today, but failed to find it on the internet for you.

I had saved this page to share with you an article that revisits the post-election chaos of Kenyan youth. The writer pre-titles this article, “FORGOTTEN CLASS” and says, “It is likely that the protests had nothing to with who had won or who had lost. There is a possibility that the youth blocked roads and burnt property because they felt alienated … they felt disillusioned … our country must find a way of reducing the frustrations that young people have to endure … find a way to inject hope and optimism into the veins of the youth” (“To end violence inject hope in veins of youth” – Daily Nation, 8/25/08, p.13). Pray that changes in the country will lead to brighter educational and employment opportunities for Kenya’s youth. Pray for those that the writer says are too poor to access “the knowledge to advance themselves in life.” Pray especially that Kenyan’s youth will come to know that their heavenly Father has not forgotten them. Pray they will come to claim the greatest source of hope – His love and salvation.

I also ask that you pray for women like those in the picture. Pray that changes will come to Kenya that will reduce her poverty and that she will be able to provide her children with food, clean water and medical care as well as dream of a bright educational and professional future for them. Pray also that another “poverty” in her life will end – the majority, vast majority of people in northern Kenya have never heard the Genesis 1 story of “Let there be light” or Jesus’ teachings about “living water … welling up to eternal life” (John 4:10,13). Pray that the eternal gospel will be proclaimed to this woman and “every tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6) in northern Kenya. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“To end violence inject hope into the veins of youth” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/462936/-/tk8db9/-/index.html

Monday, August 25, 2008

2008-08-25T17:31:00.002+03:00

Can you imagine buying sugar by the tablespoon rather than by the bag? Have you ever thought of buying margarine by the ounce? What about having to choose between using your dwindling kerosene for the lantern your children need for studying or for preparing the evening meal on your tiny cooker? This is the norm for many Kenyans these days. Yesterday’s edition of The Standard on Sunday carried articles leading to questions such as these.

“It’s struggle for survival for rural folk as inflation rises” (p.28) shares that “At the village retail shop, commodities are sold in small quantities … ‘Desperate villagers come asking for cooking fat worth Sh5. Some even want to buy sugar just enough for making one cup of tea.” One young mother shared that “buying milk for tea is just unimaginable. Her children are now taking porridge and black tea. Sometimes she says, her children take porridge for lunch.” This woman and her husband both work, but make too little to meet the basic needs of their small family.

This article and others including “Sawdust is the only affordable fuel for thousands of slum dwellers” (p.29) are not found on the internet, but I have included links for the two articles in this series which are available for reading and a commentary that shares more of the problem. “Rising cost of living chokes many families” (p.26, 27) reported that “A security guard in the Nairobi’s Business District, has been forfeiting lunch since the beginning of the year. He has also struck milk and bread off his breakfast table. Meat graces the dinner table only once a month … his dilemma is captured across million of homes in the country … As earnings remain constant, budgets are growing thinner, number of meals per day is dwindling and walking is fast becoming a favoured mode of transport.” “City dwellers eat less as inflation shoots up” (p.29) includes a theme included in all the articles – “No hope is in sight yet.”

I’m not sharing this to imply that the inflation that is hitting the entire world is worse in Kenya than anywhere else. I’m sharing this because as your missionaries, we must know the real lives of those in our adopted homes. This knowledge is also essential for those of you praying for us and for those who need to hear of our Father’s love and salvation. So, as you pray for us as we proclaim the eternal gospel to “those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6), pray for the exhausted, frustrated, stressed and/or hungry among those who need to know of the hope offered by our Saviour. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
The Standard on Sunday, 8/24/08
“Rising cost of living chokes many families” – http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?mnu=details&id=1143993285&catid=4
“City dwellers eat less as inflation shoots ups” – http://eastandard.net/news/InsidePage.php?id=1143993235&cid=159&
Daily Nation, August 18, 2008, p.13/“Can the poor stand up to be counted?” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/457426/-/tjp72m/-/index.html
Kenya Shillings rates at a glance/ $1=Sh 68.83 (Saturday Nation, 8/23/08, p.24).

Friday, August 22, 2008

2008-08-22T16:14:00.004+03:00

As I’ve pondered today’s news, I realized that some of you will want to read one or more of these articles. Those of you who need a break today from the problems of Kenya – as I do – can rely upon the short prayers in blue AND those who want to know more can read the articles for in-depth prayer “nudging”. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Many well-known persons “could benefit from a planned amnesty for past corruption. But to get the pardon, they would have to confess and pay back any money they stole. The new amnesty law was in the pipeline, Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Martha Karura said yesterday.” (“Pattni’s graft gang may be pardoned” – Daily Nation, 8/22/08, p.1 – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/461846/-/tk7n8i/-/index.html ) Pray for the ongoing debate in Kenya about how to handle past cases of graft. Pray that political leaders will show a new level of integrity and that Kenyans will begin to trust those who lead them.

“The public should be allowed to actively take part in constitution-making to achieve practical and relevant laws for the country, constitutional experts said yesterday. Speaking at a regional constitutional conference in Nairobi, delegates from various countries were unanimous that unless the people were consulted, the writing of new laws would never pass the referendum test … They called for the delinking of constitution-makings from politics.” (“Involve all in lawmaking: Experts” – Daily Nation, 8/22/08, p.72 – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/461752/-/tk7mgt/-/index.html ) Pray for the writing of a new constitution for Kenya that will bring true peace that will not allow future elections to result in so much pain and turmoil and will benefit all Kenyans.

“Children have turned to scavenging, while girls and women are trading sex for food.” (“Families feel abandoned as they scavenge for food” – Daily Nation, 8/22/08, p.32 – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/461698/-/tk7ls3/-/index.html ) This article will lead to many questions, reactions and possibly a few judgements, but as I read of the hopelessness felt by these who are still displaced, the one certainty is that they are in great need of prayer for peace, comfort and wisdom.

The last article is for those who are prayer warriors for the world-wide problem of refugees, whether it is from within or outside a country. Those who do not desire to read this scholarly article, can simply use the two bits of information from the article to pray for our world’s refugee problem: “5.6million: the number of internal refugees in Sudan, the greatest in Africa” and “In Chad, the number of internal refugees increased from 100,000 at the end of 2006 to 180,000 a year later.” (“Internal refugees deserve same rights as the fleeing people from across the border” – Daily Nation, 8/22/08, pp.18-19 - http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/-/1066/461702/-/149j1ukz/-/index.html

Thursday, August 21, 2008

2008-08-21T13:34:00.004+03:00

“The country has been promised a new constitution for too long … the post-election violence that left 1,000 people dead and 350,000 displaced dictates that we ‘move with speed and give the country a new constitution’ … the new document ‘will be one of the greatest gifts that my government will bequeath to the people of Kenya … Kenyans have shown both resilience and determination in the quest for a new constitutional order, and indeed a new Kenya.” This is the “SOLEMN PROMISE – Pledge to deliver new law” (Daily Nation, 8/21/08/p.64) given as “President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga yesterday declared their commitment to a new constitution” as they spoke yesterday at the opening of the “international conference on constitutional democracy in Africa.”

This is good news and a welcomed promise, but not just because of the recent post-election violence. Yesterday, a feature appeared in the Daily Nation LIVING Magazine which shared the life of some of the “Kenyans (who) have shown both resilience and determination (not just) in the quest for a … a new Kenya”, but a “resilience and determination” to survive. “Residents take to UV rays for protection” (LIVING/ Daily Nation, 8/20/08, p.3) shares the struggle for water in Kibera, the largest slum in Kenya. Wikipedia says that “Kibera is located southwest of Nairobi city centre … approximately 2.5 square kilometres … or 630 acres … 5 km south east of the city centre of Nairobi. It holds more than a quarter of Nairobi's population … Its population is put at anything between 600,000 and 1.2 million.” One may assume that Kibera is home only for the lower level of society, but this is not true. Many professional people and well-educated people live there because of the high costs of living in Kenya’s capital city. Why do they stay in such a horrible situation? Opportunities in other parts of the country are limited, so they keep hoping and praying that their turn to move out of the slum to a better area will come quickly!

“It is easier to get a bottle of beer than a glass of clean water in Kibera.” This is the statement from yesterday’s LIVING Magazine that haunts me. Fresh water is a problem throughout Nairobi due to recent drought conditions, but this article shared that even the available water in Kibera is extremely contaminated. The article shares a way to purify the water – which unfortunately too few people use – “filling plastic bottles … with tap water … and exposing them to sunshine.”
I am not sharing this article to solicit help for the need of clean water – a problem faced by many, too many people in Kenya and our world, although I do share a link of a relief group that can help. I am sharing this update to help you understand the urgency to pray for “a new Kenya.” Pray that the leaders of our country will bring about change that will benefit all Kenyans. Pray that Kenyan Christians will search for ways to be a part of this quest as they obediently follow their Saviour’s teachings (Matthew 25:31-40 and John 4:1-26) giving pure water to the thirsty and sharing the living water that leads to eternal life. Bert Yates
*Please note additional guide for prayer listed below at “Walking Thru Kibera”
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Daily Nation/“Pledge to deliver new law” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/461254/-/tk7ijl/-/index.html
The Standard/“New laws, but no set time frame for dispensation” – http://www.eastandard.net/news/InsidePage.php?id=1143993044&cid=159&
Daily Nation/LIVING p.3/“Residents take to UV rays for protection” – http://www.nation.co.ke/magazines/Living/-/1218/460720/-/shjhsiz/-/index.html
Wikipedia/“Kibera” – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kibera
“Walking Thru Kibera”/You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TlZRcgopQs (If you choose to view this, I would suggest you turn down the sound for the video, and use the scriptures and prayer items in the last paragraph as a guide for praying as you “walk thru Kibera”.
“Kibera: Africa’s largest slum” – http://affordablehousinginstitute.org/blogs/us/2005/07/kibera_africas.html
Baptist Global Response (Connecting people in need with people who care) – http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/main/

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

2008-08-20T14:11:00.002+03:00

I don’t usually share our weekly personal Prayer Updates via Omba4Kenya blog, but today as my update came together, I felt that I needed to share it also with you. First, the prayer items need extra “pray-ers” and secondly it will give you added quidance in praying that the Constitutional Review diologues that started today “will bring about economic, social and political changes which will benefit all Kenyans. Pray that this conference will lead to true peace that will not allow future elections to result in so much pain and turmoil. Pray also that all Kenyans will come to know hope, especially the hope offered through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
As I thought earlier this morning of what to share in this week’s update, my mind was blank. Then I read two articles in a local newspaper that are about horrible things that have happened to girls in our country – yet these horrible things have resulted in incredible hope and change!

“After Mother Teresa, in comes Girl Teresa, 16” (Daily Nation, 8/20/08, p.3) shares the story of a young Pokot girl recently “named Nobel Prize winner – Children after she presented a talk on female circumcision and how it affected the schoolgirls in her district.” Rather than using her prize money “to buy a business or plot … (or) be the proud owner of more than 500 head of cattle”, she chose to giver her money to a group that fights traditions that cause too many girls of her ethnic community to “drop out of school and get married, often forcefully” at young ages. In one local school, “of the 300 girls who had enrolled, only 30 were still learning … Standards (Classes) Five up to Eight did not have a single girl. They had dropped out.” The young woman’s prize gift will be used “to spearhead the campaign that will see many girls from West Pokot district get the opportunity to go to school” and encourage them in “pursuing education to university”.

“Peacemaker moulded in hell” (Daily Nation, 8/20/08, p.36) tells of a young woman who became caretaker for three younger siblings at the age of 11. Yet, “these difficulties moulded her” and today she says, “I can never forget the kindness that I came across in my life. Now it’s my turn to give back to the community. I want to provide peace and cohesion in Kenya.” She is doing this through activities such as a Peace Caravan – “A convoy with camels, traditional dancers, dramatists … moving from village to village … to discuss social and development issues.” In this ongoing program, this year’s theme was “peace building.”

Reading these stories, I realized that I needed to share with you the story I heard yesterday from a young professional woman who balances her job with serving God. As we worked through our weekly Bible study, “Who God Says I Am” (our goal is to write a study book to build self-esteem in young Kenyan women), she told me more of her family. I had already learned that her father always taught her to aim towards being all God had created her to be. As we talked of her desire to complete a unversity degree, she told me that her mother did not attend school until she was 11, when primary school was first offered free. Her mother’s desire to attend school was so great that she was willing to face the teasing that came with attending Class One with her much younger brother – who would have been sent even if the charges had not been waived! Her mother did extremely well and an uncle offered to pay for her to go to high school, but other family members said this was a waste, so her formal education stopped. Her mother also received criticism for not marrying early or “getting” a baby – the way to prove in her culture that she would make a good wife! Instead she waited and married an educated, Christian man who could be a Godly father and provider for their children.

Why am I sharing these stories? First, to lead you to prayer for the young girls and women of Kenya. Pray that they will have the opportunity to become all God planned for them to be. I’m also sharing these stories because hearing these gives me an assurance of why God wants us in Kenya. We are here to be a part of bringing about His plans for hope, joy and peace for Kenyans. Pray that we will be strong ambassadors of His love and salvation which is more powerful than all the old ways and traditions that continue to keep His children in all parts of our world from becoming all that He created them to be! Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“‘Nobel’ winner donates Sh1million” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/regional/-/1070/460644/-/6jorrj/-/index.html
GENERATION/Kenya/45: “Peacemaker moulded in hell” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/461020/-/tk7gvw/-/index.html

Monday, August 18, 2008

2008-08-18T16:48:00.002+03:00

Sometimes as I read the news, my heart turns to prayer, yet I’m unsure if I should share these articles with you. This is how I felt this morning as I read “Diseases threaten refugees” and “As camps shut down, refugees are setting up their own”, both found on page seven of today’s Daily Nation. I have lived in Kenya for almost 30 years, there is still much I don’t understand about the views, ways, and expectations of Kenyans. I have never understood how many Kenyans survive on so little as expressed in the name of one of the most common foods, greens similar to kale, which is called Sukumawiki – in Swahili this means to push (sukuma) the week (wiki) along. My personal experiences simply do not allow me to understand the needs and hearts of those who have remained in the camps for the displaced. I also don’t comprehend what it is like to have no resources – including a much needed resource, a sense of hope.

“As camps shut down…” reports that “The government wants the camps closed this week because it is becoming expensive to maintain them … Food has also become scarce … donors are looking elsewhere.” This article adds, “Most of those purported to have gone home are instead living in ‘transitional camps’ close to their farms.” Why are these people still in the camps? I am sure that some are there for the wrong reasons, but one phrase shares the answer for many of them, “The resettlement process should have been preceded by peace-building programmes and counseling.” They are too fearful and traumatized to return home. Few have the resources to begin again, replacing all they lost. Yes, donors have done much to help and the government “As a part of the resettlement package, is giving each displaced family … Sh10,000 and a month’s supply of food”, but how does one rebuild the life of a family and replace all the necessities on $150?

“Diseases threaten refugees” which was prefaced by “HEALTH TIME BOMB”, left me praying not just for the IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons), but for a large majority of Kenyans. Join me in praying for the many who “cannot afford the high cost of medical services” and those who find that the “long distances to the nearest health facility make it almost impossible for them to access medical services.”

Once again, I am not sharing all of this to break your heart, but to keep you praying for the displaced. Pray that those still displaced, will find the needed means, peace and confidence to rebuild their lives. Pray that the Constitutional Review dialogue which begins tomorrow will lead to a Kenyan Constitution that will bring about economic, social and political changes which will benefit all Kenyans. Pray that this conference will lead to true peace that will not allow future elections to result in so much pain and turmoil. Pray also that all Kenyans will come to know hope, especially the hope offered through our Lord Jesus Christ. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Diseases threaten refugees” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/457536/-/tjp7uy/-/index.html
“As camps shut down, refugees are setting up their own” – http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/457542/-/tjp7vq/-/index.html