April 30, 2012

An East African missionary’s prayer when learning of yesterday’s grenade attack at a worship service in her country:  Prayers for families with kids in school – East African and missionary families, whose children are away at boarding school and those with young kids who will travel to school today.  For Believers, pray for a strong sense and assurance of being ‘cocooned’ within God’s care and love!  Pray that non-Believers will open their hearts to the peace and comfort that comes only from our Heavenly Father. Why did she pray these things?  She is a Mom who has experienced this before!

For updated news, go to: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000057294&cid=4&

April 29, 2012

“THE REAL MISSIONARY KIDS OF EAST AFRICA” newest episode –  1st scene: Visiting a Ugandan radio station, a missionary family visit the sound booths.  Spotting them, the studio man says, “I need a child to read something on the radio.” A bit nervous, the oldest MK agrees to try.  Next scene: After practice and rewrites (Mom helped), she reads nine announcements for upcoming Easter shows for kids.  3rd scene: The family listens to the radio – the way everyone in their area gets news – for hours, to catch the announcements!  Last scene:  A friend arrives and tells the MK: “Someone on the radio sounded like you!”

April 28, 2012

“For we are co-workers in God’s service.”  (1 Corinthians 3:9) April 28, 2012  “For we are co-workers in God’s service.” (1 Corinthians 3:9) Missionaries get great joy from serving with their East African brothers and sisters. Pray for wisdom, sensitivity and God’s guidance as all Believers in East Africa choose with whom they will work and invest their time and energy; who most needs training; who is ready and teachable, and on and on. Pray that as they make choices they will not rely upon man’s way of discerning things, but totally upon their Father’s way.

April 27, 2012

BEAUTIFUL?  Definitely!  The missionary, who captured this view in an incredible virgin African forest filled with butterflies, is still suffering from an allergy attack from all the beauty! She may never do this again, but it was definitely worth the joy of doing it once!  Pray for missionaries as they also deal with health problems resulting from ‘non-beautiful’ stressors –  living in dry, dusty areas where thermometers cease working; limited and/or poor quality water; unregulated pollution; tensions from increasing security risks; exposure to illnesses not routinely found in developed countries; etc. Pray for good health and good medical care when needed!

April 26, 2012

Report from the missionary who led Kenyan university students on a ‘Spring Break’ mission trip among an unreached East African Coastal People Group:  “What a way to celebrate Easter! Few things are more rewarding than seeing young men and women having fun while sharing the hope we have in Christ!  Sixteen people gave their lives to Christ in our two day trip! The two pastors who came with us, left excited and eager to return soon to continue reaching out to the these People. Pray for the coastal pastor who is ‘nurturing’ these new Believers! This was an awesome experience!”
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More on this mission trip can be found on the April 3rd and 6th Prayer Nudges from East Africa.

April 25, 2012

When Volunteers come, their prayers and that of their church often center on how they will serve as our Father’s Heart, Hands and Voice.  Praise God for how the greatest transformation often occurs in the hearts, hands and voices of the volunteers during their time on mission. Praise God for how they see Him at work as they serve Him.  Click the link below for an updated ‘loaves and fish’ miracle experienced by kids from a missionary boarding school in Europe while serving among the Maasai of Tanzania!  “Loaves, Fish and Crayons” can be found at: http://www.tzmaasaiconnection.blogspot.com/2012/04/loaves-fish-and-crayons-modern-update.html

April 24, 2012

Part TWO of the missionary’s story about a little boy hauling chairs to a village church: “The chairs are bigger than the boy. Look closely – He is carrying two chairs! He stops, puts down his load, hikes up his shorts and carries on. We smile… The illiteracy rate is very high in South Sudan, even if they had Bibles, many could not read them.” Pray for local, village churches to form. Pray for dedicated Believers who will walk three or four miles to lead these churches. Pray that someone will rise up to nurture this small village church.

Part ONE of this story can be found in the Saturday, April 21st Prayer Nudge from East Africa.

April 23, 2012

From co-worker in Uganda:  At the prison, we talked about all the sins of the world, past, present, and future, being put upon Jesus on the cross.  Some women are really thinking about the truths they are hearing and the seriousness of sin.  As always, they shared their heartbreaks – one new woman’s older son is on the men’s side; her younger son (6th grade) lives alone at home. God is working on the hearts of these women.  Pray for them to hear exactly what HE wants them to hear. Pray for my friend, Florence, and me as we visit the prison each week. (Photo - the missionary's daughters and her friend, Florence, walking past the prison)
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Later note added by the co-worker in Uganda: "My translator and friend, Florence, had surgery in December, and she is still not healing on the inside like she should. She is on bed rest and we are praying for her recovery so she can get back to her business, her child, and working for the Lord." 

April 22, 2012

"The Real Missionary Kids of East Africa: EASTER On Stateside Leave" episode – Scene One:  Catch an 8 year old reacting to getting his first bike! Next:  Follow a teen MK at his host church's all-night “Good Friday Worshipping Jesus”.  Scene Three:  On Saturday, the teen and his siblings dye and hunt for Easter eggs with their American cousins! After ads:  Watch as an MK posts on FB:  “I serve a risen Savior; He's in the world today.  Happy Easter!”  Easter Monday recap: Several MKs visit a zoo.  Show ends with the younger MK riding off unaided on his new bike!

April 21, 2012

From missionaries researching Unreached People Groups in South Sudan:  Arriving at a church start on Easter Sunday, no one was there… two small boys arrive with drums… two teenage boys approach, greet us and join us on the ‘tree limb’ pews of this outdoor sanctuary.  On the drums, they beat out a rhythm calling whoever is willing, to come and worship.  In the distance…a young woman… and small boy carry plastic chairs upon which the honoured ones will sit. The church is weak, pray as we Bible Story with the women on Friday mornings and the men on Saturdays.

April 20, 2012

From a young co-worker in East Africa:  I will look back on Easter 2012 and smile for a long time. Friday morning – pancakes/ Romans 5 with a sweet university girl I disciple … Friday night – I led the girls’ Bible study in a time of worship, mediation, scripture, and the Lord's supper… Saturday – we (volunteers and students) went to the Children's Cancer Ward.... Some kids were there again, plus some new faces.  I won some hearts with my in-progress guitar skills! After an awesome campus service on Sunday, a fun cook-out with 25+ college students from our churches’ Bible studies.

April 19, 2012

In the western part of Kenya, one missionary couple celebrated Easter in a village Baptist church decorated with pink and purple bougainvillea and embroidered white cloths hanging from the wood supports of the church’s tin roof – a festive setting for a Sunday School class where kids learned of our Father’s desire for all to know His Son’s story. Also a great setting for an incredible celebration of the Lord’s Supper with Believers who live among many people who lack an understanding of what it means to fully serve, obey and trust our living Savior. For more photos, go to: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3624546617811.2166275.1398362048&type=1&l=8f509377aa

April 18, 2012

In an East African city, those who attended the Easter Sunday service at one Baptist Church will not remember spotting cute bonnets or special flowers (although there were lots of cute kids with colourful baubles, ruffles, and bows), but they will remember a young man’s testimony which reminded them of what it means to be a church family.  They will remember singing songs praising our Father’s gift to us – His Son.  Pray for East African Believers as they grow in their love for Christ and their desire to share His Good News with our world throughout the year.
For more photos, go to “Not Just a Church, But a Family” at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150929080835130.531328.685050129&type=1&l=512dd66758 

April 17, 2012

Another Easter 2012 recap –  Saturday: Two boys walked to our gate to ask how to accept Christ. They both accepted Christ!  That evening, we took a lady having trouble with labor from the village to the clinic. She delivered twins in the back of our vehicle a few miles from the clinic. Sunday: Traveled to a village for church. Had an egg hunt for the boys with "real" eggs from our chickens. Took a nap! Easter weekend looked a little different in South Sudan but we still celebrate the resurrection of Christ! Thank you Lord for the adventures of a lifetime!

April 16, 2012

How a young missionary family in East Africa celebrated  Easter Day 2012:  Dad preached at a service for students - 'storying' from the perspective of the disciple John and his ‘view’ of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.  Later they shared a big lunch (thanks, Mom) with university students and others, while the one year old MK made a new friend almost her age - Watch out Dad, it was a little boy!  She also searched for pretty eggs – which she could do all by herself this year, now that she can walk without any help from Mom or Dad!

April 15, 2012

From worker in South Sudan:  Easter morning looked a lot different from Easter in America… No bunnies or coloured eggs on store window fronts – there can’t be when there are no store window fronts to begin with!  No big crowded room of joyful people on Sunday morning. Just us under a tree with ten women and a whole bunch of kids sharing the Gospel.   “God rose Jesus from the dead and brought Him back to life. Back to life.  Living.  Not dead.  Alive. Breathing. Real. Here. Jesus is The Resurrection and The Life.  And he who believes in Him will live and never die!  (John 11:25-26) 
PHOTO: No bunnies or chicks, but the worker did have a baby ostrich running around her yard last Sunday morning!

April 14, 2012

Easter 2012 weekend celebrations in Uganda:  One couple helped their 9 year old dye eggs, then hid the eggs and watched as their daughter and dog found all of them.  They also sat with over ‎600+ people for an outside night-time showing of The Passion movie! AND they are praising God that over 300 have been saved in the last 3 weeks with the use of this equipment which was provided by a US church!

April 13, 2012

Praise from the team working in Tanzania with the Kuria People: 

"21 baptized this Easter! What a great day!" 

For more praises and requests from the Kuria Team, go to their blog, "Kuria People Group" at http://kuriapeople.blogspot.com/

April 12, 2012

Sometimes one views scenes along East African roads that lead to lots of questions and prayers.  What are these little boys watching so intently?  Why are they not in school uniforms? Why do the two on the right have problems with their hair?  Have they eaten today?  Do these kids have a parent, neighbor or friend who will tell you them of our Father's love and salvation? Pray that Believers will always be sensitive to opportunities to minister in our Father's name!

April 11, 2012

From an East African co-worker:  “In Arkansas you stock up when it is going to snow. Here you stock up when there are going to be riots and protest.”  Pray for peace, comfort, wisdom and safety for missionaries as they deal with situations which remind them that they are no longer in Arkansas or even Kansas, etc.!
PHOTO:  Example of ‘convenience shopping’ available in many forms on the side of the road in East Africa

April 10, 2012

From the Fishers of Men Team – Uganda:  A knock at our gate brought news of a fire at the Bible School on the Island we had left the day before … someone doused the store room with gas and set it afire during the night… we lost all of our mission equipment, solar equipment… and on and on… we must be doing something right in reaching the lost, because Satan has been attacking the ministry like never before. Pray specifically for encouragement and a hedge of protection around us and our National partners in this Island Ministry.

April 9, 2012

From a Missionary at the Uganda Baptist Seminary: “Pray for our new Bridge Program for students needing assistance in fulfilling the entrance requirements for our Certificate Program. Three months this year are given to this program. The current students are pastors, youth leaders, Bible teachers, evangelists,worship leaders, deacons, women's and children’s work. Three current students sent their wives for training to be better prepared to help to them in their church leadership. All students in the November session who successfully pass their courses in English, Science, Math, and Computer will begin the Certificate of Theology program in 2013.”
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For more on the Uganda Baptist Seminary, go to: http://www.ugandabaptistseminary.org/ 

Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012

Celebrating life today - especially our Savior’s gift of Eternal Life.  As kids in school uniforms sang at the Memorial Service for an East African pastor with a heart for evangelism and missions, as well as a burning desire for quality education for all, tots to adults/ boys AND girls, this little one slipped onto the stage and joined in the celebration.  Pray that all Believers in East Africa will be as bold and committed as this child as we serve as ambassadors of our Father’s love and Eternal Life.

April 7, 2012

From a young missionary:  A year ago, I boarded a plane to East Africa to work with university students.   Now one year later the Lord has blessed me and taught far more than I could have ever imagined. God can do anything (Ephesians 3:20) – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us. 2012 has much in store and I am ready to take it on. My prayer this year is not to just survive but to THRIVE in Christ.

April 6, 2012

Update from East African university students “On Mission Spring Break” (April 3rd Nudge):  “I guess we brought the rain with us.  Our first day was hindered by the much needed rain... we visited several coastal families and at two young men decided to become followers of Christ!  Many more heard and received the message but wanted to think about this life altering decision which can affect their ability to marry, live in the village and even receive inheritance.  Our second team saw 5 people decide to follow Christ… praising God for allowing us to be a part of His Kingdom expansion... looking forward to our second day of Gospel sharing.”

April 5, 2012

What does a missionary do?  Yesterday, one had the honor of speaking at the Memorial Service of one of the first East African Baptist Home Missionaries.  He had the joy of representing many of his earlier IMB/FMB co-workers who worked with this man.  Praise God today for the International Missionaries and East African Home Missionaries who invested their lives in sharing our Father’s Good News in the early days of work in East Africa (1956); Missionaries who didn’t always see results – those who were “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season.” (Psalm 1:3)

April 4, 2012

From a Journey(wo)man in South Sudan:  "After returning from telling Bible stories in the village, my eat-popsicle-and-rehydrate-time was interrupted by two little friends at the fence.  Letting them in, we offered water and popcorn and peanuts.  The Spirit prompted my heart...get out the Story Cloth again. I did!  Our God, who spoke His Word in the first place and created every language, enabled me to share 21 stories with them in Toposa!  (Well, there was also lots of drama involved!)  I cannot believe they sat through 21 of my weakly put together stories in my horrible Toposa. BUT they did!"
*** Photo shows what happens when ALL the village kids want to be the first one to shake hands with the missionary!

April 3, 2012

Like students around the world, a group of Kenyan college students are heading to the coast for Spring Break!  Representing five Baptist churches in the Nairobi area, they are eager to enjoy the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, but their hearts’ desire is to share water filters and stories of the Giver of Living Water with a coastal Unreached People Group!  Pray for good health and boldness for the students.  Pray that those receiving the filters and hearing the stories will have receptive hearts.  Pray also for safety and only GOOD SURPRISES as the students travel tonight (April 3rd) by bus!

April 2, 2012

Special ‘Church Family’ blessings experienced by a missionary on Palm Sunday:  Get a big hug as a pre-teen proudly announces that she is now taller than you; meet the baby of friends who have recently returned to East Africa; joke with the friend who always sits behind you, but is in front of you today;  smile as a young  friend beams as all our invited to her Easter weekend wedding; and laugh as the son of your own son’s high school classmate is confused when his sisters and other kids stand and sing in the choir’s spot!

April 1, 2012

Special "On Stateside Leave" episode of “The Real Missionary Kids of East Africa" – First scene:  An MK chooses cookies on the family’s first trip to Walmart - TOO many choices!  Second scene:  An equator-born MK climbs out of the snow while skiing with a church youth group.  Next:  A teen rushes home to announce (via Facebook) to his MK cousins in East Africa - He has his driver’s permit! Fifth scene: Two MK’s comparing the questions they‘ve been asked about their African life.  Ending:  An older MK guiding his younger brother though the art of winning a prize at the State Fair!

Note from the proud Missionary Mom who took this photo:  "And they did win...one of those brown creatures."  For the first 'proposed' episode of this new reality show, check out the March 18th Prayer Nudge from East Africa!