August 31, 2012

From workers among an East African People in need of our Father’s love and salvation:  “Frustrations and trials – what we have faced in recent weeks, BUT our God has been totally faithful and trustworthy and we praise Him! Confusing – A good way to describe our life! Working among our People requires so much understanding and patience.  Their culture and their world view relates to our every action and reaction.  Boldness, sensitivity, strength, wisdom, and total dependence upon our Father – Our prayer requests as we serve as our Father’s heart, hands and voice among people seeking the Truth.”   
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One way that our Father encourages this family – Views such as the one above!

August 30, 2012

Not a 'great' photo, but a great challenge:  Who is watching you?  As the young man shared announcements during the Kid's Sunday at his East African church, this toddler wandered onto the stage and watched his every action!  Pray for wisdom and sensitivity for East African Believers who strive to follow Paul’s example in 1 Corinthians 4:16 NIV and tell Believers younger in age or spiritual maturity, “I urge you to imitate me.” Pray that ‘young’ Believers will find Godly East African men and women and “Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7)

August 29, 2012

"Walking out our gate… Twinkling stars and flashlights… avoiding puddles, wet mud, manure… ducking at an entrance and wrong turns… praying for healing, food and protection for those at the cattle camp… clapping hands, snapping fingers, jumping up and down, marching in celebration, and lifting hands because ‘Jesus is Lord’… retelling old stories and telling new stories of God’s desires for His children and His promises… praying for good memories of stories and for rain... wandering through sleeping goats, between houses, around cows and more manure... viewing many, many stars and thinking of God’s faithfulness... reaching our gate and returning home.”
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Description of a Tuesday night Bible Storying session in a village in South Sudan.  For more of this story, go to: http://alyssabrown1.blogspot.com/2012/08/one-night-last-week.html

August 28, 2012

"We're not in Kansas anymore....census taker came to the gate today...among her plethora of questions...’how many wives do you have’ and ‘how many goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits and cows do you have?’ There wasn't a place to record cats or dogs!” Pray for sensitivity, adjustment, insight and a bit of humor for those who accept our Father’s call to work in the Harvest Field of East Africa. BY THE WAY:  This family have acculturated just fine with the animal bit as it is a part of their ministry – A pig ministry begun with moneys given to Lottie!

August 27, 2012

Chirping solo for minutes, the East African bird looked dejected.  Then there were tweets from nearby bushes. Between breaks for others to join the conversation, the bird peeped with gusto!  A missionary observing this event realized:  Believers desiring to share our Father's love and salvation with “every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6) cannot just talk or preach!  We must communicate – which means talking WITH others, listening, knowing what they are hearing, and responding to them.  We must make certain that others are truly understanding and hearing our Good News not only with their ears, but more importantly with their hearts!
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A few seconds of the ‘conversation’ the missionary heard can be found at: https://plus.google.com/photos/105343089902291545775/albums/5779412293053602977

August 26, 2012

"I’m going to miss my family so much. Last night my little sister gave me a big hug and said ‘I don't want you to leave for boarding school... maybe you could get sick! You could drink bad water and stay here for three more months!’” Big brother’s comment: “Not ready to head back, but I can't wait for all of the new things that are coming up! Now for packing!” Pray for joy, peace and good health for families in East Africa as kids begin or return to boarding school – often hours by car or plane from home.
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Pray also for kids as they are separated from their pets for months.

August 25, 2012

What does it require to be witnesses of our Saviour “to the ends of the earth?” (Acts 1:8 NIV)  One couple doing research among the Unreached Peoples of South Sudan are learning that it takes waiting days for wet roads to dry, driving through rivers, getting totally and completely stuck, walking for miles in the dark, thumbing a ride on a truck with suspension problems (forget that, what suspensions?) on roads requiring a new word to describe the extreme of bumpiness, while being hit by a metal object and discovering it is a AK47, which for the uninformed is a really big gun!  For more of this story, go to: http://exploringtheland.blogspot.com/

August 24, 2012

A peaceful East African scene.   But, there was not peace in eastern Kenya this week as more than 50 Orma women, children and men and their cows and other livestock were killed.  “In… a revenge attack, the Orma … were set upon by raiders thought to be from the Pokomo… two ethnic groups (who) have a long history of conflict over access to the waters of Tana River,” access for the animals of the Orma, who are herdsmen, and for the Pokomo, who are farmers.   Muslim leaders begged the two People Groups “to end bloodshed, saying it was unfortunate since both were Muslims.”  For quotes and more nudges to prayer, go to  http://www.nation.co.ke/News/48+villagers+killed+in+revenge+attack/-/1056/1485084/-/osmun6/-/index.html
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An article in today's Daily Nation (Kenya) shares great insights into the age old/universal problem of "A history of war between herders and crop farmers" - http://www.nation.co.ke/News/A+history+of+war+between+herders+and+crop+farmers+/-/1056/1485918/-/13dmucj/-/index.html

August 23, 2012

New Testament story viewed last weekend: “Saw today how some, without jobs, give their tithe: 2 bunches of bananas (first fruits from their produce). What does an East Africa church in the 21st century do with this? Auction them off of course and add the money to the offering! During the auction the amount went past what one would pay in the grocery store… The members then combined their money to increase the amount for the bananas and gave them as a gift to my hubby. I will make banana bread to share with the church… High attendance today: 27+ adults and 10 children."

August 22, 2012

Update/August 14th Nudge:  “Student camp is going well. Almost 50 students participating this year. Thanks to volunteers from Florida and Iowa and our co-workers for their preparations that are making this year a success!! All for HIS GLORY!!! Thanks also to the Ugandan Believers our co-workers trained who are helping out/ training at camp!! Praise the Lord. One young woman accepted Jesus as her personal Savior and Lord last night!! She is really excited to be obedient to our Lord!! Please pray for this new sister in Jesus!!”  

Photo? ‘Receivers’ (background) waiting for the “Sent Out Ones” to share the story! The students were practicing what they learned in their T4T training. Brief explanation at: http://t4tonline.org/about/ and even more at: http://t4tonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/1-The-Basic-CPM-Plan-and-T4T.pdf

August 21, 2012

Praise God that there are Believers in East Africa who have chosen to be their Saviour’s “witnesses in THEIR Jerusalem, and in all THEIR Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8) – Believers from East African countries, other parts of Africa and from other continents who are making certain that this East African child and others are not only hearing, but being taught of our Father’s Good News!

August 20, 2012

Praises from a volunteer group:  Safe arrival of ALL our luggage!  Successful clinic – 100+ children treated for burns, scrapes, skin problems, etc. Great VBS with 260 children.  Thirty kids in Classes 6-8 prayed to accept Jesus!  Two nights when it did not rain and we ate dinner together and visited around the campfire!  The opportunity to serve our Father and Be His Heart, Hands and Voice among men, women and children of 6 churches and an orphanage in western Kenya!  Safe travel and lots of animals spotted during a visit to Maasai Mara before returning home!  All luggage safely made trip home!
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What are the kids waving?   A missionary travelling with this volunteer team answered: "It’s just a craft they made that says ‘Hosanna’ on it.  Just a little decorative thingy."

August 19, 2012

Sometimes missionaries get discouraged.  A seeker relents to family pressure and refuses to hear more about a man named Jesus. A fellow Believer wavers in his spiritual walk.  But our all-knowing God always cares and responds! On a discouraging day, a missionary passed this donkey cart, whose driver was likely hoping someone would need delivery of newly purchased furniture or metal ‘luggage’. She then passed two motorcycles making deliveries – the first one had another motorcycle strapped onto it, the second was balancing a full sized sofa!  The missionary quickly found herself revived and praising God for sending a bit of humor her way!
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Sorry, no photos of the motorcycles – the road was incredibly bumpy, plus it was misty, which made the transport of the sofa and motorcycle ON THE motorcycle even more unexpected!

August 18, 2012

The Provider, The Everlasting, The Almighty, The Most High, The Saviour, The Lord of Majesty, The First, The Last, The Creator – Names for God found in our Bible!  Did you know that these names are also used for God in the Qur'an, the religious text of followers of Islam?  Take time today to praise God for being all these things in our lives.  As Ramadan 2012 ends this weekend, Muslim believers will be praying for a better relationship with God and knowledge of Him.   Would you join them in praying and claim Jesus’ words in John 17:3 for them?
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More on the names of God can be found at: Names of God – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God and Names of God is Islam – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_the_Qur%27an

August 17, 2012

Part Two/“Chief Story” from worker in South Sudan: “One of the new chief’s sons was saved… and baptized some months back and he received a Proclaimer (audio player) to share the Word in his village. The new chief has listened to the player and reported, 'I am… hearing it talk about Jesus. What you are saying must be true. Please keep teaching my sons.' He sent another son to me and I am discipling him. The chief has a lot of influence and I pray he will give his life to Jesus. Slowly and surely, the Word of God is making its way through Toposaland."

August 16, 2012

Part One/“Chief Story” from worker in South Sudan: "The chief of the Toposa People in our area passed away recently. He was very influential, the one who gave us permission to live among his People. We had a good relationship with him and his village but they are very resistant to the Word. After he died, another chief was to be appointed, so I went to the villages to ask about this process… one had already been chosen. The good news is I know the man very well. I was in his village a month ago sharing C2C...”
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Part Two tomorrow!  For more on C2C or Creation to Christ Bible Storying, go to http://www.imbafrica.org/connect/prepare/Creation-to-Christ-Story-C2C.pdf

August 15, 2012

From an East African missionary’s journal:  "When Jesus said, 'Be on guard! Be alert!' (Mark 13:33 NIV), I’m certain he wasn’t referring to East African roads, but… In the last 3 days, our car was almost hit by a truck with no brakes, a car going the wrong way on a one-way road, and a vehicle with a ‘wannabe’ rally driver.  We braked for cows, dogs, pigs, chickens, goats, sheep, donkeys, geese as well as God’s two legged creations walking, riding on bicycles and guiding donkey carts! I wonder if supporters know how serious we are when we ask for protection while traveling!” 

ADDED NOTE:  "We were not in the countryside when these near accidents happened, but travelling within our East African city of 4 million people!"

August 14, 2012

On May 2nd and May 26th, you prayed for a Student Leadership Camp to be held in north-western Uganda (Lugbara People) in August – which is now! Current prayer requests from missionaries planning the camp:  "Remember the volunteers from Iowa and Florida as they make their final preparations to arrive this week. Pray that God will have his way completely in all of our lives. The theme of our youth camp is GROW and the lessons deal with Obedience and Baptism, Assurance, Telling others about Jesus, Time with God, and Being the Church. Pray that the Holy Spirit will open hearts to the truth and give each participant courage to obey."
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May 2, 2012 Nudge  http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/2012/05/may-2-2012.html
May 26, 2012 Nudge http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/2012/05/may-26-2012.html

August 13, 2012

Many Ugandans are thanking God for a special blessing!  Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda won the GOLD medal in yesterday’s Olympic 2012 men’s marathon – Uganda’s first medal of these games – the second gold medal ever won by a Ugandan.*  The silver and the bronze marathon medals went to runners from Uganda’s neighboring country, Kenya.  Also completing the 2012 Olympic marathon was another Kenyan (17th), two Tanzanians (33rd and 66th) and a runner from Rwanda (79th).  The 47th man** to complete the race was from South Sudan, our world’s newest country!  Praise God today for the joy this race brought to many people in East Africa!
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* “Olympics 2012: Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich wins men's marathon”  – http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_olympics-2012-ugandan-stephen-kiprotich-wins-men-s-marathon_1727172
** More on the runner from South Sudan was shared in the July 28th nudge at http://easternafrica2012prayernudges.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-28-2012.html

August 12, 2012

The “Fishers of Men” team in Uganda is praising God for His provision and protection during the last two months as they: Built a latrine for a volunteer team; Traveled to seven islands to nine villages to prepare for the arrival of this medical/evangelism team; Collected the 11 team members and their 30+ pieces of luggage; Hosted the team as they held eight clinics, saw 1080 patients, had 127 persons accept Jesus as their Savior and opened doors for additional ministry and opportunities to share with those who are closed to the message of Christ!

August 11, 2012

Journey made by KITS FOR KIDS* on the way for distribution to kids of the Samburu People! On August 9th you prayed for those in need of physical and spiritual water – Sometimes in East Africa there is TOO much water which leads to impassable roads! Roads that must also be traveled to take bread, sugar, tea, milk to those in need of another basic requirement: FOOD! These impassable roads can also prevent Believers from traveling to areas needing SPIRITUAL FOOD; Believers on their way to share our Father’s Good News and those seeking to disciple new Believers!
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* The truck carrying the KITS FOR KIDS was delayed, but successfully made the trip!  Want to know more about Baptist Global Response's  KITS FOR KIDS?  Go to   http://www.bgrkitsforkids.com/new/ or view KITS FOR KIDS 2013 at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151956696690717&set=vb.304203952811&type=2&theater 

August 10, 2012

When living among people of different tribes and nations, the day comes when you realize that upon spotting a person, you can often accurately deduce his/her ancestry.  Yes, this could lead to prejudice, but when your heart’s desire is for opportunities to share your most precious relationship, this perception offers guidance in building a relationship with others.  The clothing of these women does hint that they are likely celebrating Ramadan, but not all followers of Islam wear identifying clothing.  During Ramadan 2012, pray for opportunities for Believers around our world to share of their relationship with their Savior.

August 9, 2012

Two options for income in East Africa – Sell bottles and jugs for holding water and/or haul containers to a spot offering water (hopefully clean water), fill, and return the precious liquid to the owners of the bottles, jugs, etc.  Not quite sure which way this man makes his living OR if he has left room to ride on his bike as he does his work! Pray today for missionary families who struggle daily to provide adequate water for their needs.  Pray also for East African Believers as they minister to people needing physical and/or spiritual water!

August 8, 2012

"She sang in our choirs.  She worked with our women.  She evangelized.  Thank you for bringing Betty to Africa.  We love our Betty's family and we pray for them at this time."  While Southern Baptists visitors met four leaders of the Baptist Convention of Kenya, the guests’ missionary hosts told the four men of the death that morning of Betty Evans, an early missionary to East Africa who had retired years ago.  There were tears, questions and then one of the men asked to join hands with their guests as they praised God for the Evans’ long ministry and prayed for their children.

The missionary who took this photo yesterday knows that this will be among the memories permanently etched on her heart.  Part of what makes this memory special:  These four men were also a part of early Baptist work in East Africa and all are still very involved in discipleship, church planting, and church growth. They are also from the four corners of Kenya:  Thiuri from Central Kenya (in tie), Kisia from Western Kenya (center), Kiatu from Eastern Kenya (navy suit), and Kabage from the Rift Valley.

August 7, 2012

Praise from the missionary who shared the discipleship stories in the last two nudges:  “Attended a baptism last Sunday on Lake Victoria of 38 new Believers. Our jobs at the baptism? My husband took photos and I held babies while moms were being baptized. One that I held for a while was heavy, so I couldn't get a lot of baptism shots. Took pictures of the children. They are all so cute.” Would you join the missionaries, pastors and other Believers in Uganda in praying as they encourage, strengthen, disciple and mentor these Believers?

August 6, 2012

How do you disciple university students?  One missionary’s method: “Two guys follow us around a lot. We use them as translators with our volunteer teams, so they see first-hand evangelism and discipleship. This is what being a missionary is all about. They have grasped the vision! We alone cannot reach all of the lost of Kampala. But training university students multiplies the results. They can take what they know wherever they go. One said that he wants to be able to continue what was started here so that after we leave the work will carry on. Praise the Lord!”

August 5, 2012

Another ‘get-your-attention’ photo so you will not miss the special story of a missionary in Uganda:  “Last week a university student thanked me for the discipleship training he has received in the last year.  During this break from school, he reported he has led two young men to Christ.   He asked me to teach SOT (What does it SAY? What are you to OBEY? Who will you TELL?) to these young men before we leave in a few weeks.  I expected 4-5 young men at our first meeting – there was nine college men/ women and a jjajja (older lady). The group is growing in size and enthusiasm. PRAISE GOD!”

August 4, 2012

A gift for you today – a view of our Father’s creation spotted in East Africa which hopefully will bring a smile to your face – A thank you gift for encouraging and strengthening those who share their stories and their lives in these Nudges from East Africa. Thank you for your prayer support. Thank you for sending personnel to be our co-workers in God’s service. Thanks also to those who give to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Offering so that our needs are met as we seek to obey and serve our Father.

August 3, 2012

Donning their school sports uniform and ready for a few exercises – though the two toddlers on the far left seem to have their own agenda!  It’s the chilly time of the year in East Africa, so many kids (or their Moms) add caps to their sports kit.  As in many East African schools, a few at this school wear another type of head covering – a hijab, a head scarf worn by female followers of Islam and the focus of Olympic news this week.  For special nudges to prayer as Ramadan 2012 approaches the mid-point, go to the photo gallery, “London Olympics 2012: God and the games” – http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/london-olympics-2012-god-and-the-games/2012/07/27/gJQAjhgoEX_gallery.html#photo=1

August 2, 2012

Life in East Africa comes with lots of unexpected turns, and twists!  Pray for East African believers as they share our Father's love and salvation with their changing world – a world with villages where residents may have never heard a language other than that of their People Group – a world with cities where residents touch shoulders daily with representatives of multiple nations, tribes, languages and peoples – a world where those who live on less than $1 per day and millionaires shop side by side while purchasing second-hand clothes and plumbing fittings from street-side stalls!

August 1, 2012

The lady on the left was not praying, but beginning a laugh that soon had everyone in the worship service laughing!  This is what she has done for more than 50 years - led others to action!  Elizabeth, the first East African Baptist Woman, Noelli (centre) and Rose (right), are three of the early women’s missions (WMU) leaders in East Africa!  All three are now retired although they all are still busy with God’s work, but they can rest from leadership as those they trained, mentored and discipled are now leading and training future East African Christian women AND men!