Missionary Update: The Tates on Furlough from Kenya [November 2013]

The Tate Family has served the Lord in Kitale, Kenya since January 2008. Their main ministry is indigenous church planting.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I read the following post from a missionary friend who lives in Kenya about a half a mile from our house:  “Just experienced the worst day we have ever had in our three years in Kenya”.  There are good days and bad days in Kenya but to say this is the worst one we’ve ever experienced is sobering.  I thought I was having a bad day myself, that is until I read that post.  We are preparing to move again into a different house while here on furlough and things just weren’t going well.  My patience was thin;  the children were lazy;  there was a lot to do;  I couldn’t lift anything because I’m recovering from hernia surgery.  Then I read my friend’s post and realized my day couldn’t be nearly as bad in comparison to the worst day in Kenya in over three years.  I suppose it’s all a matter of perspective.

Me personally, I’ve spent over five years in Kenya (over 2000 days) and I have found that most of those days are challenging.  There are many battles to fight, many challenges to face and many hurdles to overcome in serving the Lord.  But I’ve also noticed while I’ve been in the States that each day here is also filled with its own individual challenges.  So many people in Kenya are hurting and need the Lord.  Here in the States the situation is the same – so many people hurting and needing the Lord.  Are we going to be willing to reach out to people, no matter where they reside and call home, and to be usable tools in the hands of the Lord to bring Jesus into the life of these hurting people?  Aren’t you thankful for second chances?  Whether you’re one of those hurting people or whether you have failed to be someone who has reached out to help one of these hurting people I’m glad to say that we’ve been given countless second chances through the cross.

In furlough news, we have been traveling to various churches and reporting on our work in Kenya.  I am once again finding God’s people in the various churches and various places around the country to be filled with grace, kindness, hospitality and love for one of God’s missionaries.  I am grateful and thankful for churches that wish to partner with us in reaching the lost in Kenya and in starting New Testament churches in that far away land.  The light of the gospel of Jesus Christ can reach darkened lands but only after God places that burden on the hearts of His people.  I see that burden in the hearts of the people and churches I am visiting.  May God continue to fan the flames of missions in our hearts.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving us and placing your Spirit within us.  We praise you for the gifts of your grace, mercy and love.  We praise you because you have brought us salvation through your cross.  We praise you for your glory and majesty.  Lord, may you draw our hearts to you.  May you ever increase our faith and trust in your word and in you.  Increase our love and grow our faithfulness.  Thank you that you have transported us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.  Now, may we live as citizens of that kingdom of light and may the light of your gospel and grace shine forth from us here in our own land and to all the far reaching places on this earth you created so that those near and far may also experience your love and grace.  Amen.

Until next month, beloved.
May God’s peace and joy be with you.

For the glory of God in East Africa,
Roger & Julie Tate (and Emily, Amy, & Josiah)

rojuta[at]gmail.com
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