God's Good and Perfect Gifts

HalleluJah in the highest!

Recently, through one of my neigbours, I came again to taste our Father’s abundant goodness. Stephen is a 20 year old Kenyan, who is the foster son of a Marta, a fellow PCUSA mission-coworker, who’s been ministering in Kenyan over 10 years. He will be 21 years old in June, and I’ve been searching for the best, gift for him. I’ve spent so much time talking with about growing in grace and knowledge of our dear Lord Jesus, you’d think he’d get tired of all my “preaching,” but in fact he responds with, “Hey, Ingrid, you know, you’re my booster; you really boost me all the time.”

Well, it dawned on me that as his “booster,” I was searching to find him just the perfect gift because he’s become as precious to me as my nephews in Belize, and I want only to be good to him: this goodness means giving him what is best for him. (I know you know where this is leading, especially those of you who are loving parents). If, I, in my imperfect capacity to love, desire the best for one I love, how much more does our Father in His perfect, infinite love and goodness to us, desire to give us His best? Because he is omnipotent, giving us the best is never a problem, except when we get in the way of Him doing so.

Of course, I realize that this is not such a new revelation. What’s made it more meaningful is this: in the midst of searching for the best gift for Stephen, our Father gave me what could be the best gift for me at this time: Since last year, I’ve been hunting all over Nairobi for a particular song. I’ve asked my brothers and sisters in Christ to please send me this song, for I know how much it would nourish me (I can still remember singing it in the choir that was assembled to sing at Ruth Bell Graham’s funeral: it had seem then that the angels in heaven had come and sang with us!), but no one’s been able to send it thus far. Well, I purchased a gospel music dvd for Steven’s birthday, and last night I played it (to make sure it would be something that would really minister Christ to him), and the very last song was Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise,” sung by Donnie McClurkin, a favorite gospel singers.

So that is what I mean by being overwhelmed by our Father’s oh so tender goodness unto us. Last night, weeping with thanksgiving and praise, I understood that all of my concerns about whether His goodness would extend to all areas of my life, especially in my capacity as Across’ new Donor Relations Manager, were being enveloped in His abundant goodness unto me. Now, I am encouraged and strengthened anew knowing that in His abundant goodness, He not only goes with me, but before me as well, arranging the meetings and preparing the hearts of those through whom the people of Southern Sudan will be richly blessed.

Thank you for joining me in giving deep thanks and praises to our great God and Saviour, Jehovah, Lord Jesus, for His abundant supply in all areas of my life, that I may faithfully and fruitfully minister Him in Southern Sudan, Nairobi and wherever He places me, amen.

For His Utmost Glory, Ingrid

P.S. The picture is of me and Stephen taken in the lobby of the hilton hotel, Nairobi; we'd gone for his 21st B-day celebation dinner; 'was his choice because all his life he's lived in Nairobi, but had never set foot into the Hilton, but have always wanted to do so...

Your Questions Answered

I've found that many of you are very curious as to what it's like ministering in Sudan. You have many questions. So I thought it would be good to answer some of the questions I've been asked in the next few posts. Enjoy and don't hesitate to leave a comment or ask further questions. I'd love to hear from you.

Question: I know you're somehow involved in education, but who and what are you teaching?

Answer: I teach primary school teachers, between the ages of 21 - 60's, how to teach, how to read and write English; I teach them how to use English; I teach Accelerated Learning Classes as part of an Accelerated Learning Program (ALP), level I, II, III & IV to young adult learners; ALP consist of 4 courses: English, Math, Social Studies and Science. Level 1 combines primary 1 & 2, Level II combines primary 3 & 4, level III combines primary 5 & 6 and level IV combines primary 7 & 8.

Ostensibly, I am teaching primary school English to young adults and adults who have not been able to receive an education during the 21 years of civil war. But because they have had no schooling for over 21 years, and these are teachers who will be teaching others, I usually find myself teaching not only English, but Social Studies, Geography, African Diaspora History, Christian Religious Education, Church History and of course, Women's Studies. I also teach Teaching Methodology and Leadership Skills.

Question: What is the classroom like?

Answer: Sometimes, the classroom is a brick building, without a ceiling but iron (tin) sheets for roof, with steel/tin bar widows and doors, so that the termites can't eat through them; the chairs are always plastic, lawn chairs, that are portable so the teachers can take with them when they go to eat, and back to where they sleep and return them to the class for the next day's lesson. Sometimes the classroom is a mud building with iron (tin) roof, and dirt floor.

That's it for this post. What you you think about what I just shared? Leave your comment by clicking the link labeled 'comments' below.

Welcome to 'In Sudan'

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the children of God! Therefore the world knows us not, because it did not know Him" (I John 3: 1)

I am so thankful to our Father that He's provided this space for us to have exchanges about what, by the power of his Holy Spirit, He is doing with/in my life in Southern Sudan. I am thankful, too, for our dear brother in Virginia, Charles, who has set up this blog, and who has promised to assist me with it in the future. Most of all though, I am eternally thankful for each and all of who will visit the site regularly to get some additional insights into my experiences as "we" labour together in southern Sudan, and who, I hope, will be encouraged to pray without ceasing for the members of our eternal Family in southern Sudan, that "they may prosper in all things and be in health, just as their soul prospers" in our Lord Jesus, amen. I bless Almighty God our Father for your continued loving support of me in His mission in Southern Sudan.
All for His utmost glory, Ingrid

I thought I'd share with you a poem I wrote over two years ago, while I was on an ecumenical silent retreat in the hills of Virginia. The Holy Spirit had impressed on my mind that He wanted me to follow Him more concertedly into His mission, internationally; this poem was a part of my response to Him:

Calling?

Here, in Beulah Methodist kitchen
where ladybugs like spring flowers bloom
I embrace my cup, its scooped
heart now raised to my mouth.

I'll drink and eat where life is weaved
with bread and wine.

My calling: a blue-hued pitcher
pouring
Water
here
below. . .

Copyright 2005 Ingrid Reneau