Just as God had placed this or that individual or ministry resource along my path before my coming, His hand has remained present and faithful to provide opportunities for divine encounter that have already brought encouragement, challenge, and growth to both myself and members of the national and international Body of Christ here in Nigeria and back at the home base.
Within the special education center, God has opened numerous relational opportunities with not only the students and teachers but also the university interns who have now returned to their own studies. We miss their presence, guidance, and perspectives in not only the classroom but the football field as well. Thankfully we have added two new teachers to the staff to add another extent of energy source to the many, many busy body students!
Along with that joy has come through my last four weeks spent in the Reading Clinic where I plan to remain at least until Christmas break. Here is a simple glimpse into one of my more regular student's writing on "counting your blessings" : “My blessings is very plenty. I have clothes and a house. I can brit [breathe]. I can eat. I can see.” Coming from a 12 year old who goes to school daily with children who struggle with each of these "blessings" I found it inspiring that she would be so wise to state (what we often times overlook) as her very own blessings!
An interesting battle for reconciliation here between a few specific Muslim and Christian students who tend to discriminate against one another for religious purposes..a great opportunity for me to redirect the conversations to what a Christlike manner actually looks like Biblically speaking (to the Christians) and in my eyes a way of ministering His love to the Muslims by standing alongside them in a way rather than allowing them to become bullied and harassed, something very new and different to me that thankfully I embark on along with teaching staff as well; pray for His face to shine through above all else and quench out any false teachings or models to both sides of the spectrum
An interesting battle for reconciliation here between a few specific Muslim and Christian students who tend to discriminate against one another for religious purposes..a great opportunity for me to redirect the conversations to what a Christlike manner actually looks like Biblically speaking (to the Christians) and in my eyes a way of ministering His love to the Muslims by standing alongside them in a way rather than allowing them to become bullied and harassed, something very new and different to me that thankfully I embark on along with teaching staff as well; pray for His face to shine through above all else and quench out any false teachings or models to both sides of the spectrum
Nearly every last afternoon of mine has now become filled with not just tasks but fruitful opportunities to learn, to love, and to serve. Mondays marks Bible Study Fellowship a time of reflection on the past weeks course work taken largely from the book of Acts. Studying the Early Church's ministry tactics has been powerful in understanding the need for constant adjustment to my own. Rosie (my new English housemate) and Lynsey (the Irish Mission Africa short-term coordinator) along with about a dozen Nigerian peers (in my small group) and the large group (over 100 young people) leaders have been wonderful sharpening tools in understanding today's implementation for this Scripture
Tuesdays are a day of working with SIM's, Serving in Mission, City Ministry's widows ministry. Currently my class of about six are learning the definitions, pronunciations, and spellings of words from Philippians 1:8-11, "God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Jesus Christ. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God." Its quite gut wrenching to realize what a privilege it is to be able to have the very words and message of Christ before me in my own heart language after seeing how much direction is taken clearly from instructors because there is clearly no other option...
On Wednesdays our trio (Rosie, Lynsey, and myself: recently joined by a couple of Nigerians) have begun leading a group of about 40 vulnerable/at-risk/aids affected children (roughly ages 5 to 18) in becoming a children's choir. What a beautiful joy for me to open our time in prayer followed by Camp Shetek's "hey, hey" for crowd control purposes AND then sometimes even a Jason Gray/Shetek classic: "higher, higher lift Jesus higher..." Nigerian/British style, thanks to thee others :D
Thursdays are generally a day for catching up, personally and administratively with lesson plan like materials or even open opportunities for card games, fellowship, walks or other visits to or from newly made friends and sisters in the faith.
And Fridays include my joining the Mission Africa short-term squad (Rosie and Lynsey) for a time in the Word. We have studied Exodus 3 and 1 Corinthians 9 both leaving me with thought provoking practical application questions such as "If my life is not my own's but rather Christ's, would He own my thoughts, my actions, my attitudes, and approaches? Am I diligently running to win the prize He set before me?" My evenings generally come to a close with either a meal with a few long-term Christian Reformed World Missions partner missionaries or the larger Serving in Mission (SIM) body at this point in time.
Tribal dancing was of utter most joy as we three attempted our way into the wedding crowd at #2. Joining our Nigerian friends put our hearts at complete gratitude and yet uncertainty at times as "you can't run from it [being white]" as one of them reminded us as we were called over the loudspeaker "Annabelle, Annabelle, and her sister" to take a photograph with the bride and groom whom we had not yet met... apparently Annabelle must be a commonly thought of white woman's name =]
Just in case you were wondering two key things will come with me from these wedding differences, the volume and the warmth. Please remember that when you wonder one day why my own reception isn't quite "Dutch" or "American" in style...this is my forewarning, out with the structure in with another form of God honoring celebration!
.....
My sincerest apologies to all those of you I have not been able to follow through with more recently. The internet and electrical tendencies have been less than normal, in due time you will have your responses!
.....
"Therefore my dear brothers stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, becaues you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." [1 Corinthians 15:58]
- Beth Rose
......
Food for thought from my Bible Study Fellowship lecture, "a Christian is a lifetime missionary"
...how are we each specifically called to fulfill the purpose He has set before us?
.....
~Remain in prayer for the peaceful complexity within the diverse people groups here.
~Begin requesting salvation on behalf of those involved in the Islamic holiday this upcoming weekend; we are all on our own just as undeserving as the other BUT by His grace through faith we are all just as deserving as the other.
~Consider those within your own families, neighborhoods, and communities one fashion of care or another through a listening ear, encouraging word, or simple smiling reminder of the importance of their existence.
~Given eyes to see, ears to hear, tongues to confess, hearts to respond, and arms to reach those eagerly awaiting the Good News and abiding presence of His Holy Spirit.
~Continued anointing on every last one of my prayerful, financial, and heartfelt sisters and brothers joining with me in this effort to expand the depths and understanding of His love worldwide one soul at a time
~Praise the Lord for my having the opportunity to taste a bit of the Midwest (USA) as a former missionary and dear friend of my Gorter great-aunts visited my home here and pray for continued favor upon her family as they remain Stateside
Thursdays are generally a day for catching up, personally and administratively with lesson plan like materials or even open opportunities for card games, fellowship, walks or other visits to or from newly made friends and sisters in the faith.
And Fridays include my joining the Mission Africa short-term squad (Rosie and Lynsey) for a time in the Word. We have studied Exodus 3 and 1 Corinthians 9 both leaving me with thought provoking practical application questions such as "If my life is not my own's but rather Christ's, would He own my thoughts, my actions, my attitudes, and approaches? Am I diligently running to win the prize He set before me?" My evenings generally come to a close with either a meal with a few long-term Christian Reformed World Missions partner missionaries or the larger Serving in Mission (SIM) body at this point in time.
Sunday has been generally a day of joining a beautiful young family to church, their home, and then a young ladies bible study on "Becoming a Women of Excellence." This was again a relationship that came with me from my internship (an English as a Second Language teacher's daughter and her family). What a mighty way our God works every last piece for His liking and use!
As for Saturdays, well I like to go it Nigerian style...take it as it comes. After meeting a young American (resident of Washington state) lady and her white family in the market area twice in one week we were invited (nearly begged) to her wedding. Eventually wrestling with the matter a bit led to the three of us going to the ceremony and my learning what's "clearly American" from these two British experts! And what do you know not just that, I believe these market encounters were God sent indeed! This newly wed Emily had only a few select white faces present outside of her family and every one of them a current resident of the US; a shame when you consider the large white American community here. Just for us to be pleaded by her mother and an American family friend of hers to make an effort to get to know her and provide her with friendships...she's taking quite the leap of faith out of a heart of obedient love and trusting her life in not only the Maker's hands but through Him, her new husband's as well and is in dire need of an understanding white communtity, wa-la! Praise the Lord, be praying for future divine appointments...I trust this one "to be continued" :)
Tribal dancing was of utter most joy as we three attempted our way into the wedding crowd at #2. Joining our Nigerian friends put our hearts at complete gratitude and yet uncertainty at times as "you can't run from it [being white]" as one of them reminded us as we were called over the loudspeaker "Annabelle, Annabelle, and her sister" to take a photograph with the bride and groom whom we had not yet met... apparently Annabelle must be a commonly thought of white woman's name =]
Just in case you were wondering two key things will come with me from these wedding differences, the volume and the warmth. Please remember that when you wonder one day why my own reception isn't quite "Dutch" or "American" in style...this is my forewarning, out with the structure in with another form of God honoring celebration!
.....
My sincerest apologies to all those of you I have not been able to follow through with more recently. The internet and electrical tendencies have been less than normal, in due time you will have your responses!
.....
"Therefore my dear brothers stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, becaues you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." [1 Corinthians 15:58]
- Beth Rose
......
Food for thought from my Bible Study Fellowship lecture, "a Christian is a lifetime missionary"
...how are we each specifically called to fulfill the purpose He has set before us?
.....
~Remain in prayer for the peaceful complexity within the diverse people groups here.
~Begin requesting salvation on behalf of those involved in the Islamic holiday this upcoming weekend; we are all on our own just as undeserving as the other BUT by His grace through faith we are all just as deserving as the other.
~Consider those within your own families, neighborhoods, and communities one fashion of care or another through a listening ear, encouraging word, or simple smiling reminder of the importance of their existence.
~Given eyes to see, ears to hear, tongues to confess, hearts to respond, and arms to reach those eagerly awaiting the Good News and abiding presence of His Holy Spirit.
~Continued anointing on every last one of my prayerful, financial, and heartfelt sisters and brothers joining with me in this effort to expand the depths and understanding of His love worldwide one soul at a time
~Praise the Lord for my having the opportunity to taste a bit of the Midwest (USA) as a former missionary and dear friend of my Gorter great-aunts visited my home here and pray for continued favor upon her family as they remain Stateside
.....
Any who received the message regarding school supplies and have not yet responded, disregard. To those of you who have responded, a large thanks is said...if you have not heard back from me be expecting to within the next week! Another great extent of rejoicing for quick partnerships :D
Any who received the message regarding school supplies and have not yet responded, disregard. To those of you who have responded, a large thanks is said...if you have not heard back from me be expecting to within the next week! Another great extent of rejoicing for quick partnerships :D
Beth,
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to hear how filled your days are! At first my thought was "how exhausted you must be!" but then I thought back to a certain two-week period of time, in which I made one of my best friends, and I know that God would not give you too much to handle, and when you are doing so much and in His name-you are not tired.
What courage you have been given! To hear God's calling and follow it.
So many times we forget the importance of showing God's love, and not our human discrimination, to those who believe differently.
Jewlz