A letter from Ingrid Reneau in Sudan
April 2011
Ingrid Reneau with Pastor Calisto Odede of CITAM ministries and Dr.Wachira, vice chancellor of Daystar University, discussing her comment that, “Salvation is Jah’s development plan for human beings, emphasis on the being part.”
Dr. Wachira, the vice chancellor of Daystar University, had just finished his presentation “‘South to South’ Ministry: The Role of the Church, Christian Institutions, Businesses and NGOs in Rebuilding the Republic of South Sudan.” I had a small donation for him and for Pastor Odede as invited forum speakers. I found them in the dining hall, where they expressed their appreciation for our discussions and commented on what they saw as my “remarkable” communication ability. After assuring them a few times that how and what I spoke was truly an answer to prayer and the reality of the Holy Spirit within, guiding every word, they were seemingly not convinced: “Yes, but what is your field?” Wachira asked. “African diaspora literature and women’s studies.” “Aha, so where do you go to church?” “At the moment, I am in between fellowships but considering Lavington United. Gentlemen, if I communicate remarkably, then this is why: Salvation is God’s development plan for the human being, with emphasis on the being part.” “Oh, you mean that some are more saved than others?” asked Wachira. “No, that is not at all what I mean,” I said. “Rather, what I mean is that salvation is a process of development of our being as humans, starting with that initial confession of faith in Christ as Savior, and the subsequent transformation by the renewing of our mind, where Christ Jesus becomes Lord of all ourself; until he, as the Kingdom of God within, begins to reign in all aspects of our lives; then we begin to reflect a different being in all expressions of ourselves; then we begin to reflect Christ himself, in all his wondrous ways of being ‘remarkable’ through our being capacity.”
Ingrid with Across’ Partners Forum keynote speaker, H.E. Dr. Pauline Riak (left), chair, Government of South Sudan’s (GoSS) Anti-Corruption Committee, and her assistannt, Leah Yongo (the flowers were Dr. Riak’s).
Such was the conversation that followed two of our finest presenters on the last day of Across’ International Partners Donors Forum titled “The South Sudan We Want: Confronting the Future with Hope,” held on March 22 and 23 in Nairobi.
Since returning to Across in early February, all of my energies had been consumed with preparing for this forum, and indeed, it was time well spent! We had wonderful participation, including H. E. Dr. Pauline Riak, chairwoman of the Government of South Sudan (GOSS)’s Anti-Corruption Commission, as our Keynote Speaker, and H. E. Anthony Lino Makana, GOSS’ minister of Roads and Transport, as our formal dinner speaker; both of their presentations were impassioned and dealt clearly with the current challenges facing the new republic of South Sudan. Thematically, these challenges we referred to as “slaying giants” — that South Sudan may indeed become the righteous nation that is heralded in the proposed new anthem. Conversely, we declared thematically, that slaying giants will be done by “releasing doves,” where dove(s) represent the presence and work of the Holy Spirit already very much in the people of the nation.
H.E. Dr. Pauline Riak, during a question and answer time at the forum.
Below is a quote from Dr. Riak’s Keynote Speech titled “Hope for Southern Sudan: Slaying the Giants”:
This vision in Isaiah (65:18-25) is a very powerful one. We desperately want to be blessed by the Lord. We want a South Sudan where the heroes of the liberation struggle will look down on us and nod their heads in approval and with pride, knowing that their sacrifice was not in vain. We want communities that can feed themselves, where children do not die from hunger. We want babies to live into adulthood. We know that we want all children to have access to quality education. … We want a united South Sudan where there is a common identity for all Southern Sudanese, where there is a strong belief and understanding of what it means to be Southern Sudanese. We know that we don’t want corruption. But most of all, we want peace. We want the lion and the lamb to lie down together. Peace is what will give birth to all of our other wants. Sustained and just peace is what will provide the space to recover from the emotional and physical wounds of war. Peace is what will encourage investment and economic growth. It is what will encourage the Southern Sudanese diaspora to return home and contribute to nation building.
H.E. Anthony Makana, GoSS’ minister of Roads and Transport, and former Across staff, presenting his speech at the formal dinner during Across’ International Partners/Donors Forum.
And from Makana’s speech, titled “The South Sudan We Want: Post-Referendum Challenges,” this quote:
South Sudan will continue to face enormous challenges for some time and will need long-term support after the establishment of the new Republic of South Sudan. The vote has created the world’s newest country, which would also be one of the least developed and home to some of the world’s poorest people.
After decades of war, we are building South Sudan almost from scratch. … I appeal to the international community not to forget South Sudan once the new country is established but rather to step up support that will enable the country to get on its feet. While the CPA [Comprehensive Peace Agreement] may be credited for ending over two decades of brutal conflict and bringing considerable benefits to the south, the CPA has also raised many people’s expectations beyond manageable proportions. These hopes and expectations will rise even higher after the establishment of the new country. If these hopes are not met it could potentially exacerbate tensions and fuel violence.
The Rev. Elly, program coordinator for Across’ Yei Location, presenting on “Sudan’s Current Contex&rduo; at the forum.
During our closing prayer ceremony it was evident that people’s hearts were stirred to become more committed to the work needed and currently being done to meet the dire needs of the people and government in South Sudan. This response, I know, was God’s answer to each of your prayers that he would use this forum to truly minister to each person as he desired to do, that none would leave as they came, and that all would come to see their part in serving, especially those coming from Kenya and other parts of East Africa, that Jah’s kingdom may come to bloom in the emerging nation of the Republic of South Sudan.
Thank you each and all so very much for continued prayer and financial support of the work in South Sudan.
For the utmost glory of Jah,
Ingrid
The 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 54
