This daily Bible lesson is the outcome of years of fasting and prayer. Years of waiting on God, trusting in His faithfulness and going where He sends, have led me to the people and organizations that currently receive these. Many of the initial recipients forward to friends and family throughout the world. The name - itiswellwithmysoul - is derived on a hymn which has brought me much peace in the difficult times as I learned to walk with God in my ever-changing life.

Background

About fifteen years ago. I began praying to the Lord, a prayer Moses prayed, as he led the children of Israel, while in the wilderness. "... teach me your way that I may find grace (favor) in your sight ..." The Lord answered "My presence will go with you and I will you rest" Moses continued "If your presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here." So I prayed Teach me your way that I may find favour in your sight and do not send me anywhere, if your presence does not go with me." (Exodus 33:13 - 15) I also asked the Lord to make me into the kind of person that would please Him. Change my attitude my life, my responses to situations and to give me divine wisdom, understanding, discernment and discretion.

When things changed dramatically in my life, I was distraught. I cried to the Lord, begged and pleaded for a job, a new home, with no results. Now do not misunderstand me. I was never hungry or destitute, but I was also no longer in the driving seat. I was constantly reminded of the hymn we sing "... Mercy drops round us are falling, but for the showers we plead." Then of course there is what I would like to term "The Social Press" Both in and out of the church. The reproach and condemnation were rife. Some said I was going through depression, some, I must have done something wrong. In other words, my deeds were catching up with me. Some implied that I had lost the nerve to function as a professional and had relegated myself to being a stay at home mom/grandmother, where according to a friend, there is no intellectual stimulation.

But, my God by His Holy Spirit comforted and counseled me and let me know that I must go through this 'valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil for He is with me. His rod and His staff were enough to comfort me.' I finally began to learn how to rest in the Lord. These years are worth to me any Ph.D. from the Ivy League Colleges. I have learned more about myself and my world than I can express. God has shown Himself to be real.

I learned to trust God where I cannot trace Him.

Uganda Mission

The crafts page is also part of what has become my life over the past years. The goal is to source financial support the work of this evangelist and her organization in the ministry of the gospel and in their fight against poverty and HIV/AIDS

In the year 2000, I joined with two friends in an overseas outreach to support evangelical work in Uganda. Baskets and other artifacts made mainly by women were purchased from Uganda and sold here in the U.S.A. My friend, Mary Froese had seen a video on the work done by Gertrude Kabatalemwa and the National Effort for the Eradication of Poverty in Uganda, which inspired her to get involved. Mary purchased the baskets at the price set the women in Uganda and paid to ship them to the United States of America. She asked another friend Carol Spalding and I to help her and we readily agreed. I became the spokesperson, based on my experiences in Africa. The baskets were sold here at market value and the money was then sent again to Gertrude and her organization. We visited churches and were able for the most part to achieve our goal.

Having moved into another state, my work now is directly with Gertrude. Our efforts are to set up an enterprise which would be efficient and which would support our ministries.

Gertrude is a born again believer who has combined her efforts to save souls with her fight against poverty. The women who make these baskets are grand-mothers or women who have lost their husbands. Prolonged wars and HIV/AIDS have ravaged villages, killing men and women and leaving many children orphans. Those who remain, mainly women have to take care of themselves and their children and the children of relatives. Grand-mothers are significant among this population, taking care of young children from resources derived from basketry.

Batik wall paintings are made by youths and carvings seem to be a male preserve. Other fabrics are typically worn by African women and men.

Gertrude's organization also supports her ministry to women in prison. Reports indicate that these women lack basic necessities including clothing.

Using this experience, similar work is expected to begin with women in Guyana, South America, the country of my birth.

Pearls

The shawls and scarves are my own creation. Once while sitting in church, praying to the Lord, He said to me, "What is it you have in your hand? Use it." Those who know me, know that whatever the season, my shawl is with me. However it took me a while to realize, the simplicity of the command. My thoughts went to all the things I was doing with my hand. Tried most without any sustained success. Finally the penny dropped. Some of us are very slow. Help us Lord.

Sample Lesson

December 2, 2004

Genesis 15: 2 But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD , what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit [3] my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3 And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir." 4 Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir."

Lesson: I can empathize with our father, Abram's sentiments. It is scary but also very awesome to watch the blessing of God unfold in our lives. To think that God can fulfill His promise from nothing! Abram had no heir but God promised Him an inheritance. From the human stand point Abram and Sarah were long past child-bearing age. Abram could not see what was ahead. Neither can we. We analyse our situation based on what we know and come up short. God's promises to us go beyond what we can see. I will tell you a story. In the year 2001 major renovation and repairs were done to my home to the tune of about US$30,000. It was the year when I had earned nothing so I had nothing to put towards the work. I had however been praying to the Lord about it. About five years earlier had a dream/vision in which there was a plaque made for my home which said: "It is the Lord, Jesus. He does all things well." In the years of waiting to get the house done, I very often wondered how it would be done. I conjured all types of schemes to no avail. Finally I decided that previous to all this many years ago I had given the house back to God. If the house belonged to God he will do the necessary repairs. Well He did and far beyond my imagination. The plaque not stands at the front of the house as a true testimony to God, whose promises do not fail. The God who said, "I am the Lord is anything too hard for me?"

Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus we come before to give thanks and praise to Your name. Father we will trust You where we cannot trace You, for You are faithful and true in all Your ways. Amen