Have you ever noticed God’s sense of humor when it comes to His timing? Sometimes He can get pretty crafty. I was reminded of this during my layover on the way to The Philippines last month.
It actually starts in Cambodia. As you know our ministry in Cambodia was teaching at Shalom International School and I loved everything about it but I especially loved the local Cambodian teachers that we were able to work along side. In the mornings, Julia and myself had the privilege of teaching with Srey Noch. Srey Noch is one of the most humble, kind and fun spirited people I’ve encountered on the race and she absolutely loves being able to teach although she doesn’t believe that she is any good at it. Throughout the month, I was blown away by how much she love teaching, loves her students and by how much time she spends helping others. Every weekend I would ask what her plans were and it always consisted of helping at her church or home visits to other’s in her community. She even came out on a Saturday to help us decorate their classrooms. This girl was always the first one at the school (at least by 6:30am) and she lives in the city of Phnom Penh which is at least an hour-long moto drive. (Motos, or moto-bikes, are the most popular way of transportation for most. I would explain them as a step above a moped but not quite a motorcycle.)
During our last week of teaching in Cambodia, Srey Noch seemed sad so Julia and I asked her if everything was okay. She explained to us that she was going to have to quit teaching because her ride could no longer bring her to school every day and she didn’t have the money to buy a moto. Let me just put an emphasis again on how much this girl LOVES teaching! She seemed so defeated and heartbroken telling us she was going to have to give her notice of resignation.
So I started thinking how we could help? You know that moment when God just puts a pounding in your heart and the harder it pumps the more positive you are that He’s telling you to act on it? Well this was one of those moments…. Right then, Julia asked how much a motorbike would be. Srey Noch gave us an estimated number and Julia just gave me a sly smile and I knew in that moment that we were going to get her a motorbike.
After class, Julia and I met up to figure out a game plan. We both knew that we didn’t have that kind of money to just give away freely but we also knew that we felt like this is something God was telling us to do and that in the end He would provide for us in other ways. So we each went to the ATM and pulled out the money and on our last day at the school we left it in a card for Srey Noch and told her she wasn’t allowed to open it until after we left.
A few days passed and it was time to fly to The Philippines. Our squad had an overnight layover in the Malaysia airport so naturally Julia, Sarah and I found ourselves at a bar where we could get some dinner, drinks and post up for awhile. There was a group of Americans at the table beside us and a conversation was started between all of us. We explained why we were traveling, what the World Race is and why we felt called to it and they also told us about their travels. By the end of the night, they had given us their business cards and we gave them our blog pages but before they left to catch their flight, they unexpectedly handed us some cash to cover our bill and I felt God whisper, “It’s not how you expected it but I told you I would provide”. What made this even cooler was that just an hour before the three of us were just venting about all of our frustrations with God and how we have so many unanswered questions and confusions and then He goes and gives us a small blessing like that. The three of us joked that God provided us a round of drinks to show us that he heard our frustrations.
Then the next day, we arrived in the Philippines. That night, Julia, Sarah and I went to visit one of my friends at the hotel she was staying at and what do you know, once again our bill was covered for the night. Okay Lord, I see you. At this point I couldn’t help but laugh and just think that, once again, God was providing my round of drinks on Him. He has a pretty good sense of humor.
THEN the next day I woke up with an email from my donor page telling me I had a pretty significant donation come through which may not seem big but this is the first donation I’ve had come since January! In 4 months! And once again I was reminded, “I told you I would provide for you”. In less than 1 week, He had provided more than what I gave. Lord, I love the way you like to surprise us and your timing.
About two weeks later, Julia and I received this picture from Srey Noch. She no longer has to worry about how she will get to work and she can continue on with teaching.
Lord, you’re good.
Giving never felt so great.
