As my team entered into this month, we were challenged to pray big prayers. We had started to pray big prayers as we left Vietnam. When we got to South Africa, we had the opportunity to attend Hillsong Church in Cape Town. The message that night was also about praying big prayers. So I decided to go for it. I’ve been trying to pray big prayers this month. And it has been amazing to see how God responded.
With our assignment being Unsung Heros, my team and I decided to pray for God’s complete provision. Since our schedule is a little more flexible, we wanted to be able to see God provide for us. We asked for housing to be provided. We asked for contacts to be supplied. We asked even for our food to be provided. We wanted God to lavish His love upon us. Did He ever.
As we began Unsung Heros, we received advice and knowledge from the other teams who have already had this assignment in our prior months. One thing that was passed onto us was to be patient. It can be kind of hard to get contacts and the first week can be really tough, sending emails and trying to make connections with people. Usually, you don’t even end up being able to start meeting until the second week. It was kind of discouraging to hear at first. We like to stay busy. Having to sit and send email after email for an entire week with little promise of having actual interaction with these contacts was not what we wanted to hear. God was way ahead of this.
While we were in Vietnam, we actually had a few names passed onto us of people working for the Kingdom in South Africa. As we started emailing them, we received quick replies. We had several meetings set up within the first few days of starting to contact people. This was so encouraging. Once the first meeting happened, it was like a flood. We had meeting after meeting set up. It got a little hectic after a while, trying to figure out how many meetings we had and at what times and determining how many of us would go to this meeting,etc. It was so encouraging! And it didn’t stop. It was a constant flow. God completely provided contacts for us.
As our first week came to an end, we found ourself in need of a new place to stay. The camp ground we were staying at no longer had room for us. Our taxi driver, Linden, took a few of my team mates to a meeting. Afterwards, he said he knew a christian lady who ran a hostel nearby. They stopped by and the lady offered to host us for the next week. She wanted missionaries to stay at her hostel. We couldn’t afford the lodging or food fees. She told us not to worry about it, that whatever our budget was, she wold work with it. It was so cool! God provided lodging for us for week two.
We had the chance to meet some wonderful contacts who are american missionaries in South Africa. Our contact in Vietnam was one of the girl’s brother-in-law. We got to spend an entire day with them, traveling around to all of the different projects involved in their ministry. We even got to spend another day with her as we toured a vineyard. It was so nice to meet american missionaries and to hear their hearts for South Africa. It almost felt like we had known them all our lives. God provided friends for us.
As week two came to an end, one of our squad leaders, Stacy, came to stay with us. It turns out that she has a friend living about 45 minutes away in Somerset West. In fact, the lady was more like a mentor to her. They lived near each other in America and attended the same church for quite a while before she moved to South Africa. She invited us over to dinner one night at her home. We were able to meet her beautiful children and spend a wonderful evening with her. As she asked us about what we are doing for the month, we explained. She then, offered to provide us with even more contacts. She invited us into her home to stay. It was so wonderful. It was the first time we have stayed with a family on our entire race. It was such a great experience. We had wonderful meals. We had two young girls to play with. We had a mother figure. We got to cook and clean. Our food was provided for us. We had a TV. We were spoiled. But the best part, we had amazing fellowship. God provided us with a home and a family.
Many people on my team are active. We enjoy working out. One of my personal goals was to run a 5k on the race. As we were driving with a contact one day to go to a meeting, she casually mentioned a color run that she was going to run in two days. After the sound of our excited screams quieted, she offered to help us register. She even invited us to join her team and provide transport for us. It was an amazing experience. God provided a color run.
Now we are in the fourth and last week of our month. We were unsure of where to go next, but fully aware that we needed somewhere to go. We had a few leads of some contacts in Bloemfontein. However, they fell through last minute. With no other prospects and no place to go, we were beginning to stress. Then, out of left field one of Katie’s contacts got back to her and asked us to come. He was willing to pick us up from the bus station and house us. He has been providing our meals for us. In fact, he won’t let us buy anything for ourselves. It’s kind of comical really, how God works. Even when we want to buy things for ourselves, He provides everything for us. God provided a second home.
One of my big prayers for the month was to be fully funded by the end of October. God has already blown me away with funding for this trip. $15,500 is a lot of money! But when God calls you to it, He will bring it to completion. So I asked Him to complete it. I asked Him to bring in the remaining funds for my trip. Now I am only $724 away from my deadline! Praise the Lord! God provided financial support.
It has been absolutely mind blowing to watch as God provides for us. I have always known that God provides, but it has been more of a head knowledge than a true heart knowledge. Now, my heart knows it’s true. God has provided for us again and again and again. And I am convinced that He is not done yet. He is continuing to provide for us, His daughters. I can’t wait to see how He continues.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Have you supported me before or would you be willing to support me again? I am only $724 away from my deadline. Can you help me to reach this goal? I have 3 more days to reach it. Please prayerfully consider donating to all that God is doing in my life and through me on this trip. Thank you so much!
