“I need you to provide for them a Thanksgiving dinner…”
“How the heck am I supposed to do that.. this culture doesn’t even celebrate Thanksgiving?”
“Just trust me, I will provide… But let Me use you.”
This was the conversation that took place, Wednesday, November 16, 2011 between God and myself as I lay in the dark alley holding Isabelle while she slept in my arms…. praying, asking God what He wanted this ministry to look like for this next month and He comes out and says: “Provide for them a Thanksgiving dinner.”
So there it was… a simple vision God placed on my heart… What to do with it yet… I have no clue.. but I knew that it was from God and it was what He wanted for these kids and this ministry.
With that vision, I took it to Sharon, the lady who is in charge of the street ministry, and asked her what her thoughts about it.. Basically she thought it was great and said I would need to provide about $100 USD for the meal…
Me bring a missionary, I had no clue where this money was going to come from.. so the first place I go to is facebook. Ha. I got home from the street ministry and posted a status saying:
“facebook friends… I need your help….. while hanging out with the street kids tonight… God placed a vision on my heart.. Next Wednesday we are attempting to put together a Thanksgiving dinner for the street kids.. I am looking for people who are willing to partner with me to help provide a Thanksgiving dinner for 80+ street kids next week… if anyone interested please message me for details… we are attempting to raise $100 to provide food, some clothes, and showers for these kids. Any donation helps!”
Little did I know what this status was going to bring… God knew.. but I had know clue.. Through facebook and connections back home.. Within the next 48 hours, God brought in over $400 USD for this dinner…
So now.. my simple vision, God blew up.. and through it all, kept whispering in my ear…
“Just trust me, I will provide.”
With $400 USD in the bank, I had no clue what to do with all this money or what direction to even take.. So I prayed some more, and asked for more direction.. and after multiple conversations and much prayer.. The simple thanksgiving dinner turned into the “Street Kids Thanksgiving Carnival Extravaganza 2011.”
With much direction from God and help from my squad.. In one week we were able to buy supplies and food and put together a carnival where the kids were taken off the street with there families for one night to be just kids.. and not have a care in the world.
God took a simple vision and blew it up into something big. Something He wanted and desired for these kids and there family. He provided all the funds, opened all the doors, and made it all happen. Its crazy how it worked out.. But God provided and did what He wanted with the night… and He chose to use us to do it.
So heres my challenge… Allow yourself to be used. It crazy how God can take something as small as a Thanksgiving dinner and blow it up into something huge… if we just trust Him and allow Him to use us. We serve a Big God… Who wants to use us and provide for us.. but can't unless we allow Him to.. So let Him. Allow yourself to be used and trust that He is going to provide for you through it all.
…. Stay tuned for part 2 to see how it all went down..
