Back in March, I wrote a blog titled When God withholds His Provision (click the title if you want to read). Quick summary: I mentioned how God doesn’t always provide for our needs. Sometimes, He withholds what we need as a form of discipline. Discipline isn’t a “bad” thing. It carries a negative connotation but it is meant to make us stronger. When God disciplines, He is training us, preparing us, making us stronger, or redirecting us away from something harmful. So here is an update.
In February, I received $2,000
In March, $300 (this is when I wrote about God withholding his provision and God wanting me to be more involved in fundraising)
April – May??
Nearly $10,000 in funds raised or people committing to giving a specific amount this summer!
I was concerned about reaching my $5,000 deadline by May 15, today. Instead, God has provided to the point that I am now just shy of my $13,000 deadline in September! How cool is that! My prayer is still that God will provide me exactly what I need and no more and I believe He is faithful to do that, but in this part of the journey He surely has gone above and beyond…
God is good. It has filled me with Joy to see the generosity of His people. There is something truly special about being a part of this family. For example: The young adult ministry at Rimrock Church all volunteered to help with a fundraising lunch that we had after church. No questions asked, they just jumped on board and supported my vision and mission for this trip. It was a ton of fun grilling burgers and hot dogs and feeding hundreds of people. Seriously, everyone piled out of the church and jumped right in line to give and share a meal. The better part? Seeing everyone enjoy fellowship and sit around the tables as we shared a meal together as part of the same family. The lunch brought in just over $4,000 for my trip. I am blessed with an amazing church family here in Rapid City.
I was also in Sioux Falls recently visiting friends from Iowa. While we were there we took a trip to falls park. We were just walking out when we walked by three lovely ladies sitting on the park bench. We smiled as we walked by and somehow or another got to talking. They may have been a couple generations older than us but I can definitely say I made some wonderful friends that day. It was amazing to share such a beautiful sunny day with three women all from different churches in town. One even asked if she could write about the four of us young men in her Sunday bulletin as an example of the work God is doing in our lives! It’s good to know I have family all over the place praying for me.
Unity, and fellowship is a beautiful thing. It produces gratitude in my heart and praise on the lips of not just the person receiving gifts, but also on the lips of those who give. Surely it is a blessing to belong to the House of the Lord.
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
-Psalm 133:1-3
There have been many other moments and friends along the way. Some I’ve known for years, some for a week, some for 20 minutes, but all of you have helped support God’s mission. My prayer is that God will continue to work and that I can be a source of joy and hope to each one of you that supports me financially or through prayer. Keep the smiles on and keep loving! God has poured out his blessing not just financially but also in friendship, love, community, and joy. Join me in praising Him today and thanking Him for all that He has done. For those who are struggling seeing God’s provision in their lives know this:
God loves us dearly, sometimes He withholds, sometimes He provides, but He always cares for us. Therefore…
“do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows”
Trust in Him for the Hope we have is a confident Hope and will last the night.
It truly is a beautiful thing when God provides.
Want to be a part of my journey and support my trip? You can donate right here on my blog at the top of the page ??
605-951-2751
