I don’t know of a word in the english language that can fully describe the gratitude in my heart towards all of my supporters! Thank you so much for your faithfulness to God’s call and for supporting me financially, spiritually, and emotionally as I prepare for the World Race.
Along that vein, I wanted to share with you one of the coolest stories of God’s provision I have experienced. I have friends here in Lexington that were the very first to encourage me and financially support my decision to go on the World Race. They are used to my somewhat “unconventional ideas” and I don’t think it surprised them in the least that I was planning to travel the world and spread the gospel.
Truth be told, without their initial financial support I am not sure I would have maintained the confidence to go. They were the first people I told about the race, and the first to invite me over and hand me a large sum of cash. It goes without saying that the amount of money they gave me was a huge sacrifice to their growing family. We had had numerous conversations about how sometimes it was a stretch to buy groceries, etc…so to receive a significant donation from them was very humbling to me.
I resisted, and tried to give it back, but they would hear nothing of it. They were confident that the Lord had led them to give and they were adament with their support. I honestly believe that the Lord used that money to hold my feet to the fire and as motivation so I wouldn’t chicken out. I knew it was a sacrifice for them, and I knew they would lose the money if I decided not to go on the trip. There were many days that the Lord reminded me of His confidence in me by their financial giving.
Malachi 3:10 says “Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
I can honestly say that this couple tested the Lord in their giving and He has rewarded them richly. I rececently received the most AMAZING phone call from them reporting that they were going to receive an enormous and
unexpected tax refund this year because of some miscalculations in their payroll withholdings. The extra money will help with things like monthly expenses and paying for fun things like swingsets for the kids, etc…The Lord truly provided for them! When they first decided to support me they had no idea that this blessing would come their way and struggled to see how they would meet their financial obligations, but they trusted the Lord and are being BLESSED a thousand times over because of it. PRAISE HIM.
You know who you are…and thank you for your faithfulness. I am humbled and have only one response: How Great is our God!
I write this story as a challenge to all of us (especially myself!) Are we willing to put our finances in His hands and BELIEVE that He will throw open the floodgates of heaven and rain down blessings?
I pray that our Father will speak gently and clearly to each one of us and remind us that our citizenship is in Heaven (Phil 3:20) and the things of this earth will fade away. What an opportunity we have to worship Him with our finances.
On a lighter note, both the June team and September team travel to GA this week for training. I ask for prayers that we would have traveling mercies, a time of renewal and cohesion as a team, and that a passion for the Lord would be ignited in each of our hearts!
A little prayer for some camping skills to suddenly overcome me by tomorrow would be great as well! This is gonna be fun!!
Love you all!
