I’m so grateful for some amazing people that God has placed in my path since the beginning of the World Race. I first think of our ministry partner in the Dominican Republic. Pastor Raul’s passion and heart never seemed to waver for his ministry in the city of Azua. He is a prime example of a man with tremendous faith. When Pastor Raul and his wife, Zanza, first married, they had very little money. God called them to the city of Azua to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and they obeyed. He told me that there were many times where they had bills that were due but no money in the bank to pay them off. Then, at the last moment, the money would show up and the bills would be covered. Pastor Raul said that if you do the work, God will pay the bills. Having the opportunity to watch his and Zanza’s life of obedience has been a huge blessing for me. They are proof that God will take care of His own.
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Another mighty saint is Pastor Maula (pronounced “mole-ah”). He grew up where he now ministers in Gonaives, Haiti. Both he and his wife, Elda, run the operations at the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base where my team is staying this month. Pastor Maula shared his personal testimony with some people from our team one evening… He started and pastored a church for 7-8 years. Then God called him to attend Discipleship Training School (DTS) through YWAM. After completing his DTS, God placed the need on Pastor Maula’s heart for a YWAM base in Gonaives to minister to the community there. Pastor Maula and Elda established its initial location in 1996. They had a number of partners that were excited to be apart of this international ministry. However, once his partners realized that they could not easily get visas to come to the United States or that there were other challenges involved, they abandoned Pastor Maula. Pastor Maula remained true to God’s calling and although his family faced some tough times, God alwys met their needs. He went on to say that when God gives you a vision you have a choice to make: you can either be passive and hope that God will do the work or be active and run with it knowing that God will see you through. God wants us to be involved in His purposes.
I have learned a number of things from these two men of faith and their families, but one thing stands out for me: God desires total trust and obedience from us. No matter what His will is for our lives, whether it be on a grand scale or something that may go unnoticed by other people, God requires us to listen and obey. When we do this, He will provide and our faith will be made stronger because of it. To be sure, there will more than likely be challenges when following the Lord, but “… let us also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:3-5).
