Friends & Family,
As my first financial deadline approaches (May 22), I am excited to tell you I am only $750 away from my goal of $6,000. Through this time the Lord has truly taught me many things about the total dependence of Him and what that looks like. As I have prayed daily for the Lord to provide resources for next year, I am reminded that not only does He fill the cup I bring to Him, He also provides the cup for me to hold. In other words, not only does He provide for every need I have, He provides people to surround me in prayer and support. This realization has brought me ever more close to the beauty and total sovereignty of God’s timing – which puts me at ease.
Since my last blog, I feel as if God has laid many things on my heart. He has taught me more about Him, and has renewed a longing for something – much like a thirst that has been quenched. And, I want to testify to what I have learned through such a short window of time.
He is in control. He knows the words I will speak even before I come to Him in prayer. I am profoundly in awe of the goodness of God through not only what he has done but what He is doing in me. He is a living God. And through my prayer for fundraising, I have feel as if He has opened my eyes to see His working more and more. I have been brought back to an intimate satisfaction in the presence of God. He is the Good Father, and through my prayer, He answers according to what is best for me. As I have been preparing for my trip, it is like God has reminded me of this: before I am a servant of the Most High God, I am a son. I am a child of a Heavenly Father. And as I walk each day, He walks with me. So, I contemplate this truth and am deeply encouraged through the fact that my Heavenly Father has gone before me and out of the kindness of His heart, He brings me back to Him and provides every need I have.
My prayer is that people would know my heart, and will continue to have a desire to give. With a week away from my deadline, I am asking for financial support for those who are willing. And, those who are not in a place to give – know that you can pray for my heart to be encouraged, that I will find pure joy within times of sadness. That I may be totally submissive to God’s will when I am away. And, that the Lord will continue to work in my heart as I prepare for a 9 month journey overseas.
Blessings,
Ethan Pugh
