As Jesus was sending out the disciples, He told them to leave behind their money, clothes, travelers bags, sandals, and walking sticks. They were to accept hospitality and live in the homes of others (Matthew 10: 9-14). Leaving for the Race, I brought all the things He told the disciples not to (Except for my walking stick, I left that at home). But, I don’t think Jesus told them to do this because He wanted their lives to be difficult. I think He wanted them to live a life of complete reliance on Him. Therefore, whenever they were blessed with a place to stay, and food to eat, they would not think it was because of something they did, but rather what the Lord gave them.
As many of you may know, I live on about 5 dollars a day for lodging and 3 dollars a day for food. The rest goes towards our plane tickets and administrative costs. So I left home with a few things, but not a lot… Just enough to enter hard places and survive, but little enough for the Lord to to show me that HE is my provider and everything comes from His hands.
God’s provision has been AWESOME this month. As I said, we have a very small budget and it is almost like we have nothing since we are in Europe and everything is more expensive here. This has given God an amazing opportunity to be our provisioner! Here is what He has done:
- We are living in a really nice home in a really nice neighborhood. Each of us gets to live there for 2 dollars a day. We have beds, a gate outside our home, a bathroom with HOT water, a “mom” who washes our laundry for us, and a “granny” who cleans our house while we are away at ministry for the day.
- We have neighbors who invite us their homes whenever they can. When we were locked out of our house one night, they invited us to have candy, tea, and fruit. We then went to the other neighbors house who made us beds so we could rest till our friends got home. They also bring over baked goods sometimes.
- We have been given a key to the office so they we can use internet whenever we want, and not have to pay for it.
- Our favorite restaurant is Mojos. When we are there, they give us special treatment and even free food and drinks sometimes. They also let us come behind the bar and make our own coffee!
- I went shopping for boots this morning for Romania since it will be cold. I found a pair and the man offered them to me for half price because I was a Christian and a missionary.
- Whenever we ask for directions, we are not only told how to get there, but personally led all the way there.
- When Annee was sick and needed a doctor, someone came at midnight with a car and took us to the hospital.
- We are frequently invited by friends for free coffee.
We NEVER go without the things that we need… And sometimes the things that we want. We might could live on 3 dollars a day for food, but we would be hungry. And God doesn’t want us hungry, so He has blessed us with the generosity of others. We are always clothed, always full, never lost, in communication with loved ones, protected and healthy, and have a roof over our heads. We came to Albania with so little, yet we have so much.
I love Mark 9:41, “If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded”. Many people in Albania will surely be rewarded!
I’ll close with a question: God wants to provide for your every need as well. What are you, or aren’t you, believing in God for in you life? I’ll tell you some truth- When you believe in God to provide all your needs, He will. Matthew 6:31- “So don’t worry about these things saying, ‘What will eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows your needs.”
Seeking His Kingdom,
Kaitlyn
My friend Silvi and I. Silvi showed us around Kruja, her hometown, and took us
to the castle.
These were the beds made for us when we were locked out of our house.
Lauren and I exhausted after being led around the city by a sweet old lady. We walked for 1
hour and never found the building we were looking for. We needed to sit…
There’s a cool fountain behind us.. Can’t see it.
Lauren and I crossing the cobble stone streets
