God Works Behind the Scenes – To Hope Community Church

“God is always working behind the scenes, engineering our circumstances and setting us up for success.”  That is a line out of a book I read this past month, In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day (great book to read).  When we see God, we are called to testify to it (John 1:3).  I have seen God’s hand clearly over and over again.  This blog is dedicated to Hope Community Church and all the others who have given cheerfully, selflessly and prayed me through this year.  Here is what God did before the race even began.

Events from May 2008 – December 2008 that prepared me for Africa and really the year.

• May 2008 – Accepted and committed to go on the World Race
• June 2008 – Began raising support…far too many stories to tell of God’s provision, but people I didn’t even know began giving.  After much prayer decided to sell my car to save money before the race.   
• July 2008 – In less than a week on Craig’s List my car sold to believers that were perfect strangers.  Not only did they buy my car, but they wanted me to present my trip to their church and I became their September Mission’s Project.  This church proceeded to raise a large amount of support for my trip.  They are no longer perfect strangers, but friends and faithful prayer warriors.
•  August 2008 – I moved from Windy Gap back to Charlotte.  I purchased a scooter and was bought a free bus pas through December to get to work in Charlotte.  God also provided a free place to live with a family and a great job immediately for those 4 months before the race.
• September 2008 – Hope Community Church offered me a car to use for free until I left in January.  The car was a stick, which I had no clue how to drive.  I had the scooter and bus setup, so there was much to consider and pray about.  
• October 2008 – My scooter sold in a few days on Craig’s List for $200 more than I had bought it for.  Jen Guzi and Meredith Ottinger/Newman put their own lives in my hands as they patiently taught me to drive stick.  We had some scary and humorous moments.   I had 2 yard sales with stuff donated from various families at Hope Church and Christ Covenant and raised close to $2500 for my trip.
• October 2008 – December 2008 – Became comfortable driving that little red car around Charlotte and joked that I would probably have to drive a stick shift somewhere this year.  All support was in and raised far beyond the amount needed.  My gear was covered and all my personal expenses.  It was all God.

Two things as you read those events.  Last month the only option to get to Botswana for our 2 teams was to rent 2 cars.  In South Africa you can pretty much only rent standards.  I was one of two people who knew how to drive a standard.   God set me up for success when He prompted Hope to give me that car.  The second thing, the Lord provides.  This is a brief sketch of my story, but I have 51 people traveling alongside that can tell you their stories.  God takes care of His people.