As soon as I posted the previous blog, I received a message from Betty Griffin, a lady in my mother’s UMW who shares a heart for missions… the message read, “The UMW of Goldthwaite would like to replace Lazarus’s sewing machine.”
In the same evening, I went to a dinner party to thank families of missionaries who helped one our teams rebuild an orphanage that was flattened by the recent floods in Mozambique. Since the missionaries live in South Africa and work frequently in Mozambique, I decided to ask their advice on where to purchase the machine. Because of reliability and price, we decided that South Africa, so I began writing every sewing machine shop in the Nelspruit area. Our team headed off to the campground to call it a day!
When I awoke in the morning, I went into town and called the Bernina sewing shop, which led me to the Singer sewing shop, who had just what I was looking for – a sewing machine that did not require electricity!
– one that runs on both by foot power and electricity!
Now, I knew where I could buy a machine, but I didn’t know exactly if this was a done deal. I emailed the lady and gave her the price. By Sunday, she had raced all the money for the sewing machine, plus a little more for any extra needs! God is so good!!
But the story gets better…
I also woke up Sunday to find myself worrying about how to get the sewing machine from here to Mozambique. Even though Jesus says, “Do not worry… each day has enough trouble of its own;” I still was worrying… but God had it taken care of.
I sent a text to Matthew, my friend who became friends with Laz, saying, “Realistically, how am I going to get the sewing machine for South Africa to Mozambique?” I knew if we took public transportation, the legs would break. I didn’t have a solution.
– Imagine the sewing machine on top of this. –
I went on with my morning. I read a book, read the Bible, and journaled – only to find myself playing on a big rock with streams of water flowing through it. I ended up falling in the water and sitting under a waterfall to receive the best massage of my life! All my worries were given to God at the moment. I said, “God, I’m not getting up until you tell me to.” When he motioned for me to get up, I laid under the sun! As I was listening to worship music and soaking of the rays, I felt my phone vibrate by my foot. It was Matthew saying three missionaries (Craig, Nina, and Momma John) who live next door to him were coming the next day to Nelspruit to renew visas and other paperwork. God’s timing is perfect!
On the flipside of things… Earlier in the week, Nina was walking down a path (she rarely walks down) with a pastor friend (she rarely visits with) and runs into Sherry (she rarely runs in with). Nina is preaching in church on Sunday and invites Sherry to church. Sherry returns home from her day at the hospital and invites Matthew to join her on Sunday. After church, Nina overhears the conversation between Matthew and Sherry on how to get the sewing machine to Mozambique… and this is when I received the call that calmed all my worries!!
On Wednesday, I went to pick the machine up from the Singer sewing shop! When I got there, they had the machine waiting for me! We are praying that Lazarus gets electricity, even though it is not always reliable, so I asked if the machine could become electric. The cord was going to cost about 20 USD, which I was willing to purchase. All of sudden the lady left, only to come back to say to say her manager would discount the machine 25 USD from what I was quoted and give me the electrical cord for free! God is so good!
We met the same night to give the sewing machine to Craig and Nina!! It was an amazing God-ordained time! Not only did was I able to pass the machine on to Craig and Nina, but my team was able to visit with these missionaries who had spent many years in international missions!
Matthew received the machine last night… Within the day, Lazarus will receive his brand-new sewing machine…in which God took care of ALL the details to have it arrive safely at his house!!
I am very greatful… and I can’t wait to post when Laz receives his new sewing machine!!
