Only God

      
 I have been praying for God to give me the words to write this post.  I want so badly for it to be a testament and encouragement for whatever you need in your life.

     This whole journey of stepping out on this mission field has been one of EXTREME growing of our faith.  It's so funny to hear people say, "What you are doing is so admirable.  You will be helping so many."  because we feel like WE have been the one's blessed more than you can imagine.  And I can not wait to share with the people in the Dominican  the love, knowledge and sacrifices that we have received from so many of you. 

     If you have read any of my previous posts you know that I have struggled with staying strong 100% of the time.  I have my moments of weakness because of my flesh.  I relied on what I could see and not what I couldn't.  But I just want to share with you all that it's what we can't see that is MOST important.  I have come to understand that I have NO CONTROL over anything.....it's all in God's hands.  I know you have heard this a million times but when you let go of that "control" you think you have and give it all to God....that is when life gets sweeter than you could ever imagine.  You grow to TRUST Him to lead your life, you finances, your day to day decisions. 

     Here's my recent story that reaffirmed that God will provide for your every need when you listen and obey His will.  Since Brian and I have said "Yes God" we have just taken one step at a time.  Each time God said,  "Ok...now do this." we did it....whether it was hard or uncomfortable.  The hardest part was keeping our patience as we waited.  But that is when we would literally drop to our knees and pray harder and strengthen our relationship with our Savior.  A few weeks ago I was talking to Brian and I said, "You know we talk about that we have faith that God will provide for us to go but we are hesitant to buy our plane tickets because of all the what ifs."  So we decided to pray for an answer on this huge leap of faith because we were pretty far away from our monthly support.   So this last Saturday morning we took the next step and bought our plane tickets to leave 8 days later.  That very same day we received a phone call from some dear friends of ours.  She had so much excitement in her voice and said she wanted to talk to us both on speaker phone.  As she was crying she began explaining to us that she and her husband had been praying for months about how they could support us.   She said she felt embarrassed and confused because God wasn't answering them....but they kept asking and waiting.  Well the same day that we bought our plane tickets God placed it on their hearts BIG TIME that they should pay for our rent for two years and not only at the low rent house we were budgeting for,  but for a home with more security for our families safety!   The coolest part was neither of us knew what each others prayers had been! 

     I had been praying for God to provide in a way that there was no mistaking it was ALL HIM!

     So the greatest part of this story is that we never know what is going on "behind God's scenes".  He is orchestrating ways for you to be taken care of that you could never have imagined.

     Please don't get me wrong....money is not the only way we have been blessed with, although it is a necessity to survive while we are serving. 

     Other ways we have been blessed:

• Sold our house quickly 
• We got to rent our house back for 3 months until closer to time to go!
• Walking Taco Fundraiser with great hosts and volunteers and friends that put it all together.
• Old friends and New friends asking us to share our missions journey at their churches.
• Garage Sale at a friends house with TONS of donations to sell and many generous shoppers.
• Encouragement!
• Beautiful hearts sharing stories of how God healed them from exploitation.
• Birthday Party from a 9 year old friend and a bunch of other friends that opted no gifts for herself and donations to go to our ministry!  $770!!!!!!!!!!!
• Free place to stay for the last week before we left. 
• Many monthly and one time sponsors!
• Luggage! 
• New friends
• And of course an amazing ministry with a team that we cannot wait to serve along side.

      So we continue on to this next chapter in our life without being 100% funded but knowing 100% of that this is God's plan and we will always be provided for.  And with all of these blessing my excitement is that much greater to see how God will use us to give hope and encouragement to everyone that will cross my path.

Jeremiah 29:11

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.