Earlier this week, when we landed in Tanzania, something still weighed on my mind- while half of our trip had been covered by a sacrificial love gift, the costs of the trip continued to mount.
Whenever I looked at food or travel options, I couldn’t help but look at the lowest options. Yet, I felt God tell me that that reflected a lack of faith.
“Choose what you would based on My Spirit in you, and not what your eyes can see.”
I struggled. But as I yielded, I finally found courage to book an affordable mini-safari for our children to experience wildlife here.
A part of me grew in audacity to pray, “God, would you come through for us? Would you show us that your hand is never short to provide?”
For years, and even more so of late, many have cautioned us against moving to a developing country to serve unless we’d raised funds sufficient for 2-3 years in advance. While I respect the fund-raising ethos of many mission organizations to ensure longevity of their work and workers, we have never been convicted to fundraise for ourselves.
A part of me wonders- What happened to “going by faith”? Over time, have we made missions into a machine made fit only for people who have ticked all the safety checkboxes before they can even depart?
We, on the other hand, seem to have got it all backwards, all “wrong.”
How could we embark on a vision trip if our savings were dwindling? How could we even consider a long-term placement if we didn’t have a wide base of support or a missions organization to back us?
“God, would you take care of the costs of this trip and assure us that you’ll take care of our future too?” I needed to know. I needed to see Him come through myself.
On the morning that we received the email from a random stranger, I staggered in awe of God’s message— “I will provide, not a moment late.
I will provide, above and beyond.
I will provide as long as you obey.”
Friends, I hope our story encourages you. That as long as we walk in obedience and by the values He’s placed in us, we can trust that He will come through for us. 💛