“Amazing” is the word we sometimes use to describe God’s provision. We say it as if we’re surprised that God has actually provided for our needs. But why should we be surprised? God’s “amazing” happens every day. He is always faithful—we just need to remember that even if we don’t always see it.
Our Story
When we returned to the United States on our first furlough, we had some great challenges before us. We had no home and no vehicle. Additionally, our family of seven had recently discovered a $2,000 (USD) shortfall in our monthly support—a more significant amount than we first anticipated. We had already pledged to visit our 55 supporting churches during the year, so meeting new supporting churches would prove extremely difficult. You can understand why our future seemed so daunting!
When our plane landed in the United States, however, we were amazed by the welcome we received. Our home church had secured two loaned vehicles and rented us a home next door to some of our dear friends. Not only was the house furnished, there was food in the cupboards and all of the beds were made.
It was not long, though, until we started having trouble with the engine of our borrowed van. When the old thing died, we were left without a vehicle big enough to hold our whole family. Still, the Lord gave reassurance that He would provide for us now, just as He had in the past. Soon a friend lent us a van so that we could attend a conference in Georgia. While we were at the conference, people repeatedly asked about our needs. After some reluctance, we told them of our situation with the vehicles. The next morning a man from the church handed us the keys to a very nice used van. He had heard of our plight and was inspired to purchase one for us.
This new vehicle enabled us to travel to churches and report on God’s work in Australia as well as our need for support. It was amazing to see God use those meetings to supply from all sides. Whether it was our supporting churches increasing their giving or individuals asking to support our ministry, God provided. We even received a call from the pastor of a church we had visited five years previously, who told us that his congregation had been praying and finally had enough funds to significantly support our ministry.
Soon, however, our other loaned vehicle began to give us trouble. When we called the family that owned the car, they promptly told us that they felt led to buy us another van. Although we argued that it was unnecessary, they asked that we not stand in the way of the Lord’s leading. We were humbled and thrilled that the Lord would take such good care of us. A few months later, we had a bad windstorm knock down a tree, totaling the van we had been given in Georgia. How clear God’s provision became to us in that moment!
In the End
In our 18 months in the United States, God provided for our needs in more ways than we can mention. He provided our food, shelter, and the extra $2,000 (USD) needed for monthly support. When gas was expensive, He provided $500 (USD) in gas cards through the generosity of a church. He provided a new laptop and Bible study computer software we would have never been able to afford. We almost find it hard to believe that in this so-called recession, we have experienced blessing over and over. God’s budget, it seems, is never strained.
The Lesson
With all of this provision, you’d think that we would have gained an unflappable faith in Him. The fact is, we still had our times of worry—fretting over how our physical and support needs would be met. But our tears of anxiousness turned into tears of joy as we have seen the goodness and provision of God. It didn’t always look like we had planned or hoped, but it was always in His perfect way and in His perfect timing.
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