I can’t stop crying… This has been the story of my life since visiting AIM in December and my trip to Cameroon in January. This weekend was no exception, the HAPPY tears flowed freely.
The past few months, but May in particular has been a tremendous test of my faith. I have struggled with wondering if I heard God clearly, Am I truly supposed to be a Missionary? Did I completely miss God or His timing? Have I moved in flesh? If this isn’t what I’m supposed to be doing, where should I be? What is my purpose in life?
This past week God reminded me of a few things…
During my time in Cameroon I spent time at The Potter’s House Education Centre. This is an elementary school. One of the children I met was a little girl named Lydia. She is 3 years old and just as sweet as she can be. Lydia has a severe case of bowed legs due to Ricketts. The Lord gave me a burden to help do something about her condition. I spoke to her teacher and then her parents about taking her to the Dr. to see if there was anything that could be done. The Dr.’s said an operation was her only option. I told her mother that I would raise money for the operation.
Several friends and family members began saving change to pay for the operation.
May 27th came and we were still short of the goal amount for Lydia’s operation. I had been fasting and praying and waiting for answers. I sent out “one more email” letting people know of the need and the amount of money that was still needed. I received a phone call from a friend saying that she and her husband would donate the final amount of money! I had the opportunity to speak to her yesterday and she told me that they have been holding on to the money, not knowing what to do with it since January! My mind began to race. January 23 is when we initially took Lydia to the hospital in Cameroon and when I told her mother that we would raise money. Unknown to me God already had the finances taken care of when He placed the burden in my heart!!!
Another friend’s church gave a reverse offering to their congregation and told the members to pray about where to give the money. They decided to donate the money for Lydia’s operation.
Several others donated and there are many other stories that I can tell. There isn’t enough time or space on this blog for me to share all that has happened.
All of these donations helped me in my own struggles as a missionary. Living by faith and trusting God to meet all of my needs and the needs of the people around me has been quite interesting. I have been trying to raise this money since I came home from Africa. It wasn’t coming in as fast as I thought it should and I was wondering if I heard God clearly. If I made a mistake, I would be letting a lot of people down. This was my reminder that I do hear from God, I am NOT in control, HE IS. I always say, What God orders He pays for. He won’t give vision without provision. We just have to trust and wait on Him. There is an old song that says, He may not come when you want Him but He’s right on time!
This was certainly right on time as Lydia will be going to the hospital today to have her legs checked again and to schedule the surgery.
All in all this money isn’t just paying for the surgery. It’s helped spur me on to continue to be obedient at all costs. Even when I can’t see what God is doing and I don’t understand, I need to go in the direction He’s leading me.
You will never know what this has done for my own faith, much less the faith of Lydia and her family. I can’t stop crying thinking about how good God is. It has reinforced the fact that God doesn’t put us in a battle where He doesn’t give us more than enough faith to get through it.
Thank you to all who gave and who continue to support me with prayers, finances and words of encouragement.
