Nothing good does He withhold

Team Torino member Ken quoted that verse (Ps 84:11) in an email he sent out this week testfying about the way God has worked in providing at every step on the way to Torino.

We know God has orchestrated our change of date because:

1. My apartment is still in construction
Recently I wrote about how I have entered into negotiations on an apartment. This apartment is unlike many others because it is:

a) in our price range;
b) near public transportation (in fact, these are on one of the main arteries of Torino!);
c) most of the team with me a stairwell or short walk away; and
d) brand new (not necessary, but helpful)

All of the other apartments available right now only meet one of four above. This apartment (and the rest of the building, where other Team Torino members may live) are still in construction and will not be ready until August - if we were to have arrived now in June, we would have to pay for two months of (expensive) temporary housing while waiting.

2. The perfect place for a large family
Team Torino members Ken & Mindi have a large family and have also been looking for a place. Finding a place to live from across the ocean is nearly impossible, as meeting the owner is essential to putting in an offer. Not only that, but finding a place suitable for a large family when Italians usually have just 1 child, and finding a place that would not isolate them from the rest of the team has been a daunting task. On Tuesday afternoon, word came in from Italy on the perfect place, where they will be in the same complex as another family, near a direct bus route to the rest of their team -- and the owners accepted a price LOWER than their minimum. And they have never met! It could only be God.

3. God is our Provider

To put it plainly, support "ebbs and flows." That's what I've thought of it; that's what Team Torino member Cristi said of it. And it's true. For 4 months I stalled just under 50% pleged. Other times I have sometimes JUMPED 20% in a matter of weeks. I've kept doing what I had always been doing. But while the responsibility to be faithful to what God has called me to do remains with me, the responsibility to provide perfectly, lies with God. And He has chosen to keep us as a team from being fully supported up until now.