Feeding of the 5,000

The current economic crisis has made support raising seem like an impossibility to many - who can raise $3,462 in monthly commitments in less than a year? I can't. But God can.

During missions conference and the week following, God supplied nearly 100% of my out-going support (which buys my plane ticket, shipping of earthly possessions and furniture once I get there, like a bed, dresser, etc)! Only God could do something of that immensity in that short period of time! In this way God showed His blessing and reconfirmed that this indeed is what He has called me to.

This is one way I know that God has called me to this. How else could I have gotten over $700 in a one-day garage sale? That day the most expensive thing we sold was $30 and we only sold 3 or 4 things near that price. It was as if the dollar bills multiplied in our fanny packs like the bread and fish did in the hands of the disciples! And that was only one day of five that God provided for this ministry.

God provided nearly double the amount I need on a monthly basis (which is $3,462) in six days - don't you think He can can provide half of what He did in six days on a monthly basis? Do you believe it for your own life?

There were five days out of eight where I received one-time gifts. These gifts help me to physically get situated in Italy. But without monthly commitments, I'll never get the go-ahead from the administration at Avant to actually buy my plane ticket. 

God really does provide. I've seen it with my very own eyes. And recently. 

And this is God's will for me. To go. To keep fixed on this plan. He has given me no reason to think differently, and, as a matter of fact, given me more reason to KNOW that I must keep moving forward. Even though I linger below 50% of monthly commitments (I need 100% to get the go-ahead!) - I know that God's timing is perfect and He indeed has the resources to get me there... now it is a matter of finding those through whom God will provide and waiting for Him to move in their lives. 

5,000 men, not including women and children were fed a total of five loaves and two fish. And TWELVE BASKETS FULL were left over (Mt 14).

Do you believe God multiplies His resources even in "a tough, economic crisis"? I believe He provides and sees His will be done! He's done it even now!

Johana

Recently I've placed a challenge before people asking them what $1 a day means. I believe that one dollar a day, or $30 a month can literally change lives in Torino. When speaking about this challenge many bring up supporting children in poverty-stricken countries. So, to contradict the "wise" proverb: "do as I say, not as I do," I decided to also take up the $30/month challenge - giving $30 a month out of my salary, in the place of whatever pleasure I may like - this time, however, by supporting a child a very impoverished situation through a Christian organization.

I'll call her Johana. She's eight years old and her parents can hardly provide for her and her brother. She does not go to school, but instead works at home by caring for the animals. She lives in a village in Europe. My welcome packet said the following: "Your sponsership commitment will help provide [Johana] and her community with clean water and improved healthcare facilities. Your support eill also help your child receive a quality education." In the letters I plan to write to her, I hope to shine Light in her life and Hope. But one thing is radically different between sponsering a child and bringing Light to Torino:

In my letters to Johana, I cannot name the name of Jesus.

The welcome packet told me that some countries are sensitive, and supporters are asked to refrain from talking about Jesus. So I wrote to the organization and asked if this was the case in her country. This was the reply: "At this time [her country] is considered a sensitive country and we ask that you refrain from mentioning Jesus or Christianity in your communications
with [Johana]."

And so while my $30 a month will help this child tremendously in this life - what about the next? What use is it to give someone fresh water and withhold Living Water (Jn 4)? Or teach them to harvest grain but tiptoe around the Bread of Life (Jn 6)? Give education, but not purpose (Eph 1; Rom 12, et. al.)?

I purposely chose a child in Europe so that after some time of communication I may visit the child and take the risk upon myself of sharing the Hope of life with Johana and her family. Money can only go so far. We can send money to dig wells, to provide food and housing, to improve cities. But unless we send people, unless we send the message of Hope, we do nothing but humanitarian aid. And humanitarian aid falls short of work that is of Kingdom value - that is, God's kingdom.

And that's why I'm not just asking people to send money to Torino, but to send me and my team so that we can share the good news of Christ's substiutionary death and glorious resurrection that brings forgiveness and hope to a people who, though they have running water, electricity, jobs and homes, do not have God.

Humbled x2

Last Thursday I received news from two different pairs of people delivering the same message, which God used to give me a dose of humility.

The first came through a skype message from some missionary friends. After a a very short amount of small talk, they announced to me that they would be supporting me at monthly! These are people who live off the donations of others and out of their own personal salaries are giving to me and my ministry. The second came from another couple in the family who I know are constantly pinching pennies. They told me they wanted to support me through giving monthly!

I tried to refuse both of these offers because I thought it was out of their budget. But they both insisted it was the right amount. They are giving sacrificially with a mind that knows God is the ultimate owner of all things. I know that all four of them will be praying for me often. I know that both couples love God and are concerned with ministry.

What baffles me is what so humbled me: These four have such a greater view of investing into the kingdom of God than I had! While I am bashful, they are openly giving. While I refuse, they insist. God has called me to see the grandness of His Kingdom, to work His fields and to reap a harvest. Why am I amazed that He would provide in such unexpected way? Knowing He works in unexpected ways, why do we persist with our expectations?

I will sow far and wide and wait and see what God will bring. And I will revel in the surprises and continue to allow myself to be humbled.