Monday, May 6, 2019

Pondering finances and praying

Continuing to work on our return to-do list...

We enjoy sharing at our supporting churches, thanking them in person and updating them on how the Lord is working in Haiti and in our lives.

However, as most of you know we're not great at 'the ask' for support.

1 Kings 17 shares the story of Elijah and the widow. Recently I heard someone discuss this passage and bring up some interesting points.

  • God had prepared the widow to support Elijah by commanding her to give
  • Elijah asked her not once but a second time after she explained that she was going to eat and die
  • Because of her faith she went ahead and shared her meal with Elijah. And she and her son were sustained until the rains fell and food became available
  • Her story was recorded for the world to read and continues to bring hope and testifies to the Lord's power and provision, giving Him the glory and honor.
Pondering on this story has changed how I pray for supporters. No longer do I only ask the Lord to bless those who give. 
  • I pray that I and our partners take the time to ask the Lord for direction and listen to His prompting. I do not want to miss opportunities that He has for me.
  • I ask Him to help us be obedient to what the Lord tells us each to do. Not just becauseI know how the money can support projects and ministries in Haiti, but so that those who give can be blessed for their obedience, and for faith to grow and be strengthened.
  • I know and ask God to provide for their needs [I assume that the widow had been praying for deliverence for her and her son] 
  • and mostly that the Lord will get the glory and honor, through working in the donor's life, their community, through our testimony and in Haiti. 

Growing up I remember my Dad telling a story about talking a friend into an experiment of giving tithe to the Lord. The friend was not convinced that the Lord would provide and kept very detailed records. His frustration grew, as he could not track on paper how all the bills were paid and purchases paid for, with less money [because he donated to the Lord first]. He could not show how it worked on paper, but the Lord provided. In my family now and then we'd hear the phrase. 'God doesn't pencil' meaning you can't always show or prove how the Lord provides for your needs but He will. 

We do not know how the Lord will provide for our next term's budget. We already thank Him in our prayers for providing the financies we need for clearance to return for Haiti. We are thankful for new Faith Promise partners, partners who have increased their yearly commitments and those who have given extra gifts toward our support.

We thank the Lord for providing for our partners and increasing their faith as well as ours as we rely on His resorces, His plan, His timing, His power, and His love. 



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