God's provision

I just want to take a couple minutes and talk about how God's providing for my trip, in some somewhat-unexpected ways.

Last year, besides doing letters, I shared at my home church during the service, and also was invited to set up a display at district NMI convention and share during that. Also, my college church allocated a portion of their Faith Promise funds to another ENC YIM student and myself.

This year, I knew I had to trust God to provide for my trip. There was otherwise no way I could afford the trip along with gas money, car insurance payments, and a cell phone bill each month. So it became a matter of knowing that I was somehow going to go on this trip, but it was going to be totally God providing. I've sent out many letters, and a few emails, so now it's up to God.

Well, within the past couple weeks, I've definitely seen God providing, even if they are small bits at a time. (Hey, however God provides, that's fine with me!) A few people who I weren't expecting to contribute did, especially when I called one up specifically one day.

I hadn't thought that I'd be able to go to my NMI convention (being as I hadn't heard anything), but ran into my district president today quite by surprise. After talking with him for a little bit, we determined that I could do something similar this year--setting up a display and then sharing in front of everyone--because I had a way down there (and yes, I'd only miss one day of class, but whatever).

Then, tonight, was something really neat. I went over to Wolly to see one of my quizzers and get something from her (turned out to be a box of Thin Mints--yum!), and stopped to talk to a few other people. A woman that I have become acquainted with came up to me and asked, "How do you plan on financing your trip?" I told her, "Well, I hope that people will help me out." She replied, "My husband and I would like to contribute/help." They gave me $200!!!

Of the $3800 that my trip costs (that figure includes my airfare to and from Training and Reentry camps), God has provided--through the help of my friends--$485!! Yeah!

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)....Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

(In the Message translation....) Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.