God's Provision

September 17, my husband and I got home from a most wonderful Wheels For The World trip to the Ukraine in conjunction with partner organization, Global Aid Network, the humanitarian aid arm of Campus Crusade for Christ. While rejoicing over the incredible team we had served with in the Ukraine, I was talking to the Lord about raising support for my next trip, a "Wheels" trip to Peru that was coming up in about 6 weeks. I still needed $1700. Then an e-mail came from Jill and Richard, our Ukraine trip leaders, telling us that there was some money left over after the Ukraine trip and we could apply it toward my Peru trip! Thank you, Lord!! After applying that surplus to my Joni and Friends Peru account, I was trusting Him to provide the remaining $1,300, but I had no idea how. One of my many flaws is a tendency to rush ahead of the Lord. I often try to figure out how He should answer my prayers and then procede to tell Him my plan. After so many times of seeing Him answer in ways MUCH better then my plans, you'd think I'd learn, but ...

Anyway, the next day I received an e-mail from a Ukraine team member telling me that she knew I was planning to go on the Peru trip and she was willing to apply her Ukraine trip surplus to my Peru account. Now you need to understand that this friend is a missionary who has to raise her own support. I knew she needs every dollar she has and yet she was willing to share her "widow's mite" with me. Knowing the kind heart of my friend, but not feeling right about accepting her offer, I went to the Lord in prayer. I asked Him to make it very clear to me whether or not I should accept the money from my friend. The next day, a totally unexpected tax refund check arrived in the mail from the IRS! It more than covered the remaining balance due for my Peru trip! How I rejoiced as I thanked my heavenly Father and was then able to share this answer to prayer with my generous friend and with others I met at the Global Aid Network warehouse in Lancaster, PA who are contemplating going on mission trips overseas. He just asks us to trust Him for all of our needs and He will provide. (Psalm 23). I hope I have finally learned that lesson.