Lately, the enemy has been working overtime on discouraging me when it comes to financial support.  Monthly pledges have, for the majority, not come in.  One time needs are far from being reached as of right now.  And financially, in my life right now, I don’t know how I’m going to pay for some bills. 

 

But I have God.  A stranger gave me twenty dollars yesterday while at work to help me go to Botswana.  Old friends have stepped up and given a dollar here and a dollar there as they can even though that dollar could mean a meal, literally (I’m talking Ramen Noodle style meal because that’s all they can afford).  The only church support I have found has come from my sending church which is a huge blessing.   And I have turned to corporate American businesses for help and they have initially welcomed the idea of supporting me, though I will have to go through a long process and talking with corporate offices, but the initial support is there. 

 

The people I have expected support from, really haven’t been able to give and that has opened up an opportunity for me to pray for them.  But the people I expected no support from have supported me in so many ways.  They are praying me through to Botswana a dime at a time.  A person I expected no support from at all is donating enough money to probably pay for my entire plane ticket, so I won’t have to swim to Africa . 

There are people who have already started to give monthly if not weekly and that is such a huge blessing to me.  I am so grateful for all the support that has already come. 

 

The most humbling of experiences came outside a coffee shop.  I stopped by for a cup of coffee and a homeless man who hangs out there sat down next to me.  He gave me a dollar and said, “The manager told me you are going to Africa as a missionary.  This dollar is for you.  Go make a difference where I can’t.  Spread God’s love in a way I can’t.  I’ll be okay.  I am homeless in America.  I’m blessed.  Take this dollar and go to Africa.  I’m praying for you.  And trust me, as a homeless man, God will take care of you.” 

 

Wow. That is a punch in the gut for me.  But that man’s dollar is like a million to me.  I have talked with the man a few times and he has always been a joy.  He loves the Lord in a way that can only be led by the Holy Spirit.

So, I guess my point of writing all this is not so much to talk about how the enemy is trying to discourage me, but to remind myself of how God is working triple time to show me how He provides.  Not how I think He should provide, but how He is going to provide.  I am okay with it.  I know God will provide for all my needs.  I know it. 

 

I have joy in the difficult times because I know God is going to be able to bring glory to His name through this.  The enemy may be working overtime, but God is working all the time.  My God is great!!!     

Today, I took the day off to be able to focus on future ministry in Botswana.  The highlight of the day was being able to speak to the youth group at my church, River Pointe Church, in Channelview, TX.  The youth group is on fire about God.  I got to talk to them about missions.  I talked on how taking part in the Great Commission is a way to demonstrate love to God.  I emphasized that love should be the motivating force that moves us to take part in missions.  I asked them to be the core group I can go to for support and help when it comes to my call to missions.  They were very receptive and I am so grateful for the love and support they showed me.  They talked with me about how they want to connect me with different groups, how they would pray for me, and how they would support me financially every time they could.  In fact, one young man gave me $11 tonight.  Every amount counts.  There is no small gift.  I was so grateful for that young man.  What I covet the most is the spiritual prayer support that they will give to me.  I truly believe that prayer support does more than any dollar amount.  God will supply my needs.  Of this I'm sure.  I thank God for this group of young men and women that are on fire for God. 

I am desiring for people to open up their homes to friends and neighbors so that I can show a video of things that are going on at the mission in Botswana and to ask for supporters to join in this ministry however they feel called.  If you are interested in this, contact me right away and we will get started on getting a home meeting set up. 

Thank you for all the people God led me to have contact with.  I value the time I had with my family today and I value the businesses I got to talk with about possible fund raising opportunities.  I look forward to what God is going to do.  Things are on the move in the fund raising process and I am excited to see what God will do in the days ahead.