You ever read something and it just kind POPS out at you?? It happened to me the other day as I was reading the following verse:
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy set before Him endured the cross"
Hebrews 12:1-2
There is one word in that verse that just popped out at me. It may be different for you but for me that word was AUTHOR! I thought to myself "I need to let Him write my story" He is the author. I wrote in my journal in big letters and with a box around it LET HIM WRITE MY STORY!!!!
He is the author! The One knows the beginning from the end. My plans are not His plans. To illustrate that, let me tell you a story. As some of you know we have been on this island as self supporting missionaries for 4 1/2 years and we were grateful that we were able to live off the interest of an investment. With the economy and also a huge flood in the US, the investment company began to run into problems and hence so did we. We could no longer support ourselves. So "Debi" thought "Hey, lets go back to Canada and work before we retire. We are healthy, we can do that!!" (I was excited about this. I love Roatan but I also miss our kids and dear friends! It seems like a logical plan, don't you think?!)
But the more we prayed together about it we sensed Him saying "No, the work here in Roatan is just beginning. I will provide!" I wanted to believe that, I did, but I also didn't want to impose on friends and family to help us when I know times are tough all across the globe!
One night around 4:00 am I was tossing and turning and I heard the Lord speak to me. It came clear and precise. It rang like a silver bell in my mind. It wasn't foggy or subtle. This is what He spoke in my mind:
"A worker is worthy of his wages"
I cried. I did. I began the 'arguing process' with Him. But but but....and in the stillness of the night He confirmed that He would provide. His peace came to me like a soft blanket and I knew that although it wasn't my plan, that we would stay. He began to write our story a little differently than we had expected. So we decided to go in faith to Canada and share the vision that He put on our hearts.
We started in British Columbia and made our way East over the course of 2 months. We slept in 15 different beds during that time, ate at countless tables with family and friends. We were able to spend quality time with our kids, encouraging them, praying with them and playing with them. We were able to share about our ministry in various churches, homes and over coffee. We were blessed with such wonderful hospitality: rooms lovingly prepared for us (one of David's friends gave us their apt. for our week in Montreal), awesome meals prepared,delicious peaches (mmm!) many good Canadian BBQ's. People lent us their vehicles, opened up their hearts, shared their space with us. We were able to reconnect with many of the people that we had pastored in the past and we were able to inspire and bless along the way. It's was hard work but rich in faith!
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| CLICK to view LARGE i don't have photos of everyone...sorry but we are still grateful |
I am so glad we followed His lead to come to Canada. It was a rich experience: rich in memories, rich in friendships, rich in prayer and yes, rich in provision.
Lately my heart keeps saying this:
"Not my will but Yours be done. Not my will but Yours be done. Not my will but Yours be done."
We thank God for surprising us time and time again with provision. He is a great Father. We have a lot (80%) of our support raised so far (which is fantastic!) and we're believing Him for the rest!
I want to say THANKS to those of you who responded to His prompting. May He bless you abundantly for standing with us as we serve the poor in Roatan. We are grateful that we can help them here to continue to grow in their faith in our wonderful Father and to provide opportunities for them to have practical help through the 'Made in Roatan' gift shop.
If you would like to help then CLICK to go to our SUPPORT PAGE. Please share that with your friends.. together we will continue to bring His light and love to the island of Roatan!
"I thank my God every time I remember you.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Phil 3:3-6
If you feel blessed after reading this it may be that I have just prayed with gratitude for you.. :-) Be blessed!
Thanks!
