Testing my faith

Wow! Almost the end of October and I haven’t put anything up. Until this past week everything has been going pretty normal. With my boys I’ve been reading through this book about George Muller for our worships. I’ve been very impressed with his faith... again (this is my third time reading the book). I remember the first time when I had money, and I said that I wanted to live 100% by faith in God. I remember the second time when I had no money, and I made the same decision. But let me tell you, it's not an easy decision when you like to be independent! Anyways. This time reading the book, I feel called again to put 100% faith in God, that He will provide for all my needs; financially, physically, and emotionally. I racked my brain for over a week struggling with this concept, knowing that I have a church to pay for, classes to pay for, travels, food, and many medical things as well. But in the end, and with the advice and support of some friends and family, I’m taking a step of faith forward. This past week I finally came to the conclusion that my faith needs a big boost. I want to have experiences like George Muller, and many other missionaries I’ve been in contact with. But, I need to have faith and trust in God and not try to take over every time something looks like it might not turn out. So, in conclusion I’ve decided to put much more focus on my prayer life. Start a prayer journal. And rely on the fact that God will provide what I cannot, and that I need to let Him do what He does best. Little did I know, that would only be the beginning of an intense week! Sunday we went into Carmelita to do visitation with the students. Sebastian and Loreiny (MOVE students) went with me to visit one of Sebastian's contacts. Sebastian ended up giving him a Bible study and afterward we took the guy's chainsaw to fix it for him at MOVE. After, we went to our church meeting in Carmelita, and like many times before, Tamarah invited us over to her house to visit and have dinner. As I got in the car the students decided to joke with me and started walking to Tamarah’s house. I didn’t think much and decided to drive there. Everyone showed up from walking in the next 10 minutes and we spent the evening having fun and socializing with the family. Pretty soon it was late and we decided we should head back. As I went to go start the Jeep, I opened the door to see trash strewn about the vehicle. My first thought was, “there’s no way we just got robbed” followed by, “we just got robbed...” Tanzi and the others came out to the car and realized what had happened as well. The thieves stole the chainsaw we were going to fix, a tool box, and my backpack with my ukulele, Bible, hymnal, water bottle, and devotionals and Bible studies. Whoever it was also tried to steal the battery of the jeep, but thankfully I hadn’t had time to fix the hood, so they weren’t able to get it open. After more complications with the Jeep not starting, we finally made it back to MOVE and I went to bed. Through the whole situation I had just been thankful. Thankful the hood was broken and they couldn’t steal the battery. Thankful the kids didn’t ride with me to the house, which meant they carried all their bags inside. Thankful that my passport, tablet, and wallet weren’t in my backpack like normal. God truly took care of us and made it the least painful. At the same time however, I had just that day told God I was going to rely completely on Him, and what happens right after? I get robbed. But I continued praying knowing He will provide the things I have lost, in His time. This happened Sunday night. Monday we went to to tell the guy his chainsaw was stolen and thankfully he was ok with it. We told him we were willing to pay or buy him another one, whichever he preferred. Tuesday we went looking for chainsaws in town. For some reason I feel like God was impressing me that we would find a chainsaw for less than $200 belizean, but what we ended up finding, the best deal was $250. $250 for a brand new chainsaw, a protective container for storage, the manual and all the extra parts and gadgets. I told Sebastian that I didn’t feel 100% sold on it yet and we should go back and pray about it before we buy, which we did. Also Tuesday I picked up some visitors with Keila and ran errands. Wednesday I knew I needed to go to town to grab brake pads to fix a truck for the 4 small groups that leave Wednesday night to the churches. I zip into town on one of the staff's motorcycles and get the brakes. On my way out of town the tube pops on my back tire as I’m going around a round-about. Thankfully I was able to maintain control, (even though the back end almost slid out from under me) and pull right into the tire shop 200 ft from where the tire popped. When I get there they tell me they don’t have the tube I need and I’ll need to get one in town. Two of the other staff were in town buying things and they said they would grab the tube and bring it to me. After waiting an hour I had the tube and they fixed me up to head back. A quick 20 minute trip had turned into a 2 hour trip and I ended up missing my English class I was supposed to teach. I arrived back to MOVE just in time to fix the truck and run into Carmelita to plan and visit a member before we went back that evening to do worship. I’ve seen God provide a lot this week. He has taken care of our needs, protected us, and much more. I have been running all over the place buying, fixing, building, and organizing, and thankfully at the end of every day I have finished what needed to be done, and safely. God kept me from a motorcycle accident, and from losing my most valuable objects (except my Bible). When you look at it that way, what do I have to complain about, what is there to worry about when I know He is taking care of my needs? Yes, I don’t know exactly how He will provide for my church building project in Colombia, or for my mechanics classes in the states, or even for the objects the people stole from me. But! I have seen how even in the tough situations, He has kept me safe, and made what could have been terrible, somehow ok. I see how He has put me in these situations where faith is needed, because I have asked Him to build my faith. So I will decide to work on my faith, grow in prayer, instead of complain about how life isn’t fair. I will continue to see the good side, knowing that the devil is only working harder because he knows he’s losing. I hope that this is able to encourage you guys as well. I ask for prayer as the trials seem to be growing and persisting around me, that my faith in Him will remain strong, knowing that for every trial He will provide a way of escape. I don’t know how He will provide, not for the church project, not for my classes, not even for my medical needs. But! I’m leaning on Him, learning to keep my eyes focused on Him and not on what the devil throws at me. I will continue to do the job He has given me, while waiting to see what miracles He works to provide what I cannot. So, if you could just pray for my faith, and trust in God to remain firm, it would be greatly appreciated! P.S. today I head to town to buy a chainsaw to replace the one that was robbed. I’ll post an update on here or facebook for those of you interested on how God provides.