Stories – part 2

So, as you probably guessed, we had been praying and checking into details regarding buying *M & *G’s vehicle while their story was unfolding.   When *G first approached Chris we were sure we would have plenty of time to raise the additional funds needed once we found out the details.   However, because of things happening so fast, we had a meeting with our CRD.  We wanted to know if we could make this work. We found out that we had $12 500 in our vehicle fund and through researching the value of their vehicle we knew we could be up to $10 000 short. However, we found out that because money had been donated to pay of the entire amount owing on Kelly’s vehicle,  we had access to money to be used until we could raise the full amount of the vehicle.   *M & *G asked a very fair price and because of the value of the vehicle, the final decision was made to purchase the vehicle from them, paying a deposit of the money that had already been raised and the remaining amount to be paid off by the end of December!   I have to admit, I was nervous.   Fundraising is a difficult thing to do personally and yet through this whole journey, God has always supplied all of our needs, why I continue to focus on what “we can do” rather than trusting what “God can do” is beyond me!

Not only had God been working on *M & *G’s behalf, He had and continues to be working on our behalf.   The day after we committed to purchasing the vehicle, we received two emails from churches telling us that money was on it’s way or had been committed to our vehicle fund.   The day after that another group emailed us saying that a cheque was in the mail to head office. And a few days after that, we were told of another large sum given.   Money had been committed and had been given without people knowing all the details about had been going on!   To this day, we are SO very close to paying off the vehicle…  We have no doubt that this has all been in His timing and through His provision and trust that the final amount will come in.  We are excited for the day we can say “Stop giving to the vehicle fund” but we are not quite there yet.  We need a fresh set of tires, replace a cooling fan and add a few security features that increase our safety as we drive in Venezuela.

I mentioned in the other post that the van for *M & *G had been two years in the making and we know we are also experiencing God’s provision and plan years in the making.

When we began to talk with the boys about leaving Summerland and learning spanish and living in another country as international workers, they asked questions on their mind.  The basics:  What car would we drive?  Where will we live?  We told them that we didn’t know the answers to those questions but that we would go together and that we could trust that as God was making it possible for us to GO, He would also provide what we need when we get there.  When we would wonder how everything would work out – it was the boys that reminded us “God knows what kind of vehicle we are going to have” or “God knows where we are going to live.”   And here we are.  Living in the home that God provided with a vehicle sitting outside that God has provided.   There is so much that is challenging on a personal, emotional, spiritual level in being here but this provision of our physical needs has been a huge reminder and lesson to me personally that God has brought us here – it is only through Him that it has even been possible that we are here.   While some things are difficult and crazy as we navigate our way through these days, He is here.   He is providing everything we need as we cling to Him and keep Him our focus.

Last weekend as we were able to share this story with two couples over skype (our first 3-way video call!), one of our friends shared some verses from Psalm 33 and 37 about how God’s plans stand firm and it is that TRUTH that we are standing in and clinging to as we PRAISE and THANK God for who He is and everything He has done.

And without further ado…..

2006 Nissan X-Trail