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How God Provides

This has been, how shall I say it, a trying season for us.  First, our truck was almost swindled from us, now we get robbed.  As we've been asking God what we should be learning from these situations, I felt like God pressed upon my heart this powerful passage from 2 Corinthians 6:

We work together with God, and we beg you to make good use of God's kindness to you. In the Scriptures God says,
   "When the time came,
   I listened to you,
   and when you needed help,
   I came to save you."
   That time has come. This is the day for you to be saved.

We don't want anyone to find fault with our work, and so we try hard not to cause problems. But in everything and in every way we show that we truly are God's servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times. We have been beaten, put in jail, and hurt in riots. We have worked hard and have gone without sleep or food. But we have kept ourselves pure and have been understanding, patient, and kind. The Holy Spirit has been with us, and our love has been real. We have spoken the truth, and God's power has worked in us. In all our struggles we have said and done only what is right. Whether we were honored or dishonored or praised or cursed, we always told the truth about ourselves. But some people said we did not. We are unknown to others, but well known to you. We seem to be dying, and yet we are still alive. We have been punished, but never killed, and we are always happy, even in times of suffering. Although we are poor, we have made many people rich. And though we own nothing, everything is ours. 

When we read about Paul's difficulties, our recent hardships pale in comparison.  In fact, in all his hardships he did not consider himself worthy of the Gospel.  We are confident that daily the Holy Spirit is protecting us, sharpening us and teaching us about his love and power. 


Some of you may have participated in the Candle in the Corner Event  to help raise funds and awareness for missions. Well, the results came in this week and $4065 was raised!  Yesterday the hostess deposited $362 in our bank account. I (Julie) cried tears of gratitude.  That was just about ($350) what we had been robbed; unfortunately, we found that our grocery money had also been stolen after we wrote about the theft. 

We are so thankful for this unexpected gift from people who believe in what God is doing around the world.  
We recognize God's kindness to us in this and we continue to count it our greatest joy to serve the Lord, despite the circumstances.  Our prayer, like Paul's, is that our love continues to be real.

P.S. Congratulations to Nancy from South Carolina that has won the beautiful Paraguayan lace and frame!

Comments

  1. Wow. The lights go out for a few days and look what I miss! I'm so sorry to hear y'all were robbed. We will be praying extra hard for y'all, for peace and safety, and that you can feel the Lord's hand in every situation. Hang in there, gal!

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