the Hand of God ....

I have been praying that Jeremy would have a heart for missions too. Our church had a mission team go to Lima Peru last year. When they announced a few months ago that they were going again this year Jeremy said he really wanted to go. I thought, surly this is the Lord putting this on his heart. So he started going to the planning meetings. He kept telling me that we didn't have the money. (we don't!) I kept telling him that if God was calling Him that He would provide. To plan as if he were going so if God did open the door he would be able to go. Well, there were some times that I became very frustrated at His glass half empty! He tried a few times to come to the conclusion that there was no way he could go. We didn't have the money.... I just kept saying if God is calling you He will provide. Well, a few weeks ago they had another meeting... Jeremy was all excited to go to it after church. When he came out he was quite down. He told me he wasn't going. I went to tell him what I had been telling him all along... but he proceeded to tell me that they were getting the tickets that day! I couldn't believe it. I was so certain that it was God calling Jeremy on this mission trip to Peru. I was floored because I truly thought God was going to provide.... so, I said, "Well, this is a very difficult lesson for us. We are paying a high price for years of not being good stewards of God's provisions." We have become MUCH BETTER! However there were years in our marriage where we did not always make the sound, Godly decisions. How sad that Jeremy would not be going on this trip for the Kingdom of God because of lack of funds....
Our Pastor came up behind him as we were talking. He said to him, "Do you really want to go to Peru?" Jeremy told him he did but there was no way. We didn't have the money to pay for the tickets. Then our Pastor told him, "You are going! Someone has paid for your way!!!!!!!!" I didn't hear this conversation so when Jeremy turned to me and told me that he was going to Peru.... I didn't understand... he told me what our pastor had just told him and I started jumping up and down and crying and thanking Jesus and saying I knew God would provide! It was a victory celebration in the LORD! Jeremy was a little upset with my display of emotions.... I think I stold his thunder.... that was never my intention. lol I get quite emotional and the joy of the Lord and gratitude was OVERFLOWING!
I have to tell you that I was more surprised when Jeremy came out of the room saying they were buying the tickets that day and he couldn't go than I was when I found out someone was serving as senders and paying for Jeremy's way to Peru....... I truly thought it was God calling him and I thought that perhaps this would be His coarse of action.... especially to show my husband what a God of provision and miracles He is......
So, just between us girls (please pray for my husband and for my patience) he has stressed some days on how he is going to come up with $100- 200.00 for the trip to pay for meals and their lodging........ I keep telling him that I am going to have a yard sell, I will sell an outfit or something but God provided the means for him to go it will work out for the other as well. UGGGG! How frustrated my Father must get at me when my faith is lacking.......
sooooooooooooooooooo we shall see..... I pray the Lord uses my husband in a mighty way for His kingdom.... I pray children are ministered to and people are born again..... I pray this is the first step in a journey of life long service to Him in the mission field and may God bless the wonderful family that chose to hear the voice of the Lord to serve Him as senders........................
The Hand of God is a Powerful Thing!