Let me tell you some stories about God…

Last summer I has the amazing opportunity to work in Brooklyn, New York. I lived on 59th street and 8th Avenue; which over the years has basically become another China town. (Foreshadowing of the future? Maybe.) Needless to say, I loved the location but at the beginning of the summer I did not love my job description. 

 

Going into the summer I was definitely not prepared for everything that I was going to have to do. I had a fear of public speaking (which I was cured of..haha) and I was far from being an organized person. (Kind of cured of) Both of those skills were required daily and I felt a little intimidated. My position was kids club coordinator and I felt overwhelmed. I had two weeks before the kids club would start and I had to find kids. (Kids are important for a kids club apparently) So I started going around the neighborhood, advertising, and talking to parents and kids. 

 

One Sunday I got the opportunity to speak at a church about the kids club with the hope of recruiting helpers and goes. I had not met the pastor, just talked to him on the phone, and I had never been to the church. But I felt like this was important and that God wanted me to do it. (I dreaded the speaking part) 

 

The morning started out in a rough manner. I woke up and threw up. After sitting in the kitchen for a while completely nauseous, I tried to gather any strength I had and figure out where this church was. Sunday’s were also my laundry days where I would take my clothes over to the Chinese Laundry mat and give them my quarters in exchange for my clean clothes. But this particular morning I was sick and I had no quarters and needed to get going. These were small things but I committed them to God and headed towards the church. 

 

I got to the Methodist church and walked in through the front doors. I will never forget the sight inside. The pastor, who looked like Santa, was wearing a traditional robe and he was playing an electric guitar. But that is not he sight that I was not prepared for. I looked around the Church and found that I was very out of place. The congregation were all Indian (India Indian) and they were all dressed in traditional Indian clothes. I sat down by a nice Indian couple and waited for the pastor to call me up front. (I had no idea when he was planning to do that…) He eventually called me up and I talked about myself and about kids clubs. 

 

After the service a man walked up to me and gave me an envelope. He told me to open it later and he walked away. Curiously I waited to open it outside and I was shocked by the contents. Folded in the paper was the exact amount I needed to do laundry. There is no way that man could have known I needed that to wash my clothes. That is the way God works. He calls us to obedience and to do things that are scary to us but then he provides…even for unimportant things like laundry. 

 

Yesterday I had another experience like this. One of our family friends invited me to speak at her church and share about Cambodia and the sex trade. She said that they wanted to take an offering for me. (Which is always welcome news) So I went to their church not knowing what to expect. I was $400 away from being fully supported and I wondered if I would be able to meet that goal. (This is a church of about 50) The powerpoint that I had prepared decided not to work and so I decided that either technology hated me or God had another plan. (Probably both)

 

 I was able to share for a couple of minutes and show a video of the ministry in Cambodia.  After I spoke they took an offering for me, I was very touched and yet did not know what to expect. Some of the men went to add up everything and with excitement announced that it was $2, 500. I was shocked. And then there was more, people ran up after to give more and so I got the check and $140 in cash…I hardly had words to express my gratitude. I left church feeling almost dizzy with blessing. 

 

This is the God that we serve. All I needed was $400 and he gave me $2, 640. He gives us so much more than we deserve. But it takes stepping out in faith a little bit; which can be scary sometimes. If we don’t step out then we won’t have opportunities to have God blow our minds. All summer God provided in amazing ways and showed his faithfulness. And then one week before I leave for Cambodia He completely covered me in blessing. I feel so humbled and so grateful to serve him. And that is why I want to live every day in such a way that gives back to him. This is what I need to be reminded of when I get to Cambodia and days are hard. Clearly this is what God wants and he has blessed it beyond measure.