Well I have managed to do it again. I have let entirely too much time go by between blogs and then there is SO MUCH to tell! Problem is- I can't remember it all!!!
What I can remember is to Glorify the One who has done much and just keeps doing much in my life.
My school fees were past due and my name was on the list on the board of those who owe. I know it sounds brutal but if you don't have the money they literally will send you home. This is a big campus and far too many times they have been taken advantage of by those who say they will pay later and never do- it's a tight ship and they are striving to be good stewards. That said- they are only humans and sometimes things are not handled as well as they could be but again... grace, grace. So I needed $871. in two days or I had to go to a meeting explaining what I was going to do immediately to get it. I had, of course, no idea. I had done one fund raiser, watched my accounts dwindle, seen one miracle regarding my phone bill, and gotten a letter from the IRS saying 'we aren't giving you your money'- so- I was concerned, but had laid it at His feet. I said, "Look, Lord... I trust You. I know I am in the middle of Your will for me. I know I am right where you want me, so, this can only come through You." I placed a sincere prayer request on facebook and our class had a time of prayer for the fees still needed. My classmates alone gave me $345. I was so humbled. These are people who don't have much, either!!! Then by the love of friends and family by the request on facebook as well as a deposit into my account by a brother who had no idea any of this was going on...dollar by dollar it was paid in full with a bit left over!!! (which will go towards my next quarter in the fall) I WAS BLOWN AWAY. In two days!! It is so humbling to rely on others. It shouldn't be when I read the scriptures of how even Paul was supported as he spread the gospel. Why should it be any different now? That is what I am preparing to do! But when you come from such a staunch work mentality it is difficult. It just is. Pride- it will get you every time. (He also paid my Indonesian room mates fees of $976. in three days and my Indian room mates ticket for outreach of $1300. in 5 days... He's on a roll!)
Needless to say God is teaching me so much about giving and receiving. I have no problems giving- that is by far easier for me than receiving- but God is wanting me to have a healthy perspective regarding how I work and what I work for- what I earn and what is by grace. Huge lessons. I have said for years, 'you can't out give God' but it is so true. On the last day of our 2nd Corinthians assignment I was praying before rushing into Philippians. I was praying, "Lord, let me not forget what you have spoken to me- let me not rush into this next book and leave behind how you are teaching me to 'give it away' and not worry about money.'
Let me back up. For my fundraiser my precious, Indian room mate- Octoli- had given me, yes given me- some henna ink and bindhi's that she had done a fundraiser with. They were left over and she gave them to me to do my own fundraiser. I did. Praise God it brought $125. I had a gal I know come up to me weeks later and ask how much I had left of the henna because her friend wanted to buy it from me to do her own fundraiser- only actually doing the henna tattoos for people as opposed to just selling the ink itself. I was thrilled! That could go towards my school fees. The gal never contacted me and when I asked my friend why- she said the gal couldn't afford it right now. I thought, 'oh, well I can't count on that money.'
The night I was praying not to forget what God had been speaking to me was at a worship service. As I prayed, 'Let me not forget to give it away...' my eyes fell on my friend who had approached me regarding the henna. "As freely as it has been given to you- give it away." I heard. My school fees were now paid- there was no reason for me to hoard the henna for myself- it had been a free gift to me. At first I thought, I should first speak to my friend who had given me the gift but the Lord said, 'No. She gave it to you. It's yours.' So.. I went to my friend. I said, "Tell your friend I'm going to give it to her." I cannot tell you the feeling it gave me.
If we hold things loosely- God can use them. If we cling to things and hold our grip firm around them they cannot be used. God has provided every thing we have needed. Not wanted- needed. And He has been pretty stinkin' generous with the wants, too! I am so blown away. It's hard to learn to flow in this way, but I am excited to get good at it. To not freak out when my bank accounts get to $.11. Yeah, cents. But to know, that somehow, someway- He will make a way for what needs to happen. I have a part, I have a role to play. Sometimes I will have to do more than other times. Not comfortable always...like asking... ugh, hate it. But He knows what and when things are required. I am headed home (for 8 weeks) in just 6 weeks for selling stuff to earn money and teach what I have been learning- I'm not sure how I am going to get there yet; but God does. I check flights and wonder what will happen when I find the right one, hehe.
I pray when I get home each of you will consider coming out to one of the seminars I will be teaching. I will give the places and times. It will only be a 4 hour class and cost $20.
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow!!! Hallelujah
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