Jehovah Jireh

When Joel and I got married, I did very little to plan our honeymoon. I’m not sure exactly how the arrangement got started, but it was fine by me! Everywhere we went, Joel saw to my every need -- booked hotels, arranged transportation, scouted restaurants -- all was taken care of, provided for.

Recently, I’ve been doing some contemplation on the idea of true, full provision as seen in a name of God: Jehovah Jireh (see Genesis 22). In this passage, God tells Abraham to take his only son Isaac to a mountain and to set the beloved child aflame as a burnt offering. Abraham and Sarah waited 90+ years for a child. Now the child of the promise is being requisitioned. Abraham turns his face toward Moriah knowing full well what God requires of him.

In the end, God looks in Abraham’s heart and sees the faithfulness there. He provides an alternative for the offering and Abraham christens the place “The LORD will provide” (in Hebrew, Jehovah Jireh).

Now, I will admit there’s nothing quite that extreme involved in these mission trips we’re undertaking, but the principle of Jehovah Jireh, of God’s full and complete provision, comes through over and over and over again:

• God provided a project that we truly feel called to and equipped for.

• He led us to people at the RCA to help us get the project underway and to partner with us as we seek to tell stories of His work in the world.

• He has given us bold words to speak to our employers, and grace in those settings to be heard and provided for through our jobs.

We are truly thankful for each of these moments of provision. As I look to the coming 40-something days between now and our departure for Nicaragua, these Jehovah Jireh moments are a sustaining force for us as we prepare. Here are a few big things we are lifting up in prayer and trusting God to provide:

• Finances: we have been very blessed by all who have given, but we have about $2,000 to go to be fully funded for this portion of the trip. We’ll be doing some follow-ups with many of you soon, I imagine. We’ll also be speaking in Sibley on Oct. 9.

• Health: navigating the world of doctors, travel clinics, and pharmaceuticals has proven challenging, but not insurmountable! Thanks to all who spoke into that process. Now we trust God for safety on the journey.

• Itinerary: God has blessed us to work with a truly delightful partner while in Nicaragua: Olivia. We pray for God to bring us to all of the right people and places as we journey through the country.

UPDATE! Less than a day after posting this, we realized that there was an accounting error between us and the RCA. Rather than being short on funding for the Nicaragua trip, we have come to realize that we are fully funded! The ball has started rolling on purchasing plane tickets and everything! God is good, and faithful to provide :)

#Planning #Fundraising #Nicaragua