A Step in the Right Direction

We got some good news yesterday….  We have a buyer for our house!  Hallelujah!  Even our realtor acknowledges God’s hand in this contract, and told us that a recent wind storm convinced the buyers that they needed a home on a permanent foundation!  The closing is scheduled for March 31.  We are very excited, and so grateful to our partners for their “persistent widow” prayers! 

Upon hearing the news from our realtor, I went from being ecstatic to overwhelmed in a matter of minutes.  There’s a lot to do in the coming weeks and at the moment I’m not sure where to begin.  We knew (or hoped) this transition was coming but it’s difficult to prepare for it.  Keep praying through the closing, because we know that things can still fall through.  And please pray for us as we begin packing, and making plans to move…somewhere.  We have options—we’re just not sure where we’ll be going next.  It’s always an adventure, isn’t it?

So the waiting is done for the time being.  Good thing I’ve finished that sweater!  <wink>

Did the Thermometer Drop?

If you’ve been checking in with us from time to time, you might have noticed that our little financial partnership thermometer has dropped since January.  As disappointing as it is, we’re grateful that it does NOT mean our partners are bailing on us.  <wink>

What it actually means is that we have just celebrated the anniversary of our membership with Wycliffe.  And as is the case for all members, part of the celebration is reviewing our ministry budget for the next year.  <I saw you cringe, when you read the word “budget”!>

We have some input when making this budget, but mostly it’s put together by our very wise (and patient) finance people.  When figuring how much we’ll need monthly to live in Papua New Guinea during the next year, they take into account increasing airfare, rises in energy costs, the increasing cost of health care and insurance,  and among other things, the current devaluing of the US Dollar.  I don’t envy them their jobs, especially these days when they must deliver a lot of disappointing news.  We are, however, extremely grateful for their assistance!

It would be easy to blame the economy for the delay in completing our team of financial partners, but in reality our God isn’t affected by the economy.  He’s so much bigger than that.  If he wanted, he could arrange for us to win the lottery, or drop a gazillion euros in our laps or something equally spectacular.  It is pretty amazing that he usually allows his Church to be part of the miracle!  Whatever method he chooses, it will be in his perfect time and to his own glory--as it should be!