Some of you watched this unfold on Facebook, but even those that saw the totals and updates didn't hear the whole story.
I would like to start off by saying that Sunday was amazing. Our pastor taught on exactly what Gabe and I needed to hear being somewhat (ok, very, discouraged) about fundraising. The songs were great, and the message was timely. The service ended with random people sharing about answered prayer. I'm not sure there was a dry eye anywhere in the room. We moved from there to our small group which meets right after the service at a friend's home. That too, was encouraging. It was all about prayer and encouragement and God moving in peoples lives. Then someone gave us a gift (read about that HERE), and that was the icing on the cake.
If I had not been at church or small group on Sunday, I am not sure I would have been able to handle Monday morning.
I knew we owed a hefty balance on our hosting fees. By yesterday morning, we had only been able to pay $656 towards $2300. So when the lady in charge of the L-tvian group called, I knew it was about our money. She starts asking about our financial ability to host since we seem to have issues getting money turned in, and do we really think we can host, or should we just focus on the adoption. She needs to buy a plane ticket and we don't have enough sent in for "K" to get a ticket. We can pull the plug and not host, or maybe she can try and float the funds but if we can't repay, everyone is out money. All I could tell her was we were trying to get the money and we knew God would provide. She kept pushing, saying she really needed to buy the plane ticket, bc if she waited and there were no seats left, "K" wouldn't be able to come. By this time I am in tears and I told her I would call Gabe and then call her later in the afternoon and let her know what we had decided.
I hung up and lay on the bed and cried and cried. Visions of "K" being alone at Christmas and us letting her down filled my head. I started praying. Hard. I asked God if we heard Him right; were we supposed to have her at Christmas? Was that just wishful thinking on our part? I called Gabe and told him what we were up against. Basically we needed $1000 (at least) TODAY or we were in serious trouble.
We hung up and I prayed more. Gabe found a parking lot to sit in and he sat and prayed as well. After I prayed, I posted what was going on on my FB page, and Gabe did the same on his. We each got several emails saying people were praying and giving what they could. I felt their prayers and was totally filled with a peace that was like a cool, refreshing blanket. It may sound like a weird explanation, but that's the only way I can describe it. I could literally FEEL the prayers of my friends translating into peace for my heart.
A bit later, I got an anonymous email. It stated they had seen the Facebook post and they wanted to help. They asked how much we needed. I said my best guess was $800 since all the donations were going straight to the hosting organization and I didn't know exact totals at that point. A couple of hours after that email, I received another saying $800 had been put in our account for "K"s behalf, and if at the end of the day we were short, to let them know and they would make up the difference. My jaw hit the floor. I called Gabe and he just kept saying "What?! What?!"
In less than 8 hours, God provided over $1200. We are in the clear for paying for her plane ticket, and only owe about $350 left on our hosting balance. Even though I had faith (or was at least TRYING to have faith) that God would provide, SEEING Him do it was completely amazing. Gabe and I are still in a shock of sorts that God made a way, and did it so fast, and in such an amazing way.
I will never be able to thank each of you enough for the prayers, donations, comments, emails and texts that you sent. They meant so much to me and were a huge encouragement throughout the day.
This is not our story, but it is "K"s story and God is writing it. He is moving in big ways on her behalf and I cannot wait until she is HOME and knows enough English that I can tell her all the miracles that God did for her. Just. Because. He. Loves. Her.
She really is a daughter of the King.
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