God Will Provide

...for for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

Matthew 6:32-33

Dear friends and family,

The last day of clinic this year was held at Galilea Baptist Church. Pastor Wilman Varela, his wife Clemencia, and their children have become our very good friends over the years. They work very hard, pastoring their church, taking care of mission teams, and earning a living to support their family. Wilman was involved in a bad vehicular accident several years ago, and his employment has been hampered as a result. The family has badly needed a reliable vehicle for several years, and the team has been aware of this. Remarkably, a donor at Lifesong Church made a sizable donation this year, enabling our team leader Shelia Duncan and a good friend to select and purchase a used four-wheel drive Chevrolet Trooper. We kept the purchase a surprise, and presented the gift to Wilman and Clemencia at the end of clinic on Friday. The two of them were ecstatic, and later revealed that they had very recently been struggling with the decision to take out a large loan to buy a vehicle. Their plans, however, were thwarted by an administrative problem, no doubt orchestrated by the Holy Spirit! They said the vehicle purchased was one of the ones they were considering. 

As this year's mission work finished, the team was impressed with how God provides in order to fulfill his purpose. This reminds us of how important it is to follow and rely on God. As Frank Viola writes: "...first I learned how to work for God. Then I learned how to work with God. Finally, I learned how to watch God work." The team, I believe, is being taught that principle as we listen, live and serve each day here in Ecuador.

Tired in a very good way,
Tim