Hello everyone! It’s already been almost 6 months since we've returned to the island and we have enjoyed being here serving Jehovah! Of course, like anyone, we have had our challenges and worries, but Jehovah has been there every time. Here are two quick examples of how Jehovah knows EXACTLY what we need at the appropriate time.
First, when we arrived here we had no car. We would've just taken taxi's and motos everywhere, and even though its fairly cheap, eventually that would've got a little costly. However, about a week or so within arriving, we got word of a need greater that was gone for the summer and left his car here and that might be willing to let us use it until he returned. We got his info and inquired about it and he lovingly let us use his car while he was away. He only asked that we take care of the routine maintenance! So, we had a car thanks to Jehovah! But, that's not all...the brother of course was returning, and he did return just last week. So, you may wonder, what were we going to do now since we'd have to give his car back.
Well, we knew he would be back at the beginning of December. Fortunately we had already put the word out that we'd be needing a vehicle soon and if anyone knew any info on where to get one for a good price to let us know.
About a week or so later a family, that serves here, said that their brother-in-law who had served here in the past, left his car at their house and it’s just been sitting not being used. They said they could ask him if it would be available. We said we’d appreciate that and see what would happen. So they get back to us not long after that and said that he would be willing to sell it since he probably won’t be coming back and didn’t want the car to just sit and not be used. We said great! Now, the brother was set on selling the car since it was a good reliable car and wanted to get a good price for it…understandable. We explained that we in no way had the money to buy the car outright, but if he was willing, we could work out a monthly payment plan or rental agreement. After the family told him what we could financially he came back with an answer….
He said that he really wanted to sell it.
However this is what he said, and these are his words: “…my plan is not to make money, I bought the truck for Jehovah’s service, and if they moved to the DR, like we did years ago to do more for Jehovah, he can have the truck for free. He can get it up and running and use it until he needs it.”
Needless to say, we were amazed and extremely grateful to him and of course to Jehovah! What better price can you get for a car?!?! =) We currently are using the car in Jehovah’s service.
Another experience that happened recently was this:
It was getting toward the end of the month and, like many others, things were getting low (food, money, etc.) We’ve all been there... waiting for our next payday. But of course, like most of us, we just did the best we could to make things stretch until we got paid again. We always had what we needed!!
One afternoon, out of the blue, I get this message from a sister that we knew from back home. She said that she pioneered for a long time and she also served as a need greater before, and knew that it wasn’t always easy, but living a self-sacrificing life for Jehovah, is the best there is! She mentioned that she came in to a sum of money and wanted to use it to help those putting Jehovah first, and wanted to send our family a monetary gift!
The amount was enough to fully restock our shelves with food and have some leftover to pay some other expenses... (like fixing up said car from above!) It came just at the right time! We couldn’t thank her enough! You know the story doesn't end there...
She wanted us to let her know if there was anyone else here that we thought might need some of the same assistance. We said there was. There is a family that recently moved to the island to serve but hadn’t been able to start working due to some complications that was out of their hands and they were struggling a little financially, as well as feeling a little discouraged. The sister said she’d like to help and sent them some money as well for us to give to them!
When we gave the money to the family and told them where it came from, they were flabbergasted! The sister began crying, (and so did Veronica, lol) and they couldn’t believe that just happened to them. We stressed to them that Jehovah knows exactly what we need and will use any means he sees fit, usually being our brothers and sisters, to provide for his faithful servants. They were so relieved and said that that gift certainly arrived at the perfect time!
So, we can truly say that we have experienced Jehovah’s hand time and time again while we’ve been down here, as brought out in Ephesians 6:8 and Hebrews 13:5.
We are continually trusting in Jehovah and doing all we can for him while we enjoy the privilege of serving in a foreign land. The only reason we are here and doing well is not because of us, but it's all Jehovah and his continual guidance, direction, and holy spirit!
Until the next blog post, take care everyone! =)