After extremely busy weeks and weekends for months, the 40ft container is finally packed and on its way to Romania…Whew! Now we have approximately 7 weeks to rest up before going….right? Wrong. We still had lots of preparations for the rest of the trip like the ministry outreach and craft portions, not to mention the Christmas parties we would be having. But now that we had exhausted ourselves on the container we found that we were coming up empty on ideas and funds…”Lord, we need you still…please help us.”
Pray we did, but sometimes the answers don’t come the way you think and you may get more than you think you can handle. The very next week the opportunity came our way to host a comedy concert to raise funds for the trip. A friend from Calvary Chapel St Pete who happens to be a Christian comedian, Juanita Lolita (yes, that’s her REAL name) wanted to help us raise funds to purchase a van for House of Joy (a brand new orphan home in Romania). Physically I didn’t feel like I could do one more thing, especially with lots still left to accomplish in the preparation for ministry…but God had opened a door, how could we not walk through it? “Lord, give us strength.” So, we began the task of putting together flyers, ads, creating tickets, posters, scheduling things, getting donations for food, lining up people to help, selling tickets every weekend, and so much more. A Special thanks to Juanita Lolita and the Urban Gypsies (a local feel good band) and all who donated food, money, and their time so generously. Because of their help we raised $4300 for the van and parties we would host. Praise be to God!!
I’m sure you’re not surprised by now, that the Lord also helped us prepare for ministry and crafts too in ways that seemed so random and half-baked to us, but in looking back it was HIS perfect plan for this very overworked team.
The following week was Thanksgiving, and then 2 days later we were to leave. We had so much to be thankful for…truly thankful. Just 6 days before we were to arrive in Romania the container FINALLY made it there…untouched, safe, and oh so beautiful!!! Tears of JOY as we got confirmation the shipping container had arrived at House of Joy!! So beautiful to see the reality of what God birthed in my heart years ago…that we would go and deliver Christmas to the orphans, but never did I dream THIS BIG! What a sweet dream come true. Our team would go and unload and distribute these gifts of love FROM EACH OF YOU. “Lord how do we thank you for all you’ve done and provided? Your mercies and strength have been new every single day. Praise the Lord who has done this great thing in our site, may we NEVER forget!
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31
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