Look at the birds
When I decided to do a Discipleship Training School (DTS) in Germany, I knew it would be a challenge, especially financially. I soon started working and saving money for the plane tickets and the school. I received my first paycheck, which would have covered half the cost of the tickets. God challenged me to trust Him and give away everything I had worked for. I was sure He was calling me to Germany, so I obeyed and waited for His provision.
When it was time to fly to Germany, I had enough for the tickets and for the lecture phase of the DTS. I can’t explain where the money came from or from whom. All I know is that it was the first of many times I would see God’s provision in my life.
I arrived at the DTS still without anything to pay for my outreach phase. I remember talking to my dad on Skype and hearing him say: “Mica, God took you there and He will provide what you need. Let’s trust Him.” The payment deadline was approaching and I still needed more than half the amount.
It was Sunday afternoon and my deadline was on Monday. I was losing hope and ready to give up when I got a message from someone I hadn’t talked to in years: “Mica, I was praying and God told me I should give you some money for your outreach. How much do you need?” I sat frozen, staring at the computer screen, amazed at God’s faithfulness and His perfect timing. He wasn’t late; He arrived right on time. I shared my needs with this friend, and two hours later, there it was. He deposited the amount I needed, plus a little extra — enough for an ice cream.
Almost a year later I needed to go on another outreach, this time as staff. I had just come back to Germany, and within a week I had to buy tickets to South Africa. This time I had some money saved, but God told me to give everything I had to one of the students. I obeyed the Lord’s voice and prayed, already thanking Him for the provision. After I handed over the envelope with my money, two other students came to me and gave me four times what I had given!
Another time, I was home alone and all the other staff were on holiday. I had a problem with my bank account and couldn’t withdraw any money. The day came when all I had in my fridge was a slice of cheese and an apple. So I prayed and simply poured out my heart before the Father, knowing that He cares and that He was listening. He told me to go to the supermarket and buy what I needed with my credit card. My first reaction was to think it was an insane idea. My card hadn’t worked the day before and I had no money. But God told me again to go.
So I filled the basket with food for the week. I got a bit anxious as I approached the checkout and put my groceries on the counter. But in my heart I felt peace and certainty that He wouldn’t fail. I inserted my card, typed my PIN — and it worked! Hallelujah!
In a very recent experience, God made me realize that a lack of resources is just as much His as provision is.
I moved to Germany in 2013 for a training program and I was ready to stay until 2016. But my financial support started to drop from January 2015. Knowing God’s faithfulness, I prayed and asked Him to send other supporters and ways to raise funds so I could complete the three years. Nothing happened, and my money was running out.
In that moment of vulnerability, God spoke to my heart that I should go back to Brazil. I didn’t understand, and it wasn’t easy to hear that from the One who had brought me to Germany.
Questions started to pop up in my head. Why, God? Was He changing the plans? Was it really God’s voice, or just my insecurity speaking louder?
God reminded me of the story where He led Elijah to a brook to hide during the drought. Slowly the brook dried up, pushing Elijah out of his comfort zone and leading him somewhere else. My brook was drying up so that I would hear a new direction from God for me.
Through all these stories I learned that God is faithful and that I can always trust Him. Whether there is much or little, He remains faithful, and as long as I obey Him, He will work miracles. Obedience has to come before the miracle. God can and loves to do great things, but before we can see the great things, He wants us to know Him and trust that He is faithful — and that He will not lead us anywhere He isn’t going with us.
