Well, I was told by God I am staying, but I didn't know exactly how it would all work out! This is just a small story to tell of Gods faithfulness! I have never understood Gods character or trusted in it more than right now after this event.
I sent for a new visa to stay in Australia for another year, but I had to be out of the country, so while I was in India I had my application mailed in. I spent my time in India thinking and praying about getting my visa. As the days were winding down I was beginning to think about what I would do if I didn't get the visa. As the last days drew near God told me again, don't worry about it, its in my hands. So I left and figured I would get it in the mail when I was back on the base. The only tricky part is once I come in the country on my old visa the application for the new one is void unless its been accepted! SO if I enter the country and everything ISN'T a-ok, then I am going home.
When I get back in the country I find out there is no visa acceptance in the mail and start preparing for coming home. Then the office here at the base gets a call saying "We'll grant his visa" and the person says "But hes in the country" and the man says "he is, oh....ahhh, well, even though hes supposed to be in India because it was an application from India, just send him to New Zealand and we'll grant his visa, he just has to be out of the country".
Somehow I slipped through immigration and they didn't know I was in the country, and that never happens, ESPECIALLY in Australia, they are crazy at customs!
Then, having only $300 in my bank acount and needing 500 just for my training and 450 for my first months living expenses and for saving up for my next trip, I need on top of those figures 430 for a plane ticket to New Zealand. I was up late all night stressing and ended up at 2 in the morning looking at a computer screen with a potential online plane ticket ready to be purchased that I didn't have money for.
God says, "buy it"
I said "I'll do it tomorrow morning"
and He said "trust me, you've been in my hands so far, and you still are."
So, I bought the ticket I didn't have money for immediately regretting it after I clicked "confirm". The next morning after little sleep, I check my bank acount and had pretty much exactly what I needed for all of those expenses. My bank acount jumped literally 1000 dollars + overnight...thanks to my mom and my family I'd say!
Although I realize there are tough times ahead, tiring days, with not much sleep and lots of work, days full of potential stress, if I choose to stress, and days with financial difficulties. I know that God has equipped me with the faith for it all, and all it took was goin on a wild ride with Him to get to know His character better. There days of leaning on Gods strength ahead, days of choosing not to worry because I know a supernatural God and He's my Father and my Friend and days of financial mircales. And frankly I know I'm getting that visa when I go to New Zealand on Monday, BUT even if I didn't I've taken away lessons and knowledge about Gods character that have changed me for life!
God Bless!
4 comments:
Adam,
Just stumbled upon your blog. I hadn't heard from you in ages, so it was surprising to see what you've been up to. I really respect what you're doing, but don't you think that the conversion of someones spirituality is going a little far? Why can't helping people be strictly about helping people? Why is there an agenda? The Adam I used to know would be looking at these missions objectively, and asking why helping people isn't enough.
Again, I really think your heart is in the right place, and this is in no way derogatory. I greatly respect your religious views, it just seems like there isn't much respect for the views of others.
I know that there isn't anything I can say that will change what you believe, and that isn't my goal. I just want you, for one minute, to look at what you're doing from the outside in, and ask yourself why God believes it's so important to impose his will on others, and why he isn't satisfied with merely assisting those in need. Why the agenda?
Just do yourself that one favour and look at this objectively. If you've truly done so, and believe what you're doing is right, so be it.
I'm glad to see you're doing well, and good luck in the future.
Cheers,
An old friend
Hey, good to know some old friends are reading my blogs. Email me, and we can talk more! But, theres no such thing as life without God, we owe Him all we are anyway, and all He asks is that we know Him. He could have done just fine without us, but He created us so He could have a relationship with us. So, number one, we owe Him our lives, its selfish to think we have anything on worth that is ours anyway, it all came from Him. I'm not worried about my own comfort, I've been in the dirt for months, I've been separated from a real bed and real life for a long time, knowing that this is where God wants me.
Secondly, God is all that can bring hope to a life. People can eat all they want but nothing can in this world will last past death, even if they were fed every day, theres an end. And a full stomach is great, but everlasting life with your creator chillin side by side is better.
Its easy to look at things in the light of "an agenda". But if its seen from the raw core, the real heart behind it, not what man alters it into in false attempts to push THEIR own agenda its all about love. God WANTS His people, like a mother wants her child. And some mothers may not want their children, but our Father is perfect and wants all that is good for us. And I'm just honoured that God wants to give me a chance to help bring people, hope, life, freedom from a cage of bondage to temporary"ness" and bring them into a full-on thrill ride life with Christ. Everyday is a new adventure and revelation of His love.
Gods Justice is perfect and we all sin, we should all go to hell. Even if its just a proud thought. Its an evil choice we make or an evil attitude. But God's mercy is also perfect and so how could we have perfect justice and mercy? By having a choice, that choice came through Jesus. He died and made a way for us to CHOOSE to live forever even though we are flawed.
The choice is ours, Christ already paid the punishment for our crap! Will we receive it?
Thanks so much for reading, I know a lot has changed in me, thats testimony that only God can work miracles. But I'm still chasing after pouring love into this world.
Sucks that the church paints a picture that is tainted many times. But Jesus picture was flawless and real, chase that!
Adam,
It is truly amazing to see what wonderful work God is doing in your life. Even though you are far away, the things that are happening in your life are affecting people here at home, that is so amazing.
Your abounding faith astounds me, and it really challenges me to take a stand of faith here at home. God is blessing you so much, and using your life, and radiating his love through you in everything that you do.
I look forward to reading about your next adventure.
I havent messaged you in a while, so I will take the opportunity to do so. I only have a second to write as I have a lot of homework to do, but just know that I really miss, as does everyone. I pray for you daily and know that you are doing great things. Keep up the great work. Lots of love,
-Nikki
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