Multiplying the bread and the fish

9/24

This may sound odd, but I do not know how I am actually here. I left everything behind, to go to a town known for its prostitution and drug cartels, yep Tijuana, Mexico.

Let me explain; six months ago, I was encouraged to apply for the Leadership Training School with YWAM. It’s only offered every two years in different continents. I knew it was a great opportunity, and had to apply. It was then I saw the price for the school; 3100 American dollars. I was still in debt from climbing Aconcagua and to my parents for the car loan. Just like any decision, I prayed before making a decision, and felt that God was allowing me to choose what I should do. It was going to be lots of work to get there, but He wanted to bless me, and provide for me. That was enough for me to start raising money, to work, to do my maximum. Coming back from a trip home in July I had raised 1000 dollars. I needed 2100 more plus the plane ticket. But had God ever let me down before? I constantly thought about our trip to the Aconcagua earlier this year where I was forced to come down before reaching the summit. God had taken me to my limits, and shown me with Him I could go farther than I thought. He broke my Spirit through the physical and mental demands the mountain asked from me. Little did I know He was leading me to a greater dependence and obedience on Him than ever before.

One week before the trip I still do not have the money. I prayed, fasted, cried, and presented my needs to Him time and time again. If I didn’t have the money, the school wouldn’t let me come. There was another thing; I was leaving behind ministries, people, my puppy, my car. It would be hard to leave it all behind, harder than it was to leave behind my old life before I came to Argentina.

But I knew it was only for three months. God always gave me peace about the money coming through, and I tried all I could not to worry or fret. It was an internal struggle for about a month. I had even thought about staying in California longer to work. But that would have mean not being committed to the people I work with here in Mendoza. When Jesus multiplied the bread, He didn’t say “go bake some bread, fish, and come back.” He simply asked them to share with everyone what they had. He worked the miracle.

A week prior to when I had to leave, the money began to come in. All of the sudden I was going to be able to do the school, and all this time I had done such a good job of talking myself out of doing it! God was still asking me to choose, and whatever I wanted to do was good. I trusted in Him until the last moment. The money is never an issue for God, our stubbornness and greed so often is.

I am on the way to Mexico. Thank you Father God, I am now seeing the bread and fishes!