Have you ever got those goose bumps where your hair stands straight up on your arms? Well this is the kind of thing we experienced this past two weeks. Recently we traveled to Wisconsin working on building our team to head to Papua New Guinea. We helped out doing VBS with our church East Troy and God was doing some amazing things in us. I want you to know that just because we have taken a path to live our lives for Christ does not mean we are perfect and that we have no inner struggles. While we were there our girls got to hang with friends and I got to hang with one of my friends. While we were having girl time Travis decided to go into Milwaukee and look at road bikes. He does a ton of research before he makes a purchase and so after his time in Milwaukee he heads back to where we were staying and starts to email some guys on Craigslist about road bikes. He tells me the next morning that there are a few bikes he wants to look at and he is considering buying one. I knew we didn't have the money for it but I didn't want to start an argument on our trip so I gave it to God. When we left for breakfast he could tell I was upset and said "I'm pushing it aren't I" and I told him I didn't think it was a good idea. He agreed that it wasn't and that it really isn't a need that he was struggling with his wants and said he was ok with leaving it alone. So we went downtown and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon. But, to our surprise when we got back to our room he was checking emails and we got this amazing email that only God could have answered! Let me give you a heads up first, Travis saw at the bottom of the email a guy had sent there was a scripture reference so he emailed him back for his statement of faith, the guy emailed back and here are a few of his words. The JOY of giving. His peace and joy most certainly increase within you in greater and greater abundance the more one gives. The world would surely think you have lost your mind if it could only hear the thoughts going through your head with each purchase decision. "Do I really need that? If I am willing to spend that much on myself for something that isn't a necessity, then am I also willing to provide the same amount to someone in need?" You get the idea...
Why the explanation of local mission work to missionaries? Here is the "God at work" story. Because of the heart for mission He has blessed me with in recent years a small group of us began a bi-monthly in home Bible study. The two leading the study? Retired missionaries from Papau New Guinea. He is actually Australian by birth, she is from Southern Illinois, and they met and were married during their time serving the mission in New Guinea. Was I surprised to see on your blog that this is where your mission calling is? Not really. I have come to expect those connections from the Lord. These days it just causes me to stop and say, "Okay Lord, where are you going with this one?"
Travis, never before have I used Craigslist. Over the years I have heard too many horror stories and had therefore steered clear. With this bike I could not shake the idea of using Craiglist. When I can shake an idea...I have learned to trust the Lord to see where He is taking things. Contact after contact after contact, the inquiries about the Trek have rolled in and disappeared. Then yours popped up. Nothing stood out about it. I replied in basically the same manner (similar words). But you took note of the signature line and sent back a word of encouragement (along with the blog link).
For me, it isn't about the money. You surely have that impression from item # 1 above. It is about the story. His story. As such, the bike is yours if it fits (if not, I recommend trading it at the shop it was purchased from - The Cyclery in Edwardsville, IL). The cost to you? Nothing. Nothing beyond meeting you and hearing more of your story in person.
Can you believe this? You should, because our God can move mountains, raise the dead to life, heal the blind and His word never returns void! Our God cares about the things we care about but it always comes down to the heart issue. Are we willing to make things happen on our own and miss out on God's blessing or are we willing to give it to God and see Him provide?
