In the book of Job, we read an ongoing dialogue between Job and his Creator. We read that Job purposed from the beginning of his trial that he would follow God, and even though he had questions, would not turn away. In the end, God reminds Job that He created everything (including Job himself) and that ultimately God will provide. Job’s reply was simple, yet profound: “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted…my ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:2,5)
So, there we were, tickets in hand, house going on the market, and still not funded. We knew, like Job, that God could do all things, and we continued to pack and sell in faith. That Wednesday (Aug. 4th) we received a phone call from our area director in Chiang Mai. Good news – an anonymous donor has come forward to give you over $1,000 upon your arrival to Chiang Mai. A huge boost!!! Praise God! In the meantime, other individuals began to contact us, saying “how do we get on board?” Suddenly, our funding “shortage” was getting smaller and smaller. Then, on the next day, we get an email from our director again, informing us that the Foundation associated with our school had agreed to provide the remaining $4,000 to meet our budget need for our first year. It wasn’t enough to remain there permanently, but enough to get there and teach the first year, from Day 1, and be able to meet the Maths and Science need for the school. He also informed us that a house would be available for us to rent (very inexpensively) for the first 6 months in Thailand to allow us to get acclimated and have time to look for our own place.
During that final week of preparation, God brought forward a small army of friends who agreed to care for various parts of our house while we were away, to keep it in “selling shape”. One by one, each need was met, and each night we tearfully rejoiced over God’s goodness and faithfulness. The most difficult task, it turned out, what how to pack 8 suitcases to get everything we needed, but keep the weights under 50 pounds each.