Because of Benny’s Texas roadtrip, the people who have pledged support, and those who have already been part of our support team, it looks like we have reached our financial support raising goal! God is so amazing! This has been a long hard road so far, but things have sort of fallen into place anyway. We have had many discouragers and cheerleaders along the way, so I am so excited to be able to tell everyone that we did it! God did it! We are so blessed.
We have learned so much about depending on God for everything. We know the difference between what we want and what we need, and have experienced both. We have good friends who have believed in us and spurred us on during the moments we questioned our calling. We have even been blessed through the people who thought we were crazy to do this, worried about us, or told us there’s no way we could raise the amount we wanted to. You see we took the leap of faith God called us to take and He has blessed us over and over again. It hasn’t just been OUR faith growing, but the faith of everyone around us as they watch the support being pledged and start to come in from around the country. They have watched our prayers being answered. We have so many new partners in our ministry that I am overwhelmed with joy and honestly, relief.
Our financial prayers are being answered by God through so many of you, but my prayer requests will not stop. Satan knows what he’s doing and some of my thoughts yesterday were, “Well, we’re going to be taken care of for the next year, but come next Fall we have to do this all over again”, and “What if someone changes their mind and decides to pull their support?”, and “What if we have an emergency? Will we have enough?”. Can you believe my nerve? Why on earth would God move us here to learn how to start this ministry, take care of all the details for us BEFORE our official start date, then when it came time to fly on our own, drop us on our faces? Why would he provide for our basic needs and leave us alone during an emergency? Where’s my faith? Who am I putting my trust in? The people sending money, or the one who REALLY owns it all? So I ask for forgiveness and echo the plight in Mark 9:
Jesus is asked to heal a boy possessed by demons. The disciples have tried to cast the demons out, but have failed. Jesus asks the father of the boy how long this has been happening and the father gives him the details then ends with,
“Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘if I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly replied, “I do believe, but help me not to doubt!” (NLT)
The story ends with the disciples questioning Jesus about their failure at casting out demons. Jesus tells them that this kind of evil spirit can be cast out only by prayer.
So I ask you to join me in thanksgiving for God providing what we need, and ask for your continued prayers for our ministry and specifically for strength and faith on the days I believe, but doubt. I’m grateful for your presence in my life, and your shared faith. I am humbled by what God has done in my life in the short time I’ve been blogging, and thankful for the opportunity to share it with you! God Bless Us All!
Oh! Praise God!! Your family has been on my prayer list daily. God is so good! I will continue to pray for you and your family. Thanks for posting this and showing everyone what He has done for you. Have a great day girl!
Hey, congrats on the support! I am thankful for your faith in the face of challenge. Most people would have folded, but you guys faced the storm. God will bless for that, He won’t forget your faith. Love you guys and hope to see you soon.
Hey Niki, its Karessa Laxson. My dad told me about Benny’s trip to San Antonio. I was on Trek with the youth group, but so bummed that I missed Benny’s sermon. I’ve just been hearing from everyone how amazing it was. I was also very excited to hear about the financial support that was raised! Congratulations and Praise God! I know Adam and I have been talking a bit about when and who to take up to Denver to take part in this ministry. Anyway, I think Benny stayed in my room while he was here, which is a funny image because its all sunflowers! I hope he thought it was very pretty! 😉
I am so proud of your determination and your faith when you couldn’t see the next step in front of you. You and Benny and this whole process have been so encouraging and such an example…as one of those who has been watching.
God is amazing…PRAISE HIM!
Through your prayer and faith and constant devotion and dependence on Him, I’ve been shown how God does provide and reminded what it truly is to trust in God and lean not on our own understanding. I’m reminded of Mark 11:24 when I think of how much you believed that God would…still will provide.
Praise Him for His faithfulness. I will be praying for you…on those days you doubt, know that there are alot of us out there praying for you. And as you wrote about Mark 9…it is possible! We believe with you.
I love you and your family so much…you know that girl!
Great news! God bless you guys!
Awesome, Niki! Answered prayer is so wonderful : )
Thank you for your encouragement and for your continued prayers!
Yes, Karessa, Benny said your room was very pretty! LOL 🙂
We do have a guest room if any of you would like to come to Denver to check out Dry Bones. We’re already looking forward to a trip of Northside people!