Before We Even Ask

“What do you need? How do you expect to fund raise?” asked the older gentleman I was sitting next to.

I paused. I didn’t really have a plan, and my brain told me that would be a bad answer, but it was true so…

“I don’t have one,” I told him.

We both paused. It felt like a long silence, although probably only 10 seconds, when I followed up with the only plan that made sense to me.

“I don’t have a plan because I trust whatever the need is, God will provide. I’ve seen Him put a few bigger items on my heart….and while I was a little nervous to state the needs, I did and then He did (provided). Right now, the big items are taken care of, and we have some monthly support so I’m not trying to do anything to fund raise. I don’t really plan to. I’m just sort of maintaining things and I trusting that if there’s a need, He’ll take care of it,” I said, or something like that. It may not have been well thought out, but it was honest.

The older man nodded his head and squinted his eyes a bit. He seemed to approve of my answer. How could he not? He’d spent a lifetime seeing God provide and do more than he could’ve asked or imagined.

There is not a need on earth that heaven has not already made provision for.

“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” Isa 65:24 (NLT)

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This conversation happened a few weeks ago, as I met with the leader of a fairly large ministry through a mutual connection. I didn’t initiate the meeting. I didn’t have a goal in mind. I went, because God loves to connect people, and I always want to honor someone’s efforts to connect likeminded people, because it’s how the Kingdom works. People talk and God breathes on the things He wants to give life to. It’s the history of so many of my best relationships and testimonies.

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That said, I’ve been delaying an update because I’ve been trying to get a few things squared away, but it’s past time to share the pieces that I have now.

There’s hardly a day that goes by that I don’t have updates on my phone from Helen. I see the progress as the men work step by step to finish building the future home for abandoned babies in Kabwe. One day I have pictures of rebar being laid on the roof, the concrete being poured over it for the second level to be built upon, walls being plastered, windows inserted…I can feel the excitement in Helen’s messages, its all so surreal for them.

I also receive messages each time we send money to the widows caring for the 21 orphans thanking everyone for their generosity and posing with various food items (often rice, flour, oil, eggs, and a few other items). I so badly want to share these images with you here, but because of some of the children’s cases, I cannot. Please, ask me when you see me so I can show you on my phone.

The disabled children’s center is continuing to operate with about 80+ children and 6 full time volunteers. They’ve had to shift focus due to some government requests and are now focusing on caring for the kids and helping them learn life skills such as gardening and making items to sell at markets. They also do Bible studies, continue weekly outreach to the community kids (Kid’s Club), and facilitating a support group for the mothers.

Lastly, Helen and I have been working on a budget to give us some guidance in “how much” and “where” we need funds to be distributed. While this is not fun for either of us, we’ve put together a reasonable trial budget.

I’m including the details of the budget (below) because I think it’s important for people to know exactly where their money is going and SEE the impact for themselves. It was pretty amazing for me to put numbers to some of the items—like the volunteers. $55/month is enough to support one of the volunteers at the disabled children’s center. That amount seems so small, yet, I know it makes a huge difference, especially for those who have no other, or very limited other, financial means. These volunteers are critical to the disabled children’s center, without them, so much of what’s done there couldn’t happen.

I could go on and on...

There are things happening on this side with doors opening and partnerships forming that are only because of God. I’ll walk through any open door unless God says “No.” In the past few months I’ve seen Him open doors I’ve not even asked Him to open. And while it doesn’t always make sense to me, I know that He knows needs long before I do. He connects people, resources, answers prayers, and does things in ways I never could. That’s how His Kingdom advances, it’s a series of small things—people following promptings in their heart—to give, message, connect others, and open doors. Over time these small things accumulate and have the potential for great impact, generally one far bigger than we could’ve imagined or achieved solo (Eph 3:20).

In closing, I want to sincerely thank you on behalf of myself, Helen and her family, those from the disabled children’s center, the widows and the orphans. The support they’ve received through prayer and donations isn’t something any of them ever expected, and they don’t take it lightly or for granted. Thank you.

Below is our current budget. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. At this time, we have slightly over half of our monthly budget accounted for and enough money in savings to cover our full budget for the next few months. I can’t tell you what we will do if we don’t close the gap at some point, but I’m not concerned. God is never late. Just like I told the older gentleman when we met, if there’s a need, He’ll take care of it. His ways are so far beyond mine that I can actually rest in that as I write this.

*This budget is subject to change based on needs/funds available