Exceedingly more

At my church, we often hear the verse Ephesians 3:20, which says, "Now unto Him who is able to exceedingly more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power within us." I know God is able and I know He is good but I so rarely live life actually believing that God will do exceedingly more. As I have said countless times before, I struggle with faith in believing God and His promises. I usually think I need to pick myself up by my bootstraps and do it myself. God helps those who help themselves. I don't actually think that is in the Bible and it might be the completely opposite of what God tells us. I know for a fact that it is the opposite of what God has done for me.

As many of you know, I have been hard at work studying Swahili. I am so thankful for God's grace and provision as I struggle to learn this language. I have often prayed for God's help in learning the language. But nothing really more than that. I never really prayed for who would be my swahili teacher or anything else along those lines. So, you want to see exceedingly more I will show you exceedingly more. My swahili teacher is not only an amazing teacher that has helped me learn this language so quickly but she is an amazing woman who loves the Lord. She has become a mentor to me spiritually as well as linguistically and culturally. She regularly prays for me and has such a strong faith in God. She believes what she says. She challenges me, encourages me, loves me, and supports me. Never once did I pray for this. But God, in his goodness provided.

Next in line is the teacher situation. We have been in desperate need for teachers in many of our villages. Finding qualified teachers is difficult. Finding teachers who are willing to live in the villages instead of the city is even more difficult. Finding teachers who are strong Christians and want to teach as a ministry in a way that is different from the government is just about impossible. Enter my lack of faith once again.... Mwika is the village that has a large amount of AIDS orphans. If you go there once an visit those children, you will never be the same again. I thought we could find teachers, but I figured that they would not be all that good and I would be spend a lot of time training and helping them. No faith! Exceedingly more strikes again! We had a teacher who had graduated from JTTC (The Christian Teachers College) approach us about a job. Never in a million years did I think we would find someone from there. They all already have jobs. The other two women are strong and experienced as well. Last Friday, we took them to Mwika to see the village to see the pastor and the school. While I sat and watched them interact, I was blown away. They so quickly bonded together and lots of ideas and plans. When they saw the school and the children, each of the woman expressed her excitement about coming. God did so much more than I could ever have asked or imagined.

I could go on and on, but I won't.... God is so good. As I look back over this year and my life in general, I am so grateful and humbled. Thank you all so much for being a part of this with me!

Merry Christmas!