August 10th, Daniel and I packed the car and started our drive down to North Carolina where we would spend several days with our families before getting married on August 15th. Between our two checking accounts, we had just enough money to drive down. Cash to get back? Well, God would just have to provide that. We stopped at McDonalds and each ordered off the dollar menu, knowing that a dollar eaten today is a dollar less that we'd have tomorrow. Here we were about to get married, an apartment lease signed, and still counting our pennies. Was it foolishness, or was it faith?
I think that God likes to use the physical to reveal the spiritual, Jesus being the ultimate manifestation of the two. And yet sometimes the physical realm of this world clouds us from seeing how intricately the two are woven together. So God weakens the physical, and it reveals to us that which is spiritual. He tightens our finances just enough to ensure our reliance on Him, both physical and spiritual. It certainly make us squirm sometimes; it isn't comfortable to be in a place of such vulnerability. And yet it makes us squirm towards the ultimate Provider.
Daniel and I drove down to North Carolina in faith that God would provide.
Three days after arriving in North Carolina, God provided abundantly. God was putting cash into our hands and saying, "Here is the money to provide for the next 5 months of rent, and here's the money to fuel your car. Oh and groceries? I have that for you too." It was supernatural; it was profoundly physical and spiritual all at the same time.
We've been blessed with provision from our Creator over these past 4 1/2 months of marriage. As we look towards going back to Uganda in just a short month, we are finding ourselves back in that vulnerable spot of financial insecurity. The beautiful thing is that we can look back and see the ways that God has already provided for us. And you know what? He's already providing for us again. It comes in the forms of beautiful gifts, that very physical and spiritual picture. Is there anything more physical than money? And is there anything more spiritual than a women's Bible study coming together and sacrificing on behalf of the widows and orphans of Uganda? What about the woman that hands over her paycheck? Or the man who writes a check, knowing that it will demand him to seek extra provision for his family this month.
With $3,380 of our one-time expenses raised, Daniel and I are looking to raise a final $2,620 before leaving for Uganda in mid-January. If you would like to make a donation towards our one time expenses, you can do so in either of these two ways:
1. You can make an online donation through PayPal by following this link and clicking "donate"!
2. Mail Check to Global Outreach International, P.O. Box 1, Tupelo, MS 38802 and include "Corinne & Daniel Iya" in the memo.
100% of donations go towards me and Daniel; no fees are deducted. Also, donations are tax-deductible.
Daniel and I have spoken at 24 different gatherings over the past 2 1/2 months. Each time we've had the opportunity to advocate on behalf of the children at Good Shepherd's Fold. Although Daniel and I are working to raise our personal funds, God's given us a handful of opportunities to present a significant financial need at Good Shepherd's Fold: the Scholarship Program. The Scholarship Program is a fund that covers the educational expenses of students who have been resettled from Good Shepherd's Fold Babies & Children's Home. With nearly 40 students currently in the scholarship program, Good Shepherd's Fold needs over $35,000 to send our students back to school in 2014. Again, God's provisions are evident, and He's not done yet. We've raised over $6,500 of the $35,000+ annual budget. If you're interested in making a donation towards the Scholarship Program, you can do so here. If you would like additional information about the Scholarship Program, feel free to contact me!
Daniel and I are blessed to be on the receiving end of the giving. It's a wild way that we witness the interwoven nature of physical and spiritual, both of which are blessings from God. I pray that you have the opportunity to witness this beautiful weave, regardless of which side it's from.
Prayer request: Yesterday Daniel wrapped up his last two finals. He's officially completed his semester at Westminster Theological Seminary! We praise God for providing Daniel with the strength and ability to finish well. Please pray that God would continue to provide the remainder of our financial needs as well as Good Shepherd's Fold's Scholarship Program.
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| We took a trip to Chicago to share about Good Shepherd's Fold. Of course we stayed with my sister and her family! Here is Daniel with our niece, Calla Brust. |
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| Always feels good to be reunited with my girlies. |
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| Daniel sharing about Africa at the local middle school, Twin Valley |
