Have you ever had that moment when you are just going along in your day to day life and then, WHAM! The air is sucked from the room, out of your lungs, and you sit speechless stumbling around for the words to say? This is me Tuesday. And I do not think it is too far a stretch to say that it was for Chris also.
Let me back up just a couple of days for me to lay a foundation for you to be able to understand what makes this moment as astounding as it is. Chris took his boards for Family Medicine on 4/4 and the weeks leading up to that have been stressful for him (and us as we all feel the effects of the ones we love most.) He took is board exam and then the waiting game began to see if he passed. This leaves a certain level of underlying continual unease. We have also been working toward completing many tasks such as taxes, prepping house for sale, and making a schedule to speak at churches to raise support for our time in Cameroon. So, with all of this we have struggled off and on this last month.
This last weekend we looked at the finances, support that has been raised thus far, and determined how much Chris would be able to work starting July. We soon saw that if he works as much as possible we would be able to cover the expenses of his student loan payments while we are in Cameroon. However, that does not cover the kids’ education costs, Visas, insurance, and travel expenses for the kids and I. Chris was expressing his concerns and I was experiencing a huge weight in my chest about the obstacles that are laid out before us. At one point I turned to Chris and said, "Hey, we have not seen the statement for March. Let's just see what it says. Hopefully there will be more support and we can be encouraged to keep moving forward."
So, that brings me to this month’s statement and the moment the air disappeared. Chris called me at work and told me on Tuesday that we received this month’s statement. He told me that we had one person/or group that donated a substantial amount. They were not identified in anyway so that we can send them a thank you or call them. But, let me just say that the amount that was given will allow us to purchase plane tickets for the kids and I, the school fees for the children, and at least 1 round of Visas for the kids and I. At first I did not believe him when he told me I could not fathom what he was telling me. I even had to log into his email to check for myself. I was in AWE. In addition to that we also had additional people who gave financial support that we sent letters to. We are so grateful and humbled by their belief in what we are doing. We are beyond blessed by this, and we cannot say thank you to all of those of you who have given, and those yet to give. We were also once again reminded that God is in control and he takes care of his children.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We covet them most. May God continue to bless you all!
Ashley
"The Will of God will not take you, Where the Grace of God cannot protect you."
