This morning I began my weekly ritual that takes place on
Tuesday mornings as I prepare to head to Ft. Smith, AR where I do Biblical counseling
from 10 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. each week. When I leave the house many times I start
praying for all the things that are on my heart. When I went to bed last night (and I say that
loosely because Little Guy has been sick for the last couple of days) I was
thinking over our prayer time meeting we had earlier in the evening for our
North East Asia trip which is only 4 weeks away and, yes, we are counting! When we get this close to departure I know I
make Patty, our financial person, a little weary because I frequently want to
know how many missionary women are sponsored and how many we need funded. Let me say this about me if you don't know
me ..........I'm not concerned that God isn't going to provide because He
always does provide what we need for each trip.
But, I start thinking about how He is going to show up in the final
hours. I could probably write a book on
the way God has moved on behalf of our missionary women all over the world in
regard to Pure Joy International. This
is just one ministry. There are stories
after stories of how He has moved on behalf of those He has sent overseas to
the frontline through numerous ministries.
What I love about that is......I want our missionaries to ‘see’ He is
always acting on their behalf. He knows!
All that to say, as I thought about the number of women we
have signed up so far, 42 as of this writing with 11 of those still needing
sponsorship, I was entering the on-ramp to I-40 West. Now you must know I have entered this ramp
every Tuesday morning for years and actually more than that if you consider
some random trips west for other things.
There directly across the interstate was this big billboard that I know
did not just grow there overnight and in big large letters was the number
$8,000. I don't even know what else was
on that billboard because it seems like all that was on it for my eyes was the
number $8,000. I could not shake the
number. Then as I drove down I-40, I'm
saying to God, “OK, so what about that number?”
Without going through all the dialogue that went on between God and me
(yes, I believe God talks to us by impressing on us through the person of His
Holy Spirit’s direction and answers as we seek Him) I know God wanted me to
share the need for $8,000 dollars to sponsor the remaining missionary
women. Lord I said, “That is enough for
two more missionary women than we have signed up.” He Knows!
That still would leave $200 dollars left for what? He Knows!
Now before you write me off as some little 'nut case' just
know that I am being obedient to God. I
learned a long time ago that being obedient to God can look a little 'nutty' in
the physical and people like to poke a little fun at you but I'll just take my
chances and be obedient and if I missed it....God knows my heart is pure.
Pray for the final details as time closes in on our
departure. Also, I am hearing from
several of the ladies that we will be ministering to and they are sooooooo
excited!
Love you
all,
His,
Vickie
P.S. Remember our little guy in your prayers...he is a sick
kiddo this week.
P.S.S. A note from Deb Potter, public relations person for
Pure Joy International…
I wanted to let you know that Vickie was nominated for an
Epoch award. “Epoch honors the unsung heroes; the people who cross the
boulevard or the world to serve where poverty, drought, HIV/AIDS, sex
trafficking, homelessness, and fear reign. For these heroes, this is more than
planting churches and discipling– this is life.”
For those of you who know Vickie personally either through a
relationship stateside, by encountering her on the field in a Pure Joy
International retreat, or via her weekly blog, I’m guessing that you would
wholeheartedly agree that she is indeed an unsung hero of the faith. She has allowed God to pour out His
creativity through her in a unique ministry that reaches and encourages
missionary women around the world through in-country retreats, ongoing Biblical
counseling via Skype and other electronic media, and weekly blogs. All of this is to fulfill the purpose of
bringing God glory by encouraging missionary women of all walks of life –
single, married, widowed, or divorced – to stay in the place where He called
them to serve so they can minister to His people in their own unique ways. (You
can read more about this on the About page at:
purejoyinternational.org
If you would like to know more about Epoch awards click here:
http://epochawards.com/nominations/2013-nominations/
Pray with us that God will be honored through the Epoch
awards and we praise Him for Vickie’s nomination.
Blessings,
Deb Potter
Pure Joy International, Public Relations