dream outloud

It never ceases to amaze me how I am always provided for. All of my basic needs are always met. I have never experienced having a "true need" - something I just couldn't live without: water, food, shelter, etc. Which is completely amazing considering that the majority of the world's population have serious needs.

According to the hunger report, 1.4 billion people live in extreme poverty http://www.hungerreport.org/2009/mdgs/35. It's almost unimaginable. And it makes me realize how incredibly wealthy I am (though by American Standards, I'm on the low end of the $ train). The Lord is so amazing at providing for all my needs, and well beyond them.

I had an incredible reminder of this today...

I've been fund-raising for a mission trip to Armenia that's coming up this October, and just praying that God will provide all the money needed for the trip. I sent out support letters in August, and this Sunday, I'm presenting information about the trip at my church to raise awareness and, hopefully some support. [Background: This is my third trip to Armenia with the Armenian Relief Mission: armrelief.org. On this trip we'll be doing a food and firewood distribution for some of the most poverty stricken people of Vanadzor, Armenia; doing repair work on past playgrounds we've built, and working at the ARM orphanage in Yerevan].

The cost for the trip is $2,500, and as of this past week, I had raised $1,500. We're leaving on October 15th, so I've definitely been having "questioning moments" about whether all the money I need will be raised. And yet, more than either of the other two trips I've been on, I feel incredibly led to be on this one. So, I just have to have faith that God will provide...

And He has...

...in a BIG way. This morning, I got an e-mail informing me that a $1,000 donation was made toward my trip. Wow. wow. And it's from a very dear friend of mine. And I sat at my desk, and cried.

Thank you, Lord, for your provision. Thank you for going above and beyond all my needs. Never let me forget just how blessed I am. Jehova Jireh, grant me a givers heart, that others may be blessed as you have blessed me.