God is rarely early, but never late.

Do you ever wonder sometimes if God is *really* going to come through for you?
Do you struggle with doubt?
If you are anything like me- you do.
I have taken several spiritual gifts tests and among my top gifts have always been faith. Why then, did I struggle with this idea that God was not going to provide financially for me?
You see, as I have explained to many of you- at G.O. we have an A, B, and C budget. The C budget being the lowest of the three. This is done in order to "green light" which ever budget you are funded for, but you can't go to the field without your C budget funded.
When I first met with Brook- the President of G.O. he clearly laid out the different areas we needed to have included in our budget. Things ranging from travel, food, health insurance, medical savings, to National and Child Sponsorship. I felt that God wanted me to not just raise enough money to support one child through the sponsorship program, but 10 kids, so it goes with other areas of my budget.
As i began to raise support and realized how much I would need to rely upon God for this kind of big provision, I was scared. As things slowly began to trickle in, I thought maybe I was overzealous with my budget. I thought maybe I was asking to much from God.
On several occasions I thought to change my budget. I was $1200 a month short. If I changed the amount of kids, nationals, and ministry money each month I would only be $200 a month short, which was far easier for God to do.
I sat in Brook's office and he told me I could change it, but I *might* miss God's power in it.
After prayer, I felt that God was saying "I have called you to raise this, and I am going to provide this." And again I was scared.
As the weeks, and then days drew closer to my D.R. departure date I was still $1200 a month short. Only one month to go, then 3 weeks, then 2 weeks, 5 days, 4 days, 3 days... still $1200 short.
After several meetings in my final days in Las Vegas I received confirmation that the full $1200 a month was raised!!!!!! I was leaving the next day.
God's delays are never his denials. I realized that this was how God needed to get through to me... He is God. Not I. He provided the $1200 a month for me to go to the D.R. not I.
So I have reached my C budget only 24 hours before I left for the D.R.... man, God is good!
Now I have a new goal. I am $900 short of meeting my B budget. With my confidence and faith restored I am ready to get on with the task God has set out before me.
Do you doubt God?
When this journey first began I asked the LORD to stretch me, grow me, and deepen my faith in him. He has heard and answered my prayers through YOU!! My faithful Partnership team!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Please continue to join me in prayer as I continue to build new bridges and expand my Partnership team.
Do you know someone I can connect with? Are you a part of a Bible study, small group, men's or women's ministry? Please pray about me speaking with your team, family & friends.

Here is a verse that I have been studying... as I pass it on to you, may it bring many blessings.

1 Thessalonians 5:15-17 “Be joyful always; Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Bendiciones Muchos,
Jackie

May 07 Update

I have been on this wild and exciting journey to becoming a missionary in a place close to my heart for three years now. The Island of Hispaniola. One of the most challenging and faith building parts of being a missionary is... fundraising!

We must learn to trust the LORD and hope only in Him. We learn of his great provisions and also his great denials. I learned early on in this process that it is the LORD alone who is my provider. A very big thing happened tonight. I have been praying and praying asking God to provide the funds needed for me to begin working on the field. Tonight I got closer. A family has decided to support my work with G.O. and has brought me within $700 short of reaching my C Budget. (Read the side column for an explanation of budgets) God is so good and so faithful to hear our prayers and to answer our cries... In HIS timing!

I would please ask each of you, as you read this, to please search your heart, and ask God how he may use you to bring glory to His name in the D.R. and Haiti. Currently I am $700 short of my bottom budget.
Would you consider a partnership with me?
I must grow my support in order to continue to work on the field. I am able to be there for the summer but will likely have to return home in the Fall/ Winter to continue fundraising if my budget is not met.
Thank you, Thank you to each one of you who support me. I am able to answer the call of God on my life, because of your sacraficial giving.
Bendiciones,
Jackie