God Our Provider

We received an e-mail from one of our supporting churches today, entitled simply "Church Support" and with one line of instructions: "See attached letter."

Needless to say, it was with a sinking sensation that I did just that. You see, just last night Pedro and I were doing some research and realized that in one year we have lost three supporting churches and six individual supporters ... so we assumed that unfortunately this was more of the same.

Imagine my surprise and wonder, then, when the letter informed me that the church was not dropping us or our support but was instead raising it by $100 a month! It bears mentioning that this is not a large church by any means, but a small, faithful country church. I quickly wrote an e-mail in reply, and this is some of what it said:

Greetings from Northern Chile! We are writing in response to your recent letter informing us of a change in our financial support. With the news that comes our way of economic troubles in the United States, we often open such letters with some trepidation - which is all the more reason your letter informing us of a raise in support was such a blessing!

Just last night we were looking through our finances and realized that in one year we have lost three churches and six individual supporters. Yet even so, God has faithfully provided our needs and through you He has done so once again! We give Him all the praise and glory.

We read the news. We know the state of economic affairs both at home and overseas. Yet He is still Jehovah-Jireh ... God Our Provider!