An Amazing Week

Last Saturday as I was walking with Ravi's family to a nearby restaurant to celebrate Fijian Father's Day, when Sangeeta started talking to me about something that involved $2,000 and I told her I didn't completely understand her, and after I had just spent $650 earlier that week for an unexpected electrical repair to provide power to their house in which we had to do without until the next day to be completed, plus a current electric bill of $465, which I also paid. So I was not in the mood to hear anything more about money. At the restaurant there were six family members, two friends and myself, and we had a wonderful fried chicken dinner, three buckets, some large chicken burgers, chicken nuggets and a lot of french fries and coke to wash it all down with and some ice cream sundae to share. I was completely stuffed. Anyway I didn't hear any more about the $2,000 which was a relief. But the next day it came up again as we were all gathered in their bedroom. As the story unfolded, apparently someone in their extended family was offering them a car that was almost new for $2,000, that was worth over $10,000. I told them I would have to see it before I would make any commitment. That night I talked to God about it, and I felt it was something he wanted me to do, along with a few stipulations I wanted to add. The next morning we all met again after I finally got the sleep I needed. I told them the stipulation. First is that they all had to acknowledge that Jesus Christ, the God of Israel David was the one who was ultimately buying this car for them. Next, any repairs or work needed and the gas they would have to provide. And lastly, they would have to provide a title with Ravi name as the new owner, plus not ask me for any more money. They all agreed that that was fair. The next afternoon they brought the car for me to see. I was surprised, it was an all white toyota mini wagon, and in very good condition with no cracked windows, or body damage. I was told it was four years old and had low mileage. They said I could put half down and the balance when the title was completed in 2-3 weeks and that was fine for me. However, I noticed a check engine light was on and he said it could be fixed for a little money. I asked how much and he said maybe $250. and i knew he had no money. But we had already gone to the ATM machine and returned home when I paid the $1000 and all I had left was $!70, and I gave it to him and he thought that would be enough. I really felt good about all this in seeing how God was already blessing them and wanting to show them His great love by this act of my giving. And I would trust Him to protect our investment and this beautiful family. The next day, Sangeeta's sister from Brisbane, Australia came to visit for five days and that will open the door for another story to share. She has already offered to let me stay with her when I leave here on the 26th of October. and she will pick me up at the airport and then three days take me back to the airport for my trip to Papua New Guinea. This is such an unexpected blessing. God is so good. Then last night at 6pm I got to meet Sangeeta's sister, Sharmila, for a hindu family wake dinner that they celebrate six months after the death of a parent who was her father and it was held at her mother's house next door about 120 feet away. Over the evening about fifty people had gathered, most of them sat on the ground with their small children and some teenagers. The women sat together near me on tarps. I sat in a chair along with Sangeeta's sister and her new fiance. While the men about 50 feet away sat on tarps and played hindi music. Then at about 8:30 they serve the food in large bowls in which all hindu eat with their fingers along with some small tortillas and paper cups of warm cream tea. During all of this I prayed that this was why I was brought here, to bring the presence of God's love and power to this community. Before I left to go back to my room, I told Sangeeta that a year from now things would be a lot different and surprisingly she seemed to agree. As I walked back I blessed them and touched some of their beautiful children. This has been an amazing week for me. But there was also a painful weekend for the world and myself with the assanation of Charlie Kirk.I can't say how I truly feel, other than to agree with his wife, that the killer has "no idea of what they have unleashed". God knew this would happen and He would use it to display His power and glory and the retribution on all those tied to the enemy's camp. Just to remind my blog readers, the Fijian currency is about twice as much in American currency, so this car for Ravi is a really good deal for everyone, including me. Please, continue to pray for Charlie's family and friends in this time of great sorrow and he will enjoy meeting his Lord and Savior face to face. There will be a great harvest from the seeds of faith he has sown