The ways in which God continues to provide for me during my preparation for Malawi are staggering! I knew that He had asked me to go...I knew that His word promised that He would make a way for me...but He has blessed me with so much more than the money to go.

To begin with, I am now more disciplined in new areas. I have established new habits (good ones for once!) that will be with me for the rest of my life. I have made new friends. I have prayed for people across the world and feel as if I already know them. I have studied another culture and language with hopes of reaching a new people for God's kingdom. I have been humbled by the process of fundraising 3,900.00 dollars. I have been strengthened by the stories of my team mates. I have been challenged to help create an intentional unity between a team of strangers. I have been surprised by who in my life has made donations for my mission, and who has not even mentioned my trip. I continue to learn more every day about my character, fortitude, weaknesses, and hopes. God is doing far more than  could have imagined.

One of the most creative provisions for me happened a few days ago. My parents go to a different church than I do. They kept telling me about visitors who were coming from Malawi representing another ministry there. These men and women are part of a program where they come from Bible School in Lilongwe to be trained for a year by the ministry, then are sent back to Malawi to help their people. My parents approached the visitors after church and struck up a conversation. They told them that I was going to Malawi this summer with a team from my church. They acquired an email address for me from a young woman named Doreen.

I emailed Doreen immediately asking her if she would be able to speak with me about Malawi. We have been writing back and forth for days. She sent me a long list of words and phrases that will be helpful for me to know. She even sent a list of words that were more informal that could be used with the children at the orphanage. Tonight we will be speaking on the phone so that she can help me with pronunciation. I am hoping to hear her testimony and tell her mine.

I have a Facebook friend who is studying at the same Bible School in Lilongwe and wonder if they know each other. He had expressed interest in possibly meeting us at the airport as we will fly into the capitol city when we arrive. I cannot believe that God has understood my desire in my heart to know someone from Malawi. I read the Malawi Times on Facebook every day. I have tried to keep up on what is happening there so as to pray accordingly. There is much unrest and deepening poverty plaguing this area. Doreen has been such a joy to speak with. She is excited for us to go. She said "It is always an encouragement to have people from different cultures work with my people. Not only does it encourage our faith, but it gives a picture of how big God is and that even though we might be different, the God that we worship is the same."

"And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." - 2 Cor 9:8

God provides things that we don't even know that we need. He reads our hearts and our minds. He knows our strongholds, downfalls, weaknesses and strengths. In everything He is helping us to become the creation He intended us to be, and He will not stop until we are complete.

"And I am certain that God who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." - Philippians 1:6

We all have needs. Some we outright ask for...some we don't...God knows them all. Why not Ask boldly, why not ask often, why not keep asking and seeking and knocking...We serve a God who wants to provide. He is a good and faithful father who loves us enough to give even when we don't ask, but as any parent, loves when His children come to Him.

What do you need today? Try going to your Father and asking Him...He is waiting for you.