Oh how times have changed!

I recently came across a letter from a man I dearly love and respect. He was reporting on behalf of the elders, a "middle man" if you will. The letter was written in 2003. Like some other congregations we asked for support during those days, this letter was full of fear of the future. Nagging questions of doubt. Not only doubt of Barb and I, but even of God! Looking back, it is surprising what one person's faith (the man I corresponded with) meant to me during a time of great trial (I was attacked by an elder and a preacher, among others). He was one of my greatest encouragers and is to this day. Back then, I thought "this is hard stuff...great persecution" :) Little did I know that the fear and lack of faith expressed by various people in that time would be NOTHING compared to what God had in store for us in the next 5 years (to present day). This was not just one congregation. Ironically, though this letter was full of fear and little faith, this was not the worst response we received from "would be" supporters. After all, we had a steady income, we were buying our house, we owned 2 cars and we had two young children...why rock the boat?! All that being said, here's my response to the letter that brought tears to both Barb and I, the letter that challenged our faith to the core and that in the end made us depend even more on God:

"With all due respect _________ (between you and I) some of these questions, though important, are somewhat unanswerable for the simple fact that I don't know what God and/or supporters are going to do tomorrow. I only know we feel He has called us to Leon at this time. We will go where we feel Him leading us. Our commitment is to reaching the lost of Leon, but if there is no money for us to go then we will figure out plan B. At this point, there is no back up plan or desire for that matter. I hope these answers clarify our needs and expectations. Thanks again for your help. Answering the Call, The Gary Family"

I remember crying on my keyboard as I typed the return response and wondering where in the world the money was going to come from. I remember that the churches we were really counting on, knowing for sure they would support us...didn't. I remember looking at Mase 4 yrs old and Madi 2 yrs old and thinking, "how?!" But I remember praying with Barb, I remember thinking about this decision for YEARS. I remember that Leon was our dream. We had been there, it was our place. I remember thinking, "this is what we were born to do".

Now, nearly 7 years after that letter, God has been faithful. He provided that support from places and people we didn't even know at the time. He raised up people to encourage us and hold up our arms. Congregations that SHOULD HAVE been more faithful, more supportive and a part of the work from the beginning have since helped, and changed and grown as God has grown us too! It's amazing looking back over the dream that really started in 1996 when Barb and I first visited Leon. A dream to plant a congregation, a dream to share Jesus with people, a dream of a children's ministry and a youth program. Dreams of adults growing and maturing, dreams of marriages healing and God transforming lives. A dream of Jesus having hands and feet in Leon, GTO Mexico. The work is not done, we have not "arrived", but looking back, I'm reminded just how faithful He is!!!