Life is hard enough, but I couldn’t imagine trying to live it without Jesus. One of my favorite songs is “Give Me Jesus” by Jeremy Camp, and this morning when I got up to write some Faith Walk stories, I clicked on Pandora (internet radio) and what a gift to hear my favorite song play first. It’s these little “GOD THINGS” along life’s journey that gives us the encouragement to keeps on the right path.
Yesterday, I was working with the girls in the office on our very first 5k Run/ 3k Walk for Hunger fundraiser and I was thinking that Jeff and I being the leaders need to start raising our personal pledges. Our goal for FAF is $50,000, and I thought if 50 dedicated people raised $1,000 then it’s very doable. We have 6 weeks (one by the time you get this story) until the event on September 8th, and I needed to get moving on this. However, with all our other responsibilities, I just had to lift up a prayer and ask our Heavenly Father for help.
Later that afternoon one of the girls volunteering in the office says, “Hey, I have a donation for you and Jeff, for Faith Acres!” I looked at her and said, “Great because we have the walk!” I also know she is without a job, and things are tight for her and her family right now. In fact, the finances and family issues have been so heavy on her heart that the stress has developed into panic attacks.
Panic attacks are a very real issue with some of the individuals who come to FAF. The stress of life can grow into very serious medical conditions, adding even more to the mountain of difficulties they are facing. It is the “FEAR” of the “WHAT IF’S”. This fear can consume people to the point of becoming immobile if not dealt with quickly.
This was a SACRIFICIAL GIFT from my friend, who has been out of work all summer. I looked at her with a puzzled smile and she told me such a funny “GOD STORY” about where the money came from. She has graciously allowed me to share this story so everyone who hears it will know that no matter how hard life may get, we have hope! God has not forgotten about us and brings laughter right in the middle of difficult days.
Read how God uses a forgotten/unknown insurance policy to bring provision at just the right time.
Knowing that I would be without income starting early June, I had calculated my expenses and tried to plan for all anticipated outstanding bills that would be coming due over the next few months. This was the first summer that I would be without an income stream in over seven years. One thing that I’ve experienced in God’s timing in my life is that he is seldom early, but never late to answer my prayers. It’s the pause between the prayers and the answers that is helping to shape my faith and absolute reliance upon his grace and provision in my life.
A week before my last day of work I received a letter in the mail from an insurance company. They were trying to locate the next of kin for my parents. I contacted the company and learned that they had conducted a random audit of their books and noticed that a policy had not been paid out upon the death of the last member on the policy. (It had been over two years since my mother passed away.) I was told that my parents had taken out casket insurance back in 1966 and that a check would be issued to me if I submitted proper verification documentation.
This check came at a time when I had other unexpected bills to pay and had provided me with a sense of peace during a potentially extremely stressful time. While it is my nature to look everywhere I can physically see for answers to my problems, this experience has taught me what is written in Psalm 121:1-2, “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” I would encourage you to read the rest of the chapter and find blessing in God’s presence in your life both now and forevermore.
Each time I’m brought to a new circumstance God presents an opportunity for me to grow in relationship with him, sometimes I waste that chance with fear and anxiety. When I get through my challenges, I can see that God has been there all along and feel foolish for not fully trusting HIM. These have been hard lessons for me to learn. I am still a student in this.
We can speak of God’s love forever; it’s not just a coincidence that my very favorite song was first up on the internet radio this morning, it’s not just luck that my friend’s parents in 1966 took out casket insurance to be delivered to their daughter the very summer she is without a job and needs the finances desperately. COME ON....CASKET INSURANCE? It’s not just coincidence that I was thinking and praying about getting our pledges for the Run/Walk for Hunger, and a few hours later we get our first $300 pledge from a person who has no job!
THIS IS ABOUT GODS LOVE; THIS IS ABOUT A REAL GOD WHO CARES ABOUT US! We, who are mere people, get so fearful and worry about the “WHAT IF’S”, that don’t happen 90% of the time, because we have a real Heavenly Father who cares about the little details of our lives and get’s us through the “WHAT IF’S. “
So, it’s one week before my scheduled repeat c-section with number 8 child and I get a phone call about 8:30 p.m. from my landlord’s realtor stating, “We have to move by the end of the month—which is 3 weeks away by the way—and he's very sorry, but he was given a dirt cheap price to renovate the house and can't pass up this opportunity.” It was not up for negotiation, nor was there a chance even for extension.
Maybe one year ago I would have completely freaked out and start worrying, thinking about 101 million things and what were we going to do! God had just reconciled my marriage about two months prior to this phone call and I just knew hard times were on pause for a little bit—WRONG—it was just the beginning of a new storm. I had that full week to search for houses and use every resource possible, and I did. However, there was nothing for the size or area in which we were looking. Time was ticking and patience, faith, and hope began to grow weary and soon aggravation and anger started, considering there was only one day left until I was to go into the hospital. We had begun packing and getting rid of a lot of things we knew had to go ASAP—even though it hurt badly. We donated about half the furniture we have now, but had to sacrifice just in-case we didn't find a place by the end of the month.
Our baby boy was born and healthy as ever—praise God—and I'm OK! I was kept in the hospital for five days and went to what was our old home. I had packed my laptop in my to-go bag, since I knew I still had a house to find in less than two weeks. Still nothing ! When we arrived home, I refused to give up on my hunt for our new home. With a newborn—they eat every hour or two, and then every two to four hours, so I would feed him and once he went back to sleep—regardless of the time—I would look online for a home. I was praying to God daily, asking him what was going on and why, but I knew the why really didn't matter, as He is always working it out for us behind closed doors. I just wanted to knock on that door and take a peek at this point just so I wouldn't lose faith / hope. That never happened because I had my husband to reassure me that everything was going to be OK, and not to worry, and try to get some rest!
Now—three days before we have to move, and still nothing ! At this point, I didn't know what to do. I didn't even want to look at a laptop or a phone anymore. I was exhausted and was throwing in the towel! With a prayer at 4 a.m., I found not one, but two houses and quickly e-mailed both of them. They were able to show us the homes the same day. I was praising God like no other! HOW AWESOME IS HE!
The home we picked would not be ready until one month later, so we made arrangements to live with a family until our new home was ready. In the meantime, we began looking for furniture, as we had gotten rid of almost all we had. Wow how God has provided for us—we had almost everything we needed before we moved in.
My four-year-old was the only one who did not have a bed yet and she was just so sad and heartbroken because all her brothers and sisters did. I had told her, “Don't worry, God will give her one too—we just don't know when, but just please be patient.” It didn't really sit well with our four-year-old. We ended up going to Faith Acres for food and ended up leaving with not just food and clothing, but with the happiest little four-year-old girl who had been blessed with her very own beautiful pink and white bed, with drawers that go under the bed. It was perfect and made just for her. On top of the beautiful bed frame, we got the mattress and a little Mermaid bedding sets of sheets and a comforter. What a blessing! Thank you GOD!
So now, we are at our new home and the kids are getting ready to start school, but they have no backpacks or school supplies. My husband had taken off three weeks FMLA with no pay. It was really hard times for us. I received a phone call saying our prayers have been answered and to come pick up the kids’ new backpacks filled with school supplies! I wanted to cry and I did when I told my husband after he arrived home from work. So off to Faith Acres we go again to receive yet more blessings. There we were living in a basement for a month with seven of our eight kids, waiting to move into our new home with everything we need and so grateful to God, as He was working it all out, even when I was questioning Him. Some nerve, I tell you.
We have been in our new home for almost a month and just amazed at how generous God is to us! Just to know we were homeless three days before July 31st and had gotten rid of almost all our furniture. And then, to have better furniture given back to us by wonderful agencies like Love Inc., Faith Acres, and people who have truly blessed my family. How can I ever turn my back on such a wonderful heavenly Father who has provided EVERYTHING including a baby boy I had been praying for nine years, and a husband I thought I had lost!
I'm not worthy of any of this as the sinner I am, yet His love is unconditional, regardless of my flaws! I thirst to be more like Jesus and it's hard, but I know He lives in me. There is no denying that, and He has saved me from drugs, cigarettes, drinking, gangs, complete disorder, and chaos in my life! I believe these blessings came from my obedience to ask Him for help and draw near to Him even when I am freaking out and my faith is small! I want more, but I know my ultimate reward isn't of this world or from here—it's eternal life—and that's what I'm aiming for with all eight kiddos and my husband.
Thank you all and we love you so very much for the beautiful smiles on my kids’ faces. May God bless you!
"What will I put my hands to work at today, that will change the life or destiny of another human being?"
Our family has been going to Faith Acres on and off for about 4 years now. It always amazes me when I see the generosity displayed there by everyone you encounter. No matter what your circumstance, everyone is treated with love. You can truly feel the presence of God there.
One day recently, we were there dropping off some clothes and one of the volunteers asked me if there was anything we needed. Even though there are plenty of things we need, I never really think that it could come from another source (like God?). I always think that it is something we have to try to get on our own, and wonder where the money will come from. Oh me of little faith.
It took my 7-year-old daughter to remind me that yes, there was something we needed. You see her dresser was falling apart, and it was getting dangerous as drawers were broken and ready to fall on her every time she opened them. She piped up and said, "I need a new dresser!" The gal asked her what color she wanted and she answered "blue or pink." I told her white would really be fine. Right then and there they asked God for the dresser and then thanked him for her new dresser, believing that dresser would be coming!
Each time this volunteer saw my daughter at church she would say, "Are you still thanking God for your new dresser?" Well, about two months later, I got a call from Faith Acres telling me they had our dresser! It wasn't blue or pink, but it was white, and it was perfect! I was still a bit worried that it wouldn't work in her room, but again, I need to have more faith. It's even better than we could have imagined.
Just yesterday, as my husband was painting our bathroom, I was wishing I had a little table to put near the toilet and a mirror for the back of the door. I was sitting at the kitchen table at Faith Acres and saw the perfect table (the perfect color of teal) and a full length mirror sitting across from me. I thought "Oh my goodness! Those would be perfect!" But I figured they were for someone else. Again, my 7-year-old said, "Mom! That table would match our bathroom!" That very morning I had told her that a little table in here (the bathroom) would be great and right before us is the little table, in our bathroom color and the mirror...together!
I asked a volunteer if they were taken, she said they had just came in and set them aside knowing they would be perfect for someone, but they didn't know who yet. They didn’t want to put it out in the main area because it was such a unique colored table, they wanted it to go to the “S omeone” it was meant for? Well, I guess that someone was us!
Going to Faith Acres has not only blessed our family with food and needed items, but has taught me that I need to have more faith in my walk with God. He does care about the big and the little things in our lives. He does always provide for our needs, and sometimes our wants as well.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
God Bless you Faith Acres! I stopped by to drop off a fondue machine for a birthday celebration and was just thinking to myself, “How could I have forgotten a tarp for a lawn job I needed to do today?” So as I am dropping off the machine I go back to my car and on the hood, was 10 yard waste bags. I just began to cry because I realized even in the small things God knows I didn’t tell anyone about needing a tarp or bags!
A few days later I was back at Faith Acres and God had another surprise gift for my family. For years my husband has been nagging me for a kerosene heater for the garage, to be exact 9 years, 4 days to the date. I just kept telling him we don't need one or change the subject, but today at Faith Acres he got a new one. A volunteer walked up to me and asked me if my husband needed a kerosene heater? Something small I know, but it makes a world of difference, I didn’t even ask for one or let anyone know about my husband’s request!
Then a few weeks later I was at Faith Acres to work on the farm. I was discussing the plans for the day and a different volunteer walked up to me and asked me if my son needed shoes because these beautiful brand name high tops came in and before they put them out in the clothing area, they wanted to know if my son could use them. Okay, you have to understand, I get all my kids shoes at the Goodwill or on a really great sales. My High School son has been asking me over and over for high tops and here I am handed a new pair that are my son’s size to the T…to the T! My son is a size 12, is hard to find large shoes on sale. What a blessing, once again I never told anyone about my son wanting high tops or needing shoes!
God provides regularly for our large family, I can only pray that God continues to bless Faith Acres, the Founders and their families, as well as all the volunteers, anyone who comes and those who give, so they may continue to see and feel Gods love for all who come.
Since times are hard, I feed a lot of family members besides my own immediate family and I send other families to Faith Acres as well. Everyone I send comes back with similar stories; it’s amazing, talk about hilarious giving! The sharing center has a wide variety of foods and the organized uniqueness, of not having to wait in a long line for food is an even greater blessing; it’s a wonderful blessing!
God bless you immensely!!! I would just like to say Thank you from the bottom of our heart, we praise God for you!!!
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matt. 5:16
~ A Donors Faith-Walk Story~ Thank you so much for sharing the Faith-Walk story , “ It’s a Musical Christmas Miracle,” with us —that whole story brought tears to my eyes! We were attending our church service the morning that Faith Acres Foundation was interviewed regarding their work. Both my husband and I thought at the time, we have a few special items in our home that could be used for God’s glory in someone else’s possession. For whatever reason (God’s timing most certainly), we didn’t get our act together for some time before delivering these instruments to Faith Acres. Our prayer was that these instruments might be used in praise worship, maybe in a church worship band. That prayer has been answered in so many ways! We are so blessed to hear how God has touched lives through Faith Acres and our small part in their work for God’s Kingdom. Praise God for all His blessings from above! Thanks again! God bless you and all you do!
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! 2 Cor. 9:6-15
These donated instruments are written about in the Faith-Walk stories “ It’s a Musical Christmas Miracle,” “Experiencing God’s Care and Provisions, Just as He Promised,” and “ It was Truly a Blessed Christmas.”
~ A Pastor’s Faith-Walk story ~
I am a father of five teens who has been experiencing a very prolonged period of unemployment. I have been a bi-vocational minister for over 15 years and completed an assignment which resulted in the closing of a church. Needless to say, I am still unable to find an income to support my family. While in this holding pattern period of our lives, our kids, all of whom are musically inclined, have decided they wanted to begin worship as a group and as a family at home. We were short of the needed instruments such as a base and a guitar.
As only our God would arrange it, I went to Faith Acres on a Friday, not a day I normally would visit, and I happen to meet a single mom and heard about her dilemma and it was the precise time she was mentioning the need for musical instruments for her kids. We both where invited upstairs with another volunteer to see some instruments that were recently donated to Faith Acres and there were enough guitars to meet the needs of both families. The guitar went to my son who has been self-teaching himself and he used this for the sole purpose of praising God because we have so many reasons to give praise to Him. As a father, I’ve been feeling so helpless to provide many of my family’s needs, but when I received this guitar I felt God’s love immensely. My son painted the biggest smile when I took it home and told him it was for him.
You see, December 1, 2011, I was sitting at the table with my wife talking over the fact that we didn’t have a penny to pay our rent and no open opportunities to make money. We called the kids to the table to pray. After we prayed, one of our kids went to get the mail. In the bundle of advertising was an envelope from Florida and inside were four checks whose sums totaled ¾ of our rent. About an hour later I received a call from a local charity telling me a couple was looking to bless someone financially and the staff at this charity thought of me. The next day, the couple came to visit me and they provided the remaining amount of what I needed for the rent, to the dollar. Within one week, someone else came to visit me and I received enough money for next month’s rent too! I don’t have the words to express the overwhelming sensation of experiencing God’s care and provisions just as He promised.
Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with strings and pipe! Praise Him with sounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals! Ps. 150:3-5
“Experiencing God’s Care and Provisions, Just as He Promised” is a part of “ It’s a Musical Christmas Miracle” Faith-Walk story.
~ A mother’s Faith-Walk story ~I am a single mother of five children. My husband left me and my children last year. He cleaned out our bank accounts, transferred all of the bills into my name and took my baby girl with him. Words cannot describe how incredibly painful it has been to have my baby taken from me. For over a year now, every day I have felt horrible dread deep in the pit of my gut and hopelessness, like a car door had slowly closed on my soul. He had been planning this for some time and I had no idea. I had been a stay-at-home mom for some time and did not have any financial means to defend myself. The effect this has had on all of my children was just devastating. Our lives were instantly transformed into a very hard and bleak existence. They missed their baby sister terribly and not knowing when or if they would see her had been terrifying. Also, things like not having good food to eat and having our electricity turned off so that I could pay a hefty court fee has been scary and unsettling for them. I have spent every moment of every day trying to find ways to get my daughter back and to make ends meet financially for my other children. Court costs and attorney fees have been dreadful. Each month that I have been able to make ends meet has been like a miracle.
A few months ago, while at a church sifting through tables of used clothing for my children, I met a woman who told me about Faith Acres. She told me I could get fresh fruit and vegetables and information on other resources from Faith Acres. I made an appointment with Faith Acres and brought my son along for the orientation. It was a nice, laid back atmosphere and we left with a box full of fresh produce.
Less than a week later, my son was to be in a talent show. He wrote a great song, but did not have a guitar to play it on at the talent show, as his old beat up guitar had completely fallen apart. Fortunately he was able to borrow an old 12-string from an acquaintance. It was cracked and had a broken string, but he was able to make it work for his gig. He played beautifully and sounded fantastic. As I was watching him on stage, I felt sad that I couldn't afford to buy him his own nice guitar and day-dreamed throughout the other acts about my circumstances changing and how cool it would be to be able to buy him one. Then there was an act where a boy had an African drum and I thought how I really need to try to get my other son one of those and wondered how much a drum like that would cost. I knew they were expensive. I know he would be an amazing drummer, as I had heard him play many times before on pans and buckets since he was very young. I remember sitting there feeling apprehensive as if my time to cultivate my children's talents was running out and what a shame it was, since they are all so musically talented. I felt angry that I had been robbed of all of my resources (financially and emotionally) to help my children develop their talents and really be able to be there for them as I would like to, due to the devastating situation my husband has put us all in. I went to bed that night thinking about all of this and fantasized being able to afford to buy instruments and lessons for my children and envisioning my son playing an African drum.
The next day I received a call from Faith Acres. One of the volunteers told me she had been thinking about me and wanted to learn more about how they could help me and my family. She invited me out to Faith Acres again to pick up some more food. While I was there she asked me if I had gifts for my children for Christmas. I told her that I had very little. She asked me what kinds of things they liked. I explained that they are into music. She asked me what kind of instruments they play. I told her both of my boy’s play the guitar, that my eldest’s acoustic / electric guitar broke and how I really wished I could get my younger son an African drum because I just think he would be great at it.
She took me to a separate part of her house with two other people and showed me an acoustic electric guitar and the most gorgeous African drum I had ever seen. I couldn't believe it. Hope filled my heart. I had to fight back tears. It was much more than getting instruments for my children. It was that God heard me! It felt like a sign that all this time that I have been praying and pleading for help to get through this, He has heard me and I am not alone.
I had no tree or ornaments and very few Christmas decorations. They gave me a Christmas tree to take home, and a whole car full of indoor and outdoor decorations. My van was packed full! My children's faces lit up when I came home carrying in boxes of Christmas decor and food. They happily put up all of the decorations just as fast as they could pull them out of the boxes.
I had to go back to Faith Acres to pick up the instruments. We went to the barn and gathered tons of items that made perfect gifts for my children, and then went into the house to get the instruments. This time they brought in a lamp and asked if I could use it, which I certainly could as one of the bedrooms in my house was without a light fixture. They had a flute, recorder, and an accordion for my three other children, so they each had their own instruments! I was also given other gifts to give to my children for Christmas, such as a sled, dolls, a fluffy dog, clothing, and shoes, etc. On my way out, I asked if they had any lettuce and just then a volunteer hauling an entire car load of produce pulled up and I was given all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables.
On Christmas morning my children were dumbfounded when they opened their gifts. They could not believe their eyes. It was truly a blessed Christmas!
One of the volunteers at Faith Acres showed me how to submit a prayer request to a strong praying church out of state so that my family would stay anonymous in our area, but have prayer coverage from this church and Faith Acres. This is a perfect example of how, over the last several months, people I have met have prayed for me and helped guide me. I have experienced a series of events in which I have met people who have played a role—each like a piece in a large puzzle—to lead me one more step closer to getting the help that I needed to make it through this mess.
I now have an attorney who is willing to take my case for extremely reasonable fees. I have friends who are emotionally supportive, my family has food to eat, and I now feel hopeful that there is a way out of the darkness and hopelessness that had consumed my life. The fear that has gripped my heart relentlessly every day for many, many months has dissipated. I have personally witnessed miracles in my life—far too strategically intricate to be coincidental—that simply could not have happened without God's hand. Faith Acres is one of the conduits God has used to touch my life and I feel so grateful and blessed.
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing" Zephaniah 3:17
“It was Truly a Blessed Christmas” is part of “ It’s a Musical Christmas Miracle” Faith-Walk story.
In the past couple of years, my husband and I have fallen on some difficult times; the loss of our primary job, a full year without 100% income, and no insurance. The economy hit our finances and our savings hard. Frustrations surmounted, arguments increased, and my husband felt it better if we split apart. I believe in a God that is far bigger than our circumstances though.
I went to many hours of counseling over this past year and have learned so much about myself and God's unconditional love for me! Faith Acres has walked alongside me many times; to help with food, love, and support for my family. Sometimes the hug I received from the volunteers and the prayers they offered or the conversation we had, was just what I needed to know God was near!
I led a sedentary life for many years. I have been out of shape and severely overweight; however, over this past year—while I have learned so much from God—my health has begun to align as well. I lost a significant amount of my weight and I did it in very healthy ways (thanks to the ability to receive fresh produce from Faith Acres!) One Sunday, I was sitting in church and a guy got up in front and asked, "Who is going to run the marathon with me?" I immediately started sobbing. I thought, "Oh no Lord…NOT the marathon!" I found myself registering to run Chicago's Bank of America Marathon.
I have two daughters and not many options for babysitters. So what do I do, when I need to go out for a run and my daughters are too young to run with me? I was given a regular double-stroller; but it was so hard to turn it while running. I was grateful though. I had something that I could run with! I talked about the difficulties; however, again I was so grateful that I could get outside with my girls. I looked at double-jogger strollers on the internet—the cost was just too high. What I had would have to work.
And then one day, one of the volunteers from Faith Acres called me and asked me if I was still training for the marathon. I told them I was. They asked if I was taking the girls with me in a double-stroller—and I was! They told me that they had just received a brand new, double-jogger stroller and wanted to know if I wanted it. I started to cry—just days earlier I was trying to figure out with my sister how to get a double-jogger stroller, but it was just way out of my budget to even think about it. By the time I got to Faith Acres, volunteers had put together my brand new jogger stroller for my girls.
The amazing thing… I am running for Team World Vision, whose color is orange. Would you like to guess what color my jogger stroller was? Yep -ORANGE! Only God could provide a brand new stroller, and even in my team color! On top of that, I was able to donate three strollers (two singles and the one double I was using) for other families in need.
As a friend and I began training weekly, I used the jogger. It allowed me to take both girls with me. It even had enough room that they could bring along their breakfast, a bottle or sippy cup, and even a “lovey” to hold onto. Blessed beyond anything I could ever imagine!
As if God would stop right there—I saw Him in every detail of my training too. Have you ever been to Starbucks and had one of their protein plates? It has egg, fruit, cheese, a little multi-grain piece of bread, and peanut butter. It is so yummy—and out of my budget! I had been given a gift certificate recently and used it after one of my long runs. What a treat!
I remember the next time (truly within a couple days) I walked into Faith Acres. I was gathering food for me and my girls and there it was—like it was there just for me—a full box of the organic peanut butter packets from the protein plate. I could take them along on my run, or keep them in the car. God was thinking just of me right then, and He used Faith Acres to show me he cared.
Wow, October 7th was a chilly morning (so very grateful it wasn't 90 degrees). I headed down to the race at 4:00 a.m. At 7:30, I was off with 26.2 miles before me, winding around through all the beautiful neighborhoods of Chicago, from the north side to the south, from Chinatown to Lake Shore Drive—simply gorgeous!
It was the hardest day of my life (for my body), yet as I ran, I kept remembering the reason I was running—Team World Vision. Their marketing phrase is "I care and so I run." I care, that people in Africa don’t have access to clean water and food. I care and so I run. And as I ran through the streets of Chicago—through luxury and poverty—I was thankful that I had my own Team World Vision that cares for me and my family. Their name is Faith Acres. They care whether we have fruits and vegetables, whether we have proteins and dairy, whether we have costs and shoes, and yes, even a double-jogger stroller…Only God!
Oh, and by the way, yes, I finished! Again, only God!
You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win! All those who compete in the games use self-control so they can win a crown. That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed. So I do not run without a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something—not just the air. I treat my body hard and make it my slave so that I myself will not be disqualified... 1 Cor. 9:24-27
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other! John 15:16-17
It’s always fun to see God provide for families, in such unexpected ways. We have a family who volunteers at Faith Acres each week during the summer months to help keep the gardens and lawn beautiful, then in the fall and winter months, they help with the inside work of sorting foods and clothing. They are a true blessing to Faith Acres and its fun to hear their weekly stories of how God is providing for them.
One summer morning we had an over-abundance of breads and really needed to call another organization that could help us get the food distributed to families quickly. As I was walking in the house to make the phone call, this faithful working family walked into the garage and asked if they could take some food to one of the local churches who could really use extra food for their hurting families. God was so faithful to work out the details before I even had to make the phone call.
As we were packing up the food, they were talking about needing suitcases, a projector, and a keyboard because their parents are pastoring a church in Mexico and these things would be a blessing for them. I went to look for the suitcases and sure enough we had two beautiful bags from different makers, but they matched perfectly. I also grabbed two travel bag purses and a long black zipper bag. By the time I got back to the garage the next load of food was being delivered. We opened the trailer door and we had twice the amount of breads that we just packed up for them to take over to the church, along with a large hefty mountain bike in great condition.
This bike was oversized—oversized seat, oversized wheels—just a strong, solid mountain bike. “Umm, you guys need a bike? Does your hubby need a bike?” From their facial expressions, I could see the bike was for them and right on time, as she just shook her head and said, “Really, really, are you serious? Really, this always happens here…really God, really, really…really God? Okay, I am crying here…because over the last few weeks and then last night—just last night my husband told me he was going to go buy a new bike because the one he was given from his cousin is way too small and my husband is a large, husky line-backer kind of guy and this bike—this bike right here—is his favorite color. It has the double-wide wheels, the large seat, this is his bike, it is, this is his bike…really God, really , this always happens! Seriously, this is one of the reasons my husband is even serious about God now, he has seen so many amazing things happen for our family and items provided for us, that it just blows us all away. It’s kind of scary how this keeps happening…really, really God, this is amazing !”
God is amazing—HE IS SO SWEET—He provides! We found out that the bike was given to our driver out of the blue that very day from one of his friends. God’s timing is perfect!
As the family was leaving and I handed them the rest of the bags, we all kind of laughed at the long bag that was delivered to Faith Acres a few days before without the tent in it. Yep, an empty new tent bag from one of the local stores! “It’s here, just take it, maybe, maybe, hey maybe it’s for the keyboard you’re looking for, maybe God is going to provide you with a keyboard that fits in this bag?” We all just giggled because the chances of getting the perfect keyboard to fit this new empty bag would just be another amazing story.
Before they left, we all stopped to thank God for the fun, laughter, the abundance of food, bags, and a perfect mountain bike for her hefty husband, as well as adding a request for a projector and a key board so their parents could take it back to Mexico with them in a few weeks. We may not have the other items here at Faith Acres, but God—God is faithful and will bring it all together for them.
A few days later this family called and told us that God provided the projector and a keyboard—a beautiful keyboard that was made perfectly to fit in the tent bag. It was as if the tent bag was made for the keyboard—ONLY GOD!
How fun to report such fun stories of answered prayers. The tent bag matched the other two pieces of luggage and the two matching carryon bags as well. How kind of God to color-coordinate five different bags, from four different manufactures and three different donors—just for this family. We do have a God of excellence that is into details, no doubt about it!
Psalms. 36:7
How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings
When people came face to face with the love and compassion of Jesus Christ, lives change in an instant! Many people, families and children all around us, are discouraged and have lost HOPE! When the struggles and issues of life are too heavy on people hearts and minds, it can lead to depression. These issues maybe due to health challenges, job loss, financial struggles, family break-ups…You name it, it’s all around us. If a person believes "IT'S HOPELESS", then the human heart gets sick.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.-Proverbs 16:12
I’ll never forget a young mom who showed up with her own mother to get food at Faith Acres about three years ago. Her mother had lived with her boyfriend for many years, shared a home together and built a life. Due to circumstances, they just never got married. When the love of her life died, every one of her possessions was taken away from her by her boyfriend’s brother. He never got along with them. Life changed in an instant! Hopelessness, depression, discouragement and sickness just encompassed this family in pain. What are we to do; can we fix all these problems? No, but we offer what we have, and point them to GOD!
Because...WE HAVE A HUGE GOD!! He has love, He has mercy, He has forgiveness, He has grace and HE GIVES HOPE!! He loves all people with an EVERLASTING LOVE and He draws us to himself, every minute of every day!!
This young mom is now a faithful volunteer here at Faith Acres and this is a little "thank you" she sent to us last week.
"I really, really appreciate all your help. You have been a blessing in my life and keep me strong. Every time I go to Faith Acres I feel like I have so much support. You guys are the true support for the community of Illinois. I only wish people can have what you guys do in every town. I thank Gigi and Nick for always being there and being kind even though they have so much going on as all the families come through for food. You guys help me fight every day, keeping strong for my kids. Without the whole Faith Acres crew I would have lost my faith and felt all alone! Thank you so much for believing in me!"