He's Never Failed Me Yet! -- February 5, 2020

He's Never Failed Me Yet! In this newsletter, I want to be brutally honest with you. Chances are good that those who are reading this are likely those who also pray the most regularly for me. THANK YOU for your prayers; I need them! When I first sensed a call to missions in 2007, my most significant reluctance was support-raising. I was happy to financially support missionaries, but I wasn't excited about asking for financial support from others. But through many means, God demonstrated to me that if he was really calling me to missionary service, then he would also provide the needed financial partners. But learning to trust God is hard, for me at least. Back in 2007, as I continued to struggle with the idea of support-raising, I thought, "I know a lot of people. I have connections in the PCA and the CRC. I've lived in many states, and worked at several universities, and my former students have jobs." Who was I trusting? "I" know people. "I" have connections. I was trusting me! As I started to raise support, a number of churches and individuals whom I thought were likely supporters didn't pan out. Then I started to get support from people I didn't even know. How do I explain that? God! A few years later, during my first furlough, transitioning from short-term to long-term status, I needed to raise more support. "But hey, the vision for Genesis College is compelling, so it shouldn't be so difficult," I thought. Again, I was trusting in myself and my ability to convey a compelling vision. God was patient in teaching me the same lesson all over again: he is the one who provides! And now, during my second furlough, I again need to raise more support. This time, I thought it wouldn't be so difficult because I already had a very solid support-base; the additional amount I needed to raise wasn't so much. While that may be true, it has not been easy. I expected to probably lose some supporters due to a change in ministry fields, and I did ($360/month in pledges). But I've also gained support, some from new partners, and some from higher pledges from existing partners ($630/month). Where does that put me? My monthly budget is $8,724. That includes my salary (a small portion of that total, I assure you!), as well as ministry expenses, health insurance, administrative costs, etc. I currently have pledges for $7,347/month (84%), meaning I need an additional $1,377/month in pledges. (My budget is available for supporters or potential supporters upon request.) Support-raising is scary! I love sharing about the work to which God has called me, but ASKING is scary. I have fears of rejection. I worry that friends and family want to run away from me because I might ask for money. I know in my head that support-based missions is absolutely biblical. I know that God has called every Christian to be involved in the work of missions through going, giving and praying. But my human nature just cannot overcome my fears. I'm often convicted that my lack of faith is not unlike the ancient Israelites who sinned, were punished by God, then returned to him, only to repeat that cycle again and again. And so I continue to ask God to accomplish what seems so impossible to me -- to raise up a support team that will enable me to serve him in Sydney. Of course God has unlimited resources, and nothing is impossible for him! And so I ask you: Will you pray for me -- for my lack of faith, and for God to fully provide for my budget? Will you join my ministry team by pledging a monthly or annual contribution? Will you talk to someone at your church, asking them to invite me to share about the work of the gospel in Sydney, and to potentially partner with me in this work? There is a black gospel song that I've sung with my church choir called "He's Never Failed Me Yet." The song is a great reminder that God is always faithful, and always provides for every single need of his children. He never fails! I pray that you will be encouraged in your trust of our loving Father as well.   To Give: If you would like to give a one-time gift or make a pledge for regular support: Reply to this email or click here to contact me. Go to the MTW website where you can give and/or make a pledge for recurring support. THANK YOU for your prayers and your consideration! Follow FB Group Forward to a Friend Quick Links   MTW Sydney Ministries:   • Harbour City Church   • SOW (Student Outreach      to the World)   • City Sanctum Watch a video presentation of the work to which God has called me in Sydney. My blog (past newsletters)   Calendar February 22-27 Briarwood PCA Missions Conference; Birmingham, AL   Feb. 28 - Mar 1 Redeemer PCA Missions Conference; Jackson, MS March 12-14 MTW committee meetings Atlanta, GA March 16-30 Osaka, Japan (I will be participating in a wedding of a Japanese friend. While there, I will sell some of my stored things, and arrange for the rest to be shipped to Australia.) March 31 Depart for Sydney, Australia, pending full support. If I do not have full support, I will need to return to the States. Prayer Points   Praise God for safe travel back to Mississippi at the end of January. Pray for the final 16% of the required financial pledges. Pray whether God would have you partner with me through financial giving. Culture Corner   "Are those fires near where you will live?" I've had this question many times over the last several months. Yes, the fires are around Sydney, and have broken into some of the outer suburbs. "How bad are the fires?" They are bad -- very bad. But no, the entire country is not on fire. One problem with many online representations is that the "dot" for each fire is often much larger than the  actual fire. The map below shows a more realistic view. If they were all consolidated, they would cover an area similar to Indiana. The worst of the fires are in the southeast, near Sydney and the capital city of Canberra. Nationwide, 2,779 homes have been destroyed. At least 34 people have died. Countless animals have died. The air quality of Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra are currently the worst in the world. Please pray for Australia. Pray that God will even use the fires in ways that only he can to bring people to faith in him.