Being a SULADS missionary in the Philippines provides many occasions to build faith. Part of my work includes supervising a farm and providing food for our school.
Sometimes we’re short on food, and I lose sleep wondering what to do. It’s a challenge to practice Matthew 6:25, which says: “For this reason, I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to when you will eat or what you will drink, nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”
I remember returning home from the cornfield one November day. My phone rang. It was my sister, who works at Mountain View College.
“What urgent needs do your students have?” she asked. “The students here in my department have chosen to donate their community service budget to SULADS students, so we have 10,000 pesos to help.”
“Food, food, food!” I said.
When I reached home, I told my wife what was happening. We paused for a moment, looking up in thanksgiving. God had provided a week’s food budget for the students.
Later, as I saw the happy faces of the students, I was reminded again not to give up or be anxious, but rather to surrender everything to the God above. We can cast our burdens on Him, whether the load seems light or heavy. He is in charge of each tomorrow. He knows the solutions to our every worry.
Jesus invites us to completely trust Him and His promises.
Living in the countryside here, I often awaken to the sound of chirps and tweets. Our kind-hearted Father takes care of the birds even though they don’t plant or sow. We’re told that we’re of greater value in the sight of our Creator than the birds. Brothers and sisters, never forget that He loves you and cares for you.
One of God’s promises that I always turn to in times of trials and challenges is found in Philippians 4:19: “But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”