Maira’s Account:
Thursday, January 13, 2011, Eli starts orientation today. He got up at 6:30AM to take the trash out to the curb and to get ready for his day. He was very jittery. Wondering when and how school was going to be paid. So I got up about 7:45 and just began the day. We got ready to go to drop Eli off at school. Before we left, we prayed and then headed out. I dropped Eli off and went off to Wal-Mart to get some groceries. While I’m there, Eli calls asking what to do about the tuition. Do we pay half and get on a payment plan or not pay at all and him not start school. We had been praying about this all week. So as I’m in the meat section, I stopped and prayed with Eli over the phone. We prayed for clear direction. Honestly, I didn’t know what to do. I thought I knew what needed to be done but didn’t want to say it. I was afraid. We had exactly 1045.00 in the bank leftover from the donations that had been given last month including $150 given this month. Half of the tuition was about $900. So I continue on shopping and looking for the best buys and praying for Eli. Then Eli texts me saying….
Eli’s Account:
After giving up the $50 at the Onething conference, we had a lot of things to take care of. Such as; getting the garbage service set up, all the utilities switched over to our name, and several other things that we needed to get for the house. All of the things we were buying were necessities, but money was being spent nonetheless. By the end of the week, we only had $1000 left in the bank. I was stressed to say the least. I was praying and praying that God would provide the money for tuition because I didn’t want to go below $1000, it was my safety net.
So Thursday the 13th of January had arrived! It was time to go to orientation. I woke up early to put the trash out and pray. I prayed the whole way to school. When I get there we had a meet and greet, then it was time to go and pay tuition. I sit down with one of the women there from payroll, (the whole time praying) and she asked me, “are you able to pay the full amount?” I told her “no, I can’t.” Then she asked, “Well how about half? It would be $950.” I answered, “No, I can’t do that either.” So she said, “Tell me, what’s your situation?” I said, “Well, I have two kids, a pregnant wife, and only $1000 in the bank.” So she sent me over to financial services. I get on line and call Maira. “We have to pray for God to do something because I’m here waiting for money to fall out of the sky or something! I need guidance!” So I asked Maira to pray. After she prayed, I hung up and felt God say, “ I provided the money already, you have $1000 in the bank. Pay the $950.” I immediately said to God that, I didn’t want to have to choose between tuition and my kids. Again, I felt God say, “Pay the $950.” So I said, ok God if this is you I’m going to send Maira a text and if she tells me to do it. Then I will do it. Otherwise, I’m not doing anything. So I sent her a text saying….
Maira: I want to just say pay half but I’m not sure if that’God. Saying it very hesitantly. Cause I am scared.
Eli: That’s Confirmation
Maira: How much is half?
Eli: $950
Maira: K I will only buy the necessary for this week then.
Maira: Pray I’m freaking out!
Eli: Me too
Maira: But I have peace. Do you?
Eli: Yes, very weird
Maira: Yes LOL!
Maira’s Account:
I cried at Wal-mart as I respond to Eli’s text. I finish texting Eli and then I look at the cart and think what can I put back. Everything I have in here are all necessary items. I put back the rolls of paper towels and exchanged 2.5 dozen eggs for just the 1 dozen. I checked out and came under budget. This was great! On my way home, I felt like the $1,000 were just a safety net for us. And how could we completely trust God knowing that if God didn’t come through we had that there. That’s not real trust. I called Jean and spoke with her a bit and then went home checked our bank account. We had $6.80 left in our account. Eli’s books had to be bought Saturday; we had a little more than ¼ tank of gas. We had enough food for about a week and a half. So all we had now was to trust God.
I went to the IHOP Consecration Charge Service and stayed a bit longer than the worship. But because the kids were making too much noise and Eli was getting frustrated. I went home, gave the kids a bath, and just waited at home until Eli called to tell us to pick him up. I was very disappointed that I had to leave. It was nice to have some adult conversation while at the service. So we pick Eli up and he shares a prophetic word that was given to him…
Friday: Eli goes back to school for orientation and I stayed home cleaning the house and just spending the day with the kids. The day goes by and I put the kids down for a nap. Lisi wakes up from her nap about 3:15 and I get her out of her crib and then I get the mail. I’m expecting a letter from Cheryl with Eli’s last paycheck in it from Falcon Jet. I sat down and opened a letter from a friend. She sent an awesome encouraging letter along with stamps. I was down to one stamp and had no money to buy any more. Then I opened the envelope and saw the electric bill from Conway and then there were 2 letters from Falcon Jet. I assumed that one of them was a W-2 Form for taxes. I opened them both at the same time. When I looked, there were 2 checks and another dear friend had sent a check. Altogether, we had about $700 and stamps!!! PRAISE GOD!!!
Eli’s Account:
So I sat down with another lady and she asked if I was able to pay the $950. I told her, Yes I can (the funny thing is, is that the lady I told that I could not pay the $950 was right next to me. I was waiting for her to say something to me. But she didn’t.). After I paid, I called Maira to let her know I had paid the tuition. Then she told me, we only have $6.00 in the bank. The day continues on with orientation and Wes Hall was discussing curriculum. He stops in the middle of the overview and says, “If you are here strictly to learn and discuss theology then please go somewhere else. Because we want God to first and foremost ravage your heart. And the Holy Spirit has free reign to do what he wants when He wants, and if that means class is interrupted then so be it.” Not long after he said that, God showed up and began to minister to the class. Then the entire class including myself were just a mess of snot and tears on the floor. There were two prophetic words given later on in the day at the Consecration Service. (Note: we have NOT shared our story with anyone!) Part of one of the words given were: “God, says that he is pleased with the leap of faith that you have taken. And to know that you are my son and I am your father and I provide for my children. I did not bring you out here to drop you.”
So the next day, I get up early again and I pray. God, if you are going to provide, we only have $6.00 in the bank, there are bills coming, and I have to buy books on Saturday. Please give me guidance, open my eyes and ears, to know what You want me to do. I went to school. The head of the educational staff sat down to speak with me, just to get to know who I was. He asked, “ so were those your kids here last night?” “Yes, and I apologize for the noise they were making.” I replied. “No, no, I just wanted to let you know that your family is always welcome here. Your wife didn’t have to leave. If anyone ever gives you problems about your kids just let me know and I will take care of it.” He said. So I called Maira to let her know. After sitting in a class discussing “taxes” (the government now considers us missionaries. So we had to learn how to do our taxes as such… x.x), I meet a man by the name of Rob. He has the same story as I do. He left his job of 17years to go to school with a family (wife and 4 kids). I got a hold of him later on and told him I need to hear his story. He told me he still lives by faith, that God is awesome to provide and gave me his e-mail. By this time it’s 3:00 and I have to go over to the prayer room. On my way there, Maira was calling, calling and texting to call back. When I call back, She’s crying and I’m asking what’s wrong? She says, You have money for books! I respond, “What do you mean? What happened?” She says, $700 came in the mail! I was just floored and stunned. God is awesome! Now I’m just excited to face the rest of the year, knowing God didn’t bring me out here to drop me!
hahaha!!!!LOVE IT!!
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