My Gideon's Fleece

When I first read about Gideon's fleece (the story where Gideon asks God to make the fleece wet and the ground dry in the morning and vice versa) I thought I'd never pray that prayer.  That just didn't seem right to me. Well, one day I actually did.

When I started with CEF it was only part time.  After a summer of ministry with them they asked me to come on full-time as the the Youth Director.  The thought of raising financial support for a living was pretty daunting.  I'd only been married for a couple of years and I had a mortgage coming in about year.  Would it be faith or foolishness?

For months I delayed the decision until CEF finally asked me for an answer.  It was about May 27th, I was tossing and turning and couldn't sleep because of this big decision.  Finally I said, "God, if you want me to do this I want $500 in support before the end of the month."  Since I really hadn't told anyone what I was thinking, except for a couple of friends, I figured I'd be looking for another job in a few days time.

The next day I went to work and our administrator said, "Ivhan, support came in for you."  I brushed her off thinking it was a joke (even though I didn't tell her what I prayed).  She was so insistent I finally said, "Okay, show me the paper and then I'll believe you."  And sure enough on the paper it said,

"Support of Ivhan Rusli.  $500."

I was shocked.  Isn't it funny how we're shocked when God answers our prayers?   But even after that I wasn't convinced.  O me of little faith.  The next week a guy I'd never met, from a town I'd never even heard of sent in a support cheque for me for $50 with the note "It never ceases to amaze me how God is working."  How did this guy know what I was thinking about doing and what I needed?  Sadly I found out he just passed away last month at the age of 99.  I guess I'll have to ask Him when I get to the kingdom.

Christian Youth in Action (CYIA)
Fall Retreat in '08.

Soon after that I accepted the position as Youth Director and started raising my financial support.  It's been about seven years and I've only reached about 50% of my necessary monthly support but God has been faithful in meeting my needs.  Support has most often come from the most unexpected places, from the most unexpected people.

I'm learning to not put God in a box.

Truly the Lord is my provider.