Please spare me a brief moment to just testify how faithful and powerful our Provider is.
Global Challenge has been a dream of mine since I've first heard about it in 2008. I was just fascinated by the idea of visiting a dozen or so countries, seeing new places, experiencing foreign cultures and making memories that would last a life time. Due to the incredible amount of money needed to go and the fact that I already took a gap-year after school, it only stayed a dream. Thinking back now, it was truly God's plan because I wasn't nearly ready (in spirit and faith) to embark on something like this.
In the beginning of last year my parents told me, in the politest thinkable way, that they are kicking me out of the house next year (2013). After 5 years of studying it was time for me to go and 'do my own thing', which is parent -slang for 'it's time to pay your own bills.' This idea led to countless sleepless nights, there is after all a never ending demand for newly-graduated-freelance-documentary-photographers…
During a camping trip in May of last year, I met 2 girls that did GC a few years ago. Their stories and testimonies truly touched and inspired me to keep dreaming of one day going to the nations.
Only after a great deal of prayer and a lengthy and spirited discussion with my brother, I finally had enough courage/faith to apply for a one-year journey. This was without having a cent, sort of, I had the R200 admission fee and that was it. I didn't have any prospect of receiving R90 000 in the near future.
I earnestly prayed that if God really wanted me to be there, He should supply the money needed for the journey, if I get accepted. Two weeks later I was accepted and at once I was filled with the greatest sense of excitement and fear I've ever experienced.
R90 000…
I quickly reminded God of my prayer, as if He would ever forget, and said it is all up to Him now. The ball is in His court. It was already mid-October and our first deadline was the end of November.
This all happened around the Currie Cup final time. Being a Western Province supporter, praying for them to win the Currie Cup almost require more faith than praying for R90 000…
I said to a friend of mine that if WP wins the Currie Cup I will take that as a clear sign that I am going to get my money because that will be proof that miracles do still happen!
WP won.
I really believed that if God wanted me to go He will provide in all my needs. However, what followed left me speechless.
Within two months after my acceptance I had R90 000 in my bank account!*
I received 6 donations of R10 000 or more and had the entire sum two months before the final deadline.
This was by far the biggest leap of faith I had ever taken, apart from believing WP can win a Currie Cup, and God came and used this situation to glorify His name! I didn't get it because of who I am or what I did or where I come from, it was pure grace and I give all the glory to God!!!
I just pray that throughout this year and the rest of my life I will be able to show people the same grace that He has shown me. God is not interested in our abilities but in our availability. When we walk in His will we can be sure that all the doors that need to be open will be opened. God uses situations that seem impossible for us to show how mighty He really is.
Praise God that His power is not limited to our faith!
All glory to God!*
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