Recently, I have posted many pictures of our church on Facebook. Some may think that I am boasting about our church. Not at all! It is an unfolding story of God's faithfulness.
Last year we went through a lot as a church. At times, our very survival looked bleak in the natural, even though we never had any doubts that God will come through for us. And He did it again and again!
As spring of 2011 arrived, we found ourselves cornered by many challenges. We had to trust God for all of our needs. Every dollar had to stretched. Our landscaper refused to clean up the edges of the parking lot without extra payments. We have a sizable parking lot and that was a lot of extra monies.
During that season, I would go into our sanctuary every morning and pray alone for a long time seeking God's guidance in all matters. So I decided to pray about this also.
The next day I had a big surprise. An agency called me and asked me if I could use two laborers who could help us with different things. When I told them I had no money to give them, their reply was to use them without any cost to the church! Within a week, we had laborers at church helping us out. They continued to clean the parking lot all spring and summer and helped us with other things. They are still with us helping out , without any cost to us. Praise God!
Then I realized we needed to rework our finances to move on. Again I went to the sanctuary and cried and prayed over this need. God put an idea in my mind. It was like a light bulb turning on in my head. I followed it and God made sure it came through and we moved on.
Then came hurricane Sandy. The day after the hurricane, when I went to see if there was any damage to our church,my heart sank. Our parking lot was covered with debris. The roof our fellowship hall was totally peeled off by the wind. Our front door was pulled out of its hinges and thrown into the street. At first look, I estimated it will cost us $100,000 to fix the place.
We had insurance. But I did not know what would be the hindrances I will have to overcome and how long it would take. On top of that we had a snow storm a few days later. (The only snow storm of the winter in New York so far). The snow that accumulated on the roof came through as water the next day. The next morning when I went to church, I wanted to sit down and wail. It was waterfalls everywhere in our fellowship hall. Now the cost of repairs would be much more. I did not even know how much more.
Hearing this, our insurance company sent a consultant. He was going to be the liaison between us and the insurance company. He was a believer. When I explained things to him, he agreed to work with us. I got permission to use the funds allocated for repair in creative ways. We prayed about it and followed the ideas God gave us. What we have now is the result of it. The photos convey this story of God's faithfulness.
In the end, we have a 400 seat sanctuary fully finished and a banquet hall that is better than many of the hotel banquet halls.
Dear friends, don't be discouraged by the challenges in your life. Trust in God and He will rise up for your defense and show in unimaginable ways that He is with you.
' Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!' Romans 11:33.
Last year we went through a lot as a church. At times, our very survival looked bleak in the natural, even though we never had any doubts that God will come through for us. And He did it again and again!
As spring of 2011 arrived, we found ourselves cornered by many challenges. We had to trust God for all of our needs. Every dollar had to stretched. Our landscaper refused to clean up the edges of the parking lot without extra payments. We have a sizable parking lot and that was a lot of extra monies.
During that season, I would go into our sanctuary every morning and pray alone for a long time seeking God's guidance in all matters. So I decided to pray about this also.
The next day I had a big surprise. An agency called me and asked me if I could use two laborers who could help us with different things. When I told them I had no money to give them, their reply was to use them without any cost to the church! Within a week, we had laborers at church helping us out. They continued to clean the parking lot all spring and summer and helped us with other things. They are still with us helping out , without any cost to us. Praise God!
Then I realized we needed to rework our finances to move on. Again I went to the sanctuary and cried and prayed over this need. God put an idea in my mind. It was like a light bulb turning on in my head. I followed it and God made sure it came through and we moved on.
Hearing this, our insurance company sent a consultant. He was going to be the liaison between us and the insurance company. He was a believer. When I explained things to him, he agreed to work with us. I got permission to use the funds allocated for repair in creative ways. We prayed about it and followed the ideas God gave us. What we have now is the result of it. The photos convey this story of God's faithfulness.
Dear friends, don't be discouraged by the challenges in your life. Trust in God and He will rise up for your defense and show in unimaginable ways that He is with you.
' Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!' Romans 11:33.
