God's Timing, Not Ours

We pray, we wait, doors open, doors close.  We pray, we wait...

As many of you know we have been talking and praying for M’Chigeeng, a small native community approximately 50km away. As our love for that community grew we prayed for open doors, the building of relationships, and God’s direction and leading.

We pray, we wait. Two years passed.

Doors opened this past spring, allowing us to start looking for housing in the area. Housing is in high demand and the selection is very limited.

Our major concern (and major prayer focus) in our prospective move has been for Lydia and her education. We prayed that God would provide the teachers and the support she needed to finish strong in grade 8. Even if that meant staying in Manitowaning, and Anthony having to commute 100km round trip 4 days a week, sometimes twice a day to M’Chigeeng.

Near the end of August, we had conversations with the school to set up Lydia’s year and we were resigned to the fact that we would be remaining in Manitowaning.  We and the teachers did not think  it would be wise to move mid school year. It would have caused a great deal of stress for Lydia and her overall well being.

Gods’s Timing not ours

Saturday night I got a call from a friend saying that there was a house to rent starting immediately. Coincidence? Never!   We visited the rental Sunday afternoon and by the time we got to the house they already had a reference and we were the first ones that the owners wanted. The house was ours if we want.  This house is 15km from M’Chigeeng. We moved Friday Sept 7-8.

So where are we?  Spring Bay!!

We pray, we wait, doors open!

This is the only year that I am thankful we didn’t start school on the Tuesday! we, started Wednesday!! So I went to the new school to register our kids.  This is such an answer to prayer. The teachers and support staff have already made so much progress with Lydia. Lydia is talking about friends and making plans with them. Again answered prayers.

So what does all this mean for us and Daystar? Well, we are still with Daystar with just a different focus.  Anthony will still be working with the work teams that come up to finish the mission house and other projects in the area.  We will be spending more time in M’Chigeeng, investing in the lives of those there. Bible Studies and mentoring, living life with those around us. We will still be attending Wiky Fellowship and AOK Fellowship.  Anthony will be preaching and both Lydia and I in the nursery.

We should never be amazed in how God works in our lives, but during this entire process it is truly amazing how God works all things out for His Will.  When He opens a door we need to faithfully walk through it.

Please continue to pray for us as we enter into this next season with Daystar and the challenges and joys it will hold.

Anthony and Barbara