Dear 3Ci,
It was lovely seeing all of you two weeks ago. I love you! I miss you! You are in my heart. This is a thank you letter… And a testimony of God and His church. I always feel silly about money matters, and would rather just avoid the subject. But after this week, I cannot keep it to myself any longer.
Thank you for your faithfulness in praying, and in giving. If only you could begin to know how much that’s been a testimony in my life, and an encouragement in my faith! When I just moved to Tana, I battled with the provision and non-provision of the church. I battled with what the church is supposed to be, but is not. I battled with how we carry each other in love. God had to come and, once again, test my dependence.
Whether it was on Him or on His church. Whether I would hold on to His promise of what His church will be like, or keep viewing the church through my own judgments and expectations. I cannot say that it was an easy battle. Nor that I am now forever free from having to fight it – or something similar – again. But I do know that it’s the Lord God who provides, and that He is Lord of His church and loves her dearly.
As soon as the battle was finished, I suddenly experienced heaven’s floodgates opening over me. Not with random showers of blessing, but with a precision that is in itself a testimony of how God’s provision is always exact. When I was sick and had no money, your faithful giving covered my medical and transport costs. When I needed money to buy furniture (since I have to move), it was paid into my account on the very morning that the furniture had to be bought. This week, needing to buy a fridge, I received exactly the amount that I needed to buy it.
I have not told you of these needs, and yet, how God has provided through you! He provided in absolute, precise detail. Thank you for paying attention to His Spirit! Thank you for living lives of generosity in giving and prayer, that firstly blesses Him, but also the church, and me too! Thank you for the testimony of your lives that is such an encouragement to me.
I love you a lot. I thank God for you. May He bless you.
With love from Anri-Louise.