I just returned from a ministry conference at Emmaus Bible College. I was there with a table representing Bright Lights. It was very encouraging to rub shoulders with some neat ministries and missionaries.
I had the privilege of hearing David Croudace speak (pictured above). He has been a missionary to Africa for the past 50 years, and he and his wife will be returning to Africa soon, although he is 80 years old. His wife told me, “It would be more comfortable to stay here but there is work to do there.” It reminds me of a quote I heard once about how God’s people don’t retire, they refire!
Mr. Croudace explained about God’s faithfulness through the years. He recalled this story from their early days of ministry:
One day his wife thought You know, it would be really nice if I had soap dish. So she prayed, “Lord, please send me a soap dish. And it would be great if it was yellow to match in this room.”
Guess what arrived in a package shortly after her prayer? A yellow soap dish.
This was an encouragement to them to continue to make their needs known not to men, but to the Lord. And this is what they have done throughout their 50 years of ministry. They have not asked for money, but have made their needs known only to God (following the pattern of George Mueller and the orphanage).
It is an easy thing for the Lord to provide for the needs of His servants! And it brings glory to Him when we demonstrate the faith to trust Him–watching HIM provide for needs that no other human even knew about.
If anyone would like to hear some stories and teaching from Mr. Croudace, see here.
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” Malachi 3:10
That’s so neat! 🙂
Wow. It’s encouraging to hear stories like this. We serve an awesome God.
Wow, what a neat testament to how God provides for us! 🙂