God had plans to provide a new ministry center for IMFC in Kampala that would be less expensive and would provide homes for the IMFC staff! I just never knew it. So, He surprised me.
By now you would think that I would know better. After all I am over fifty-five and have served the Lord for almost forty years. But I never learn! Learn what? That God’s plans are not always my plans and His ways are not always my ways (Isaiah 55:9). The result is that I am often surprised by what God does.
Here’s what usually happens. I make plans, then the unexpected happens and I get upset. I ask God what is going on. I may even complain a little or a lot. I become disappointed, frustrated even. But as events play out over time, I am humbled to see how God brings everything together (Romans 11:33-36) to an end far superior to I had expected or hoped for!
That’s what happened on my last trip to Kampala. I went with an agenda. To meet with the new IMB missionaries in Kampala, make arrangements for the volunteer teams going over this fall and gather data and dream of future ministry plans. But, God had another plan. One He didn’t share with me, or maybe He did, but I was too busy making my own plans to hear His. Whatever the case, the Lord surprised me.
One week into the trip we received a letter at the ministry center from our Landlord. His purpose for writing–to tell us to move out of the house we were renting for a ministry center from him within two months! It was his house and he wanted to move back into it. Talk about a change in plans. From this point on we were focused on one thing–finding a new place to house our ministry. And we did not have long!
After we got over the shock and disappointment of this unexpected news, we begin to see the hand of God at work. He had been involved in this situation from before the planning of my trip to Kampala. This may have caught us off-guard, but it did not catch the Lord off-guard. In fact, I now think He was behind the entire episode! Here’s why.
First. Food prices are on the way up in Kampala. The inflation rate for food prices in Kampala is over 16% per year! In February we had to renegotiate our contract with the company suppling food for Manna Ministry. Beginning in June of this year we will have to pay almost $500 US more for food we give to poorest of people in the slums. This seriously impacts our budget!
Second. Our landlord in Kampala instructs his son to tell us in March to move out by June. He wants to give us time to look for another place, but his son does not deliver this message. In fact, he tells us he needs rent money in advance to help with medical bills for his sons sickness.
Third. We (IMFC Board) see the need for me to go to Kampala to meet with the new IMB missionaries and to evaluate the work and dream with the IMFC staff about future expansion.
Fourth. We agree to pay six months rent to help meet the needs of our landlord. So, I take a lot of cash to Kampala.
Fifth. While in Kampala, We receive the letter instructing us to vacate the property in two months.
Sixth. We search for and find a new place. A brand new, just completed, never lived in compound with three houses on it to accommodate the needs of our staff closer to the slums we work in. With this move IMFC saves almost $500 US a month. Exactly what is needed to cover the increase in food price! Plus, I have the funds with me to negotiate with and to make the down payment needed to secure the compound that were intended to pay for rent at the old place that is no longer needed!
Seventh. We sign the contract on the new location on Friday morning before I leave to come home. The team moves into new ministry compound first Saturday in May. Now Joseph, Douglas, James and Vincent live in new homes with their families right in the areas where we do most of our work. Exactly what they had been praying for for years.
Do you believe this is all coincidental? Never! Could all of this just happen? Never. God was behind this all the way.
Surprising to me? Yes. In my plans or on my radar screen? No. But it was in the Lord’s plans and on His schedule. Yes.
He never ceases to amaze me.
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Great news! God is so faithful and it’s good to be reminded that He’s already “on it” when we hit a bump. Thanks for sharing.
Wow… Really neat to see that God has all the details worked out — This reminds me that I can trust the Father…even when I have no idea how to “solve” a problem !
This just sent goose bumps all over me as I read this. Like they always God works in mysterious ways. He never gives us more than we can handle,he had faith in you to wait a for his sign as what direction for you to take. I am so fortunate to have you as a friend in this life. I know we don’t get to see each other often but when we do get a chance to visit with you and Pam I feel closer to God, for I know you are walking in his shoes on earth during you lifetime here. Your goals in life are so admirable, always trying to make it a better life for the less fortunate than us. You make me feel rich even with my many problems in life, you make me see just how small they really are. Family is what life is all about and I am so proud to be a small part of your family.
We honor you for all Gods work you do, we will continue to pray for you and your teams safety as you work.
We love you,
Beverly and Gary Phillips
How Amazing! We talk about the miracles performed in the bible with amazement. I see this as just another wonderful miracle from God!
Awesome!! Awesome!! We continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Kampala!!
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