As a Pastor I am a observer of current events at home and around the world. One day as I was online reading the news I saw an article about how poorly the dollar was faring against the Euro. The article was referring to the effect on the tourism trade in Europe and the United States. I began to consider the burden this would be to our missionaries in Europe. They are not vacationers but live there full-time, ministering and raising their families. I thought about loosing 40% of my income and wasn't sure what I would do.
As I continued to read I felt the Lord's nudge. "Why not increase the support for the missionaries you support in Europe by 40%." At my next board meeting I presented this idea to the board and they unanimously approved it on a Tuesday Night. No one knew about the decision other than the board.
The very next Sunday morning in the offering someone gave enough money to our missions fund to cover the increase for the whole next year. Although I don't know who gave it I do know it was none of the Board Members. By taking this step of faith to be a blessing to our missionaries God met us and showed his hand of provision. I tell this story to encourage other churches to take a step of faith and see what God can and will do.
