Coincidence?

Hey,

Coincidences; I don't believe they just happen randomly and for no reason. I also believe that God was using them to get my attention. I have heard of people "hearing from God", and often wondered why He didn't 'talk' to me... but now I think I am just not a very good listener!

I can't really pinpoint a time that my vision started to form, the idea of wanting to work with children in crisis in Africa. Since last October I could not get away from the feeling that I had to go, I had to do something to start in that direction. And God brought people, sermons, events, book and films into my life to make it impossible to ignore that ‘call’. But for me personally there were more than a few sticking points that I had to get past, things that were standing between me and Him, things that I was not willing to let go of. Someone asked me... "What do you spend most of your time, money and thoughts on? That is what you treasure". Well for me that was an easy one to answer - horses. That was just one of the points I had to fight past. But luckily we aren’t in this alone, “In Him I can do all things”, and I know I wouldn’t have made it past that point without help.

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." (Matt 13:44-46)

Oct 8, 2006 - Following through with actions is often a hard thing, and when it came to the decision of selling my horse (who had been at the top of my priority list for quite some time) it was a hard one. I can't say that I 'went in joy' to sell him, and even as I thought about advertising him I still had many questioning thoughts such as "I won't sell him UNLESS he gets a good home and I get what I was asking for him”. However, in obedience, I did begin to advertise him.

This spring I decided to apply for Africa Inland Mission's (AIM) Training in Ministry Outreach (TIMO) program. It is a two year program of training, discipleship, mentorship and preparation for long term missions overseas. The different teams go to work under a missionary couple in different areas of Africa and live/work with a people group, learn their language, learn their culture, and share the good news of Jesus Christ.

June 7, 2007 another one of those coincidences happened... I finally get all of my application papers sent out and out of the blue I get a call - someone wants to buy my horse. Not only did it turn out to be a great home, but they offered more than I had asked for when they found out about my Africa plans. And for those of you who have never sold a horse before let me inform you; horse selling is NEVER that easy!

So that leaves me here and now... back home in the Yukon for the winter, looking for a job, getting to know my home church again, and trying my best to get the list of 'must do's' done before my departure date in April.

So I guess you could say I don't believe in chance coincidences. A friend of mine made up his own word for describing those times... Godincidences. Through them God has led me to training for overseas missions, and after these next two years are up He is the only one who knows what direction my life will take!