In 2009 Jim and I experienced many blessings, but during our trip to Belgium we experienced one that surely boosted our faith and reminded us of His plans for good ~ to give a future and a hope. May I share briefly?Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They
are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
The orchestration began with the blessing from God ~ free lodging for a week on Cape Cod in July 2009. During this visit we asked God to show us where to go to church ~ and HE did ~ and that is where we met a Belgian man and his wife. Fast forward a few months as we were planning our trip to Belgium, and having kept in touch with this Belgian man through his pastor, we offered to visit his sister who still resides in Belgium (and before we left, he shared that his sister did not yet know the Lord and her health was failing). Truth be told, I initially became anxious because I needed to share God's love in French, and I'd never ministered in French before. So, we began praying asking the Lord to prepare hearts and to fill us with His Words, His Love, and His Will ~ while we stood on His promises and believed!
Once in Belgium we contacted the sister (Jeanine), made arrangements to visit and we continued seeking the Lord's counsel. As we arrived for our visit, we were greeted by her daughter (Nadine) and as I began speaking I sensed God's power and love, and the room appeared lit, though in reality the room was dark and sad. Saddened by a woman with ailing health who had lost her husband only a year before, but even more to our surprise her daughter, who cared for her day and night, who herself had lost a child when still a baby and her ill husband, after caring for him for 17 years! And this daughter all too aware that when her mom passed, she would be alone ~ no remaining family! But by the Grace of God, I was able to share the good news that God promises in Hebrews 13:5 "...I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down ( relax My hold on you)!" I was able to share the Love of God, His forgiveness and her hope ~ In Him.
We stayed an hour and as we left Nadine followed us to the car, walking through the snow ... not wanting us to leave because she too sensed the presence of God in that room. We were in awe of how God provided all of the words necessary, His love and peace. We left their home feeling so blessed and energized from our visit because of God's faithfulness. And God continued to bless us as we drove home in the snow ~ a trip that took us 30 minutes to come, turned into a three hour return trip! God IS faithful!
During our drive home I felt impressed that the sister/daughter needed to receive a Bible but we were returning to the US early the next morning. So, I made a few contacts in Belgium, and once back in the US, we found a pastor who lived near the sister and daughter who, unbeknown to us knew my mom when he was in seminary and also knew the Pastor of our own church back home.
Full circle we had gone. God connected the dots from our home church to Cape Cod to Belgium and back ... God knew all about this, made the connections and made the way. As we follow HIM, HE makes a way where there seems to be no way.
I encourage you in the Lord not to limit yourselves by what you know or see, because HE holds the whole earth in His mighty hand and HE can move mountains and divide the sea.
God's love and blessings,
Michelle Lord Samples, From the Heart, Christian Life Coach
http://www.fromtheheartlifecoach.com/
NOTE: A special thank you to Pastor and Mrs. John Hamel, The Gathering at Cape Cod for their faithful ministry and for connecting us and prayerfully supporting us in meeting Jeanine and Nadine.
