I’m going to take this blog to share the testimony of my friend Geova. She has given me permission.
When I met Geovanie, she was struggling with problems at home. You see, her father had died years ago and her mom remarried. The new step dad has recently desired Geova to marry (she is now 28). He kind of set up for her to marry a man who was wealthy, but not a believer in Jesus, and Geova refused. This caused animosity, and he would periodically lock her out of her room. She spent the night with friends, even with me a few nights.
We prayed. We talked about forgiveness. And just went things got very dark–God brought a man who is just what Geova was praying for.
This man, Deisree, had been praying for 7 years for a wife, and God specifically told him that it was Geova. God had even given him insight into her home situation–no one told him, only God. It was a surprise to Geova, but also a confirmation.
Desiree is an architect, but his boss has not been paying him lately–he says he has no money (this is not unusual in this country). To marry, you must have many things in place–furniture, house, dowry…Desiree has none of that, but He is a man of prayer!
One day Desiree felt led to buy a bed (most Burundians sleep on a mat on the floor). He told the man selling bed frames he would pay him the next day, and the man let him take the bed. Desiree did not have the money, but he prayed, “God, you led me to this bed. Please supply the money, as I don’t have it.” And then he went to bed.
The next day, his pastor came to see him, and actually brought up the subject a bed–this pastor felt led to give Desiree the money for a bed–and Desiree had not revealed anything! So the bed was paid for.
Many things like that have happened to them–God has people give at just the right times! This has Geova in a place of problems, prayer and “living in the amazing,” as she says.
I asked her today if she would rather have money to supply all her needs, or see God step in, like He is doing. This made her grin. I personally think the benefit of her faith being strengthened, and seeing God providing for every need is a true treasure you cannot buy!
Geova’s step faither has completely changed toward her now. He loves Desiree! But a new problem has arisen…
Years ago, Geova’s family took in an abandoned baby girl and raised her as their own. But last year, when she was 13, she became pregnant. She gave birth to a son 8 months ago. Now she is 14, and pregnant again. She has left with the man she was with, and they don’t know where she is. But they do know where her 8 month old son is–she left him with them. Geova is now caring for the baby, and will most likely end up raising the child after she is married.
Between these struggles, she is joyful. I praise God for her spirit and trust–and I love that I get to witness God do amazing things!
Sometimes struggles come to those who are following God–just look at Paul and Silas in Acts 16! But we can choose to bring those problems to God, and see wonders happen. Things you just can’t make up…
What about you? Do you choose to yield to all God has for you? Will you choose to see the problem, or the God who is bigger than the problem? Do you want to live in the amazing?
Burundi Joy 