Often in the walk of faith, God leads His own through many unexpected and difficult experiences. These trials and tests forge our faith into something much greater than we could have ever imagined. They transform the believer into a person who is justified by faith and a disciple that pleases God. But, with each new chapter comes the inevitable tests to see if we are truly overcomers.
Day of growth
Not every new chapter of our lives is pleasant and joyful. As God leads us into the wilderness, He strips us down to the basics so we can truly connect our faith to Jesus alone. However, if we are faithful in the lessons He gives us, we will slowly, incrementally, grow into spiritual adulthood and intimacy with Jesus. The lessons are hard, yes, but the reward of knowing Jesus intimately is worth every sacrifice He calls us to make.
But the hard lessons of the wilderness are only for a season. It is difficult in these times to think that the bitter times will end, but they do, after they have done their work. With patient endurance we grow steadfast in faith, waiting for the day when He will release us from the prison of circumstance He has placed us in. Though we may grow weary in the waiting, God does not forget His own.
The never-ending wilderness
Our own wilderness trials have gone on for 16 years, 6 of which found the four of us adults, plus a dog, two cats and a bird in a tiny, overcrowded 400 square foot motel room. The confines and restrictions of this place tested our hearts to the very core. Conflict and difficulty caused by the close confines of the room and our daughters longing to be set free to be themselves were inevitable. Through it all, however, we resolved all the issues we could and prayed for a release. However, as the days and weeks turned to years our hope for a new chapter began to fade.
The first miracle
Then this summer, exactly 20 years since our prophetic wedding in 2003, God began to move in our family as a new chapter began to open. In early July, Wanda received news that her ailing brother in Alberta was hospitalized. She wanted to visit him, but we had no means to send her. Then, miraculously, God opened a door through a kind offer from Wanda’s niece to fly Wanda out to see her brother. Although the trip strained our resources, we knew God had orchestrated this perfectly.
More news
Then, not more than a week after Wanda returned from out west, we received an email from my father. Aging and unwell, he was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer at the end of June and given only a few days to live. Miraculously, my father did not die, but managed to email us at the end of July wanting to reconnect before he passed. Although the news was hard, we could not travel to see him because of our financial position. However, in the exchanges between our family members God was doing another miracle. Unbeknownst to Wanda and myself, our daughters, Ida and Fanny, received an unexpected invitation.
The second miracle
Led by God, my sister invited our daughters to live with her and her husband in their house. From this place, Ida and Fanny can start a new life and fulfill the destiny God has placed on both of their lives. It was a bold, generous, kind, and miraculous offer that God brought forth. Led by peace and following the Spirit’s lead, our daughters accepted the invitation. After a week of packing, my sister, their aunt, picked them up on August 8 with their pets and drove them to a nearby city. From there, the three of them would make preparations to fly west. Today, August 14, 2023, for the first time in a week, we saw our daughters on a plane headed to their new home.
The end of the wilderness
We couldn’t be happier for Ida and Fanny as they enter this new chapter in their lives. After years of privation, lack, and homelessness, these two stalwart ladies of incredible character and faith were finally released from the wilderness. God’s miracle had met them head on. Our joy at seeing their happy faces brought tears to our eyes, thankful that they persevered with us in the wilderness to the very end. We continue to pray for God’s continual lead on their lives as they pursue Him.
A new chapter?
As with all new chapters in life, this one would not be complete if it were only our daughters leaving the wilderness. Our own release had to follow theirs, but as with all of God’s works, He prepares the ground thoughtfully and carefully. Since June 28, God has been allowing things to happen to us one step at a time. First, Wanda had to go out west, then return. Then, our daughters had to be prepared and then leave for their own trip out west. All of these things happened orderly and in proper succession. What we expected next was the opening action in our own move out of the wilderness. We would not be disappointed.
More bad news
Just as we saw our daughters in the photo, smiling with their aunt as they were on the plane heading home, we received an email. In this email, we were informed that the support we have been receiving these past 6 years would be cut in half starting August 21. The organization that supports us knows little of how tight things have been for us supporting 4 adults and 4 pets, but God provided enough for us through them and others. This stunning announcement, however, is yet another lead of God and illustrative of His perfect timing. Now that our daughters have left, we need less, but still more than half of what we were getting. It is clear God is about to turn the page on a new chapter in our lives.
The right time for faith
The greatest tests of faith we encounter when we walk with God never happen when things are pleasant and we have abundance. No, these tests only occur when our back is against the wall and we have nowhere else to turn. At these times, we discover whether we have placed our faith in God or man.
Too many will discover in the future that their faith was more in the created than in their Creator.
In our situation, we have no other One to trust in but our God. Although the situation looks grim for us as we will not be able to sustain living in this motel room for more than 2 weeks, we are not concerned. The pattern of God taking care of our family, and specifically taking our daughters out of the wilderness to their new home, means He will also care for us. We have this faith because we have trusted Him many times, over many years, and know how our God provides. Soon, we too, will leave this wilderness as a new chapter of our lives begins.
Pleasing God
In Hebrews 11:6, the writer states clearly, “But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].” These words are not just a good idea, but a concrete fact, a truth we cannot ignore. But to gain this faith means we must step out and learn how to have faith. We must learn to trust in God and His provision to see His reward come to pass. After 16 years of faith building wilderness trials, our daughters are finally entering into their Promised Land and we will soon follow. This is the way to please God and to find the truth that He truly does reward those who “earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].”
Blessings,
Homer and Wanda
Praying from the woods here Homer as you keep adding value to whatever God sets your hands to do.
Praying His outworkings through you.
Thank you Gary. This is yet another ‘heart in your throat’ moment which we are so accustomed to as we walk in faith. We know God will provide, we just don’t know how it will appear. It is an exciting moment in time and we are so thankful to be able to share it with His people. Thank you for the prayers Gary. We deeply appreciate them.
May He continue to be glorified in all our lives as we trust Him in faith! May He bless you Gary and your family for your steadfast devotion to Him.
With His love,
Homer and Wanda
Glad to see you are letting patience have her perfect work and are rejoicing in the trials of this life. God knows the plans He has, and has the path and time figured out. For now, the vision is yet for an appointed time. Keep the faith, persevere, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Trusting in Him along with you for His provision, protection and peace.
Thank you Jenny for the confirmation and standing with us in faith for His provision, protection and peace. We warmly receive this and genuinely thank you for your kindness. May His blessings to you and yours be overflowing!
Blessings,
Homer and Wanda