Huge, and I mean HUGE NEWS people!

We just got confirmation that we received an extremely generous donation from a church that will cover the rest of the financial cost to build Evelia's House!!!! This is a HUGE deal and a MAJOR answer to prayer. I can't even begin to tell you how floored I am!

Here is the even better news! The donation was large enough that we are able to not only construct Evelia's house, but also with the donations from the blitz that came in over the weekend are now able to fix and rebuild the bathroom and latrine! This was a big concern to Jenna and I having looked at it in person. Could it get any better? Oh yes it could! Because of the amount of donations that came in from you, our faithful friends we now have EXCESS funds!!!! So here's the fun part. Now that we know we have extras we can use the money for food, clothing, pots and pans, bedding, whatever Evelia and her kids may need. Can you believe this is happening!?!??!?!? I know there are some of you who haven't donated but had planned on it. We still could use some additional funds to buy these little extras that we are so blessed to be able to give Evelia.

The blitz total came to $760 dollars over the course of this past week. With the latrine and bathroom the project total moved to $6,165. With all the donations we received we have $204 EXTRA dollars to spend on things that the family needs to furnish their new home. I will be updating this blog with pictures of the progress as I get them! As you know they stepped out in faith with a team to start the work when we didn't have all the money. Thanks Father for bringing in all the money and blessing us with extra!

On a personal note I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I'm overwhelmed by your love, your prayers, and your generosity, for a family you don't know. I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am to all of you for making this blessing to Evelia possible. Not only were we able to give Evelia a new house, but we are able to give her things to fill the space to make it a home for her family. Thank you for stepping out in faith, for giving when I know many of you have hardships of your own. I am thankful for every dollar, but mostly I am thankful for you.

To Jenna, my partner in all of this. I'm so glad you said something that day on the bus as we were driving away from Evelia's house. Thanks for always reassuring that God would find the money for us, for walking next to me through this whole project, and for your friendship.

And to my Lord, who I wrestled with, who I didn't always trust with my best, but who was always FAITHFUL to me. He is so amazing, and as I sang on Sunday, "with all creation I sing, Praise to the King of Kings, You are my everything, and I will adore you!"

the good, the bad, and the super scary

I unexpectedly ran into Sarah, or Saraita, or Otra Sarah, or Nicaragua Sarah, how ever you may know her, and she updated me on the progress of Evelia's house. She let me know that they have a team lined up for the project and have sent some money down to begin Evelia's house (GOOD!). I mentioned the fact that all the funds aren't in (BAD), but she told me that they were going to step out in faith and begin the work (SUPER SCARY) because of desperation of the situation. I physically went through that "good, bad, super scary" range of emotions as we were talking. Suddenly I felt the weight of the whole project resting on my shoulders, and the urgency set in.

When I set out to help with this project I didn't really know what to expect. I do remember thinking that $5,000 was such a small amount to give someone a proper roof, and to give a mom the peace of mind that her two kids would be safe and warm and dry. I can't imagine standing in her shoes each day, wondering what each day will bring. Will there be enough food for today? Will I be able to provide for my kids today? Am I a good mom even though our house could collapse at any moment?

These are the things that keep me awake at night, wondering if Evelia is okay, wondering if they were able to eat today, wondering if they can just hang on until this house is built. Sometimes I have trouble trusting God. My timing for this project was yesterday while His seems to be a bit longer. In this moment I'm really trying to trust that He has a plan. He knew Evelia long before I did. He loved her before I did. I'm trying to remember that.

In this moment I am asking you to trust with me. If God has laid Evelia on your heart I ask you to please give. Please give so that this mom will be able to go to sleep at night knowing that her kids are safe. Please help me in trusting that God will provide for Evelia who he loves very much.