My Provider

Some things are hard to chalk up to coincidence... read on! (Caveat: I realize that not everyone reading this has the same spiritual views, but hopefully you can relate to my posts all the same.) I started participating in volunteer missions trips when I was 14. In every instance, I have received donations very close to the exact amount of money required. I was hoping this trip would be no different, especially as I felt several distinct challenges: A. The amount of money was significant ($5150), B. The time was short (1 month), and C. My personal time to devote to soliciting, speaking, and promoting was severely limited with a resident work schedule. Amazingly, I received the needed amount in less than 3 weeks. And it kept coming, even from missionaries in the US and Thailand who are themselves supported by others! I wondered what God was up to, other than fulfilling my dream to start a fund to provide other residents with opportunities to go on a medical mission elective in the future. However, when I looked closer, I noticed something VERY interesting. If you didn't count a few larger departmental/hospital donations and just looked at individual donations, I realized last week Wednesday that I had exactly $5050. As I talked to the financial office I said, "Just wait, I'm going to get a $100 check in the mail. God always has worked like that in the past." And you know what? I got a $100 check in the mail!! So thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who donated and sacrificed. Any extra money (now counting the larger donations) has been placed in a medicine abroad program fund to be used for future medical mission trips.

Secondly, I went to REI to get a pair of Chacos. (If you don't know what they are, anyone with these multipurpose sandals would be happy to regale you with stories of how long their pairs lasted, etc, Trust me, just pretend you know what they are.) The store, REI, had...drumroll please... one pair of women's chacos. And they fit. And they were half price.

Lastly, I approached both St. Mary's Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital to see if they would be willing to donate sutures or surgical equipment. They said, and I quote, "Oh, it is your lucky day. We just sorted through all the operating rooms and we have this huge bag/box which you can have. It's at least $500 worth." That's right. Both said the same thing. They both had just cleaned house. Not only did I receive sizable donations, but I also had no delay/hassle in receiving the sutures.

Jehovah Jireh, My Provider
My God will supply all my needs, according to His riches in glory

Thank you for being a part of this venture, whether in spirit through prayer or in deed through giving financially.