Faith Strengthened
Turning retirement into opportunity
Since my retirement from banking on December 31, 2005, God has shown himself to me in amazing ways. The last few years have been an exercise in trusting the Lord. At times I doubted His ability to provide, but He has always come through. Here is an excellent example of His faithfulness.
Keeping the faith during a tough transition
The transition from the stable and somewhat predictable world of banking, to a volunteer involved primarily in fundraising for a micro-finance institute in Ethiopia, has not been without its stresses and frustrations. After my retirement, my focus became raising support for Letta MFI. During the first five months of retirement, I found myself totally frustrated as I explored different options for raising support. I saw doors close time after time. I began doubting God had really led me to retire early in order to devote my time assisting Letta. Friends encouraged me to “trust the Lord”, but my faith in His provision began to fade.
A door opens slowly as we continue to pray
As my confidence wained, I received a call from a charitable foundation telling me they were interested in providing a grant of $30,000 to benefit Letta. All they asked for were a few documents relating to IAP’s non-profit status and proof of Letta as a legal entity in Ethiopia. These documents were faxed to the foundation immediately, and the people at the foundation told me they would be in touch within a few days. While I was definitely encouraged by this, I was cautioned by my colleagues that foundations don’t typically approach organizations in this way. Instead, the organization initiates the process, which generally involves a considerable amount of time providing the foundation with volumes of documentation.
Once again I began to doubt God's provision. About a month went by with no contact from the foundation, so I sent an email requesting a report on the status of the grant application. There was no response. Two weeks later I left a telephone message with the foundation office asking again for a status report. Still no response. I began asking God what he wanted me to learn from all this. It looked as though another door was being closed. Then after another two weeks had passed, a call came from the foundation. They asked for the address of IAP so they could mail a $30,000 check in support of Letta. A few days later the check arrived at the IAP office. I was overjoyed. God had provided in His time, not mine.
A faith-based miracle occurred through widespread relationships
Here is the rest of the story.
Neither I nor anyone else associated with IAP, had any idea of what had prompted this grant. I asked my contact at the foundation and she mentioned several names unknown to me until bringing up Sarah Gothold.
Sarah was a recent Whitworth College graduate who traveled with our group to Ethiopia in February of 2006. After our trip my wife, Colleen, sent a newsletter about our trip along with a letter to Sarah’s mother in California, telling her what a special daughter she had raised. Sarah’s mother had the newsletter and letter on her dining room table when a friend from her church visited her. Her friend saw both items and asked about them. Sarah’s mother described the trip to Ethiopia and told her briefly of Letta MFI and its involvement in lending to impoverished women. The friend indicated she was the trustee of a foundation in Massachusetts with an interest in supporting the economic development of women in developing countries, especially in Africa. The rest is history.
Isn't it amazing how God works? In the midst of my doubts, He worked in a way far beyond what I could have imagined or hoped. My prayer is that I will not be anxious and doubtful of His faithfulness, but that I will praise Him for His continued provision.
-Bill Roe, Champion of Letta MFI-
|
