Surprised by a 5-year-old

During August we’re focusing on having faith in God’s provision, however that comes. Each of the posts published this month will be about the manners in which God has chosen to provide for the authors. Please see the Prayer page to read our strategic prayer request for this month and to see how we, as a branch, are trying to have faith in God’s provision.

By Delaina Spence

When I was doing my initial partnership development before my first term, I was looking through my database at all of the people’s names, and I saw the name Jen Sholund. I didn’t know her well, but she had been on my list for years, through all of my short term mission trips in high school and college. I had never heard a word from her and hadn’t seen her in years. I really thought sheFamily Pic - Landscape had totally forgotten who I was, and I almost erased her off my list, but something stopped me. I went ahead and sent her my information, expecting no response. A month or so later, I got a Facebook message from her saying that she was so glad she had found me on Facebook because she had misplaced my letter and information, and she was hoping I could send it again. She had been talking to her 5-year-old son, Erick, about missions and was looking for an opportunity for him to get involved and learn more when she heard from me. I ended up going over to their house and meeting little Erick, and he is precious. He had just recently become a Christian and was so on fire to tell others about Jesus. He asked me all kinds of questions about Papua New Guinea and about sharing the gospel, and I tried my best to answer all of them before he thought of another one to ask. Not only did Jen and her husband begin supporting me, but Erick became my youngest supporter, giving $1 a month to my ministry with PBT out of his chore money!

Sometimes God surprises us in the way He provides and blesses us in unexpected ways. I am amazed not only by Erick’s generosity, but even more so by his perspective on what is truly important in life.

Delaina is trained as a Bible translator.