Back when I was 10 years old I can remember a time I was in church with my family. One of the missionary families the church supported was visiting and speaking that day about what they were doing in Indonesia. As a young lad, I had heard of stories of things that happen overseas and was honestly afraid. I prayed to God that day saying, “you can use me God but, keep me in the USA. I do not want to go overseas.” Little did I know that God had different plans. It was January 2010 when I got the call to go to the mission field and do a mission trip. About 14 years had passed since I said that little prayer. Now this was not one of those leave the country for a week and return kind of trips. This was an 11 month 11 country mission trip. When I told my pastor about this calling he looked at me like I was crazy and said are you sure you don't want to to a week trip first to see if you like mission work? I was like this is what God called me to do.
Now fundraising has always been a weakness of mine. Boy Scouts, School and Church fundraisers were very difficult. I was going to have to fundraise to raise the support to travel for 11 months. The cost of the trip $14,800 plus the cost of passports, insurance, equipment, and flights to/from launch and re-entry. I was told if God has called he would provided. During the 3 or more weeks it took for them to accept my application I prayed for God to give me a yes on the application and to provide the funds needed to make the trip. This made my faith grow. I did some minor computer work for someone and they insisted on paying me, strangely it was the amount needed to get my passport. Equipment was lent to me by a college friend or given to me by an Air Force Veteran. Support was a move from God. His favor followed me. When I finally left in August 2011, I still was in need of support, however, I met the launch deadline and was allowed to go with the squad. At the end of 3 months we needed to have $10,300 in our accounts. Lets say I was a little short, not much, In the last week before the deadline an anonymous gift for $1,800 showed up. Just enough to allow me to stay on the field. God showed up in a big way. The following month in the Philippines I broke a tooth and needed a root canal done and some other work. The cost was $700. People I never knew started giving so that I could get my teeth in working order. At the end of month 6 we needed to have the entire $14,800 raised. This is were God tested my faith. I was $4,500 short of the goal. People around the squad were getting fully funded. And I did not want to be the only person sent home for lack of support. I went to sleep the night of the deadline still $4,500 short. I knew my fate would be sealed by morning. When I got up to check the account in the morning I was speechless, two of my teammates heading out for ice coffee had to stop and see what was wrong. Not only did God provide the $4,500 needed to make the deadline, another $3,500 was given on top of that. I think the last $3,500 was God’s way of saying that, I’ve got you back, I will take care of you, I have promised that I will take care of my children. I will meet your needs and will sometimes exceed your needs. It is a combination of all these acts of God that is helpful today. My faith has grown and it is good to remember what God has done for you in the past. It is a helpful reminder of God’s power and mercy. Being called to be a full time missionary to the Philippines is exciting. If God wants me there for life I am all in. As far as my needs go, I know my God will take care of me for He has promised He would and has done so in the past. He has used people I know and many I do not know. I know God has blessed them as well. I am excited to be able to go to the Philippines soon and see all the things that God is going to do while I am there. 16 years ago I sat in the back of a church never wanting to do mission work and today I am just weeks away from leaving for the Philippines to do more mission work. I love my God. He is Good.
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Joshua Robinson
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