Making a Way
Mar 8, 2020 | by Nancy Newbrough
After my husband had been coaching basketball at a local high school for six years, he felt God calling him to set up a summer basketball camp in Indonesia as a mission outreach. It was such a success that he wanted to keep the endeavor ongoing. God began impressing on our hearts that we needed to be closer to Indonesia to facilitate holding the basketball camps.
We soon learned of a Christian, international school on a nearby English-speaking, very westernized island with cheap flights to Indonesia. “Please show us, Lord, what You would have us do,” we fervently prayed. God’s will was revealed when, after a series of phone interviews, my husband and I (both educators) were hired to teach at the international school on the island. We were completely confident and totally excited that this was God’s calling on our lives.
The Lord kept us there for five years, and we loved every minute of it! Two years ago, after adopting a son there, we felt that He wanted us to return to the United States to work on attaining citizenship for our son. It was no easy feat! He was only allowed to stay in the United States for one year due to his temporary visa. Because of living overseas at the time of adoption, we could not get a citizenship interview upon arrival. We ended up having to pay extra fees to extend his visa until a citizenship interview was granted and he finally received his certificate of citizenship! None of this was cheap!
By the grace of God, upon coming back to Katy, we were hired again by the Katy ISD. But the expenses of relocating and waiting three months for paychecks caused us to accumulate more debt. Meanwhile, my mother was given a terminal cancer diagnosis. We knew that God had moved us closer to home so I could travel back and forth to Michigan to help care for her and provide some much-needed relief to my family.
Once the paychecks started coming in again, we remembered all the lessons learned from Financial Peace University, which we had taken previously here at The Fellowship. Those guidelines we were putting into practice included: Every dollar needs to be accounted for … only pay for purchases with cash … give back to God what He has blessed us with … etc.
Every Sunday, we began submitting prayer requests for the Lord to show us ways to earn more money for paying off our debt. One of the first things involved the garage apartment that is part of the home God provided for us. When previously we asked Him how to bless others with it, He sent a missionary family on furlough to occupy the apartment for four months. (Even when finances are tight, we can be generous with our stuff and our time.) Friends donated the used furniture needed for it. In return, God has now blessed us with a renter whose monthly checks are helping us pay down our debt. God is truly amazing!
My husband and I started looking into ways that we could work this summer. We applied to teach summer school through Katy ISD, but were not selected. I did not have peace about teaching summer school because our son would have to go to daycare. Financially, it would be pointless. A friend mentioned to us teaching for VIP Kids, an English tutorial online class. We can work as little or as much as we want. It is the perfect summer teaching gig -- you never have to leave the comfort of your own home.
Last week, God showed us another way! My friend texted me about working at Camp Cove this summer at The Fellowship. It is the perfect schedule, and I will not have to put my young son in daycare. He can go to camp with me!
God is so faithful to make a way when there seems to be no way! Because we know that it is His will for us to get out from under this burden of debt, it is exciting to see how He is making it happen in answer to our ongoing prayers.
D.A.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord y
our God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:19
After my husband had been coaching basketball at a local high school for six years, he felt God calling him to set up a summer basketball camp in Indonesia as a mission outreach. It was such a success that he wanted to keep the endeavor ongoing. God began impressing on our hearts that we needed to be closer to Indonesia to facilitate holding the basketball camps.
We soon learned of a Christian, international school on a nearby English-speaking, very westernized island with cheap flights to Indonesia. “Please show us, Lord, what You would have us do,” we fervently prayed. God’s will was revealed when, after a series of phone interviews, my husband and I (both educators) were hired to teach at the international school on the island. We were completely confident and totally excited that this was God’s calling on our lives.
The Lord kept us there for five years, and we loved every minute of it! Two years ago, after adopting a son there, we felt that He wanted us to return to the United States to work on attaining citizenship for our son. It was no easy feat! He was only allowed to stay in the United States for one year due to his temporary visa. Because of living overseas at the time of adoption, we could not get a citizenship interview upon arrival. We ended up having to pay extra fees to extend his visa until a citizenship interview was granted and he finally received his certificate of citizenship! None of this was cheap!
By the grace of God, upon coming back to Katy, we were hired again by the Katy ISD. But the expenses of relocating and waiting three months for paychecks caused us to accumulate more debt. Meanwhile, my mother was given a terminal cancer diagnosis. We knew that God had moved us closer to home so I could travel back and forth to Michigan to help care for her and provide some much-needed relief to my family.
Once the paychecks started coming in again, we remembered all the lessons learned from Financial Peace University, which we had taken previously here at The Fellowship. Those guidelines we were putting into practice included: Every dollar needs to be accounted for … only pay for purchases with cash … give back to God what He has blessed us with … etc.
Every Sunday, we began submitting prayer requests for the Lord to show us ways to earn more money for paying off our debt. One of the first things involved the garage apartment that is part of the home God provided for us. When previously we asked Him how to bless others with it, He sent a missionary family on furlough to occupy the apartment for four months. (Even when finances are tight, we can be generous with our stuff and our time.) Friends donated the used furniture needed for it. In return, God has now blessed us with a renter whose monthly checks are helping us pay down our debt. God is truly amazing!
My husband and I started looking into ways that we could work this summer. We applied to teach summer school through Katy ISD, but were not selected. I did not have peace about teaching summer school because our son would have to go to daycare. Financially, it would be pointless. A friend mentioned to us teaching for VIP Kids, an English tutorial online class. We can work as little or as much as we want. It is the perfect summer teaching gig -- you never have to leave the comfort of your own home.
Last week, God showed us another way! My friend texted me about working at Camp Cove this summer at The Fellowship. It is the perfect schedule, and I will not have to put my young son in daycare. He can go to camp with me!
God is so faithful to make a way when there seems to be no way! Because we know that it is His will for us to get out from under this burden of debt, it is exciting to see how He is making it happen in answer to our ongoing prayers.
D.A.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:19
After my husband had been coaching basketball at a local high school for six years, he felt God calling him to set up a summer basketball camp in Indonesia as a mission outreach. It was such a success that he wanted to keep the endeavor ongoing. God began impressing on our hearts that we needed to be closer to Indonesia to facilitate holding the basketball camps.
We soon learned of a Christian, international school on a nearby English-speaking, very westernized island with cheap flights to Indonesia. “Please show us, Lord, what You would have us do,” we fervently prayed. God’s will was revealed when, after a series of phone interviews, my husband and I (both educators) were hired to teach at the international school on the island. We were completely confident and totally excited that this was God’s calling on our lives.
The Lord kept us there for five years, and we loved every minute of it! Two years ago, after adopting a son there, we felt that He wanted us to return to the United States to work on attaining citizenship for our son. It was no easy feat! He was only allowed to stay in the United States for one year due to his temporary visa. Because of living overseas at the time of adoption, we could not get a citizenship interview upon arrival. We ended up having to pay extra fees to extend his visa until a citizenship interview was granted and he finally received his certificate of citizenship! None of this was cheap!
By the grace of God, upon coming back to Katy, we were hired again by the Katy ISD. But the expenses of relocating and waiting three months for paychecks caused us to accumulate more debt. Meanwhile, my mother was given a terminal cancer diagnosis. We knew that God had moved us closer to home so I could travel back and forth to Michigan to help care for her and provide some much-needed relief to my family.
Once the paychecks started coming in again, we remembered all the lessons learned from Financial Peace University, which we had taken previously here at The Fellowship. Those guidelines we were putting into practice included: Every dollar needs to be accounted for … only pay for purchases with cash … give back to God what He has blessed us with … etc.
Every Sunday, we began submitting prayer requests for the Lord to show us ways to earn more money for paying off our debt. One of the first things involved the garage apartment that is part of the home God provided for us. When previously we asked Him how to bless others with it, He sent a missionary family on furlough to occupy the apartment for four months. (Even when finances are tight, we can be generous with our stuff and our time.) Friends donated the used furniture needed for it. In return, God has now blessed us with a renter whose monthly checks are helping us pay down our debt. God is truly amazing!
My husband and I started looking into ways that we could work this summer. We applied to teach summer school through Katy ISD, but were not selected. I did not have peace about teaching summer school because our son would have to go to daycare. Financially, it would be pointless. A friend mentioned to us teaching for VIP Kids, an English tutorial online class. We can work as little or as much as we want. It is the perfect summer teaching gig -- you never have to leave the comfort of your own home.
Last week, God showed us another way! My friend texted me about working at Camp Cove this summer at The Fellowship. It is the perfect schedule, and I will not have to put my young son in daycare. He can go to camp with me!
God is so faithful to make a way when there seems to be no way! Because we know that it is His will for us to get out from under this burden of debt, it is exciting to see how He is making it happen in answer to our ongoing prayers.
D.A.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:19