There aren’t a lot of places in the world where you can arrive one day knowing very few, if anyone, but then feel like part of a big happy family in less than week. AFM training is one of those places though. As the days fly by and our trainers continue to challenge us with a whole new paradigm of thinking, our class has grown together in community. I also keep reflecting back to the time I spent last month in Khon Kaen. Many light bulbs are coming on and new ideas bouncing around in my head about how I will be able to apply what I’m learning here to my ministry in Thailand. Through both classroom-learning and practical exercises, we are studying things that you don’t usually learn in school, church, or any other kind of evangelistic training. It has been a genuinely unique experience.

This past week, amidst the flurry of language learning and preparation for culture immersion, I had been especially thinking and praying about my fundraising. Since I came in a bit late in the game, I have had limited time to catch up on many important logistical details as well as think about raising up a prayer and financial support team. But when I made the decision to go through with this year of student missions, I left the door open for God to work one way or the other; so I believe that if He thinks it’s best for me to go to Thailand this year, He will pave the way and provide the funds. So as I was praying, I asked God that if there was any one of those people who received my letters and had the intention of supporting the project but had forgotten or was distracted somehow, that He would just give them a little reminder. Only a few minutes after this simple prayer, my phone rang.

I didn’t recognize the number, and wondered if it wasn’t a sales call, but decided to pick up anyway. It turned out that this was none other than my almost 90-year-old Great Uncle Gerhard calling all the way from Germany! He let me know that he had received my letter in the mail and was very impressed and happy about my plans to go to Thailand. He told me that he wanted to help support me financially, but needed some more information about how to transfer the money. We had a lovely conversation, though it was short, and I had to run off to class.

The rest of the day, my heart was singing in gratefulness to God. He knew that I needed that little faith-booster and wanted to remind me that often, “you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). I am realizing that He actually wants me to ask, because in asking I am showing my dependence on Him for all things. In such a way I am saying, “Lord, I am incapable of providing for myself. You are the source of every good and perfect gift. I will trust You, my God, to supply all my needs according to Your glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

• Twitter