Moldova Boxes - the end?

With hope, trust, gratitude and joy, our team packed 31 boxes - over 800 kg, nearly a ton - of goods donated for the people in Moldova with whom we'd be spending a week in early August. Those boxes were taken to the shipper and on July 24th began their journey which only God foreknew. If you followed this blog during our time in Moldova, you know that the boxes had not arrived by the time our team did and were not released by the time we left.

Yesterday, September 24th is the day those same 31 unopened boxes returned to the room in which they were packed! Following is a note written by our team member whose steadfast commitment to the boxes was given with grace and determination - an effort our team only minimally comprehends. She shared these words to communicate her final chapter of this drama.

Hello Everyone,
The boxes are back, safe and sound in Kerrville! This morning I headed to Houston to get them. It is hard to think that 2 months ago today I made the same trek to drop off the boxes. This has been a long and trying experience. I wanted to let the team know, from me, that I appreciate all the support, encouragement, patience, and prayers that I have been shown as I have worked to resolve this situation.

The original intent for these boxes was to bring gifts to the Moldovan people and although that mission has yet to be accomplished I believe that God used these boxes to accomplish a different goal among us. While in Moldova we were able to see how it was His presence not the presents we brought that the children desired. Once we arrived back in the states He continued to use these boxes to teach/remind me of how sovereign and unfailing He is and how His plans are better than our own.

In closing, when we were in Moldova someone told me, "One day we will be able to look back at this and laugh.", well I am not quite there yet but hopefully one day soon.

Thanks again for everything,

It is a relief to have this gnarled episode finally resolved but many unanswered questions linger. In the days and weeks ahead each member of our team will prayerfully ponder what we are to learn from this experience. It will not be wasted work if we allow God's creative redemption plan to guide us into an even closer commitment to Him and a deeper dependence on His sufficiency.

How sweet to have experienced first hand the truth of

Proverbs 19: 21
Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

So we give thanks for the safe return of these boxes and pray for wisdom as we decide what to do with the contents which await the revelation of their Divine Purpose.

And may I not soon forget the freedom that comes without the encumbrance of "stuff" - even stuff with noble, worthwhile intent.

August 6 - 16, 2010
Pray about your participation!!!