This weekend I found out that the camp I usually teach at one week during the summer is July 11-15 (usually it's the THIRD week). I'm already committed to it (even without knowing the dates), and it provides a large chunk of my summer income. In keeping with the workbook asking us to identify values we were raised with, I'll go ahead and tell you all that I was taught that your word is a bond. A handshake can seal a deal; you don't go back on your word. It IS your integrity; it establishes your honor, your credibility, your reliability...to say the least, it was very uncomfortable for me to think that I'd double-booked myself and have to go back on my word for something.
I've been committed to this
Honduras trip for several months now. I felt like going to
Honduras was the right
decision but was hoping for some confidence, some confirmation (I suppose putting out a fleece is outdated?). I had fears that by choosing
Honduras, I was destroying my professionalism, my contacts in the career world, losing the finances I needed, etc...Or if I chose the camp, I feared I was letting down my team, not trusting God to provide. This is what we call being between a rock and a hard place.
Sunday night my mom called, and mentioned money that she and my Dad are going to contribute, money my grandparents are going to contribute, and also one of my Aunt/Uncles (totaling about $650). Previous to that phone call, I didn't actually know whether or not my family would support me. That was exactly the encouragement and confidence I needed. Knowing my family supports me, both in prayer and in finances, is incredible!!
I emailed the camp and told them I would not be able to work this summer, and they wrote back immediately saying they understood, and they'd keep me on the list for next year.
Praise God for answered prayer, for encouragement, and for provision!
