Star Wars

I remember going to the movie theater to see the new movie, Star Wars. I was driving my used 1965 Chevy, the former cop car, as I recall. Well, seeing the movie on the big screen and all the special effects left me brain numb. I remember exiting the movie hall and going to my car. I sat in my car for 20-30 minutes while I processed it all and got a grip on reality again. Well, that is how I am feeling right now.

We prayed for nearly eight years about moving to a different house. I would go outside for a prayer walk and it nearly always came up in prayer. We knew that God provided this rental house, but we also knew in our hearts that it was temporary. So, we prayed for God to guide us to the right house at the right time, someday.

This morning, I found myself thinking, "I wonder how it will look when God answers more than seven years of prayers for our next house?" We started the house hunting process last Friday, with a visit to the bank. We talked to a mortgage expert and got pre-qualified for a house loan.

We visited a realtor after leaving the bank, since the realty office was right across the street from the bank. The realtor printed out some possible listings, and one that was expired.
We went from there to look around and learn about house hunting.

We drove past homes and one by one, ruled them out. We need convenient parking, for at least six cars. We have 10-16 people each Sunday night for a Bible Study. That eliminated many homes right away. Then there was the repossession home. Oh boy did we learn from that. We won't even go there! Then we drove out to see the expired listing. After all, it couldn't hurt, and we were still learning the area and market.

We drove out of town, into the country side, about 13 minutes from our present rental house. We found the expired listing and to our surprise, there was a realtor listing sign posted at the driveway! We met that realtor years ago, when we first arrived in Salmon Arm. She was a Christian and we thought that maybe one day, we would seek out her help in house hunting.

Well, we gave her a call and inquired about her listing. After prayer meeting at Church on Wednesday morning, which is our usual practice, we drove out to the house in the country to meet the realtor.

It was good to meet her again. She showed real interest in our work and encouraged us to keep on with it. It was also very good to have a Believer to deal with in this possible house search. We could be completely honest and transparent with the realtor, trusting God to direct her as she guided us through the house and around the property. This was Wednesday.

Thursday, we finalized our new relationship with the Canadian government. We changed from living here on a Visitor Visa, with a work permit, to being Permanent Residents. No house hunting on this day.

This morning, Friday, we emailed a formal bid proposal to the realtor. By 8:00pm, we learned that our offer was accepted. My son Tim reminded me that last Friday I said that I wanted to complete my house hunting in one week! I was joking, but God got the last laugh. God answered those seven years of prayers, and the prayers of many people like you, who have also joined in intercession for us on this matter. One day after becoming Permanent Residents, and now able to secure a house mortgage, we had a contract for a house. My head is spinning trying to take it all in.

One thing more, and this really has me in awe. I have a friend at Church who has cancer and may be facing the "end of his race", and God is with him. I have another friend who was rushed off to the hospital for an emergency surgery this morning, and God was with him. Our Heavenly Father is able to answer prayers like ours for something as mundane as housing, and do it with style and glory. He is also with those facing difficult times. He is the God of the mountains, and the God of the valleys at the same time! No other god in all of the world can compare with the Lord Jesus.

I am in awe right now. We have more work to do here, and God is helping us get a place that will compliment our work. The new house will be an asset to ministry. I am encouraged.
With tears in my eyes, tears of joy and humility, I say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord."