"Angel" helpers

Some of you might remember a few months ago, we didn't know WHERE we would be staying in Singapore or how we would pull this off.  We prayed about it day and night, knowing God would provide, but not knowing how.  We now know the answers to those prayers, and are amazed by God's provision really over and above, but different, than what we asked for.   All of you prayed, too.  Today I want to share with you some of the "angels" that God has sent to help us. 

Jonathan with Jojo

This is our precious Jojo, letting Jonathan play with her Ipad.  (She says she has a new one on order, so no matter if it breaks!)  When we were praying for a sponsor for our short term visa, God provided Jojo.  We later found out that in fact we did NOT need a sponsor at all, but Jojo just continued in her commitment to adopt us.  She is the wife of Jonathan, who is the pastor of the Mandarin congregation at Emmanuel Assembly of God where we've been attending.  By profession, she is a nurse, currently only working per diem because of health issues.  She is so bubbly and positive in spirit, at the same time practical and realistic.  She loves to play with Jonathan and has taken him a time or two for a few hours to give me a break.  When Jonathan hears her name he starts jumping up and down and saying "Jojo...church!  Jojo....church!"   She usually takes him to church where there's lots to play with. 

When she learned of our housing needs, she began quietly making a few inquiries -- no announcements in front of church or in the bulletin or anything.  Then, as she said, God sent "angels" to provide in ways that even she didn't imagine.  These angels are just people in the church to whom God gave an impression to help.

T.M, Rosalind, Jojo, little Jonathan, Jenn, Dave, big Pastor Jonathan

The next photo highlights T.M. and Rosalind.  Rosalind has a soft spot in her heart for people who leave their home cultures to serve God away from family and familiarity.  When she heard of our need, she started making housing inquiries.  When the inquiries fizzled, she and her husband T.M. made an offer to Jojo to help pay a portion of our rent -- a large portion actually.  Our jaws dropped when we learned of these complete strangers who wanted to help us like this.  I love it when God makes our jaws drop!  I'm not sure how it all works out, but we are not paying out of our pocket for rent.  

Here again is our sister Gene, a quiet gentle lady who has sacrificed so much for us to move in with her for 2 months.   Since we have moved in, the fridge has died, the doorknob broken, lightbulbs have burned out, the pot got scorched black, etc.  She is sleeping in the living room while we are using the two bedrooms, and have basically taken over the kitchen, too.  We're trying to be the best housemates possible, but sometimes we fail miserably.  We are so thankful for her generosity to us, and thankful to God for providing! 

In addition to this, other people from the church donated and loaned us many things we need for our stay here, such as bedding and linens, diapers and wipes and baby items, a crib, toys and books for Jonathan, a microwave and toaster oven, a CD player for music.  Another man, Brother Roger, gives us rides in his car around town when his schedule allows.  We feel so small and so undeserving, yet so surrounded by God's love expressed  through the body of Christ.

None of these people would want to be thanked publicly or glorified in any way for how they are giving ...but I just have to share this testimony of God's amazing work!  I hope you realize the part you have played through your prayers and also feel some "ownership," so to say, in realizing the answers to those prayers!