Steps of Faith
Nicaragua has not been spared the deep impact of the global economic crisis. Rising food prices and a shrinking job market have taken their toll. First, there has been a drop in remittances sent by Nicaraguans working in the U.S. Many workers have come home. Others are searching for work in Costa Rica. Second, Nicaragua relies heavily on foreign investment in its infrastructure. Investment is simply not occurring right now. Bridges and roads are left unfinished. Finally, the situation has affected CFCI-Nicaragua in a very real way: many supporters are not able to give to the ministry, our school scholarship program, or two of our missionaries, Fabricio and Claudia. Nathan will post blog entries this week on each area of need. Today Carey will talk about the general financial challenges — or opportunities for faith — at CFCI-Nicaragua:
The CFCI office took some time out this last week to really take a closer look at our budget for 2009. Before we looked at the numbers Alcides shared a short devotional with the team. Philippians 4 was the text. The joy chapter. “Rejoice in the Lord, again I say rejoice in the Lord”. As we look to the future and categorize and balance the numbers we could be overwhelmed and feel honestly depressed and overwhelmed. That is why we can not only look at the numbers but if we look back and see all the times that God alone has provided for us, and the ministry here we can rejoice. He has always provided and we can take steps of faith towards the future provision of the Lord.
The natural temeptation when we look at less income than budget is to start cutting. Many times by cutting we end up straying from the vision and the purpose because the numbers don’t balance out. We beliving that the things we’ve planned for this year are from the Lord are willing to step out in faith believing that He will provide for the things that He wants us to do.
I left our meeting excited to see how the Lord has already provided for this years scholarship program and I look forward to seeing how else He provides in 2009. I praise the Lord for His continued provision for my financial support here in Nicaragua. I am thankful that in God’s economy there is no recession.
