My money had run out, way before my month did. My missionary support check hadn't arrived on time due to an unforeseen financial crisis within the organization. (Or was this the time the administrator responsible for issuing my check had gone on holiday—a vacation that coincided with my payday?).

During nine years as an independent missionary, there were instances when I was reminded of what it meant to ‘walk by faith and not by sight’. Although I was surrounded by masses with greater needs and fewer resources than my own, my support was barely enough. I never went ‘hungry or begging bread,’ but things did get pretty tough at times. 

I was having a real financial shortage this particular instance. I sent emails back home. I left messages on office voicemails. In South Africa, I only shared my situation with those who asked. Coming from one of the wealthiest countries in the world, I found my resources insecure. I was dependent on a feeble flow of income. Frankly, I was embarrassed!

In prayer, I reminded the Lord that my foreign missionary assignment came from Him. He had given me the vision. Therefore, it was up to Him to supply the provision, as we often say. After all, Jehovah Jireh is our Provider!

Within hours of that prayer, I got a call from my Zulu sister, a pastor friend in Durban. She regularly travelled back and forth to the US, hosted by influential women back home. She had some extra dollars and promised to put money into my South African account right away. It would be days, however, before any deposit showed on my account. Meanwhile no dollars arrived from the US. I continued to pray and believe God was my true source.

I needed to relieve the stress. So I set out to walk three miles to and from the library in Rosebank, Johannesburg. Passing an adult bookstore on the corner, I caught sight of something on the ground. It was a wad of hundred rand bills! I quickly picked up the money and pushed it into my purse. I walked to a nearby bus stop and sat on the bench. I took out the folded bills and counted R1000, then the equivalent of $165 US dollars. This was more than most South Africans earn in a month.

I uttered a quick prayer, asking God to send whoever dropped the money so I could return it. (I imagined someone panicking after not being able to find their cash.) I decided to wait for that person to return. An hour passed and still no one came by who appeared to be looking for anything. I prayed again. What should I do?

Immediately, I heard an inner voice I believe was the Lord's. “This money is yours. It is for you. You need to know that even when people do not come through for you, I am with you always.”

From that day forward my fears began to dissipate. No more fear of serving overseas, alone and without anyone I could really depend on. I no longer felt uncovered, vulnerable and isolated as a foreign missionary. And years later when I would be hospitalized there in Johannesburg and undergo emergency surgery—without health insurance or means to cover my expenses—I remained without fear. God, as He promised, again provided.

North American missionaries, from the most affluent denominations, associations and congregations in the world, should never have to live this way. Yes, the Lord can teach us, using the occasional shock therapy lesson: even if the church fails or grows sloppy in fulfilling the Great Commission, He still provides. On the other hand, it seems obedience regarding stewardship should be our first response, rather than indifference or apathy, for believers who make up the church. Unfortunately, we don’t always give like we have the faith we claim.

I long to return to the mission field with the support of the church. But this period of support raising is very challenging. Funds are coming in but at an unusually slow rate. Needless to say, I have learned that God’s ways are unlike our ways. And His timing is unique as well. However, I have no doubt the Lord will send me back to the foreign mission field!

Indeed, the Lord provided a ‘miracle’ for me when I had limited means while serving in South Africa. He can also provide so I may resume serving Him overseas. For anyone who truly desires to support those called to go, He is able to supply those resources for those called to give--even through a ‘miracle’ for you. Give if you have a heart to.