Hope

So real Hope isn't a maybe kind of thing. It's a for real thing, a promise, and it's only a matter of time before it is received. I am clinging to the promise and hope that God is in control right now.
I came to Circleville, Ohio to do a support raising trip as a missionary from the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. I felt unprepared, I only partially did what I was taught in preparation, and I didn't have a whole lot of appointments.
I arrived and switched to a day schedule on the flight here. My body is still trying to adjust :) I was encouraged the next day to get some more appointments. I feel the battle I'm in though. In preparation for this trip and in being here, it has been a struggle for me to even want to pursue this.
Well, I press on ... a day later or so, I get a call that water is gushing in my basement at the house I own in Circleville. Sigh... Me and my brother Stephen go and manage to fix sub-pump and get water drained out. Pilot light wouldn't lite though in the hot water tank. We put some fans on got a plumber out to fix some broken pipes to water heater. $150 for a 15 min job that I found out today, he did wrong.
Got home, my phone wouldn't work. Next morning my lap top got a virus. Long story short, ph now works and lovely cousin Jay fixed my laptop. Today, several days after flooding in basement, I had to buy new water tank because old one still wouldn't lite.. $678 borrowed from my parents. I'm not completely discouraged, but I do see that I have spent more money than I've raised so far. I have a plane ticket for a mission trip this summer that I paid for with a credit card, in hopes of raising the money to pay it back on this trip to ohio. I still have a week left and God can do some good things. I am on the phone with Homeowners Ins and bank to settle a mix up in finances that has caused my house payment to go up steadily. I still haven't got it settled because of poor communication between bank and Ins. Sigh... :)
I have gotten one new supporter- Praise Jesus!! And I have met with some very sweet and amazing people. I know that fruit will come from this trip. Building relationships and telling people about human trafficking and what the Lord has put on my heart is a huge blessing in it self. So praise the Lord for people that want to hear me :) I am being obedient and saying yes. It is in the Lords hands what happens to my finances, my house, and my relationships. I commit my way to Him. "Lord here's my heart, take it all and leave nothing behind".. (song sung at ihop that I love.. :) I miss the prayer room and it's only been 6 days ..
I need help. In my weakness I am pursuing wholehearted obedience to Jesus. Any fruit or miracles that come from this trip, my house etc... it's all Him. Definitely not me! I fall short in many ways, but I have to keep believing that He will carry me through. God, I am in need of you. Please forgive my debt- I cast my cares before you. Please open up doors of opportunity and use me to share your heart with others. Jesus, I am yours- use me as you please and be glorified in my life.
Steph Q

ps, thank you to John, Stephen Mom and Dad for helping me financially and with lending me your vehicles and man power with my house. I love you each.
Steph