Lesson #2 from the Dominican: God Will Provide

Our group going to the D.R. was so big we had to take two planes. One group flew American. They left earlier than my group did, flew from Chicago to Florida to Santiago. They got there before us. My group flew Jet Blue. We left later, which was nice, but also didn't get in until much later. We flew Chicago to New York to Santiago. It was around 1 in the morning by the time we got to where we were staying for the night, which isn't fun when you have to get up early in the morning to work. I didn't mind, I'm used to running on small amounts of sleep. 

Turns out, the group that flew Jet Blue got the better deal.

American Airlines lost almost ALL of our group's luggage. I'm talking maybe a handful out of 40ish people got their luggage. We all packed the next day's clothes in our carry-ons, so they were good for the day. The next day came, however, and still no luggage. People were dirty and their clothes were gross. People from Jet Blue all came together to support our brothers and sisters in Christ, loaning them clean clothes, towels, and anything else they needed. God calls us to provide for others. It was a great way to serve.

The next day all the luggage got there that night around dinner time! What a blessing! That is, all the luggage except for one girl's. Her name is Kaley, and she's one of the most natural born leaders I've ever met. Kaley never once complained, but instead talked about how she was learning through the situation, and with all the other girls around, she didn't go wanting. She never let it get her down, and she praised God throughout everything.

Her luggage came either the next night or the day after, I can't quite remember. The point is this: God provides for us when we trust Him. God created all the universe and all of creation, yet many times we don't trust Him with things much more insignificant, like money, jobs, grades, schools, friends, etc. Why do we doubt? He already knows the outcome of all situations, and works out all things for the good of those who love Him [Romans 8:28]. If you put yours trust in God, you will not be disappointed! He loves us more than we can ever imagine, and because of His love for us, He gives us more than we could ever deserve. Even in little things like clothes for a week in a foreign country, He provides. 

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Mt. 6:25-34

~So