We were asked by our company to take a three-year assignment to help make a positive change in a challenging area of the country.  Believing that we could make a difference, we accepted and set out for the adventure of discovering a beautiful area of the country we had never visited or lived in. We were even met with the affront of someone telling us that “this area had chewed up and spit out everyone who took the position.”  Our declaration was “NOT US.”  Yahweh had always blessed the work of our hands and we knew that it would be hard, but ultimately – with His help – we would prevail. The first year was ok, the second year pretty bad and by the third year we started to question if we had really heard the word to move and take on this opportunity. Nothing seemed to be going our way – in fact – it was going the opposite way.  We would see glimmers of change, but the agony of misfortunes outweighed any hope that this ship was going to turn.  In the heat of our perseverance and near the end of our commitment we were faced with a decision – come back home (after all that was the agreement) or request to stay for another year.  Yahweh being Yahweh – we were in a church service during this time and one of the ministers (who was building a house) got up to testify about the costs and dilemmas with digging his well.  They had reached water, but not his desire to have a certain amount or amount of water pressure needed (can’t remember the details exactly).  The man digging the well told the minister that he could continue digging – at a cost of course – but could not guarantee that at a certain number of feet he would reach the ministers desired levels for the water.  Agreeing to go twenty more feet – in an attempt to achieve what he was looking for – it only took a few feet and his desire was met. Holy Spirit began to speak to us about committing another year – committing to twenty more feet as it were.  We set our face and let the company know that we wanted to stay another year.  WOW – in our willingness to go above and beyond our commitment, Yahweh began to bless our area – not just a little bit – we hit a GUSHER!  We had such a prosperous year on every level – at our yearly meeting – we were honored to receive a leadership award.  To testify further of the blessing of Yahweh, even after we came back home – after that 4^th year – that area of the country led the company for several years.

So many people give up in that 11^th hour.  We learned several valuable lessons:

Your provision maybe just around the corner – don’t give up or don’t give in.

Some things take a little longer, but the end result will be more than you can ask or think.

Stand strong, pray, and persevere – it’s worth it