The winter of 2018 was one of the most exciting season’s of my life. I started off the year with an amazing invitation from God to draw closer to Him and grow spiritually. For the next five months, I started devoting myself to fasting and praying every Tuesday and Thursday. Then on June 19th, my birthday, God spoke a powerful message over me and Matt. He offered to let us continue our journey east around the world. God blessed The Narrow Shoulder, calling it a wilderness journey, and declaring it both faithful and righteous in His sight (read story here). In addition, God provided for the journey in a miraculous way. Three days after my birthday, we received a gift of $12,500. This specific amount of money was given to us after God used our finances to test our hearts throughout the winter season. He challenged us with an important question,
How much do you want to be blessed?
This question inspired Matt and I to completely empty our bank account in faith. We gave a total of $2,500 to a friend in need. We did this because we wanted to receive all of God’s blessing. In response to our giving, God gave it back to us with a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over (Luke 6:38). In this particular case, He gave us back ten fold (read story here).
Matt and I felt like we were on cloud nine after witnessing all of these amazing miracles. We were excited to prepare for our trip and very motivated to stay in God’s will for our lives. One of God’s instructions was not to stay in Halifax any longer, but to move forward in faith. Matt and I took this instruction very seriously. We didn’t want to show any signs of rebellion. I immediately gave my two weeks notice at my current job and we began to set a timeline for our departure.
“Did you talk to your boss?” Matt asks me as I walk through the door. “How soon can we leave for Europe?”
“My last day is on July 6th,” I respond. I drop my backpack onto the floor and sit down beside him on the couch.
“I can get the bicycles and equipment ready during that time,” Matt offers. “But I’ll need your help to pack and move out. I think we can get everything ready in about three weeks.”
Matt takes out the laptop and we begin to look at the different flight options that fall within this timeline. Just then, our plans are interrupted by a facebook message on my phone. It’s Anthony Vail, one of the leaders for I Am Second. I Am Second is a christian organization under E3 Partners that focuses on the great commission of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20). They focus on teaching simple and reproducible methods to help believers share their faith, the gospel, and the teachings of Jesus. I had contacted Anthony back in November because I wanted to learn more about discipleship and how I could make an impact in people’s lives. Unfortunately, I was never able to meet him because he lived four hours outside of Halifax. I hadn’t spoken to Anthony in over five months, so I was surprised when his name popped up on my phone.
“Hey Amy, are you guys still in Nova Scotia? We should try and meet up if you’re still in the city. Many blessings!”
I’m immediately drawn to his invitation. It sounds like a great investment to get some training from Anthony before we head overseas. However, the timing is terrible. We’re insanely busy with our preparations right now. Not only that, but we have many close friends in Halifax who need our attention. People who want to see us off and get closure before our departure. There simply isn’t enough time to train and invest in new skills.
“Hey Anthony! Matt and I are still in NS, but we’ll be leaving for Europe in the next few weeks. Our schedule’s pretty busy right now. If we happen to be available, I’ll let you know. Does that sound good?”
Tony responds with a thumbs up and I’m satisfied with my decision.
Over the next five days, Matt and I work long hours to prepare for a trip that should have taken us months to plan. One of the most conflicting choices is trying decide where we’ll begin our journey. Our hearts are drawn to two different locations. The first is Ireland; and the second option is London, England. I’m interested in Ireland because of a picture I received a few months ago. I was praying in my bedroom and I asked Jesus, “Where are we going next?”
In my mind’s eye, I saw the Lion of Judah standing at a distance. He stood in the middle of a large grass field and the sky above him was filled with grey clouds. On his left was an old stone wall or some type of structure that had fallen over. It’s ancient stones lay strewn across the ground.
“Where are we?” I asked Him curiously.
You’re in Ireland.
After having this vision, it seemed like the obvious choice to fly to Ireland to begin our journey. However, when we try to book the flights we discover that most airlines only fly to Dublin, the country’s capital. Not only are the flights expensive, but the location doesn’t make any practical sense for two cyclists traveling east. We’d simply land in Dublin, ride forty-five minutes to the ferry terminal, and then cross the Irish sea into Liverpool, England. What was the point of landing in Ireland if we were just going to be leaving the country upon our arrival? If that was the case, then we’d be better off flying to London, England. The flights were much cheaper and our good friend Kevin McDonald lived in the city. He could help us build our bicycles and maybe even provide us with a place to stay. After much debate and pouring over the different information of flights, visa allowances, and time of travel, Matt and I decide that the best route through Europe will be as such: First, we’ll fly to London and visit our friend Kevin. Then we’ll have three months to cycle through France, Switzerland, and Italy. If we stretch the finances we could potentially fly to Cairo, Egypt where we have another contact who might be able to host us.
Satisfied with our route, Matt and I sit down to relax and enjoy a movie together. Matt grabs himself a can of coke and I sit down with a large bowl of popcorn. Just then, I receive another message from Anthony.
“Looking forward to meeting up tomorrow. Where’s the best area to meet you guys?”
I look at the message in shock.
“Did you make any plans to meet with Anthony?” I ask Matt as he flips through the movie options.
“No, I haven’t.”
“I think someone has been planning our schedule for us,” I respond. “Apparently, we have an appointment to meet with Anthony and Olivia tomorrow.”
Matt and I look at each other with curious eyes. Then as if on cue, our lips give a little grin as our eyes slowly look up towards the ceiling. If Matt and I didn’t book this appointment, there was only one other person who might possibly rearrange our schedule.
“Matt, I think God really wants us to meet this couple,” I say with a chuckle.
“If that’s the case, then we should probably listen,” Matt says in agreement.
I respond to Anthony’s message and pretend that I’m completely aware of tomorrow’s plans.
“We live in the north end of Halifax. How about we meet for lunch at one o’clock?”
The following morning, Matt and I drive to the local Montana’s to meet Anthony and Olivia Vail for the first time. We’re surprised when the waitress directs us to a large table full of vibrant and laughing children. It turns out that we’re not only meeting Anthony and Olivia, but they’ve brought their six children along with them to hear our stories and enjoy the restaurant experience. We receive a warm welcome from the entire family and then we have a very fun and eventful afternoon as we get to know each other. I can’t help but admire Olivia for raising such a large family. Their eldest son listens closely to our conversation and he seems mature for his age. Their two eldest daughters giggle and talk with each other as if they’re best friends. We begin to share our plans to cycle across Europe when Anthony and Olivia interrupt us with an interesting idea of their own.
“If you’re planning on riding through Europe, have you two considered going through Ireland?” Anthony suggests.
I can’t help but sit up a little straighter in my chair when he mentions the country of Ireland. My vision of the Lion of Judah comes to the forefront of my mind.
“A few years ago, Olivia and I fell in love with Ireland and its people. Since then we’ve been leading missionary teams into that country to share the gospel and serve in the church. In fact, we’ll be leading another team this August to the west coast of Ireland.”
Anthony’s next words cause my jaw to drop.
“I know it’s last minute, but would you two consider joining our team? We’ve been praying for another two members to join our group and we think you’d both be a great addition. We’ll even transport your bicycles to the west coast of Ireland so that you can continue your journey after the mission trip is over.”
Matt and I exchange a look of both shock and disbelief. What were the chances of meeting two missionary leaders on their way to Ireland? Not only that, but they were offering us, two complete strangers, the opportunity to join them on their travels. This just didn’t happen in the real world. And just as I had expected, it was too good to be true. We felt that cruel reality hit us in the face within the next few minutes of our conversation.
“The cost to register for the mission trip is $3,500 per person. It’ll provide for the flights, transportation, accommodations, food, and training material.”
My heart immediately drops into my stomach. That was so expensive! In comparison, Matt and I could travel on our own for months by bicycle and through multiple countries for that same price. To blow our twelve grand on a three week mission trip to Ireland sounded like foolishness. By this point in the conversation, the children have finished their lunch and they’ve started to get rowdy at the table. Their youngest son has turned the back of our chairs into a jungle gym. He climbs from chair to chair to avoid the ground that’s now considered hot lava.
“We’ll give you two some time to pray and consider our offer,” Olivia says kindly. “However, before we part ways, can I ask you to pray about one other matter?”
Olivia’s three year old son begins to climb over her chair. With expert mom reflexes, Olivia makes a quick grab for him, forcing the little guy to sit quietly on her lap before she continues.
“There’s another family who’s registered to join our trip to Ireland. They’ve been fundraising for the last year. However, due to a miscalculation they haven’t saved up enough funds for their whole family to go. They’re behind $5,000 and they’re feeling very discouraged that they won’t be able to afford the trip. Could you please pray for the family’s peace of mind and that God would provide for their need?”
Matt and I nod in agreement and we begin to close the lunch meeting with many goodbyes and well wishes. We depart feeling both encouraged and conflicted by the unfolding of these new events. We suddenly have many things to pray about and consider. My heart is leaping at the opportunity to go to Ireland, but my mind is in sharp disagreement with the price. My heart longs to help this family with their financial need, but my mind is reluctant to help a family I don’t even know. Taking a deep breath, I feel slightly defeated. We’d been given this twelve thousand dollars only a week ago, and I wanted to steward these finances well. God had obviously given us these funds for our bicycle trip around the world. Shouldn’t a good steward budget this money appropriately and use it to travel as far east as possible? We had to keep our eyes on the vision! Although Matt and I decide that we’ll pray before making a decision, I know in my heart that this mission trip is probably not going to happen. It wasn’t practical, and it wasn’t logical, which meant that it probably wasn’t a good idea.
I slept well that night and didn’t think much about Anthony and Olivia’s proposal. I felt like I already knew what the answer was going to be. Matt on the other hand, woke up very early the next morning and immediately got out of bed. While I stayed under the covers and tried to sleep in, I could hear the faint sound of worship music being played outside my bedroom window. Matt must have been worshipping outside on the porch so as not to wake up our roommates. I drifted in and out of sleep as the sun rose higher into the sky. Suddenly, I’m abruptly awoken as Matt bursts through the bedroom door and jumps onto the bed. He’s clearly excited about something and he bounces on the mattress to shake me from my sleep. I might have been annoyed if he wasn’t so cute.
“Amy! Amy!” Matt says with excitement. “God spoke! God spoke!”
Refusing to open my eyes I ask him in response, “Oh yeah? What did God say?”
“Jesus says, ‘How much do you want to be blessed?’.”
My eyes pop open with that remark and my heart skips a beat.
“Wait, what?! You don’t mean…”
But before I can ask him any questions or make a comment, Matt has already bounced out of the room and has gone back to his worship music. He’s overflowing with joy and praising God with all his heart. My husband has been completely undone by love and he’s already planning to give Jesus everything we have, for the second time this year.
Unbeknownst to Matt, this statement doesn’t fill my heart joy but rather with fear and dread. I don’t want to hear this word from God. I don’t want to give everything away; not first thing in the morning, and especially not when I have $12,500 in my posession! I feel my body become extremely tense. My hands ball up into fists and I press my face into my pillow.
NOOOOOOO! I desperately cry out.
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO! We just got this money! I argue with God.
I hadn’t realised how much I was relying on these funds to help me feel secure in my future and safe around the world. The thought of parting ways with this money felt like a rug was being pulled out from under my feet. I suddenly felt so afraid.
Does nobody in this house value money at all?! I cry out, as I throw my pillow against the wall.
Matt doesn’t care, and God doesn’t care; am I the only person who cares about going on this bike trip?!
Somewhere in the turmoil of my rampant emotions, my fear turns into anger.
You already asked me how much I wanted to be blessed, and I already gave you everything! Isn’t that enough? This money is mine! I fasted and prayed for five months to get that money! I earned it!
Uh oh, did I say that? I immediately regret my words. I can almost feel God turning His attention towards me and my carelessness. I suddenly wish that I could melt into the floor. Was God angry with me? What was He going to say?
Is that really why you fasted and prayed?
I was surprised. Not by God’s words, but by His tone. God wasn’t angry at all. Rather, He spoke with a voice that was so indescribably calm and controlled that it filled my heart with a profound peace. It was as if by His tone alone, God could communicate to the depths of my distressed soul that He was in complete control of my situation. I could feel His love washing over me and just like that, all of my anger, fear, and distress was gone. He truly was my Prince of Peace. I sit on my bedroom floor and pull my knees into my chest.
No, I’m sorry Papa. I didn’t mean what I said. I didn’t fast and pray to get anything out of you. I did it because I love you, and I wanted to spend time with you.
God continues to speak to me using that same calm voice. It somehow grounds me.
Where did I say we were going next?
You said that we were going Ireland, I admit.
Did I give you any further instructions after that?
No.
Exactly. So can we please just focus on Ireland?
I didn’t answer Him right away. I could tell that my heart wasn’t in line with His heart. It was a long day as I continued to pray and look over the map of Europe. However, as time passed I began to understand. I was in the middle of an internal conflict between my plan and God’s plan. My plan was to budget our $12,500 and use the funds to get as far east as possible. However, the truth was that God had only given us one instruction: Go to Ireland. How much would it cost us if Matt and I decided to fully commit to Ireland and to this missionary team? Taking out a piece of paper I decide to do the math. It would cost us $7,000 for both me and Matt to register and travel with this team. Then it would cost us an additional $5,000 to meet the need of that family, so that they could come along with us. It came to a grand total of $12,000. I leaned back in my chair in amazement as a saw God’s plan for these finances revealed. It was absolutely crazy, impractical, and illogical. Yet the more I thought about completely giving myself to Ireland and to the missionary team, the more peace I felt in my spirit.
Why do you think I gave you that twelve grand? I felt the Lord ask me. Let My love abound!
Suddenly, I could see the situation from a new perspective. God had a beautiful plan for this twelve thousand dollars and it extended so much further than myself and this bicycle trip. I could see God’s love for this family and His desire to show His faithfulness to them. I could see God’s love for the people of Ireland and His desire to heal the hearts of the nation. In view of this great love, I couldn’t help but dance and sing praises to the most amazing God. I’m filled with joy as I bow down low to the floor and open my arms wide, giving up my selfish plans in order to embrace God’s selfless plan.
“Yes Lord,” I declare.
The following morning, I’m happy to tell Matt that I’ve received the same word from God. Together we call Anthony and Olivia to share with them the exciting news. We pay off the $5,000 owing on the family’s account, and then we register ourselves to join the team. It’s an exciting moment for us. Our hearts seem to swell with love, joy, and peace. We’re going to Ireland! But even more importantly, we continue to remain in God’s perfect will for our lives. Knowing this truth gives me so much peace for our future. It’s a peace that’s even more secure than having twelve thousand dollars in my possession. It’s a peace that surpasses all understanding, because I know that God is with me and He’s going ahead of me. That affirmation is more than money can buy. Matt and I have seen God work some mighty miracles in our lives and we’re confident that God will continue to take care of us in the future. Now, if we can just get through Irish customs…
