Week One

Today marks the end of our first week in Southern California. Last Sunday, we limped into town after making our way across the border and through 3 states. Our trusty little car, weighed down with all we could fit inside – and on top of her – made it almost the whole way before running into some mechanical troubles no more than 20 minutes from our new home. It was as though God was reminding us one more time that He was in charge and it was Him that we needed to rely on to bring us safely home. No sooner had we pulled to a stop on the side of the interstate and prayed when an angel appeared to help us. In broken English we learned he had worked as a mechanic and lived very close by. After surveying the problem he departed quickly, saying ‘uno momento’. Not long after, he returned with a part from his home and calmly and creatively repaired our little car so that we could get over the mountain and to our new home where it could be properly fixed the next day. We were so grateful to God for sending him to us, but it wasn’t long until we would see again how graciously and abundantly the Lord provides.

We pulled into to our new apartment building exhausted and hot! Several times that day it reached well over 40 Celsius! Our building managers, Jenni and Keith were waiting to greet us having heard of our car troubles. We had been in conversation with them over the last several months and it was wonderful to meet them in person for the first time. They showed us to our apartment and left us to settle in, but over the course of that evening and next few days we have met several other neighbours and have been very warmly welcomed. We feel incredibly blessed to live here, and are grateful to God for our dear friends, Jake and Ang, who supported and encouraged us along the way, and ultimately helped us in moving here.

We came with only what we could fit in our car. We sold most of our belongings to raise money so we could come here and have Nathan attend The Master’s Seminary. Again we would need to rely on God to provide us with what we needed to live here. We were put in touch with the WISH ministry at Grace Community Church. Anna and her team at WISH generously and lovingly outfitted our apartment and left us a basket of goodies (including but definitely not limited to a box of brownie mix, which Keely eagerly made this week-yum!). Our dear friends and neighbours also made sure our fridge and cupboards had some essential food items to get us started and make sure we were fed. Again, the Lord provided for our needs through our brothers and sisters in Christ.

As the week has unfolded we have over and over again felt loved and encouraged by the Church. In some ways materially — by the provision of things — but also spiritually, through the example of love and kindness people have shown in actions, edifying conversations, and our shared love of Christ.

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19

We look forward to sharing how God is working in our lives to mold us to the image of His son, Jesus Christ, as we learn to more deeply know Him and trust Him during our time here in California.