Preparing for Rain

About a week ago, Bob told me that he had set a goal to leave for Mexico for further cancer treatment in about three weeks.  I was slightly surprised, because we didn't yet have our passports nor even half the necessary funds.  My attitude had been one of just trusting God and waiting until all the necessities were in place.  But my Love had plans!  He shared that a phrase had been running through his mind, and he couldn't ignore it.  There is a Christian movie entitled "Facing the Giants" (an awesome movie which we highly recommend!), and during one part there is an older gentleman, Mr. Bridges, who challenges Shiloh Christian school's struggling football coach with the message that God is not finished with him at the school yet.  Mr. Bridges tells the coach a story about two farmers who were both praying for rain during a drought, but only one of them worked his fields in anticipation of answered prayer.  Mr. Bridges asked the coach which of the farmers showed more faith, and of course the coach said that it was the one who was preparing for rain.  Mr. Bridges then asked the coach, "Which one are you?  God will send the rain when He's ready.  You need to prepare your fields to receive it."  That phrase, "preparing for rain", is what occupied Bob's mind, so he decided to act upon it.  Instead of waiting around to see if God was going to supply what we needed to be able to go to Mexico, my Love decided he was going to start making plans in anticipation of God's provision.  Have I mentioned how much I love this man?

In the week since Bob shared that with me, I had the final doctor phone interview of the clinics we've been considering, and we made a decision; between obtaining some additional financing from our bank and a lot of financial donations coming in over a short time, we are very close to having all the money we need for the trip; and Bob booked airline tickets for our trip.  God has clearly been at work!  Our passports haven't arrived yet, but it's been just two weeks since we applied, so there is still time.

We now have a definite plan:  we will fly to San Diego on Tuesday, February 13, stay in a hotel that night, then a shuttle from the Hope 4 Cancer Institute in Tijuana, Mexico, will pick us up at our hotel first thing in the morning on Wednesday, February 14 to start three weeks of treatment--treatments are seven days per week.  Accommodations and meals for both of us for the entire three weeks are provided.  There is also an excellent follow-up plan included as well as take-home treatment protocols for me.  Our children will be looked after very well in our absence thanks to loving family and friends.

We are excited and nervous at the same time now that the plans are a reality.  We also continue to be overwhelmed at God's goodness and the generosity of His people!