Stories from the Field

September 2006

Grateful for God's Provision
By Paulo Rehn, Christian worker in West Africa

Abdou, a believer from one of our churches, recently moved to the capital city after getting a job there. He rented a very small place to live with his two early teenage children because this "house" was within walking distance to his job and to his children's school.

I went to see this brother in Christ one afternoon. I was not sure how the family was doing since Abdou would not be paid until Monday, and I was afraid his money ended quicker than the month. I found all three of them at home, happy and well. As we were visiting, Abdou told me something amazing that had happened to him the day before.

He left his work place during the noon break and went to the school where he met his children on their way out from classes. He sent them home and then walked to the ocean, just a few blocks away. He said he likes to go there because it is peaceful and he can relax there and pray. Since most of the shore is full of rocks, there's little sand in that area. As he walked near the water, he saw something very unusual. A large fish was struggling in the shallow waters of the low tide, trapped in the mud between the rocks. He quickly went in the water and caught the fish with his bare hands. The fish was about three feet long, and he said a friend even took his picture holding it.

Abdou sold the fish for the equivalent of five dollars and was very happy to have the money. It would be enough for his daughter to go to the market to buy some rice, dried fish, oil, peppers, and other spices in order to prepare their meals for the next three days, until he got his salary. That night a poor man and his two children were happy. In their small room they sang and prayed, thanking God for His provision.

As we talked the following afternoon, Abdou's face was still beaming with excitement. This brother had experienced how God does not abandon His children and that He still performs miracles, just as those recorded in the Bible. Jesus said to Peter: "Put out into deep water, and let down your nets for a catch." Abdou does not have a boat, a net, or even a fishing pole. So God brought the large fish to the shallow water, near Abdou, where he could catch it with his bare hands.

I came back home encouraged by this miracle that reminded me again that God does not abandon His children and he always provides for our needs. May we be faithful in serving Him, no matter how difficult the circumstances around us.