My husband Jojo and I went through a period of discernment before deciding to move to Canada. We never dreamt of living abroad. But God planted the desire in our hearts to consider uprooting our family to another land. It was a difficult decision reached at after many months of praying. God confirmed His message many times through brothers and sisters in the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) community. We shared in three different BCBP breakfast venues one after the other and the response song after the sharing was always the same – “Yahweh the Faithful One”. A verse in the song goes “Go now and leave your homeland, and I will give you a home.” What could be a more direct message than that?
It wasn’t easy for us when we first came here. We had to deal with issues like finding a place to live in (no apartment wanted to take in all 8 of us), looking for work, adjusting to the freezing cold in winter. I didn’t work for the first few months because we didn’t want to leave Yobel (who was only 1) with a babysitter. Jojo’s earnings were not enough, and the money we brought with us was slowly drying up. I was at a low point in my life. I was unemployed, Jojo was working but unhappy with his job, our money was almost gone, and I missed so much the comfort of having family and friends around. There was a time when I found myself staring into space and asking “Lord, did you bring us here to suffer?”
As I gave in to my worries and fears, God remained faithful. Jojo and I eventually found good jobs; we were able to purchase our own house in 2 years (with no money for a down payment, but that will be another sharing); we found a new community to belong to; Jojo’s brother and sister eventually migrated, and with my brother here, we now had a larger extended family; we made new friends and re-connected with old ones (my high school classmates, Jojo’s college classmates, long lost relatives). We certainly are not swimming in cash and we still sometimes worry about our expenses, but we have never been in want. God continues to provide for our every need.
About four years ago, Jojo and I were at a Christian bookstore when we saw this large framed picture of a road leading to somewhere unknown. Below was written “The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.” It was such a fitting message for us. But, we could not afford to buy the frame at that time. We did come back for it when it was on sale. It now hangs proudly in our living room, a constant reminder that God’s grace will always be overflowing because we have followed His will. And yes, He really has given us a new home in Canada.
For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope. When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the Lord, and I will change your lot. (Jeremiah 29:11-14)
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