You Can Never-Never Out Give the Lord!

Once again I am lost for words to describe the incredible working of an awesome God! It is so true that you can never out-give the Lord.  You give all your time, you give all your money, you give all your talent, you give all your energy, you give all your thoughts, you give all your love, and oh joy of all joys – more comes back to you!!!  True, these things that you are giving are your all, but they are so small and puny compared to what the dear Saviour gives back!  “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!”  Psalm 34:8This building project began in my mind almost 3 years ago.  I had no money, but I thought I could someday have a very small and simple room to treat the sick in, because it is not good to treat the patients in the center of your house.  Later I thought this room could be a separate building with perhaps 2 rooms.   Now we have a blueprint for a house and clinic built together to save space on the mountainside, but with 2 bedrooms in the house and 3 rooms in the clinic.  Still it really seemed impossible to do, because of the tremendous cost involved to build in such a remote area.  Builders don’t want to go that far out and materials are so hard to bring in.  I knew it would have to be plain and done as cheaply as possible.  However, I gave it all to God and said, “Oh dear Lord, make this building however You want to, because it must glorify Your name!”Today I stand and gaze at the building as it develops into something most beautiful!  I ponder the events leading into the purchase of all the materials. In my mind I have not a shadow of a doubt that God is glorifying His name here! 

1. At first we had an architect draw up plans for 2 separate buildings.  This blueprint stated that the labor cost was 659,000 baht for the house and 450,000 baht for the clinic.  That is 10,059,000 total, not counting the materials!  This was definitely too much money.  Two other builders would not come because it is too far away and there was no cell phone service or electricity here.  We changed the plans many times and kept looking for a builder.  We cried out to God because we did not know what to do.   It seemed that at such times a hand just guided us through the difficulties and found a builder for us.  He only charged us 80,000 baht to do this large building!  We have fallen in love with him and his 3 helpers.  They work very hard, and take pride in their work.  Praise the Lord with us!!

1. MeDooGlow is the town closest to us on the east side.  The building supplies are a little more expensive, but it is worth it not to travel so far and so steep on the other side.  Consequently we ordered our roofing tiles there.  The tile that came in was a horrible green color, the worst I ever saw!  We told them that we had asked for the turquoise/teal color.  They ordered again and found out Chiang Mai did not have it.  They got it from Bangkok, and when it arrived we discovered that it is the very best quality and most striking color!  Praise the Lord!
2. The builder told us that if we did the roof the way we drew it, - plain and straight, it would look like a warehouse and wouldn’t look good.  He had his own ideas and built us an incredible roof!  I have not seen another roof like it.  It is beautiful.  More praises to God!
3. The builder asked us if we wanted a ceiling and we told him “no” because we thought it was too expensive to buy and for him to put in.  He told us that the fiber kind is simple, and just has to be hung with metal brackets and he could do it quite easily.  OK, we went to Meta on the west side for other things and ordered the ceiling that the builder recommended.  When it came in, wonder of wonders it was very good quality, fancy, and so beautiful!  Praise the Lord  with a loud voice!
4. We went to MaeSot for floor tile.  Secretly this was what excited me the most – picking out floor tile!   We found the prettiest one.  Shiny, with a little bit of turquoise in it to match the roof.  Our hearts were set on it.  Come to find out that ended up being the only one that this store could not order!  We went to another tile shop and there found a tile even more lovely than that one and it was cheaper, but higher quality!  Our hearts sing praises to God!
5. We planned a very small bathroom, but ended up with 2 bathrooms.  One for patients and one for us.  The tile for these bathrooms is too beautiful to explain to you.  You just must come and see for yourself.  Praise the Lord a note higher!!
6. There are dangers in this area that I am not allowed to even mention.  God has protected!  Thank you dear Lord, so much!

I could go on about everything else, like the windows, doors and counters, but it is all too good for words.  I feel a sense of God’s presence during this building phase. Thankfulness, peace and joy fill my soul. Truly God’s name will be glorified.  His gospel story will be told.  His healing works performed as His perfect will directs. What thrills me the most about how God has taken control of this whole thing, is that it proves He has great plans to reach these people and show them His love!  I can feel the love He has for them!  His work is always a success!With Solomon, on our knees we cry out:  “Oh Lord God of Israel, there is no God like Thee in the heaven, nor in the earth, which keepest covenant, and showest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before Thee with all their hearts.” 2Chronicles 6:14