Nr.185 ended with, “The deal was made and now the renovations began, but there was one problem, we were pretty well out of money, so now what? We would soon find out that the Lord had a couple surprises for us………….!” (See richardandmarina.net).

The first surprise was four men coming from the UK organization Brass Tacks, an organization with the following mission: “Our mission is to relieve missionaries and full-time Christian workers of their maintenance, mechanical and building work. We build new or renovate existing buildings.” The four men helped us for two weeks free of charge. They did a tremendous amount of work and really knew what they were doing. I don’t know how we ever could have gotten things done without them, it was a real provision from the Lord.

The second surprise was almost unbelievable. These men encouraged me to write to another Christian organization in the UK which goal was to give financial support. Seeing that I had spoken in several churches and at a couple conferences in the UK, I was no stranger to them. I wrote them and told them very honestly what was going on and how that we had come to the end of our finances. Within a week or so I received a very, very large cheque, enough to cover almost all of the renovations. The Christians in Ghent were so surprised and amazed that people in England would send money to people they had never met. It was indeed the Lord providing for His children through His children. It was wonderful, but that’s how the body of Christ, the family of God works.

So, very much encouraged we carried on with the renovations, and a lot of work needed to be done. New floors, new ceilings, new roof, new toilets, new sewage, new electrical wiring and lights, etc. etc. I could write a book about it all. And all the work was done by our own people, except for the four men from England. Marina and I were planning a trip to Canada as it had already again been three years since the last time. We would be leaving in September and returning toward the end of the year or the beginning of next year. By the end of August the large hall was ready enough to hold a meeting there and so we did. For one Sunday morning we did not meet in the old building in Gentbrugge but in the new building and what a joyful meeting it was. The main work was done but there were so many smaller things still to be done, and very often they take the most time. The building would not be official opened until the next year and then there would be another totally different surprise……….! (Go to Musings).