Believing we were in the center of God’s will, having left everything behind, committed to not borrowing money for school, having no job, no home of our own, staying with friends, already enrolled in the seminary, partway through the first semester, our money running out, we had a hard time believing God was changing direction on us. After all He had done so far, we couldn’t entertain any other course of action. Yes, I could pick up a part-time job cleaning swimming pools or painting houses, but that would not support the family. The outlook seemed bleak—we were running out of options. As much as we were trusting God for all of our needs, we needed money for food, gas, etc. And we couldn’t continue living with our friends in their modest three-bedroom bungalow.

The fateful call came from the president of a small consulting firm. I interviewed with them a few weeks earlier but hadn’t heard back. I assumed they had blown me off like the others because of my stringent schedule requirements. Some might think we were utterly unreasonable in my work requirements, but we dared to believe our awesome God would come through.

The voice on the other end of the line apologized for not getting back sooner because he was working on a contract that could fit my work schedule—but the contract fell through. My heart sank. But he went on. He had decided to take me on as a contract worker anyway, something they had never done before, and he would fit me in wherever he could. It turns out he was an ardent supporter of the seminary and felt God wanted him to find a way to make my situation work! In the 11^th hour, God came through! During our four years in Dallas, I did computer consulting with various clients through this consulting firm and was always able to keep my oddball schedule. I was even able to take summers off for ministry experience.

God was proving Himself faithful. Mary’s grandparents offered to provide the down payment on a house for us (an investment on their part), to be paid back when we sold the house. In the end, when we sold the house to move, we did pay them back (with interest)—but they turned around and gifted us the interest back. Amazing.

Our first Christmas in Dallas, we felt a strong burden to visit my parents in Florida to help build our relationship with them. They had been quite upset that not only had I left the Catholic church eight years earlier (in their view of things), but now I was studying to be a promoter of a Protestant religion (again, in their view). So, we sent a letter, telling them we were planning to visit them so they could meet their grandson, our 1-year-old boy. While the job paid enough for us to live on, we had zero financial margin for doing anything else. It was a leap of faith that we could actually fly to Florida!

Again, God came through. It was bonus time in early December at the company Christmas party. I had only been there for two months, and my direct supervisor had warned me that the bonuses were only for the employees, not contract workers, of which I was the first and only one. But it would be a free meal for Mary and me, so we went. On the side and very discreetly, my manager slipped me an envelope and said to keep this under wraps. The president wanted me also to have a bonus to help with our trip to Florida. As it turns out, it was the exact amount for the plane trip to Florida for all three of us!

We felt we needed to give back part of that gift to the Lord, ten percent, so we did. But now that left us short of the total amount of our flight. During those days, we lived very frugally, so the difference was significant, and we couldn’t afford any extra money out of our budget. One day when meeting with my accountability and prayer group of fellow students, I shared that we were planning to visit my parents and asked them to pray that the Lord would supply the remaining need. A few days later, one of my fellow students sent a note to us through the student mail system: “I have had the benefit of my parents’ support in coming to the seminary. And my wife and I want to share with you in helping you reach out to your parents” (not an exact quote but best as I can remember). Tears welled up in my eyes, and my jaw dropped. Included in the note was some money, the exact amount of our remaining need! I never imagined a fellow classmate would do that!

To keep this short, despite a few other hurdles, we made the trip. And that began our renewed relationship with my parents, ultimately leading to their attending my graduation three and a half years later. Praise God. This was just the beginning of many ways God has provided for us over the years in the very real, tangible area of finances. We have discovered that we didn’t need to ask anyone for financial support, whether individuals, churches or mission organizations. God showed that He was well aware of our needs. He can and did creatively provide for us, and now 40-plus years later, all our needs have been met. It hasn’t always been easy, but we can echo what the apostle Paul wrote:

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:11–13)