Numbers 11

In Numbers 11, we find that on the heels of the children of Israel complaining to Moses about the food “situation”, God tells Moses that He will provide food for the children of Israel.  In fact, He goes so far as to tell Moses that He will give them “flesh” to eat. “...not one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days; But even a whole month, until it come out your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you”.  Of course Moses, like most of us, doubted God.  That doubt in Moses caused him to remind God how many people were in their party, as if He wasn’t aware.  If that weren’t enough, Moses asked if all the living creatures (land and sea) were to be slain to make that happen.  Upon hearing that, we see in verse 23 that God asked Moses if “His hand was waxed short?”  In other words, “Am I suddenly unable to provide your needs?”

You might ask what all that has to do with Y3T4?  Well, I’m happy to report that the Lord’s hand has NOT waxed short!  Please allow my monthly report to serve as an explanation.

First, we departed on September 30 in the afternoon.  I carried about 450 lbs of 2 year old (but still new and uncirculated) Bogard Press Sunday School material which had been given to SIMBSS for the SIMBSS Students.  Just to be brief, I made a costly error in calculating the cost of the baggage fees.  In April, we carried the Hyde Park New Testament commentaries (a little less weight) to the Solomon Islands and I anticipated about the same cost.  Well, it was much greater; like instead of about $2,500 it was $7,800!  I was sick.  Long story short, God knew all along how much it would cost and He didn’t stop me, but instead used it as a way of showing me and the rest of us a thing or two.  Seeing the pastors pick out brand new literature for use in their local churches was more of a blessing than I could have imagined.  When I got home, He showed me all that one more time, when after entering all the receipts, etc. into Quickbooks, I learned that there was enough money in the account the WHOLE TIME!

Second, after arriving in the Solomon Islands and attending the annual Central Association meeting, I and the team were privileged to witness a reconciliation service among the two MBC associations in the Solomon Islands.  God did something there that day for which many have been praying a long time.  That reconciliation paved the way to several new students, and I believe will bring about the planting of many more churches.

Lastly, even though there was some swelling and discomfort, my foot was a non-factor on the trip.  God is truly a great God!

In closing, we had about our normal number of students.  As always, the students are working very hard and striving to be the best they can be for the work God has given them.  I am working to update www.simbss.org, YouTube channel “SIMBSS Videos”, and https://simbss.blogspot.com/.  From each of those places you can learn more about SIMBSS, the students, and the instructors through pictures, text, and videos.