THINK BIG

For nothing is impossible with God.  Luke 1:37  NIV

It was day one in my time with the leaders of the Kids’ Clubs in Kigoma, Tanzania.  It was my first time meeting this incredible group of young men and I was encouraged to start

with the idea of thinking big ideas.

So, with that in mind, I posed the question – after passing out snacks of cookies, soda pop and digestives (if you know, you know, about these) – “What big ideas do you have for kids’ clubs?"

They shared.  The clubs have been ongoing for about 20+ years and are a regular part of different communities in and around Kigoma, and TZ.  Not only in the immediate area where I was, but also in areas only reachable by boat, or by looong jeep rides into villages away from much.

Through our conversation, it became clear that finances were the issue at hand.  Hope of the Nations is the mission that these clubs are operated under and there is money, but more in the coffers would be a boon to the clubs for extra supplies, craft materials, and prizes for the children to earn (think soccer balls, jerseys, anything a child would really desire to have but could not hope to because of their own circumstances).

We stopped right then in our meeting.  We looked at the white board where I had written:

This graphic is now part of the kids' clubs manual and it is the same one I showed them while we were working through all this.

For nothing is impossible with God.  Luke 1:37

We prayed.  We prayed specifically for monies to be given just for kids’ clubs, earmarked with this.  And when it came in we would know it was in answer to our prayers right then, April 20, 2026 at about 2:00 pm, local time.

As soon as you began to pray an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.  Danie 9:23  NIV

We proceeded with our meeting and agreed when the monies came in we would have a worship and praise time. 

The next morning I was sharing with Coni, the missionary, along with her husband, Harold, on our way to the primary school where I was having special times with the teachers in their devotional time.  Coni thought our time together sounded great, needed and was excited, too, to see how God would answer.

That afternoon, Coni was insistent that we start our meeting and that all were present (5 leaders and me).  She then proceeded to share.  That morning she got a call from their son who does some of the financial recording for the mission and he had not been to the mailbox for about a week – which was highly unusual for him.  On Tuesday morning, April 21, he went and there was a note from a woman whom they had not received monies (or support) from in the past.

She had heard of HOTN and she and her church has fundraising events often and they earmark the monies to different ministries.  She wanted to share that their upcoming event (in the following week or two) was going to give all the proceeds to youth ministries with Hope of the Nations.

Bam.

And just like that our prayer was answered.  In less that 24 hours.

While we were praying the monies were already on their way to Kigoma, Tanzania, Africa.  If Jonathan had gone to get the mail earlier, if Coni had not answered the call from him, if I had not shared our prayer from the afternoon before, that money would have gone in a general fund for youth. 

But God.

Because of our prayer, that money went directly into the fund for kids’ clubs!!  Even before we prayed, God laid it on the heart of that woman to send and then He laid it on our hearts to pray for big ideas for kids’ clubs.

We whooped.  We clapped (and they drum on tables for this) and we gave praise to God.  The smiles were abundant.  We now could buy those soccer balls, jerseys and any other thing that comes up.

Multiple times during our subsequent meetings ideas would come up requiring money and the leaders would bemoan the ‘no money’ comment and I would remind them that we had the  money.  It was there, and it was for this ministry!  And then we would praise God all over again! 

The old answer was always no funds.  But the new answer is yes!  We have funds!

I don’t know about you, but I needed this bolster of faith.  I am not sure why because I had just flown across the world in faith, had God provide for my portion of the trip and so many other resources were given to us.  He kept us healthy, He parted the skies so we could fly all those miles and make every connection.  He gave us something to do and imparted Himself in us for this task (and multiple others).

Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him (Moses) and proclaimed His name, the LORD.  The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.  Exodus 34:6-7a  NIV

Yes, God is amazing.  He is gracious.  He is wonderful and I praise Him.

Is something seemingly impossible in your life?  Nothing is impossible with God. 

Nothing.

PRAYER

Father, I praise You. Because You are worthy, You are gracious, You are compassionate. You are amazing. And I acknowledge You in all this. I bow before Your throne and just sit in Your presence. For nothing is impossible with You. For which I am so thankful.