He Knows My Needs

God in the month of August gave me financial blessings that I am incredibly thankful for. In recent months the American dollar became very weak in the Australian economy. Seventy seven cents of our currency was equivalent to one Australian dollar when I came in January 2007. In July the cost had risen to ninety six cents on the dollar and it was expected that both dollars would have the same strength soon.

While I am a single young man and can live easily on a small amount of money, the weakening of U.S. Currency was frustrating. Especially since I was hoping to move in a year to an area that had higher rent costs. In my heart I knew that God would care for those financial needs in his perfect way. But there was still anxiety and fear about the financial situation as well.

Then earlier this month the American dollar began to gain strength. For weeks now it has held strong at eighty-six cents on the dollar! The change is probably the result of Americans driving less and using less fuel. It results in more than one hundred dollars of new income for me in the month of August. I am fairly certain the American dollar will go down again. But for now I am rejoicing in the financial help God is giving.

The fuel here in Australia has become less expensive as well. In July gas was as expensive as $1.70 a liter ($6.80 a gallon) during the week. It was reported that families could not pay for necessities such as groceries because of the high fuel prices. Many people in both the U.S. and Australia stopped driving as much because of those prices. As a result the price went down and in July fuel could be purchased for $1.50 or less per liter. This was a great blessing for me because I do a lot of driving.

This morning as I checked the balance of my missionary account I found yet another pleasant surprise. A Church had taken me on for $75.00 of support a month! This was surprising because I had not been contacted by the church or talked to them recently. That extra support will definitely be useful as I continue serving God here in Australia. The last month has been one of great encouragement as God reminded me he knows what my financial needs are. He will not always meet them in a dramatic way like new support, or lowering fuel costs. But that does not mean he is blind to the needs I have. I am so grateful that God this month reminded me he knows my needs.