pt. 2 Miracle Apartment

Read part 1 here I think it was the third or fourth apartment that we had looked at.

It was newly renovated, 40 square meters, 1 minute walk to a grocery store and bus stop, 2 minute bus ride to work. Nestled at the bottom of a mountain, just below a farm, and across the water from the CASTLE in Bergen. We were very interested, and spoke to the landlord about the apartment. We shared that we didn't know how long we could commit to the apartment for, as we don't know how long God would have us in Norway. He wanted someone who could commit to a minimum of three years. We accepted the situation and went back to our friends apartment. In these days we were spending all our free time looking for cheap second hand furniture that we would eventually bring into the future home that God told us we could apparently afford.

One day in prayer, I felt God say that if we called Christian, our atheist landlord, and told him that we really like the apartment, he would give it to us. So the next day, Felix borrowed the office phone and called him. The day after that, we were back at the apartment signing papers!!!

We got the dream apartment!

Then came the moment I dreaded. When we were asked about employment. We had already decided many years ago how we will live as Christians: unapologetic to the truth, and with integrity, humility and boldness. "Well," Began Felix. "Do you know this church, Credo? They have a Bible school and we actually work there full time... we're not exactly paid by the school though, as it's voluntary work... but we have supporters..."

"So, technically, you're UNEMPLOYED?" I was freaking out! Probably praying under my breath. But God said we would have less expenses when we moved into our apartment. Even though that didn't make so much sense... I held on. Surprisingly, Christian handed over the booklet for us to sign. Looking back, I feel like I held my breath for that whole time, until we walked out of that apartment, stunned, amazed, but just not saying anything to each other. We were probably thinking the same thing... How are we going to pay for this?

The down payment was ok, because we had the funds for it. We spent Most of September sourcing furniture and setting up our new - and first - home. First month was coming up. We did some calculations and saw that we could scrape up just enough for it. We thought that this was God's miraculous provision... but we were wrong!! "Guys, someone has just put 7500 NOK into your Norwegian account!" Said our friend, who had helped us create a bank account. We were startled. Who had we told that they would know we needed 7500?!" We could not recall telling anyone about our need.

What a sweet relief and a joy! It happened again, THREE MONTHS IN A ROW! This mystery person continued to put exactly the amount we needed into our bank account, just when we needed to pay our rent! Suddenly we had more finances and less expenses, just as God had spoken to me!

I never doubted His words, but I definitely couldn't have imagined it would look like this! On the third month, we received news that this anonymous supporter chose to pay the rent until June 2020! When we heard this, I recalled a prophetic word that I had received from a well-known and respected leader, "There will be someone donating into your ministry in a long-term investment because God wants to show you that you are a worthy investment for the kingdom." I broke into tears of gratitude. What a confirmation that we are right where we are supposed to be. Jesus promised provision to us in many parts of scripture, but one thing that is echoing to me right now is his teaching in Matthew 6:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I have decided to fully believe the word of God above my circumstance. This faith, paired with obedience, even when it looks like foolishness, can and will move mountains. And, to the anonymous person / people who have been investing into our lives and ministry, I hope reading the back story has blessed you! We are so thankful and still so blown away. We constantly remember this crazy sign and wonder with deep thankfulness.

Our home, during a clean-up day ;)