An Encouraging/Amazing Story from Mary

My litza (little sister) and friend from our longhouse Bible Study, Stacey, calls me daily. She just checks in and tells me about her day. Stacey has been pretty stable for about a year now, able to take care of herself and her 2 children adequately (and very proud of herself!). Lately, Stacey’s income has been less and she has been having trouble “making ends meet”. She still calls me daily, but lately she has been telling me of how she is praying to Jesus to meet her needs. Stacey has been walking all over the town of Toppenish, where she has been living this year, in order to not use gas in her car. Stacey’s car is an early ‘80’s Cadillac with one working window. She has been determined to save all her gas, in order to make it to Bible Study at the White Swan Longhouse (which is sixty miles round trip from her home).

Last week, we had a Sacred Road summer team here, so I gave Stacey with some gas money in order for her to join us for evening meals and fellowship with the team. We both enjoyed fellowship with the team, and Stacey takes time to show others any art she has been working on. This past week, Stacey was walking everywhere with her children again, saving the gas in her tank. One day, she walked many miles to the Yakamart gas station where she and her children found out about the tribes’ give away of corn that afternoon. They walked some more, to get to the agency building with the corn. When they got there, they found out they had just missed it and all the corn was gone. An acquaintance spoke with Stacey, and gave her four ears of corn. She was glad and decided then to wait for the shuttle bus to get a ride closer to home. Stacey and her kids accidentally got on the wrong shuttle bus and ended up in Yakima! A round trip ride of at least forty miles! Upon return to Toppenish, Stacey ran into another friend who gave her four ears of corn. Stacey called me to rejoice at her good day and God’s provision for her. The next day was our Tuesday Bible Study and Stacey was worried she wouldn’t have enough gas to get to White Swan. She called to let me know she was on her way. When she made it, she was again happy at God’s provision for her. Chris and I helped Stacey with some gas money to get home.

How many people do you know who save all their gas money to have fellowship with other believers; and in the hardship of doing so, would rejoice at God’s provision of eight ears of corn?

~ Mary Granberry