Free website hosting

Ok, so there's no evidence of God working in this. In other words this is not something I specifically prayed about and God answered. But it's cool non the less and it's something I just stumbled upon.

I have found that I can offer free website hosting to anyone that wants. No catch.... okay maybe a little catch. You can't use your own custom domain for your website and your webpages get a Google advert displayed on them. Not the worst price to pay for free webspace.

My host is ts4m-host.org and anyone can sign up. The details are all on my little host site. Primarily I want to use this for missionaries, missionary organizations or other non-profit organizations that a) can't afford to pay for web hosting and b) want their own site. For those not technically capable I then am able to offer help designing and administrating the website.

Ok, this sounds like and advert...and in a way it is. I'd like people to hear about it because I really want to help organizations and even individuals get exposure for the good work they are doing. And what better place than the Internet?

Subsequent to all this I decided it would be nice for me to offer full website support to organizations that want to use their own domain name, etc. I've signed up as a host reseller with a local company and will be offering this too soon. The free host is open to all, even if you're not a missionary or mission organization. This host will be specifically for non-profit organizations, so the sign-up will be restricted. More on this one once I've sorted out the details...

I'm hoping God can use even these simple tools to help spread his good news.

Buying a car [part 2]

They say all good things must come to an end. I guess that's true most of the time. It was true for my Suzuki. It was fun to drive, but eventually I had to admit that it was not very practical. For my IT support work I needed a more practical vehicle. One that could carry a decent load. And so the "zook" had to go.

Now, I hear you saying: "People buy cars all the time. Why bring God into it?" Well it's not so much the buying of the car, but the specifics that reveal God.

Problem 1: My first problem is that the "zook" was my only car and my only means of transport. If I sold it I would not have any means of transport. Not totally impossible to handle as my friends would give me lifts, but an awkward situation.

Problem 2: I refuse to owe money on a car. So any car I buy must be bought cash. I was now looking for a small 1/2 ton bakkie in good condition, but I had only the money from the sale of the "zook" available. I had to get a good price for the "zook" And I had then I had to find a cheap bakkie in good condition.

No problems are too big or small to take to God. These 2 I submitted in prayer to God and it's in how he answered these prayers that I see God at work.

Solution 1: A man agreed to buy my "zook", but he lives in Oudtshoorn. So he asked if he can pay me now and then come fetch the "zook" in 2 weeks, when he can come up with his son. There it was! He paid me in full for the jeep 2 weeks before he took it. I had 2 weeks to search for a replacement. God?

Solution 2: My buyer offered me the full advertised price on the "zook". Exactly what I wanted. So I had the maximum amount I could afford for a bakkie. The day before the buyer was to arrive I still had found nothing. Now if you've experienced God work then you know that it's not time to worry. 1 Day is more than enough time for God.

Thursday I went to Krugersdorp to cruise the second-hand car dealers for options. I found 2 for my price (I always seem to get a choice), where before I'd found nothing worth even considering! I chose the newer of the 2 bakkie, an Opel Corsa.

Friday morning I drove the "zook" to the airport; picked up the buyer and his son; drove back to my house; handed over the keys and waved my "zook" goodbye; climbed in my landlords car; drove to Krugersdorp and drove home in my new Opel Corsa bakkie! Enough said!

Many times we look to the big miracles to see God. But in my experience God works most in the small details. When we trust our problems to him we see him work in the small things. Sometimes we only see his hand by looking back at the past, but I assure you that if you trust him he will be there.

Buying a car

So how does God help in buying a car. Sure he can miraculously have someone donate you a brand new one. Or he could prompt someone to give a large cash donation toward one. Or he could just do the unlikely as I have discovered twice now in the last year....

On returning from Turkey I was really keen to get involved with off-road rescue. Before going into mission work I was very involved in volunteering with an off-road rescue unit here in Johannesburg, and I was keen to get back into it. The problem; 4x4's are expensive and I only had about R40K to spend on a car. I am determined that I will never owe money on a car again, if I can help it and so a loan was not an option. Rather than worry, I put the problem to God...

On a visit to my folks I decided to take a look at second hand cars in Pietermaritzburg. I searched high and low for something that I could afford that was in reasonable condition. I wasn't looking for a 4x4 exactly. Then at one dealer I found a Hyundai, which looked pretty good, in my price range. So I asked for a test drive. And while I was waiting for the salesman to bring the keys I looked up across the road and, would you believe it? There stood a red Suzuki jeep (4x4) for sale! I had yet to see any 4x4 I could afford, but something in my mind said: "Yes, that's it!"

But I'm a practical guy, so I decided to test drive the Hyundai anyway, because that was more practical. I got 2 blocks up the road before blowing the head gasket! It was almost as if God was saying: "Oh no you don't! You asked me and I've gone to great lengths to prepare a car for you. Now you will buy it!" I left the car for the salesman to sort out and walked back down the road.

Now the little doubter in me was saying: "It's useless! You won't be able to afford it!"

I look; The price: "R39000"

Little doubter: "Yes, but for that price it's probably got big issues!"

I look; Exterior very good; Interior also very good; low mileage.

Little doubter: "It's not going to be mechanically sound!"

I take it for a test drive. The salesman says it's been recently reconditioned. It's a bit slow, but it only has a 1000cc engine. So what can you expect? Mechanically - no problems.

Little doubter: "..."

And there it was. In answer to my prayer God arranged a red Suzuki jeep 4x4 for under R40k in very good condition down in Pietermaritzburg. Just for me! I drove that jeep for 1 year without any troubles, enjoying my time back in the Off-road rescue unit. God truly is great.

(Next in Part 2: Practical Paul makes a return!)

The return

After a long break from blogging I've decided to return and continue my journey through interesting times. We so easily get busy with other things that the simpler things, like communication, fall by the way. So to continue my journey I am going to start documenting some stories here of how God has worked in my life. In the little things and in the big things.