As you may recall I have written previously about our pursuit of the vision God has given us for a farm that will serve as a ministry base. (See June 21, July 26 and 29). As I said in June: I have heard Holy Spirit tell me to acquire a farm close to Washington, DC, on which we can have the facilities to serve four specific groups of people: 1) People interested in horses; 2) People from the international diplomatic community; 3) People who desire to learn to live in practical disciple making relationships; and, 4) People who simply need a spiritually safe place of refuge for a short time. We have gone through an extended period of real frustration concerning how to finance and walk out this vision. After months of frustration, we believed we heard the Lord say pursue less expensive opportunities. We decided to settle for a smaller vision with reduced possibilities for serving those groups of people.
We proceeded, at His direction, to look for smaller less expensive properties. After investigating many properties we had made offers to purchase 5 of them. Each of these dry runs taught us more about the process and about what risk factors existed. For some of our offers the sellers actually accepted offers that were for less money than we had offered. But, finally one of our offers was accepted and we had a contract to purchase a farm. We had an actual contract. Wow this was exciting ! There were many improvements we would need to make but we thought we could find a way to do those things. We were stretching our budget as far as we could but still — we had a contract.
It remained exciting until we found that the seller had actually falsified the disclosures made concerning the property. We discovered that a strong wind could blow a building off its foundation, the well water is contaminated, and the house has radioactive radon poison in its water and in the air in the home. It became clear to us that this was once again not the property Papa God has for serving his people. So, now what ?
One possibility is just give up. A second possibility is continue looking for a lower priced way to proceed. The third, continue to pursue the impossible, higher priced, track that fulfills the vision. In many ways each of these possible courses seems wrong.
Giving up just is not the way of Jesus or His followers. Waiting for a future time involves many very expensive additional problems including the costs of housing both ourselves and the horses through the winter season.
The lower priced option seems to have been repeatedly frustrated in ways that seem to indicate God’s choice not to support it. Moreover, we have looked at and tried to acquire virtually every property in this price range that could possibly work.
The high priced option, even though it makes better economic sense and would very likely end up producing a very good investment, is simply beyond our current capabilities to finance. We are currently able to finance about $500,000. This option to work properly should have approximately $2,500,000 invested in property and improvements. We have now identified several properties which could possibly work for this. But, until we can identify how the Lord will finance them, we cannot move forward with integrity. One of these possibilities is particularly fascinating because if properly managed it could even become income producing so as to finance ministry into the future. It could be a true market place ministry opportunity.
I have read many different accounts of God providing miraculously. But I also read the Scriptural teachings that His desire for us is that we live within the limits of self control. I am aware that traditional approaches to ministry do not involve exposing our friends to the internal frustrations we suffer. But, by now I have no doubt you know I am not much for following traditions.
I would be delighted to hear from you concerning these things.
His, thus Yours,
Stuart
His-Family 
I wish I could provide answers or direction for you. As of this moment, affording shoes, groceries, school books and keeping the lights on seems as big of a mountain as your $2,500,000. But we have learned to trust. Our family has been provided for miraculously many times the past 3 months. I don’t have the answer for you, but I know Papa’s love for you!
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People from the international diplomatic community?? Forgive my ignorance but what does this mean? People from the international diplomatic community?
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