Counting the Cost

I’ve been thinking a lot about Luke 14:28-30.

“For which of you, intending to build a tower (or a house) sitteth not down first and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish it all that behold it begin to mock him. Saying this man began to build and was not able to finish.”

We did sit down and count the cost. We know we do not have enough to finish, but we felt that God wanted us to build anyway. Should we wait for God to provide all that is needed before we begin? Or should we move forward in faith that God will provide what is needed in His time? It has stretched my faith, but we are trusting that God is completely in control. God has provided land and enough borrowed money to get started. A bank loan would have brought more expense and restrictions, and while we would qualify, we felt that God was leading us a different direction. God is asking us to trust Him to provide His way in His time.

If our calculations are correct, we will have enough to pour the basement, put up a basic structure, and get it under roof. We are not sure after that, but we are building in faith that God will provide.

Already we have experienced many “God moments.” God provided four acres of land through the action of the Victory Acres Board. God sent a friend with money that we could borrow at low interest to get started with building. God provided Glen, a builder friend of Daniel Troyer, to help us design the house that we need. Unlike most contractors who want to do everything themselves for maximum control and profit, Glen is willing to allow us to do everything and only help where needed to save money wherever possible. God provided Jeremey Fish and the crew at Firm Foundation to build a quality basement at a fair price and a break in their schedule so that we could get started immediately. We finished plans on Friday, filed for permits the next Tuesday, got the paperwork Thursday, and the crew to dig the basement arrived 30 seconds after the permits were delivered. ONE WEEK! God provided Chester, a plumber friend of Glen’s, who was able to help us on short notice to get the drains set in the basement so that the slab could be poured tomorrow – exactly three weeks from the day we finalized the house plans!!

It has been exhausting and overwhelming at times – hours slogging through the water, cold, mud and rain trying to get the next step complete. I can’t say that I have enjoyed this part of the process. At times I have lost sight at times of the end goal; it just seems too far away. Will we ever actually get it built? Will we be that man who began to build and was not able to finish?

So why are we building? For the past eight years we have rented from Victory Acres. Our $600 of rent each month has helped to fund most of the monthly farm payment. While this has been a great blessing to the ministry at Victory Acres, we have not been able to build any equity in a home of our own. While I’m not old yet, I would like to have a family home before my earning days are behind me. I’ve watched others in ministry get a plaque and a pat on the back for their “years of service,” being left to make their own way. We are building so that our family will have a place to live.

A congregation has been growing at Victory Acres for the past three years. We meet outdoors in the open-air pavilion during the summer, and we have rented and used various spaces during the winter months. We examined building a dedicated space for the congregation but decided that was not good stewardship. When we asked the congregation to pray with us about us building a new home at Victory Acres, someone asked if it might be possible to build it in such a way that we could meet there on a regular basis. With that in mind, we designed the house in such a way that the central area on the first floor would remain completely open. We are building so that the congregation will have a weekly place to meet in our home.

This week we are welcoming the next guest family to Victory Acres – a husband, wife, and 11 year old boy. Growing our housing capacity is key to developing many other aspects of the farm. With more people living here, there will be more help for the greenhouse, wood carver and other enterprises that will help to make the farm sustainable while also helping us to fulfill our vision to see inner city families overcoming addictions, learning new skills, discovering new friends, raising healthy children and growing together in a safe, loving, healthy environment. Our family moving into the new house will make space for more guests to share life with us at the farm.

While it will be ours, this house is not just about us. It will be a tool for ministry. It will be a place of hospitality and discipleship.

Many have volunteered to help us on various aspects of the work, and this past week a friend messaged me asking how and where they could send funds to help with building expenses. I am very humbled and very thankful for the ways that God is providing through our friends and His people. To be clear, gifts to this project are not tax deductible since this is a “personal project,” (though it will certainly be used in ministry.)

Although it is and will be a lot of work, this whole process has been incredibly fun and exciting for our family – thinking and dreaming together.

We have and are counting the cost. Devoting the past 18 years of our lives to full time Christian service has not been a sacrifice, it has been a privilege. We have been blessed far beyond what we deserve. Thank you to everyone who have made this journey possible. Countless people have supported, encouraged, prayed, and given, and we couldn’t have done it without you. As we look forward in faith to this next season of ministry, we believe that God will continue to provide. While we count the cost, we also know that God will make a way where there seems to be no way. We know that “unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it.” Our trust is in Him.