Isaiah 41:10

10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

This past Sunday I heard the most amazing testimony from a member of my church here in Tallahassee. The man who spoke, Matthew, left Africa and came to the United States to go to college. His story was truly miraculous. Below is what I could remember...

Matthew explained to us that even as a young child he believed in a higher power. He read the bible and worked to be and do what God intended for him, so that people would not see him but see God through him. He believed so much in the word that his friends even gave him the nickname Pastor. One day a student from First Baptist Church of Tallahassee (my church) spoke to him and a group of students at his school in Africa. The American was nervous and had so much to say that he spoke too fast for Matthew and his fellow students to catch everything. Before the American left he said, "if you don't remember anything from today, take this message home with you - Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Matthew said that verse spoke to him and by that afternoon he had it memorized.

He came to the United States because he felt that that was where he was meant to be. Matthew met with someone at his school in Africa to help him complete his applications for colleges. He created a resume and made several copies to send to schools in America. While the representative from his African school who was helping him, the rep realized one of the copies of Matthew's resumes wasn't his resume at all. He crumpled it up and threw it out. Later that night, Matthew had a strong feeling about that crumpled up copy and felt that he just had to see what was on that sheet of paper. During the evening every trash can on his floor should have been emptied. The next day all of the trash cans EXCEPT his was empty! He opened the crumpled up sheet of paper and found an address for a small school in GA. He decided that he should send his resume to that school along with the others.

Normally, it would take 1 month for his applications to be sent to the United States. Surprisingly, just 2 weeks after sending his application to that small school in GA, he was accepted! It was the only school he was accepted to. As excited as he was to be accepted to the university, he had no money...he recited Isaiah 41:10...unbeknownst to him, family and friends rallied together and collected enough money to pay for his tuition, fees, and over $1000 of living money! The only thing left to do was to get a student visa. He was told that it can take up to 3 years to get a student visa!! Long story short, he got it the same day he applied...no joke!

Matthew had everything he needed and the time had come for him to fly to America. He flew into JFK airport in NY and needed to take another flight at a different airport to travel to GA. After landing at JFK he decided to take a taxi. The taxi already had another person in it, but Matthew didn't think anything of it. Before he arrived at the next airport, the man next to the taxi driver robbed Matthew at gun point. They took everything he had. As soon as the car stopped, Matthew ran into the airport, recited Isaiah 41:10, and caught the last call for his flight to GA. After landing in GA, Matthew traveled to the university and told the college representative about his experience in NY. The rep called NY and police were able to track down his luggage and send it to Matthew asap. Knowing that Matthew didn't have any money and his tuition and fees would take a few weeks to be sent to GA, the university treated Matthew to meals and a place to stay.

Matthew excelled at school and his professors encouraged him to apply to a full 4 year college. He did...and was accepted at several universities across the country. He decided to come to FSU because it was the cheapest, lol. He wanted to become a part of a church family but didn't know where to begin. He just hopped on a bus and at the first stop stepped out, turned around, and found First Baptist. He met many wonderful people...including the Lunquists (founders of Homes and Land magazine). The downside of going to school at FSU was that the tuition and fees. They were much higher than his previous school. Matthew had no money and for 4 months ate pecans (they were free under pecan trees which are rampant in Tallahassee). During that time, the Lunquists would ask him every Sunday after church if he would like to eat lunch with them...and for months Matthew declined. Finally, one day he accepted their offer. The Lunquists became a surrogate family for Matthew. They bought him groceries, clothes, and paid for many other living expenses. One day they ask Matthew about this girlfriend in African. He tikd them about her and the Lunquists paided for her to come to America! The Lunquists continued to support Matthew even after after he married his then girlfriend.

Now, Matthew is a pharmacist in Tallahassee, is married, and has 3 beautiful children. Has asked us, if we couldn't remember anything from his talk to take home this verse - Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Matthew's speech was a true testimony to the awesome power of God...and God's love for his children. After learning of his experience, I just had to share it with all of you.

PS - Matthew never told the Lunquists about eating pecans for 4 months!