Financial Testings

We've owned rental property for 17 years.  For 17 years our renters have pretty much paid on time.  Now, I'm not saying that we've not had 1 or 2 a year who have left owing us a couple of thousand dollars but what I am saying is that if they got a couple of months behind, and was making no attempt to pay, we could evict them and they'd at least leave. 

Ever since we decided to move to Ecuador some have decided they don't have to pay anymore.  When we evict them they contest it and get 10 more days.  Never, in the history of our rentals, have we had someone contest an eviction notice....until now.  Is this something new that people have just learned how to do? 

My husband has two pieces of rentals that he totally allows families to live for free.  He gives people chance after chance.  He falls for every hard luck story.   He loves and tries to work with his renters.  He gives in with the down payments.  Yet, people continuously do not pay him.  If  he takes an eviction notice then he is considered mean and heartless but the people who are stealing from us are not anything but poor victims (even though they have done this repeatedly to others).

It is hard owning property.  It is hard because you really do love people and want to help them.  It is hard being thought of as "non-Christian" because you need your money.  I think people forget that we are using the properties to pay our bills (doctor bills, grocery bill, electric bill, car note). 

What is sad is the ones who are cheating us of our living are driving nicer cars than us, eating out more than us, are on governmental assisstance, and all have jobs.  Yet the courts always side with them.  We are the big, bad landowners!

I guess, I'd rather say, "I have been robbed but I have not robbed."  I would rather be the one stolen from than the one stealing!  To my knowledge, in our 30 years of marriage, we have NEVER left owing anyone anything.  And we have deeply struggles (and are still struggling) financially during these years.

(Rom 13:8) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

(Exo 20:15) Thou shalt not steal.
(Psa 37:21a) The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again:

First Ecuador Post

Sunday was our last day at Grace Independent Baptist Church. We have a trip planned to visit Ecuador during the month of September. We are very excited but very nervous. Our grandaughter, Desiree, will be making this trip with us.

I was very emotional Sunday. It wasn't as easy as I had hoped. I wept every second of the day.   I loved the 17 years we spent here in Moultrie.  It has nothing but wonderful memories in my mind.   However, I am super excited to start phase 4 of our life. Phase 1 - childhood Phase 2 - Dope and drinking years Phase 3 - Pastoring years and Phase 4 - Missionaries.

I think often of how blessed I am. I have been to 49 states. I've been to every major city and every major tourist attraction. I've been poor and I've had plenty. I've loved and been loved. I have had a wonderful marriage. And I have 4 kids that are all good, decent people....but more than that....they all love the Lord and are in church faithfully.

What wonders await us in Ecuador? I have studied Spanish until my brain is tired. I've prayed, planned, and now I am about to go. God has been good to me!