Helsinki at sunset

In 2014/5 our family started planning the building of an additional 8 classrooms at the Eduplex High School, which would also contain a heritage boardroom / guest centre where we can share the amazing Eduplex story with visitors from around the world. Nearly 10 years later, still nothing.

When we eventually submitted our building plans to the City Council it took years to get approval for the rezoning and consolidation applications, so much so that we lost heart and actually decided not to continue with the construction as we saw the delay as a closed door. Then the Bela act was published and we realised that there is going to be a big need in the future for private, Christen schools where children can receive quality Christian education, in their mother tongue (separate Afrikaans and English classes.) A few weeks after the signing of the Bela act into legislation, the City Council approved our building plans.

I realised there’s always a reason for a delay. We felt we had to reconsider our decision and I started praying for guidance – to build or not to build. “Lord I need a word from you” was my cry and at the same time I was wondering where in the Bible does the Lord say “yes you can build extra  classrooms”. I was steadfast in my decision that if the Lord does not give me a verse to go-ahead, I will not approve the building of the classrooms. If God wants us to build the classrooms then they need to form part of the Eduplex’s amazing history* of God’s guidance (and provision) as the last thing I wanted to do is build these new classes out of my own strength.

A few weeks ago, I again prayed, asking God for wisdom (James 1:5) what we should do, with no answer. One Saturday morning while having my quiet time and again praying about the classrooms, the Holy Spirit led me to Jeremiah 29 (The first thought that came to mind was “what can there possibly be written about classrooms in Jeremiah 29 – I know that scripture so well!” ) and I was amazed to receive two ‘instructions…’

1. Multiply! Don’t dwindle away! (Life Application Bible) verse 6(b)
2. … seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into… Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.  verse 7

I immediately knew that this was confirmation for the new classrooms. But what I did not expect was verse 7 – that I needed to seek the peace and prosperity of the city and pray for it. I realized that I needed to look away from myself (Lord sends us more kids, Lord send us more people that can afford our products, Lord…Lord…Lord…) and start to pray for the city, for its peace and prosperity,  and when it prospers so will more kids arrive and more people visit our Ear Institutes. I realized that over the years I became so busy with I, myself and me, that I forgot about the city, let alone praying for peace and  prosperity for all its people.

I immediately changed my prayers and started praying for the city and all the cities and towns where we have Ear Institutes – as the Lord  instructed me to do) and in addition, I also took the word to multiply and not dwindle away and started asking for tenders for the classrooms – even if we have to do it in faith and borrow the money, because obedience brings the blessing.

Lord, help me to forget about myself, and look up to You, while asking for wisdom and understanding in what role I should play to seek the peace and prosperity of the cities you have sent us to. May Your will be done in Jesus name. Amen.      

Photo – Helsinki at sunset.

*In my book, Vision – dare to dream BIG I share the multiple miracles that happened over the years in Eduplex and how God worked in the hearts of kings to give millions of dollars, while I only shared the Vision. (Pr 21:1)

© Nico van der Merwe