It was dinner time and the dining room with crowded with hundreds of children – all hungry, all expecting a meal. George Mueller, their caretaker, knew there wasn’t any milk; in fact, precious else could be found in the kitchens, so he did what he always did: prayer. “Lord, send us our daily bread. Show us your provision.” A woman from the kitchen called him. there had been a knock at the back door of the kitchen. Could he come and see? The milk man’s cart had lost its wheel. Not being able to reach his destination before the milk spoiled, he asked if the orphanage would be so kind as to take his supply. The milk was immediately brought to the tables and the children were nourished once again.
Years earlier, George Mueller had lived in London. It was the mid 1800s and his heart was moved to collect orphans at a time when no one else was doing so. He saw so many children living on the streets that he was compelled to help them. One fed, clothed, and housed child rolled into two until God turned into a whopping 10,000! His ministry lasted for an amazing 30 years.
What strikes me most is that in all those years, George didn’t ask for a single penny. Ever. Yet over $7.5 million passed through his hands in his care for these children. So how did he do it? Nothing but trust in the Father who promised to not let one of his children go without what they truly needed. George prayed for every brick, every cup of milk, every slice of bread. He rented and built homes that housed 2,000 kids at a time. That’s a hotel!!
Before social media and slick networking strategies, people learned of Gorge’s work and sent donations; other times they’d send him something that he’d pawn. Most often, people would be mysteriously moved to provide him what he prayed for like crates of bread, venison, rabbits and cakes. The pattern was always the same: George cared for the kids and ran what today would be considered a big business yet prayed for every minute need. Each time, before there was any desperation, the Lord provided.
One time, a woman sent him a diamond ring when things were particularly dire. He laughed and danced for joy upon its arrival and before pawning it, etched the words Jehovah Jireh (the Lord, our provider) on his bedroom window with the diamond. Whenever he was tempted to doubt God’s provision, he saw the sun shining behind those words.
When he was in his 70s, he traveled to over 42 different countries telling his story and in his absence, no child went hungry or lacked anything they needed. At the end of his life, when asked how he did it, he simply said, “The Lord did it all – I just asked and believed.” This is the kind of faith I need. If I ever express fear or worry, please, someone….remind me of George!
Sue Likkel 