Anyone who has known me over the past few years knows that I have received the manifestation of a huge faith project. One that I have worked on for more than seven years. I have consistently tried to pen the many stories that have happened during this seven year incubation process and have encouraged my faith by looking back over the various episodes. It's the twists and turns the peaks and valleys that shape a persons faith and gives them the muscle tone needed for bigger and better things. The process is what it is, it doesn't always feel comfortable because God is constantly moving us out of our comfort zone. However, if we are willing to go through the process we will become so much better and as this story will show, new doors will open for opportunities. The story goes as follows:
Several weeks ago I received a phone call from a business man who wanted to connect me to a large real-estate developer. This developer had a desire to build three new buildings in various areas in the state and outside of my own area where I had previously done real-estate development. They wanted to come over and discuss a partnership which would allow my company to receive a substantial sum of money over a period of time. This would be done as a result of a special designation that my company has and it is very unique and limited in our state. This federal designation gives us preferential treatment in developing real estate for low income persons. This real-estate developer is also in the business of developing affordable housing, however, with the recent cuts in federal and state funding for affordable housing, this special designation that my company has gives us preferential treatment for limited public dollars. Therefore, if this company partners with us, they get access to funds that they normally couldn't obtain due to the scarcity of funds.
This special designation is so important to this company that they are willing to cover all the cost associated with these projects. This isn't a light matter because the planning and application cost for each property is around $100,000 per project. Or in other words, a total of $300,000. The cost to construct, lease up and manage the properties is more than $12 million. (An aside here. Don't focus on the money, focus on the process of getting there).
Now we are a small corporation and these numbers seem quite astounding to us. But these are the kinds of relationships and business deals that God brings your way if you can withstand the tough times. It takes faith to withstand the tough times because everything in the world will tell you that you are crazy for pursuing your dream. The devil will send messengers with bad news, mockers who laugh at you at the village gate, scorners who hate that you have the audacity to try something this ambitious and beyond your reach. But if you hold up your shield of faith and quench those fiery darts from the devil you will enter into new and bigger realms of opportunity.
And this is what I purposed to do over the drought years, the valley periods, I kept my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith.
You may ask what is it that caused these business men whom I have never known to engage me in such a large business transaction where we will be nicely paid for many years and where the risk and labor will be done by them. It is as a result of laboring through a very difficult time of believing against all hope and then building a magnificent building with very little capacity or people on the team. This astonishes people because some, particularly those in business knows how difficult the work is and how risky it is. They respect the fact that you navigated tough times and came out a winner. Good Business people know a winner when they see it and they want to place their bets on a winner. They may not know the testimony, that will all come in time as God gives you space to share, but in the mean time you get a chance to experience the blessings that come from thinking big, boldly and courageously.
I expect that this relationship will yield much fruit as I now get to see how the big boy's do business. More education for me for free. More doors to open and more people to bless. As long as you stay humble and focused on achieving Goals not only for yourself, but for other people, God will bless you mightily and open up wide doors for you.
Proverbs 10:22
It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it.
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