The tradition of making a down payment is a practice deeply ingrained in our family, especially when facing significant challenges or pursuing aspirations beyond our ordinary capacity. Whether grappling with life crises, seeking the right partners or jobs, or aspiring for something seemingly unattainable, we approach these situations with a proactive and disciplined mindset.

In essence, we initiate a dialogue with God, expressing our commitment to invest time in advance, aligning ourselves with our future desires. It is a dedication of 10 minutes today or 5 minutes each day, serving as a demonstration of our consistency, discipline, and sincere intent towards our aspirations.

Our ancestral figures, such as Abraham and David, instilled in us the ethos of not accepting anything for free, even down to securing a burial ground or a place for offerings. We firmly believe in the principle that meaningful endeavors require a personal investment.

When confronted with daunting challenges or overwhelming thoughts that keep us awake at night, questions about our ability to face them head-on arise. To confront such uncertainties, our family commits to a “down payment” of time. Whether during early mornings, midnight, or other unconventional times, we purposefully spend moments in God’s presence, actively preparing for whatever may come our way. This intentional time allows us to address past mistakes and contemplate future actions. It transforms us from being reactive to proactive, providing a sense of calmness and direction during moments of uncertainty.

The discipline of the “Down Payment” has proven to be a powerful force, redirecting our focus and surrendering our concerns to the almighty, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God. This practice has contributed to numerous victories, both within our village over the last few decades and in our personal life experiences.

Some of our most cherished “down payment” prayers include:

1. The moment when both my daughters, engaged with YWAM, crafted the song ‘Season of Love,’ even when they initially had no idea what to write, at the ages of 17 and 18.
2. The time when both of them sought life partners and meticulously documented their desires.
3. When our younger daughter, Adlien, expressed her seemingly impractical desire to go to London and received healing for her body from a 28-year-long allergy, she not only experienced miraculous healing but was also granted the opportunity to pursue her master’s degree in London.
4. The fulfillment of our son Joshua’s prayer to go to Canada, which materialized after 4 to 5 years, as he embarked on the journey with his wife. It was a joyous occasion witnessing the next generation actively engaging in prayer through the impactful “down payment” practice.