I have come to realize that I have spent a lot of my life trying to be everything but the person I knew I was made to be. I’ve spent too much time walking on eggshells for no good reason because I was afraid of the world and the uncertainty of what this life holds. I can say today, wholeheartedly, that I am doing being that person. I have been freed of it, and I will walk in that freedom moving forward in life.
Making the decision to go on the World Race is a crazy one my many standards. But I don’t care. I have said that I didn’t care about what people thought many times, and until recently, that has been an absurd statement for me to make. I was burdened by what I thought people perceived me to be, and it dictated my life too often. Now, as I prepare to abandon just about everything I’ve ever known to head to 11 different countries in 11 months, volunteering my time to serve the Lord and the people of these countries, I know I must first abandon my pride and insecurity.
I went to college, then graduate school, in order to set me up for a “good career,” or at the very least a “real job.” But what I came to realize, after working myself half to death for this, was that wasn’t going to make me happy, content, or fulfilled. I had to ask myself, “What if I don’t want that?” More importantly, I had to ask myself, “What if God doesn’t want that for me?” I have known for some time that I don’t want to live an ordinary life. I don’t want the God I worship to become physical comfort and financial security. I don’t want to follow any of the stereotypes about what it means to be a man in American society.
I know what hard work is and I know how to provide for myself. But, isn’t there more to life than that? As I am preparing to become a missionary, I am having to lay down the ideas I’ve previously formed about self-sufficiency, ideas I have developed living in American society my entire life. I am learning that it is okay to ask for help, not because I say it is, but rather, because God says so.
In fundraising to go on the World Race, I must ask people to partner with me for support financially. This is not easy to do, and I am constantly fighting thoughts that I am inadequate as a man because I must ask for help financially. But I know these thoughts are not from the Lord, as I have learned why he wants me to raise funds for the World Race. I have learned that through fundraising God is teaching me about myself, but more importantly Himself, showing me every day just how faithful and trustworthy He really is. I have learned that God delights in us when we follow His plan, and not our own. I have learned through fundraising that I am not my own, and as a result it has brought me closer to the Lord, and I have experienced fullness of joy because of that.
I am a man, created by God, for His purposes, which are way better than anything purpose I could ever think of. I will be faithful to what he calls me to. So, as this man, I am asking you all for help. I need your help to raise the money necessary to support me as I live out the life God has graciously planned for me on the World Race.
As of today, I still need $3,700 to meet my next fundraising deadline of $7,500 on June 20th. This will allow me to launch July 3rd for the Dominican Republic with my team, people I have already come to love dearly, and know will push me to grow into the man the Lord intends me to be. Anything, and I mean ANYTHING you can provide will make a difference. You can follow the “Support Me” link on the left of my blog to give. If you yourself can’t give financially, but know someone who might, PLEASE send them to my blog, give them my information, or give me their information, and you will be making a difference in getting me to the World Race.
Another, fun way you can contribute is the Fund Board, found below! This is how it works:
1) Choose any number on the chart below, and donate that amount! (via the “Support me” tab on the left)
2) When you pick one and donate, let me know and I will mark it off the chart!
3) If every number gets marked off, you all will have helped me raise $5,050 for the World Race!
Again, please consider contributing to help me go on the World Race, and as always, your prayers are both needed any appreciated. Much Love and God Bless,
Andrew
