Yesterday, I intentionally sat down and (finally) started writing a message that was to be given today 5/13/12. I was going to be speaking at a church, Presbyterian Chapel of the Lakes, the largest supporting church for me and all of my missions’ trips. Last year on May 15th I spoke at the church to share with them my testimony and about my internship to Kenya.
Well, last night as I was preparing my message for today, God laid it on my heart to check back and see the amount of support that was raised for me through this one church congregation. The Chapel raised up $1,708 to send me to Kenya. In a bit of a panic/shock mode, I looked over the remaining support that I needed for The World Race, the number on my excel sheet read $1,708.
No way! Lord You have got to be kidding me! God lead me in this number to challenge this church to support me to the dollar what I need to be 100% funded for The World Race. Let me share with you from my message that I gave today…
Here’s the part where you as a body, as my brothers and sisters in Christ, come into partnership with me in this journey. First and foremost, I cannot stress enough how important prayer is. Some days when I was in Kenya, I literally feared for my safety, but the Lord protected my team and I every time. Your prayers kept me safe while I was in Kenya. This journey will lead me on 70 hour bus rides, nights stayed in airports, eating unheard of food, going into dark places, and daily walking by faith.
Last night I was looking over my support account for the amount that was raised for me to go to Kenya. While looking at it I came across the amount of support that was raised from this church alone, and it read $1,708. What a blessing that was and continues to be! What really boggles my mind is the fact that I have $1,708 left to raise for my 11 month missions trip. LITERALLY the amount that you as a church raised for me to go to Kenya, is the exact amount of money I need to be 100% supported for this trip.
God has given me a new meaning to trusting in Him. I’m sure most of you have heard the words spoken in Proverbs 3:5-6, but let me enlighten you with them. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. God is paving a path for my life and through my trust in Him for His provision, He is providing. God has literally been moving in people’s hearts. He has been showing others that He has created me for Kingdom building. He has led people to join me in this journey through prayer and financial support. None of this has been me; none of this can be done through me. The God of this universe will be with me and speak through me in all of the work I’ll be involved with.
Did I even mention the amount that God has provided for me so far? $13,800 God has provided for me to go since I made the commitment in September. God is literally blowing my mind with the thought of being fully supported today through members of this congregation. I don’t think its coincidence that the amount I need is the exact amount your church gave last year. It’s a God thing. God is calling you as a church to rise up and send me. The God of this universe is calling me to be His Hands and His Feet and to proclaim His Name among the Nations and He is going to use you to send me.
The Holy Spirit totally spoke through me as my hands were guided in writing this part of the message. God has risen up a church to support me and I was His messenger in the need.
Remember that $1,708 that I needed?
Well, after the two services that had a Sunday school in between, Pastor Tom and I started adding up all of the money that was contributed that day.
In first service, $1,537 was contributed.
In second service, $103 was given.
Several t-shirts were sold with the net profit of $54.
Bracelets were sold with a total of $13.50 raised.
A “tip” was added in of $.50.
What does that equal?
You guessed it….
$1,708 TO THE DOLLAR!!!!!
So, what does that mean??
I have 100% of my funds to go on The World Race.
I could seriously scream right now I am so excited!!
Trine’s campus minister Travis Wilhelm spoke over me, a prophesy if you will, that I was going to have 100% of my funds before leaving for The World Race in July. I think when he told me that I was shocked because I did not know that it would be possible. God too, laid being fully supported on my heart so I started praying for God to provide as His Word says He would.
Tom had led me in sharing some of John 14 in my message and while reading through the chapter last night, I came across verse 14, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” I went to church this morning knowing God was going to show up knowing that this whole $1,708 was not just a coincidence.
Well, it is May 13, 2012 & I, Brandi Wilcox, am going on The World Race!!!
I don’t even leave for the race until July, so now I have so much time to focus on prayer & ministry in each of these countries!!
I’m INCREDIBLY blessed by each of you.
Thank you times a million for praying for discernment on how He was going to provide.
Thank you church for sending me.
Thank you for your prayers and financial support!
I’m going on The World Race & I’m leaving fully funded!
**Please note:: For those of you that have contributed monthly, your commitment has been factored into my amount raised, so please don’t stop sending your support in. 🙂
