Friends, family, supporters…I have some huge news…as of yesterday, after some number crunching, I have discovered that I am officially a FULLY FUNDED WORLD RACER. What. The. Heck.
I did the math on my drive from Austin to Waco early yesterday morning for my final headshot fundraiser at Baylor. I am so beyond floored that the Lord has provided for this journey by involving countless people. High school students who purchased t-shirts, college students who showed up for headshot days, old family friends who generously donated, people who have pre-ordered photography, and the numerous friends, family members, and Instagram followers who have ordered calligraphy pieces from all over the US. I am beyond grateful to each and every one of you. The Lord’s provision for this journey has drawn me so close to Him in this season. And I’m so thankful that each of you answered the call to give.
I did some more number crunching, and discovered that my support team has just under 400 people on it! THAT IS SO CRAZY!! To know there are so many people backing me and my team and my squad in this journey, and praying for us as we go…is huge. Incredibly huge.
Last night after taking headshots at Baylor, I spent some quality time with a former world racer, Marissa. We had just met that day, but connected instantly over our shared love of Jesus, His people, and His Kingdom. (and maybe a little bit about our goofy personalities) As we sat at IHOP in the wee hours of the night over hot cocoa and cider, we talked about the scale of comfort that Christians can sit on. And how all too often we have this negative association with “comfort” because we connect it to being stagnant in our faith. It’s so easy to see how growth occurs when we’re uncomfortable, but often forget that God is not limited to grow and change us in the valleys. He has just as much power to mold us more into the likeness of Jesus on the mountaintops.
It’s okay to be comfortable. If, and ONLY if, that comfort is being found in JESUS. Everything else has to pale in comparison. And during this sweet, sweet season the Lord has me in right now, my comfort is found in the Father, His provision and love for me, and the continued confirmation of His call on my life. What a beautiful place to grow in my knowledge of Him. And my affections for Him.
And the funny thing is….as I type this…..more news just came to our e-mails…….
WE HAVE OUR FIRST ROUTE CHANGE PEOPLE.
P squad will no longer be going to Chile in Month 3. Our new country is ECUADOR!!!
Here is the outline of our new route:
Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, India, Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malawi, Zambia
They’ve told us all along that things change. Be flexible (see last blog post title). So here we are with our first shakeup! I can’t wait to see what the Lord has for us in Ecuador. I’m sure it’s going to be incredible. If not, He wouldn’t have allowed this change. 😉
SIDENOTE ABOUT FUNDRAISING:
While I am no longer taking donations to my WR account (with a few exceptions, you know who you are)…I am still taking donations towards travel & gear costs, which amount to another $2000. Please get in touch with me personally if you would like to donate towards those costs. I’m so incredibly thankful for each and every one of you!
I also have numerous squadmates who are still short on their next deadline. I am taking orders through the end of November for calligraphy prints, and all of the proceeds will go towards their fundraising efforts. Check out my Instagram for samples! @evacranford
