To think, I almost passed up the trip of a lifetime because of a single daunting word that spells out, fundraise. My teammates and I are all feeling the heavy weight of a $15,500 commitment that comes due in February 2013. But in the midst of all the stress and worry, the most prominent emotion I am feeling is humility. The World Race is so much bigger than me! It is not only a time for me to live out my dream, and follow a path I’ve been creating for myself. But perhaps more importantly, it is about living out a world mission alongside of all my supporters.
Going into the race, I asked God to teach me what real faith looks like, and He is giving me my first big lesson. He is challenging me to fearlessly reach out and tell people about my trip and in the meantime, be ready and open for the blessings that will come. When I first read that each racer would have to fundraise their own way, I thought this was a mere logistical matter. Never did I anticipate that fundraising was just as much a part of the race as the traveling and service components. Fundraising has been an incredible and unexpected blessing. It has given me the opportunity to reach out and thank all the people who have made a difference in my life and ask them to continue to walk with me. It has allowed me to invite strangers to join my journey and in the process, feel empowered. It has given me a reason to bring together all the people I love and utilize their many talents, in order to help support a goal of justice.
The words THANK YOU come nowhere close to expressing the level of gratitude I have for all the wonderful people in my life. Your generosity is truly inspiring. I wanted to take the time in at least one of my blog posts to express my many thanks for all you do and for being exactly who you are.
Here is a poster I have created that documents my fundraising progress so far. Because of the generosity of the people mentioned in this post and many more people working behind the scenes, I am already funded to go all the way to Tanzania! I hope you will continue to support me by telling everyone you know about my trip! I know with your help I can make it all the way to Ireland. THANK YOU AGAIN!
Laura Tinkler, my first donator and my little sister at heart. You and your family mean the world to me. Ya’ll helped keep me sane when the workload at Davidson seemed like too much to handle. Your selfless generosity touched my heart then and inspires me now. The fact that at such a young age you would, or even could, believe in both the mission of this program and in me so much so that you felt called to donate your own money continues to teach me lessons on the true definition of tithing.
Rita Baker, a close friend and a lifetime mentor, I cannot begin to thank you enough for giving me the courage to take this leap of faith. I came to you, wanting to hear that I could figure out some way to fundraise the money, and instead you told me something even better, that I was created to go on a trip like this. Thank you for always believing and encouraging my wildest dreams.
Davidson Farmers Market and Market Manager Courtney Spear: It takes no stretch of the imagination to see how the mission of the World Race and that of the DFM fall closely in line with one another; local people for local missions! Thank you again for allowing me to have a table at the market and for the opportunity to share my trip with the community. It has been incredible to watch the town of Davidson embrace this newer form of community support and I am glad that I was able to take a small part of this transformation.
Paoli United Methodist Church Family: I grew up with you. You taught me how to think, how to question, how to be a leader, and most of all how to show love to our great God. It is no wonder that after having a church family like you, that I am about to spend my next year being a missionary. You define the meaning of unconditional love. Not only did you guide me through my younger years, but you are walking right beside me as I bridge into young adulthood. Thank you for sponsoring me at the Car Show, for your marketing and presentation tips, for your canopy tent that kept me shaded during a Flea Market fundraiser, for your willingness to get pizza on a Thursday night, for honoring me with the position of your missionary over the next year, for choosing me as your support mission for VBS, for your generosity with individual and group donations, and for all the ways that you will continue to support my trip. I hope I can show the same level of love and kindness to those I meet next year, as you have always shown to me.
Good Samaritan Church: Thank you for allowing me to have a table at your annual Flea Market. I believe this was a clear sign of God hard at work, because he found a way to use one event to support several missions.
Seasons Pizza and the Frazer Franchise Owner George: Two weeks ago I had a fundraiser at Seasons Pizza, and I can’t thank you enough George for your overwhelming support. Not only were you willing to donate 20% of the proceeds from that night towards my service trip, but you allowed me to decorate the restaurant and stick around to talk to customers who wanted to know more about the program and where I’d be going. You made me feel like a part of your family and you better believe you will be seeing a lot more of me!
Shire Pharmaceutical, Scott Applebaum and Joanne Jones: Thank you for inviting me to come and speak to Scott's Regulatory Affairs Leadership team, the Compliance team, and the Legal team on Wednesday June 27, 2012. It was an honor to be able share a little bit about myself with people who care so much about making a difference in the lives of others that they have dedicated their occupation to doing just that. Thank you for the impact you have in this world and for supporting my journey.
Daddy and Sonia: Thank you for all your love and support over the years. It takes special parents to allow their daughter to travel the world and live in remote locations with little certainty of reliable communication. I am especially thankful for all the research you two have done to make sure I am both prepared and safe for my trip. (Dad a special thanks to you for bearing with me as our shopping escapades have turned into two-hour long ordeals…anyone who knows you also knows how much you loath shopping, so thank you so much again!).
Davidson College Friends: There is no end to the lengths true friends will go. I am so incredibly blessed! From collecting nick nacks from around your apartments for me to sell at the Davidson Farmer’s Market, to helping me make “home-made” bobby pins, to spending hours decorating posters, to baking cookies for me to sell, to sending me encouraging texts checking in on how fundraising is going, to even donating money that I know you don’t have much of, I cannot begin to tell you how much you mean to me. You not only accepted me for me, but rejoiced and celebrated it! You have all changed me for the better and I am so blessed to know that you will be in my life forever!
Great Valley Friends: From the dinners, the car wash, the yard sale, and so much more, you have gone up and above the call of duty for what is required of friends. You have loved me through the worst of times (yes I am referring to my tutu and tights days that I have apparently blocked from my mind) and are continuing to support me even as I prepare to leave you for the next year. It takes a special bond to remain best friends in the midst of going off to college, but we managed it! I love you guys so much and can't wait to see what God has in store for you all this coming year.
Grandparents: This truly is a family affair! You know the Lord is behind you when even your grandparents (who are nervous about your travels) jump on board to help with your fundraising efforts. Thank you Grandmom and Grandpop for scouring the streets in hopes for good loot for my impending yard sale AUGUST 11th from 8am to 5pm (couldn’t miss a chance to advertise!) Also, a big thanks to Grandmama for the beautifully, hand-stitched, one-of-a-kind scarves you made for me to sell.
If you are interested in purchasing one of these hot ticket items, they come in a variety of color patterns for just $15! Feel free to comment on this post if you’d like to buy one, just be sure to tell me what colors you are interested in and I can send you some photos of the scarves I have!
Frank Buatti, chef extraordinaire! It is a true blessing to watch you share your gift with the community you grew up in. I cannot begin to thank you enough for volunteering your time and talent and for your incredible friendship over the years! You have played such a critical role in my life and I am so blessed that you are taking such a huge part in the next step of my journey. Another shameless plug: FRIDAY JULY 13th, Frankie Buatti, certified culinary chef and current teacher at the Culinary Institute of America, will be cooking a three course meal from scratch! If you are interested in attending we are asking for a $30 donation for adults and $10 donation for kids. Please RSVP by emailing me at [email protected] by Monday July 9th and let me know if you would like the 6pm or 7pm seating. During the dinner, I will be giving a presentation about the program, about myself, and about the work I will be doing. I hope to see you there!
Mama, my biggest fan! I saved you for last, seeing as you are, and have always been, my partner in crime. Even as I write this, you are diligently working to finalize reservations for the big benefit dinner. It sounds cheesy to say, but I mean it, I am who I am because of you! I was blessed with a mother whose love knows no bounds, whose heart beats for the chance to serve others, and whose mind operates with the strong understanding that God has a hand in all of it. I count my blessings every day that I was fortunate enough to grow up under your example. You are the Lorelai to my Rory, and no matter how far away I am, I love you with all my heart and could never thank you enough for all you have done for me and for the person you are. How did I get so lucky?
