I never thought I would say this, but I LOVE SUPPORT RAISING! Most people absolutely dread raising financial support to go out on the mission field. They don't like sending out letters or asking people for money. I understand that. I've raised support for three mission trips before this one and it has never been my favorite part of missions. This time, however, has been completely different. I cannot believe how much fun I am having with this!
Here are a few reasons I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to raise $15,500 in financial support:
1. I get to see God provide in a new and very big way. The Lord is showing me that if I am obedient to what He asks of me, He will personally provide for all of my needs. For many people, the first year out of college brings financial hardship and a serious reality check about how much money they need to survive. In my first year out of college, however, I am able to encounter the power of Jehovah Jireh (The God Who Provides) as He provides my living and travel expenses for an entire year. This is building a foundation of trust in the Lord that I will rest upon for the remainder of my life. If God calls me to do something, He will absolutely provide for my needs. It is one thing to believe this with your mind and another thing altogether to experience it first hand.
2. I get to experience crying tears of gratitude and joy. In just the three weeks I have been raising support, I have been absolutely overwhelmed at the response and generosity of people around me. I have jumped up and down. I have danced. I have shouted. I have been left speechless. I have cried. I am newly amazed each day at the donations coming in and I am so thankful for the opportunity to experience God's provision and His people's selflesness day after day after day.
3. I get to invite other people on the greatest adventure I could possibly imagine! When I send support letters, I'm not simply asking people for money. I'm inviting them to come alongside me as I carry the gospel to 11 different countries. I get excited about sharing this trip with others! I truly believe that when someone supports me, this world race belongs to them just as much as it belongs to me. God has asked me to be the hands and feet in this ministry, but my role is no more important than the role of those who are obedient to give and send me out. We all become one team and share one ministry; my supporters impact "the least of these" just as much as I do!
4. I get to learn a lesson in generosity. As I see others give money above and beyond anything I would have expected, God reminds me that my money is not my own. He has called me to give to others just as my supporters have given to me. Each of you who donate are teaching me an important lesson in selflessness and generosity. As a result, God is moving me to financially support others in need, and that allows me to receive the blessing of being a part of their ministries, too! Thank you for being open to God's direction for how much to give– you're reminding me that I am called to do the same!
5. I get to experience the love of the body of Christ. God is providing by moving in the hearts of people who love Him to donate. I've seen the church come together to bless other ministries in powerful ways before, but this time, I get to be the recipient of Christians' love and generosity! What a unique and humbling opportunity!
6. I get a really cool chance to brag on Jesus! I get to be a personal testimony to His love, power, and provision! In fact, let me use this time to do a little bragging on how good my God is…
In three weeks, I have raised $4,242.65. This is more than I have raised TOTAL for all of my past (3) mission trips. IN JUST THREE WEEKS! In addition, every dime of this came BEFORE sending out my first support letter! Plus, almost every supporter has been a first-timer! These are people who did not donate to my past mission trips but are excited to join my team for this one. I have also been excited about the response I've gotten on Facebook in the last couple of days as I have requested addresses for support letters. I have barely made any progress on sending letters to my list of past supporters because I can hardly keep up with mailing letters to "first-time" supporters requesting them! This is such a cool problem to have! Some of these people barely even know me and yet they want to come beside me in this ministry to the lost around the world. God is calling people from all over to join in this ministry, and I know He is going to bless each giver for blessing me. I am so amazed at God's power to move people to give without my help. Without the help of support letters or fundraisers or public speaking appointments, God has provided over 27% of the funds for my trip… in less than a month! He is a good Father who gives good gifts to His children. My heart is so full as He continues to pour out His love on me through the generosity of His children.
I am so deeply thankful…
…for the chance to see God provide.
…for the generosity of each of you.
…for the opportunity to keep up this blog and share God's goodness with anyone who follows it.
…for the blessed calling to be His hands and feet in this ministry.
…for information cards that allow me to invite 700 people to come follow my blog and watch what God can do.
…for divine appointments with people who God wants me to invite along on this race.
…for friends and family who are excited about the expansion of the Kingdom.
…for people who pray for me.
…for a God who answers those prayers.
…for peace and joy in the face of what would be a very daunting task without my God.
Would you like a letter? I'm having a blast listening to music, sitting at my kitchen table, and sending out these invitations to ministry. If you want to hear more about this exciting opportunity, click "contact me" on the left hand side of this page and shoot me an email with your mailing address. I'll put your letter in the mail pronto!
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I still have to raise $11,257.35 to cover the cost for this trip. If God lays it on your heart to help send me out by supporting me financially, click "Support Me" on the left to make a tax-deductible donation. Or, cut out the 3% online processing fee by writing a check to "Adventures in Missions" with "WARDKALEIGH" in the info line and mailing it to:
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
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