“He Who Must Not Be Named.” I’m sure most of you know exactly what this is referring to. In the Harry Potter series, everyone feared the villain so much that they could not even speak his real name and instead resorted to calling him by this longer title. Oftentimes in the world of missions and full-time ministry, the scary or unspeakable word is…fundraising.
The process of fundraising has always been an uncomfortable and scary idea for me. No matter the amount or the reason – the idea of putting myself out there and asking people for money is not natural for me. I have only had to fundraise once in my life and I struggled to have the correct and Biblical mindset about what I was doing. What’s cool, though, is that my ideas surrounding raising support began to shift after I had to raise support for an internship in Oregon. I have since learned that fundraising is more then simply asking people for money. It is an invitation to become a partner in a mission. In Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples that when two or three people gather in his name, he will be there too. For me, it has become essential that I remember this verse as I go about the fundraising process. The simple truth that there is strength in numbers rings true with the idea about raising money and creating a support system. When people join together, they are placed in a better position to impact others and – above all – see the Lord change lives. Joining with people means you are now a part of something bigger than yourself and the end result will inevitably be incredible.
For the past 4 months, I have been asking people to partner with me as I prepare to leave on the World Race. It’s always a bit odd when people ask me how the fundraising process is going…I never quite know what to say. Typically I start with: “It has been great!” The follow-up question is usually: “Well, how much have you raised and what is your overall goal?” The answer to this question is usually met with concerned/worried looks – and suddenly I am catapulted from feeling “good” to feeling concerned…that I do not feel concerned! This can be a vicious cycle leaving me discouraged and struggling to trust the Lord with my finances for the World Race. This week, I specifically prayed that the Lord would break the cycle. That he would place a sound confidence in me that would not be shaken when others look at me with concern or panic.
The Lord has blessed my journey in so many ways already. Do I still think it is overwhelming and scary to raise over $16,000? Absolutely. However, I trust and believe that the Lord is more than capable. He is bigger than my hopes and my dreams. He is bigger than the $16,000 that I need to raise and if I am meant to go on this trip he will provide the funds. Where they will come from I do not know, but I will wait on the Lord and his timing. His timing, I know, is perfect.
As I think about these past four months, I realize that through this process I have seen and experienced so much goodness from the Lord. I have been blown away by the sheer generosity of friends. From the very first contribution I received (from a dear friend in the midst of planning her own wedding!) to a donor who is also in the midst of the fundraising process (whose generosity blew me away) to great friends moving across the country yet willing to sacrifice financially to help me live into this World Race calling…each and every gift remind me of the generosity of others and of the faithfulness of the Lord.
Quick update! I am so excited to announce that I am $85.00 away from my first “goal”! Compared to the final dollar amount I must reach, I certainly have a long way to go but the Lord has taught me so much about waiting and his perfect plan in an incredible way.
One last thought…I read Psalm 27 this past week and was struck by the last two verses:
I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and take heart
And wait for the Lord.
I read these last two verses over and over. I sensed the Lord telling me that this should be my answer when people ask how fundraising is going. These verses are so simple – yet so powerful and true.
Numbers 6:24-26,
KT (MP)
