“So what is this World Race thing you’re doing?” What, indeed?
Friends and their families have asked this same question about a hundred times since I returned to my hometown for the holidays a week ago. Every time I’m asked, my heart starts to race in excitement and I find myself word-vomiting about Christ’s call, my love for travel, the amazing opportunity to love with His love, and my anxieties about going and raising funds. I always think I say the wrong thing, or leave out something vitally important, or plainly fail to convey what this mission is actually about.
Yet, I never walk away from a conversation about The World Race without feeling deeply encouraged by the people I talk to about it. I’ve always had wonderful communities in my life, but as I begin this process, I am truly learning the power of what many of us can do together by following His will.
The biggest lesson has come through the process of fundraising. At first it seemed massively daunting. I tend to be more introverted (shocking, I know) so fundraising seemed like an incredibly awkward thing to do. Not only would I have to A) Talk to people I would need to B) Ask them for money. Yikes!
As I signed my support letters and stuffed envelopes, I found myself lost on Memory Lane, fondly reminiscing about the times I had with the people I was sending letters to. Many of them are people who have seen me grow up. Each and every one of them has touched my walk with Christ in some way.
More than once, I found myself weeping as I slowly began to realize how God used many, many people over many, many years to shape me into the woman I am today. And for the individuals I have already had the opportunity to meet face to face with, I felt such a familial love, even from people I haven’t seen in years.
God is the potter, and I am the clay (Isaiah 64:8) but for the first time in my life, I realized that it wasn’t this vast, ambiguous, creator God who made me, but an incredibly close God (Immanuel-God with us) who worked through individuals in my community to shape me into His creation.
That’s what fundraising is; community building. I am the product of many and through the support of many, I will be able to be creator God’s hands to touch the lives of others.
I’m grateful to have this lesson taught to me early because it has changed the way I view fundraising. It’s not about raising funds for me or my world race, but for God’s mission,something that vastly transcends me. I’m not asking people to give to me, but to God.
So here’s a short guide for my fellow World Racers who are nervous about fundraising:
1. Please remember that when you’re incredibly nervous to write those letters or start those conversations, it’s not about you. It’s about Him.
2. Be yourself, even if that self is a little awkward. I promise, nobody will laugh and your dreams about showing up in nothing but your underwear will not come true.
3. Allow The Lord to use the discomfort to teach you! I can guarantee that we will be experiencing lots of things outside our comfort zone while on the field, so might as well as start now.
4. Let the giving bless you, not make you feel guilt or more anxious. I’m still in the phase where every check I see show up in my account makes me cry because I’ve done nothing to earn this generosity. But then I am humbled because people see Christ through me and give to His mission on my behalf. I have nothing to feel bad about because it. is. not. about. me!
5. Lastly, remember that you’re not just collecting funds, but building a community! Let them love you and send that love right back!
God’s first attribute we see in The Bible is God as Creator. He values creation; I encourage you to embrace His creation of a community around you!
