You know what’s a big number? $16,267.00.
In order to leave fully funded on September 1, 2015 that is the amount of money I have to raise to participate in the World Race. That cost also doesn’t include the money necessary to purchase my return flight back home to Swaziland after the Race and all the essential gear I need to travel the world for 11 months. This was going to be my first time fundraising for anything so I can easily say when I found out I got in, I was sweating.
But thank the Lord for His grace.
The first thing I did when I began this process of fundraising was write down 7 Biblical promises of God’s provision and was instantly filled with His reassuring peace that this was exactly what He wanted me to do and that He would provide. Here are a few of my favourites:
John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
The fundraising process has been incredibly challenging, rewarding, frustrating and eye-opening. It revealed a lot of insecurities I didn’t even know I had. I found myself thinking, “I don’t want people to feel like I’m bothering them”, “Am I worth the money I’m asking for?” and “I don’t want to seem like I’m begging for money.” But praise God, He has been working on my heart and teaching me that this is a partnership process, Jesus has already paid the ultimate price for me and continues to humble me with His grace and provision.
Independence has been so deeply ingrained in our culture that it makes asking for anything seem weak. And yet, nature and many other cultures depend on interdependence. Flowers need bees. Sharks need pilot fish. Birds need trees. All interdependent. The African concept of Ubuntu captures the essence of depending on one another. Ubuntu means “I am, because you are.” The success of any individual, depends on the success of the whole group.
More importantly, fundraising for missions is a biblical concept and at the heart of it all is that dependency increases intimacy. Leaning on God has taught me so much about His love, His grace, His provision and His protection. Sharing my story with others and inviting people to join my financial partner team has been an incredibly humbling experience. I have gotten an entire spectrum of reactions from “You’re doing what?!” to “I’m so proud” and “You go girl!” But I rest in knowing that the arm of the Lord is not short, my true value is in Him and His track record with me is perfect.
In only 2 weeks of fundraising, I have raised $2,065 and though I still have a long way to go, I am so thankful for people like you who have chosen to partner with me financially and the invitation remains open to others who want to take part in this adventure.
So throughout this journey, I remain confident in this: God is bigger than $16,267.00.
