This is just going to be a quick little update post to share some huge news with you all. It will lack the formality of my usual posts, but I think this one deserves to have a little excitement in it… I am officially fully funded!! In order for you all to truly know how incredible this is, let me explain exactly what God did.
At the beginning of February, I was called to a meeting for people who were not fully funded yet. I was informed that I had $2,150 to raise in order to be fully funded. In addition to that dauntingly large amount of money, I was told that I needed to raise at least $1,100 by the end of the month in order to not be sent home. I sat there, my thoughts racing, with no clue how I would raise that much money while in the middle of rural India.
I sat there thinking, asking God what in the world He wanted me to do, and He said something very simple:
“I’m not done with you here yet. I will provide.”
Although I had no clue how He would do it, all I could do what put my trust in Him and believe that He would get me that money.
Understanding that He didn’t just want me to sit around waiting for Him to hand me the money, I started putting in work to the best of my ability, considering my location. I posted on Facebook, made blog posts, and even sent messages to people regarding donations (which, quite honestly, made me so uncomfortable). I continued my efforts, not seeing much fruit, but still trusting that God would provide.
I got a few smaller donations here and there, and while I was so grateful for them, I knew I needed so much more to reach my goal by the deadline. Then, suddenly, God stepped in, and in one day, I received $2,150!
I am still completely blown away by God’s goodness and faithfulness. I woke up and checked my Facebook messages and was informed that my brother and some of his co-workers (he works at a tattoo shop) wanted to donate to help me. The total amount of donations from them was $550, which meant I was over halfway to my end of the month goal.
I would just like to say, this donation in particular really shows God’s sense of humour. The fact that God used a bunch of tattoo artists from a shop called Deadgods Tattoo to get me fully funded makes me chuckle every time I think about it. God is so good! Also, if you’re ever in Portland and want an amazing tattoo, check out their shop! Okay, I’m done advertising for them now..
A little while later, my mom informed me that my incredibly generous and supportive aunt wanted to donate $1,000 to me! When I read that, I couldn’t believe it. $1,000!!! That would mean I only had $600 left to raise, and would for sure be going to Zambia! My gratitude for what the Lord was doing and for the incredible love and support of my family was overwhelming.
So, after finding out that I only had $600 left, I posted a blog post and excitedly added to the post that that was all I had left to raise. After making the post, I turned off the wifi and continued my day. A few hours later, I returned to check my email, and had an incredible surprise.
A kind, generous man from my church had donated the remaining $600! This meant that in one day, I had gone from possibly going home at the end of the month to being fully funded!! The situation was so incredibly unbelievable that it could be attributed to no one other than God.
So now, I would just like to say a big THANK YOU!!! Thank you to every single person who reads my blog posts! Thank you to every single person who has prayed for me along the way! Thank you for every single person who has donated to me! Just, THANK YOU! The support you all have given me has been overwhelming and heartwarming.
God is so good!!!
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.” ~ Luke 12:31
