I am in awe. I am writing this from the field because of your kindness and generosity. I am still on the World Race. I am not going home early. I will finish the Race!!!!!!!!!!!!
About a month ago, I got an email saying I had an ultimate financial deadline I had to reach, otherwise I would be getting an early return flight home. I had two weeks to raise $1,000, and ten days after that to raise an additional $1,000. I wrote the blogs and sent the messages, but deep down I felt maybe my time on the Race was going to be over sooner than anticipated.
Cue the awe. A few days after I began the intense fundraising process, hundreds of dollars were coming in from people I knew, people I hadn’t talked to in years, people I’d never met, and anonymous donors. I was speechless and often so shocked that I would just break down laughing.
One of the things I learned in Cambodia is that we often like to pretend we’re in a season in which we’re not. We’re constantly daydreaming about the next stage of our lives and we lose sight of the beauty of the present. I began planning my early return as soon as I got that email from AIM and because of that missed out on being present during my first few weeks in Cambodia. I subconsciously distanced myself from my team in preparation for leaving, which negatively affected the first half of my seventh month.
God provided. As soon as I realized that I was meant to stay on the Race and was not going home early, my attitude in ministry switched. I began forgetting about my plans and I instead began to focus on the season I was in: I am on the World Race, and until I am on a return flight home I am going to give 100% of myself into this season. Simply acknowledging this in my head and acting upon it turned my month around, and it made Cambodia one of my favorite countries on the Race thus far.
I am grateful. I was able to reach and surpass my July 31st deadline; I am now only about $2,600 away from being fully funded, and $1,400 away from my new August 31st deadline. We already arrived in the beautiful country of Malaysia and I am ready to take on these last four months of the World Race and pour in all I’ve got. Will you come alongside me and support me in this journey?
Love,
Raquel
