“It Can’t Be Done…”

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Fundraising; we all know what that word does to us emotionally (and maybe physically). It is almost always associated with negativity.

As the new individual who must fundraise, it is easy to groan and contemplate putting in your own money (or playing the lottery) to avoid imposing, “begging,” or selling items/services that no one wants. We tend to weigh the lack of convenience to the benefit/outcome of the dreaded fundraising. As the one who is approached, we all know the routine of making sure the porch light is off when we see someone walking toward the house, or we make other excuses for why we cannot contribute.

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Let me begin by saying I truly believe we are not all called to give in the same ways, nor are we called to give to everything!

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The following is some insight to my fundraising journey:

• July 26, 2015 – I was accepted to the World Race
• September 25, 2015 – First financial deadline of $3,900

“It can’t be done,” I thought. Within my acceptance phone call, I was already asking the AIM representative how strict the deadline was. I saw it as impossible!

I viewed AIM’s “Biblical Study in Preparation for Fundraising” and it truly affected my heart. Every emotion I was feeling (pride, anxiety/worry, fear, etc.) was addressed. I learned fundraising is something I have clearly acknowledged cannot be done  – not on my own – and, therefore, I KNOW that any fruit from this is all from Him. Fundraising becomes a medium for me to pray and rely on my Father to fulfill His promises. He called me to this mission with a clear vision and a heart to serve and grow, and He knows how it will all be accomplished.

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Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat–for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127: 1-2

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I opened my mouth and shared the testimony of God moving in my life with a handful of people (even in my doubts) and the Lord was good. He had already prepared their hearts! I received $2,000 from one donor only a week or two after my acceptance. I continued to share with others, received various donations and I saw His abundance and His promises through each of the gifts.

I was only a few weeks away from the first deadline and I still had approximately $1,000 to raise and my fundraisers (dinner, t-shirts, etc.) would not be in place until after the first deadline. I felt like Peter stepping out on to the water toward Jesus, seeing the waves, and immediately sinking from the defeat I felt.

“It can’t be done,” I thought.

I was at church and someone noticed my fundraisers were after my first deadline and they donated $1,000 to this mission. My fundraising goal was surpassed within ONE MONTH. To put this in perspective, this was done in half the time of the time frame I deemed impossible! OUR GOD IS AMAZING!

“Well, this confirmed it! I am going!” I was not amazed by this gesture to the point of tears (as I was with the first large gift), because I saw this as proof that GOD CAN DO IT! I could only smile and really, I was on the verge of laughing because I am sure Daddy was looking down on me and saying, “My dear child, if you only knew what I have planned…”

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I share this with you to say God still does the impossible. It is not limited to the Biblical times – We have a living God who cares for us and loves us and fulfills His promises! I am still amazed by what He has done in my life, already!

My next deadline is $10,000 by December 18, 2015. We are halfway there!

• If you feel called to give any amount (including $1), please consider giving!
• If you feel called to pray, please join me in that! This is THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!
• If you feel called to share about this journey with others, please share it!
• If you feel called to wait, please do so!

We are all called to support the Kingdom in different ways, and all I ask is that you prayerfully consider listening to that calling 🙂