If hearts could explode from happiness I think mine already would have multiple times since I’ve started this journey. I cannot express my overwhelming gratitude for all of the motivating and kind words, prayers and donations. The Lord has placed so many amazing souls in my life and every single bit of support counts. To the people who donated $10 to the people who have pledged monthly donations to the families and even anonymous people who have put me into shock with their generous donations. When I mean shock, I mean that my co-workers asked me, “Are you alright?” after I gasped staring at my computer screen, jaw dropped, eyes filling up with tears, just after getting a donation notification email. I’ve definitely ugly-cried tears of happiness witnessing how God has been showing up through all of you amazing people. Side-note: for those of you who don’t know what “ugly cry” is, please Google image it or see below for my personal favorites. You’re welcome.
When I started fundraising, I was honestly dreading it. Who wants to ask their friends and family for money? To my surprise fundraising has grown my relationship with the Lord by pushing me to put my complete trust in Him. I’m reading a book called, “The God Ask” that is incredibly motivating for mission fundraising. The author, Steve Shadrach recalls some advice a friend of his gave that changed his outlook on raising funds — “I am simply a mediator seeking to connect His people and His resources with His plan…”. To summarize, I should not be fearful when asking others to help support me, because I’m not asking them, this is a “God Ask”. I know that as long as the Lord is my focus and I continue to tenaciously prepare for this journey, the funds will come as God’s will allows.
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand” 1 Chronicles 29:14
After chatting with my World Race squad there have been some great fundraising ideas brought up and I can’t wait to get the ball rolling on the ones I’m planning to do.
First, this Wednesday 11/11 (TOMORROW) I’ll be all over social media promoting a “$11 for 11 in 11 on 11/11”. I know I know that’s a lot of elevens. World Racers just love the number eleven.
To break it down, I’m asking my social media friends to visit my blog and to donate just $11 on the 11th day of the 11th month (Tomorrow!) in support of my 11 month mission trip in 11 different countries. $11 can really add up ya’11
Second, is ADOPT-A-DAY! I am so so pumped about this one. A team member of mine did the math on how much each day of our trip would cost and it came out to about $50 a day. So you can now adopt any day during the World Race for $50 or even a week for $350! If you choose to adopt a day I’ll write your name on that day in the calendar and will document everything that I did on that day so you will know exactly what your money is doing. This is going to be so incredibly motivating for me to wake up in the morning and to see one of your names on my calendar and know that that day was thoughtfully paid for. I plan to do a blog post later this month that will some more info on this, but if you’re interested in adopting a day please let me know!
I’m in awe of everyone’s support and I cannot say thank you enough.
Forever grateful,
Sue
The teammate spotlight for this post is Jarren Templeton- I would sum Jarren up as “the bomb.com”.
She is finishing up her last semester at the University of Texas in San Antonio and will graduate in December with a degree in Psychology! She moved to San Antonio with her family and pastor to start Luminous church. I just love Jarren’s energy – she is always giving our team great motivational advice and I can tell she is surrounded by some amazing mentors. The fact that she has experience in growing a church from the beginning is so awesome and there’s no doubt that I will learn from her throughout our race! If you’re wanting to know more please check out Jarren’s Blog at: jarrentempleton.theworldrace.org
