Every time I tell someone new, or someone new hears the amazing news of what I am doing the reaction is largely the same. the order typically the same- Shock, excitement, worry and then one or more of the following questions or statements.
But how are YOU going to fund raise that kind of money?
What are YOU going to do when you get back to Canada?
What will YOU be doing over there?
That will be an amazing experience for YOU!
YOU are going to get killed over there!
These are totally reasonable questions/reactions and were not unexpected, in fact it does show a great care for my well being when asked. The thing that concerns me though is that they all revolve around me (hence the capitalizing on the word “you”), and not the actual mission. When the reality of this mission, is so much bigger than me. The last thing I want is this mission to be only about me. Yes some of the reasons, and aspects of this mission will grow me. but in the larger picture the personal growth is just a bonus part of the expedition.
So what is this missions about?
1. Its about the people I will interact with while over sea’s. They are the reason myself, and the entire rest of my team are going!
2. it’s about the great commission, furthering the Gospel message, and introducing people into a relationship with Jesus. -Its about Gods plan for the 10/40 window.
3. its about bringing people, and god into my (life) story and decisions.
This mission is firstly about the people me and my team will be interacting with over sea’s. The “least of these” or people who are the worst off in the 10/40 window are those in the greatest need in the largest number in the world! We are going there to enable, support, build up, edify, love and care for those people. to change their circumstances. we are going to the deepest, darkest, coldest, most lonely places in the world. to be a light. We are called to be light as Christians.
Matthew 5:14-16 explains it well when we think about our responsibility as Christians.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The point being we are a light, and we will not hide it, in fact we want it to shine bright. As TFK says “light shines brighter in the dark.” (huge TFK fan here). We are going, leaving what we know for these people. that they would know unconditional love that can only come from something greater than us.
Which brings me to reason number 2. It’s about the great commission, furthering the Gospel message, and introducing people into a relationship with Jesus. -Its about Gods plan for the 10/40 window.
God has wonderful plans. Plans for us to Prosper (Jeremiah 29:11). These people deserve that same hope that you and I have, that same knowledge that their father wants GOOD gifts for his children (Matthew 7:11).
Furthermore the people groups we will be interacting with is the largest percentage of people in the world that have never even heard of this, of Jesus, or the Gospel!No idea that they can be in relationship with the creator of the universe and creator of them. This is something I have an opportunity to be a vessel of.
I get the opportunity to give hope, and show them practically that God does have good gifts. To allow and offer them a relationship with Jesus, then watch Jesus transform their lives as he did mine! To show them that Jesus has power over the waves, the fish, evil, and more personally to show them that Jesus has power over their problems too. that all they must do is invite him into their life, and into the pain or problem in their life, then watch as Jesus does his good works in them, as my team and I share the Gospel with them. God has good plans for the 10/40 window. I have been given an opportunity to be the messenger of this hope. To be the instructor, teacher, and preacher of Jesus and his amazing Love, and sacrifice for us, so we may live.
Finally thirdly it is about bringing people, and god into my (life) story and decisions.
What does this mean? well one exciting thing it mean is that it is about YOU. yes YOU the person reading this. You are reading this likely due to curiosity, or support, or to see where I am at. but none the less it is about YOU too. YOU have an opportunity to join me! YOU have a choice to come alongside me, or to follow me. YOU have a choice to prayer for me or not. YOU have a choice to encourage me, or to simply watch.
One thing that is evident in this short fund raising time is that God wants me to invite people to join me, come alongside me. Because by supporting me financially, praying for me, or offering your resources you are becoming a part of my story! Because fundraising is just as much a part of the World race, as the traveling is itself. I already have enough stories of people coming alongside me to fill a book! You may think you have nothing to offer, but you do! Prayers are huge, 5 dollars is huge, your abilities are huge! I have had a photographer, graphic designer friend come alongside me by offering his talents (as you can tell from my photo’s, and fund raising card he is quite skilled at it). I have a cousin from British Columbia who is going to help me sell t shirts! My friend works at flight center and is helping me get affordable plane tickets.I am currently building up a team of people to pray for me! YOU always have something to offer, should you choose.
But how is that by donating, or helping me out that you are a part of the story? Because the story is not possible without that support. An Olympic athlete is not possible without his/her coach, training, encouraging parent, mental drive, or financial support. thus all those who take part in that are a part of that story. So in a very real way I do ask. Do you want to be a part of my story!? Because you can. Consider this your invitation to join me!
I also get to invite God into my life. all of it. This time of fund raising is part of my training. As it means I have to lean on him for my fund raising provision daily, to reach my daily and weekly goals. trusting that every day and week he will put it in someones willing heart, to donate to the world race so I can go and be a part of something bigger than me! I get to invite him to join me even more daily, It has already been exciting, and nail biting. But he has come through time and time again. I cannot wait to see what he does next.
This mission is about so much more than me, the reality of what I am a part of is overwhelming, and amazing. I simply hope I can steward the opportunity well, and be a vessel of love and light, for the world of darkness I am about to enter into.
CAPTION: I am going. To a place unknown, with only one thing I know. Love. The love of my Father that is unconditional, healing, overcoming, kind, merciful, the kind of love that can turn a broken repentant heart into a new creation. That seeks the face of the Father. A new heart that is overflowing with grace, mercy, and the love of our savior.
