Just four more short months and I will be moving to Thailand, then Malawi, and finally Guatemala! After applying for the World Race and then being accepted all you can think about is the excitement, and then reality hits in…
How am i supposed to raise that much money? What gear is the right gear? Wait how long am I going to be away from my family? Am I capable of this?!
We are only human, we can’t help but worry, and these past few months have already been teaching me a lot about trusting in the Lord. He is a good good Father and is always looking out for us.
On Easter Sunday I was sitting in the 9am service and heard the Lord speak to me about tithing 20% of my income to Him and he would provide what I need for the World Race. My initial thoughts? Woah that’s a lot of money that I could use for other things.. I couldn’t even remember the last time I tithed, but I knew I had to be obedient so I said okay. Payday would come around and I would forget or put it off until the next week. Putting off tithing went on for about a month and a half, but the Lord works in a funny way and He decided it was time to remind me that I need to be tithing. Thursday night (the day before payday) I was driving to dinner with my mom and a friend, and my mom randomly asked us if we were tithing and everything immediately clicked, “Crap. I really need to be tithing, this isn’t a joke.” Friday morning arrived and the first thing I did was get online and tithe 20% of my paycheck. The coolest part? I opened my email, not even a minute after tithing, and I had $1,050 come in as my first donations!! I dropped to my knees in tears and couldn’t do anything but thank the Lord over and over again.
When you experience a true encounter of provision from the Lord like that it’s so eye opening and you can’t really wrap your brain around what just happened. He is SO amazing!! Seeing the Lord begin to provide for me after being obedient gave me so much hope. There are moments where I begin to worry about other little details, I just have to remind myself to have faith and think of how much He has already provided.
Being connected with my team through group messages and social media has also been so encouraging. I’ve learned that I was not the only one stressing about funds, what to pack, etc. We have all become a family even before meeting, and everyone encourages each other every day in whatever our struggle is. I am beyond excited to embark on this 9 month journey and I can’t wait to see how the Lord works in our team on and off the field!
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:33-34
