After all of the excitement of being accepted and after hours of reading world race alumni stories and looking at their pictures of them petting tigers, riding elephants, and bungee jumping off Victoria Falls, the reality of the world race becomes very real, very fast. It’s a bit overwhelming thinking about how I am going to raise $15,000 in 8 months, especially because I can’t plan anything to save my life. Fundraising is scary word and when I tell people how much money this trip is, I get two responses, “oh that’s not too bad,” or “oh boy what are you going to do?”
Three years ago, my little 14 year old self decided to go to Africa. The decision came pretty natural if that makes sense, like it wasn’t a hard for me to say no. I didn’t even think about the diseases or vicious animals or how much money it would be, I just knew I needed to go so I said yes. The realization of the cost eventually caught up with my family mostly, and it was scary. I was oblivious of the weight of the cost and how hard I needed to work to get it, and I still get like that, but I guess my child-like faith and my wonderful, mercy filled God saved me. The day after I agreed to go and word got around, someone from my church anonymously paid for my entire trip which was $4000. Craziest thing in my whole life. It was so unexpected and I was so unbelievably filled with joy and it was the greatest feeling in the world. I absolutely don’t deserve this kind of love, yet He gives it to me anyway.
I fell in love with Kenya and I had to go back the next year. So, I said yes again and I had another miracle. Another person from my church anonymously paid for my entire trip. It was a different person from the first time, too. If either of you guys are reading this, I still can’t thank you enough, you’re the bomb.com and thank you for making my dreams come true.
And then I went a third time (surprising, right?) this time someone did not pay for my entire trip but it was still a miracle that I received all of the money to go. I did fundraisers and did garage sales and the result was truly amazing. The most generous people supported and donated to me.
When I was in Kenya my third time, we went to a church in the bush and they asked us to introduce ourselves and share a word with the people and immediately I was reminded of Malachi 3:10-11 . It says “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, ”says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” I remembered one of the pastors at my church back in America told us to be bold enough to test God and seek after Him because if we did, He would do more amazing things than we could ever dream of. I tested Him three times, and all three times He did miracles. Sometimes we just have to believe that financial miracles actually can happen to us, or any type of miracle, even if we feel we don’t deserve it.
I test Him every day now, and He always comes through. And He tests me, and I try my best. I need more support now than I ever have before. I need help to reach my goal before I leave for this 9 month journey so I appreciate any support, even if you can’t donate. If you are interested and want to know more, I can meet up with you or call you to explain more about it, just let me know!
#stressedbutblessed
