HEY BEAUTIFUL PPL! After everything recently raised is processed, I will be at about $13,000 funded! That’s over 70%! What an incredible journey it has been so far in the fundraising process. I have learned so much about God’s character and his generosity, and how He uses the body of Christ to come together and send people to fulfill the Great Commission.
Some lessons I have learned about fundraising so far:
- It doesn’t have to be yucky! When I first started raising support for the World Race, I felt like I was placing a burden on my friends and family. This is sinful! My pride was getting the best of me; I have never liked asking anyone for anything and this was something completely out of my comfort zone. I was not believing in God’s goodness. However, God showed me that I can be joyful in asking others for support because ultimately I am not asking people for money – I am asking God. And that’s easy! Asking God for things according to His will and what He has called us to do can come naturally for believers; we are free to approach His throne because of our new identities in Christ!
- God is glorified in fundraising. Gosh, I can’t stress this enough. He has showered me with unconditional love and grace. He has created and strengthened relationships with other believers that would not have happened if it weren’t for me reaching out and asking for help. I am eternally grateful for the generosity of my friends and family and my mind is constantly being blown. My heart and love for others has grown in new ways. Being able to tell others about the World Race and why I want to do it has motivated me more and more each day. As the money comes in, God continues to show me that this is what He wants for me. How can I doubt Him when He has raised nearly $13,000 in a matter of 5 months? How can I doubt Him period?
- Getting out of your comfort zone is ALWAYS a good thing. (Which is good to know, since I’m about to be much more out of my comfort zone in my months serving overseas in the near future!) I have realized more and more that God pushes us to do things we aren’t normally comfortable with in order to establish better trust and intimacy with Him. I have seen firsthand that trusting the Lord to help me through an uncomfortable situation and seeing Him work through it creates a greater love for Him and desire to experience Him more. We cling to the Lord most during times of suffering, worry, stress, discomfort, and sadness. He uses the fallenness of the world to bring us closer to Him. Oh, how He loves us!!!! He is made PERFECT in our weakness!
I just want to THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU for all donations made towards my trip, no matter the amount! Your love shown towards me has made me love God more, and isn’t that the point of this whole thing? I love you all so much. Please pray for me in the days to come. I leave for training camp in a little less than 2 months, and I leave for the Race in a little over 4! It is really starting to sink in!
God is faithful. To the ends of the Earth!! ~~
