According to the World Race guidelines and timeline of fundraising, I am behind.
Juggling life, finishing college, and raising $18,100 is not easy and I think it is beginning to show. The good news is I can finally count the assignments and tests left in the semester on one hand: history project, history paper, pauline epistles exam, history exam, and theology exam. I think I’m going to get through this and get to summer. However, once I finish school in a couple of weeks, the stress continues with fundraising.
I think the idea of fundraising is actually really overwhelming. I mean, I have fundraised before! I actually feel like I have been fundraising for two years straight because of my most recent trips to Thailand, Israel, and Costa Rica. But those trips were AT MOST $3,200. Now, I need to raise almost SIX TIMES that amount.
Also, that large amount of money does not include two round trip tickets to Atlanta, Georgia, which is where I will be going in October for a 2 week training camp and will be the starting point for when we set out in January. So that’s probably another 1000 bucks.
AND THEN… It ALSO doesn’t include all the gear I need for the trip. I took a trip to REI with my mom and tested out all the backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, flashlights, etc. I registered for all of the things I need for the race and the total amount of money they all at up to? Over $2,000.
I’m way in over my head.
I also had to recently quit my job in order to take care of myself a little bit. I was so reluctant to do that. “How can I not have a job for a period of time when I eventually need over $20,000?!?!”
I feel like there is a lot working against me here…
It’s times like these where I feel more like a burden and have to let the Lord tell me more truths to counteract those thoughts and feelings. That is A LOT of money my friends. He is the one that wants me on this trip, and He will eventually provide right? Amidst a tough season in my life, negative thoughts tend to rule my brain, but I am reminded that the Lord is so much more powerful! He is able, He is peace, He is mighty, He is good, He is a provider- I need those reminders EVERY DAY. And so, every day I try and fight the lies with all of those wonderful truths. It’s not always easy!
But let me say, that as overwhelming as it is, I am more than thrilled to see what God is going to do. To see him take nervous, anxious, worried, and unemployed Jamilyn and make a story that will glorify HIS name is going to be something worth watching. I hope you will follow along and become part of that story.
If you would like to support me on this trip of a lifetime and help make that big number a little smaller, click the donate button at the top of my blog and it will lead you to make a donation. ANYTHING from the extra change in your pocket, the money you were going to use to buy a latte, or the tips you made on one night… ANYTHING helps. You can choose to donate once, or make a monthly plan to continue to give generously to help me build the kingdom of God in these 11 countries.
Also, another thing I ask of you is encouragement. I’ve opened up about the negativity that I am fighting as I begin the early stages of fundraising and would love a team to help me fight it! Toss over your positivity and good thoughts and prayers my way!
And lastly, SOMEHOW I made time to make my first video blog (or vlog as they call it)! This video shows the beginning stages of my process of being a World Racer and allows me to answer some of the most frequently asked questions I have heard since I announced I was going.
–> Please ignore the fact that I changed my hair color amidst filming this video.
Thanks for reading! Thanks for watching!
With all my love,
Jamilyn
California friends, I will be in town May 10th-17th, so come find me at church, ask your questions, and I’d love to talk and tell you all about it!
