You know that person on social media that is always trying to sell their junk to you? That lady on Facebook who keeps clogging up your feed with makeup tutorials and diet pills. Or the dude on Instagram and Twitter trying to get money so he can do the startup on a business he SWEARS will make him rich!! To be honest, sometimes it is really easy to get frustrated with people who are continually bothering you to contribute to their latest life scheme. We have always said, “That will never be us. We would NEVER do something that we couldn’t fully support!”
Until now.
Sorry, but this has to happen…
To be honest, asking others for money is not fun. Not fun AT ALL. So why in the world are we doing it??
The reason you have seen (and will continue to see) so many letters from us, in addition to phone calls, Facebook posts, and tweets about supporting us on the World Race is because WE CAN’T DO THIS ON OUR OWN. There. We said it.
We simply cannot do this on our own. When God called us to the World Race He definitely didn’t call us to a year of comfort on the mission field!
Leaving the U.S. for a year to help those in need? We can do it.
Living out of a backpack for a year? Yeah, we can make it work.
Sleeping in a tent in various places around the world? Ummm…I guess we can. Yep. We will make it.
Earn/Raise $36,200 by January? NO WAY!! How in the world could two 22-year olds do a thing like that? The answer is: We can’t.
WHERE ARE WE NOW?
So now, we are in an uncomfortable place we have never been before. We are truly trusting God that He will provide for us in a way that we never thought possible. If He calls us to something, we trust Him to provide. We have been extremely blessed to have recently returned to America, landing three different jobs (with employers who are okay with us leaving in January for the Race).
Through the help of friends and family members we have a place to stay, cars to drive to and from work, and we have already raised over $8,000 toward our goal! Both of us have very supportive home churches, and are now part of an amazing church who is already showing support for our mission. The Lord is doing a great work in our lives now, and we have learned that if we trust in Him, He will remain faithful to us.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding,
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. You can DONATE. We still have $28,000 to raise, and only 6 months to do it. It is a HUGE goal and you may be there person that God wants to use to help support us. Something God has been revealing to us in our lives recently is that many times WE are the ones that the Lord wants to use to do something awesome for someone else. Whether it’s an encouraging word, a listening ear, or financial assistance for a person in need, God can and will use you in the life of someone else if you will let Him.
That brings us to our next point.
2. You can PRAY. Prayer is so important. Please please please don’t just give us a bunch of money “cuz it’s the right thing to do”. Please pray about it. Pray for the lives that will be impacted around the world next year, both physically and spiritually. Pray for the churches in need on the other side of the globe who are eagerly awaiting a fresh group of believers to come to their aid in support of local ministry. The money you support us with will be used for a PURPOSE and we want you to be praying as you give, knowing that the Kingdom of God will be furthered, and the love of Jesus will be shown around the world as a result of your support.
3. You can SHARE our journey with your friends! You know people that we don’t. Maybe someone who is looking for a cause to give to, or a way to support missionaries around the world. You have an ability to reach others that we don’t even know, so whether its just passing along our support letter, or sharing this post with your friends, we will greatly appreciate any networking you can do on our behalf!
So there you have it. It’s not pretty. It’s not easy. But from now on, when you see us posting a million things about the World Race on Facebook, and tweeting and “instagramming” all the crazy fundraiser ideas we have coming up. Just know that we are doing it for a reason, and we desire your support!
