Hello Everyone!
I wanted to first start off by saying welcome to my blog! I am so beyond excited that you are here and that you are reading this. It is only the beginning of my journey in my ministry and I feel beyond blessing. It hasn’t all been that easy, but God is providing amazing people like you to encourage, support, pray, and show God’s love towards me. Which I am so very blessed for.
I wanted to start my first blog with things that I have learned so far this past month, what God is doing in me, where I am at (spiritually, emotionally, physically, etc.), and just general updates on my fundraising process so far. I have just recently finished my fundraising courses which basically taught me how to fundraise, importance of fundraising, why we fundraise, etc. It was super helpful! Honestly, I was pretty nervous going into this process since I haven’t experience fundraising on a big scale like this. Hence, I didn’t know anything about fundraising, but God showed up. God has been teaching me what fundraising is, what it is not, what God’s purpose and plans for his people are, and the importance of community.
God has been showing me that fundraising IS:
1) Building and connecting with the community of God
2) An invitation for people to grow with God
3) An opportunity to serve God and support his plan
4) A test for God’s goodness
5) A tool used for building my trust in God
God has also been showing me what fundraising is NOT:
1) All about the money
2) Something to feel guilty about
3) Not the most important lesson learned
4) Is easy
5) Is not a big deal
6) Something that comes naturally
These are things that God has been revealing about fundraising to me over the past month. It really shocked me because I didn’t think there was so much that goes into fundraising but I also didn’t realize how community, faith, and serving based this process is. I have been also realizing that Jesus and his disciples were missionaries and, in there own way, fundraised. All throughout the gospels Jesus and his disciples go to different towns and cities to preach the Good News, do the work of God, and help others. Which I didn’t really realize until after I read the gospels. In Matthew 10: 7-14, Jesus commands his disciples to go on the mission field and do some kind of fundraising. When I think of fundraising I think of people giving money to help someone for something, but that was not the case back then. Instead God told his disciples to leave all of their money and belongings behind. Instead the type of fundraising that they did had nothing to do with money but everything to do with resources. People provided His disciples with a place to stay, food, and even clothing. How amazing! This is a test of the disciples and the community of people’s true faith. Not to mention how God worked through His disciples. God told them that they have the power to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, etc. Which is a reminder to me that not only is God powerful but God’s plan for my life and what he is going to do through His people is powerful. I am in awe of what God can do through His people! He has each given us gifts and the power of the Holy Spirit inside of us to do miraculous things. God is always reminding me that he puts a piece of himself into each one of us (Romans 12:4-5). We all work together to accomplish his will, it’s not about a one man show. Because of this knowledge and important ideas he is revealing to me through the Bible I feel as if I have a better understanding of community. I feel as if I also appreciate community more as well. God is also breaking down my walls of guilt from my past, revealing more of my identity in him, and breaking down areas of my heart. Emotionally it has been hard sometimes to let God chip away bitterness, impatience, and pain but it has also been reviving. I feel as though everyday God is shaping me more like him and I am starting to see what God sees in me. I feel like a new person! Physically this process can be also tiring and a lot of work. Like I said before I didn’t think fundraising and going on this mission trip would be a lot of work. Well maybe I knew it was going to be some work but it over exceeded my expectations. Sometimes I find myself physically exhausted from stressing out, planning, and worrying so much about what is going to happen this next year before I leave. God is also breaking those walls down too. He is reminding me that this is not my fight or plan that it is his. He is also showing me the importance of just being present and letting Him do all the work. Granted I have to do my part but all in all this is God’s plan, God’s work, and God’s timing. It’s so interesting and strange to see how much God is transforming my heart, my mind, and my soul in ways I have never expected. I knew God is going to change me but I didn’t realize or expect it to be this much. I couldn’t feel more blessed though for all of it. With a change of the self comes a realization of God’s blessings and wonder.
Even though I feel as though God is doing so much in me to change me I know that this is only the beginning. Again I thank all of you for taking the time to read about my thoughts, feelings, and what God is showing me. I am also so thankful for your involvement in not only my ministry but God’s plan. I’m so excited and blessed to invite you to come with me on this journey! Thank you all for your love, support, and encouragement. Throughout this whole process and even on the field I plan to pour out my heart to you and share everything that God is doing!
Much Love,
Courtney A
