*Fundraising Update*
I’ve been talking about going on this trip for over five years now, and without fail, one of the first questions I always get asked when I explain it is, “How much does it cost?” To be honest, it was one of my first questions when I first heard about it as well. However, where a majority of people have had the same reaction – shock at the cost and doubt about the possibility of raising that much – I was not dissuaded. If anything, I became more and more encouraged to prove that it was possible.
I never once considered not applying because the cost made me nervous, and, now that I have started the process, I have never once considered backing out because of the challenge. As it was put to me recently by one of my supporters, if God brought me this far, He’s going to bring me the rest of the way. This is by no means to say that I can just sit back and expect the money to come rolling in. Far from it! This is going to be hard work! But, as I said in my last post, and will keep saying throughout this journey, I am so excited to see how God works through this whole experience, and who He moves to come alongside me.
Two weeks ago, I was meeting with a family friend who was hearing about this trip for the first time. He told me that this is exactly what he has been waiting for from me. He has always been an enthusiastic supporter of my mission trips in the past, and has loved hearing about my experiences both on those trips and as I have studied abroad all over the world. This, though, is what it has all been building towards, and what God has been preparing me for through every place I have traveled. Hearing that, and knowing that he would continue to support me in the months to come, has been the highlight of the journey so far.
So many other people have already been moved to support me as well, and it has been the biggest encouragement in the world! After just a month of sending out letters and meeting with people who I’ve known for years to share about this opportunity, I have already raised over $3000 in pledges from monthly sponsors. If that isn’t an example of God showing me that this is possible, I don’t know what is. I am in the stage right now where I am looking for more of these partners to keep this journey in their prayers, and to sponsor me on a monthly basis, starting as soon as possible, at whatever amount best fits their budgets. You can choose your own amount, and your own end date to the sponsorship, but my personal deadline for all of my funding is April 2019.
To be sure, I still have a long way to go. Every time I send out a round of support letters, I think of a dozen more people I want to reach out to. Every time I meet in person with someone, I come away with a few more meetings I want to set up. Every time I talk about this trip, I get more and more excited. I have been blown away by the amount of excitement and encouragement I have gotten out of every conversation. Several people have even continued on to share it with more people I don’t even know!
I know I’m only a month in, and God still has plenty left to teach me along the way, but I know without a doubt that I’m right where I need to be.
