Preparing for this trip has shown me a lot! I am overwhelmed by the generosity and support I have from my friends and family! Asking for support has been difficult. It’s a struggle of thinking how much I can do it on my own or if I’m worthy of even asking for help. Yet again and again, friends have been sending me financial support that I didn’t expect. Honestly, I don’t know how I can thank thank them enough.
Two weeks ago I presented my world race at the church to our CU20 group. Part of the presentation was starting a fundraising campaign of spare change jars. Each jar has a different country that I will be serving in. You can take one home and fill it with spare change throughout the months. Half of the Jars (6 / 12) were taken after our service! I don’t even know who those people are as I didn’t see them grab it, but knowing that people took them home is very heartwarming. Someone even put a toonie in one of the leftover jars!
The week later, a person I just met gave me a card saying it was for me. When I opened the card and read it, I started crying. I was overcome with emotions of gratitude and care. The amount that person gave me was astounding. I couldn’t believe how much someone I barely knew had so much care for me.
In these last few months, I have been reminded of how fortunate and blessed I am. I’ve met so many wonderful people in my lifetime, and so many people who genuinely care. I have been so blessed to have a great career, and the opportunity to grow up in Vancouver and live in Montreal. Having a community of church friends that I can consider family. Those church friends have helped me through some dark times. I couldn’t thank them enough for being there for me. I also would like to thank all my close friends who helped me move my belongings and help sell my stuff in a massive garage sale in Vancouver when I moved to Montreal. I like to thank my friend Nathan Thomas for helping me sell all my camera gear. Your efforts in helping me out when I couldn’t do anything from Montreal is something that blew me away. I can’t believe I have friends like this.
My hope now is that I will be effective in helping others across the world. I struggle with the notion that I will not live up to people’s expectation on serving others in these countries. It’s a notion that isn’t all that bad though. I think it will drive me to make sure I focus on my main goal on this trip. With the extension of my friends and families support, I will help others and share the love of Jesus. That said, l understand that I can only do my best, and God will do the rest.
I’m already tearing up having to write this blog. I will always remember those who are backing me on this mission. Thank you all for journeying with me in this season of my life. I have less than 5 months to go before I launch. God bless you all!
