When I applied for the World Race in February, the $18,200 fundraising goal seemed unattainable or extremely challenging at best. After my acceptance, I searched around for ideas to help me formulate a successful strategy to accomplish this task. I completed the required fundraising courses, read past racer’s blogs on the subject, and scrolled through Pinterest for inspiration. What I learned was that there is no perfect strategy to raise money. Some people send out letters or speak in churches while others hold event after event, sell merchandise and even their personal belongings to meet the financial deadlines. Realizing asking for help is not a strength of mine, I gave the fundraising process over to the Lord early on. I told Him I would do what He asked of me, but He was going to have to multiply my efforts. I would actively participate, but I placed the results in His hands.
I organized fundraisers, sent out letters, spoke at my church, sold a few items, and shared my story on social media. Many times these last nine months, I was discouraged, I didn’t want to post, I didn’t want to ask, but I did because He asked me to. He called me here. He used those times to teach me a lesson in obedience. He used people around me to answer my prayers. I was rewarded with an outpouring of support larger than I could ever have imagined. A cry of frustration and plea for provision were met with gifts small and large. He showed me all that I have to do is ask and be willing to work. The means and outcome are up to Him.
Since training camp, I have been praying specifically to be fully funded by the end of the year. This would ensure I didn’t have to worry about fundraising after I launch in January. In many ways, the Lord has been reminding me not to put Him in a box, to limit Him to what I believe is possible, probable, or doable. With a little over $2,500 left to raise, the Lord took care of it in one fell swoop without any effort from me. How amazing it is that the Creator of the world loves me, Ashley Elizabeth Smith, so much that He not only saw my need but handed it to me as a gift. It wasn’t something I earned. He gave it to me because He loves me and rewarded my obedience to His call. Out of all the people in the world, He heard my prayer and answered. I am so excited to announce I am fully funded and fully loved!!
Thank you all for the ways you have supported me through this process. Please continue to pray for me on my World Race journey. Subscribe to my blog. Follow along on social media. Leave a comment here and there with words of encouragement. Remember you are fully loved by HIM.
