it has been a hot minute since i’ve updated you all on where i am and how i’ve been doing throughout this journey of preparing for the race. it has definitely been a roller coaster of emotions for me, but it has been so beautiful to see how the Lord’s faithfulness is working in my life. (:
soon after i got accepted and announced to my friends and family about the journey i am about to embark on, i walked into a really really dry season. it was really hard for me to be consistent with the lord and my heart was starting to become stale to the encouragement and support that i was receiving. i was becoming very distracted by school and anything that made me anxious. i also tend to be really bad at overthinking things that i fear, so that kept me super distracted as well. i wouldn’t say fundraising was a problem for me, in fact, i’ve been extremely blessed to receive many donations to keep me more than steady. though it wasn’t a problem, the enemy did a great job at making me believe that it was. that i wouldn’t get funded and that it would be almost impossible to raise all $15,800 on my own. not only that, the enemy fed my thoughts with lies and insecurities.
– “maybe i’m not really called to do this.”
– “why me?”
– “there’s no way i can do this”
– “i am not qualified or worthy of this.”
as i was going through this season of doubt, an opportunity for a huge donation came to me. it was a lot to take in and i was extremely thankful that i was even taken into consideration. so i sat with the lord and handed everything to him. my anxiety, my desire to want to be in control, or the desire to know every detail about every step. gave it all to him and let him take control and guide. i wasn’t sure how the donation was going to work or how much i was going to get but i knew it was going to be a huge blessing.
within about a month and a half or so, i got some of the most exciting news.. without having to do a thing, just sit and wait for the lord to do his work. i had received the remainder of my funds to be fully funded. FULLY ! FUNDED ! i could not believe it. the lord revealed to me, once again, that he is a way maker, miracle worker, and promise keeper. i always get caught up in focusing on my own strength and trying to accomplish things on my own, i soon get drained and feel unable to do anything. and just when i was starting to doubt this calling, the lord came in and proved to me that i’m right where he wants me and provided me all of my funds. this whole experience is truly so so humbling. i am no where near worthy to go out and share his perfect love story and i am no way qualified, but it is by his grace in which he will qualify me and allow me to be a broken vessel in a broken world to share about his love that he so freely gives.
this journey so far, has consisted of fully trusting and surrendering to the lord to let the work of his kingdom be done. i’ll be honest and say that its still not easy. i still fear things of the future that are completely out of my control, but i’m improving each day. i will say, that i am now more confident in knowing that the race is for me and the lord always keeps his promises.
“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” – Isaiah 58:11
though i am fully funded, there are still ways that you can keep supporting me. i still have to collect all of my gear and pay for flights to and from the Adventures in Missions head quarters in Georgia for training camp and launch. I also hope to help my parents raise money for when they get to come on the field with me for the Parent Vision Trip which won’t happen until about month 6. i may do about 2 more fundraisers solely for those purposes, so keep a look out for that. if you ever feel led to donate, just remember that my blog will no longer accept donations, so you can do so by writing checks out to me, sending to my venmo or just contact me and my family and i will keep any donations in a safe account for the race. and of course, the most appreciated support i could ever receive, is always prayer. pray for my team and i, our hearts to be opened, the countries in which are being prepared for us, safe travels always, and anything and everything that the lord puts on your heart.
thank you thank you all for the constant support and for walking along side me. the lord is moving each and every day and we are getting so much closer to hitting the field. i cannot wait for this exciting time!!
with lots of love,
anahi
