I want to tell you a story of God’s INCREDIBLE provision! But first let’s talk a little bit about fundraising…
Fundraising, it is not my favorite thing. I’m going to be real honest and tell you that I’ve been struggling with it! Maybe you can relate, but it is so hard for me to ask people for help when it comes to something for myself. If someone else is in need or it’s for a good cause, I can stand behind that all day long! I love to rally, advocate, and have no issue raising funds for others. But asking for money for myself, is HARD. I’ve never really had to do it and it has honestly been one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. Totally outside of my comfort zone!
Back when I first started entertaining the idea of this trip almost a year ago, I was not planning on doing ANY fundraising. If you know me, you probably know that I am extremely independent and self sufficient. So I thought that I would get an extra job, take from my savings, and just find a way make it work. All by myself. What I wasn’t expecting was God telling me that He didn’t want to me to do it all by myself. He wanted me to learn to RELY on Him and trust Him to be my provider. Over the course of months God started to tear down my pride and open up my heart. It is OKAY to need and ask for help. People want to help! He made it very clear that it would be Him that would be raising the funds and not me. It would allow Him to prove Himself faithful to me and oh has He ever!
Okay so on to the story: Over a month ago at church we were asked to write down a prayer request on a blank note card and exchange it with the person behind us; so that we could be praying for each other. On my card I wrote something like “that I would be fully funded for my mission trip,” and exchanged it with a complete stranger behind me. After the service, the man that I had given my card to asked to get more information about my trip and so we exchanged phone numbers and I sent him a link to my blog.
Fast forward to yesterday, I am about 3 days away from my 1st fundraising deadline of $5,000. And I’m starting to feel behind and discouraged, thinking that I’ll have to charge the remainder of the goal to my credit card. Then I wake up to find a $500 donation from Merrill! Who is Merrill you may wonder…He is the “stranger” I gave my prayer request note card to at church a few weeks ago! What!? Seriously!? God’s goodness and perfect timing through this man’s generosity brought me to tears.
When we put our faith and trust in JESUS, He NEVER disappoints! I’ve always known that God is good and that He loves me; but over the last couple of weeks of fundraising I have become absolutely AMAZED at God’s generosity and love for me. None of this would be possible had I not opened my mind and heart to allow others, like you, to partner with me to go on this trip. It is through your generosity that God is revealing Himself to me in new and incredible ways.
God is so good ya’ll! He is so faithful & He works in mysterious ways through the people all around us!
Fear tells me “There’s no way you’re going to be fully funded, You are not good at fundraising, You are so behind! Others are already fully funded and you haven’t even met your first goal…” and on and on and on; but FEAR is a LIAR!
God is SHOWING UP and SHOWING OUT for me through the love and generosity of strangers, family, & friends. I still have a long way to go but I know nothing is impossible with God! I will continue to trust and believe that He provides! His timing and purpose are perfect.
To all who have donated, whether it was your time, your love, your gifts, your prayers, ten dollars, or hundreds of dollars: I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL! You are all the definition of the church and the body of Christ alive in my life! I know you all work incredibly hard for your money and the fact that you trust me and believe in me to contribute towards my trip absolutely blows me away. It means the world that you are standing beside me as I step into this new chapter & calling God has placed on my heart. Sincerely Thank You!!
Prayer request:
- I am less than $850 from meeting my first goal on Friday!! Prayers that God would provide some more “surprise” and miracle donations in the next 2 days! He is ABLE!
- My incredible friend and roommate Hannah is hosting a fundraising cookout for me this Saturday. Prayers that everything goes smoothly and I that I am able to clearly share about the mission behind the trip with friends and family. Also that we exceed the $500 goal she is hoping to raise for me!
How can I be praying for you?? Please send me message, it would be my honor to pray for you!
Song of the day: “King of My Heart” by Bethel because “He is good!” Enjoy!
