You might be wondering how I became fully funded…..and to be honest so am I. The only answer I can tell you is that God is faithful to finish what He started.
He called me to dedicate this year to Him.
I thought “hmmm I gonna live to what… maybe around like 80 years of life if I’m not willing to give him a solid 9 months when He has obviously asked me to… I might need to reevaluate my priorities.” So I said “yes”
The “yes” was just step one… which honestly I could say that 3 letter word on my own strength , but what I couldn’t do on my own strength is raise 14,950$
Fast forward to month 4 of my journey: In Thailand I’m a little more than 2,000 shy of 14,950$ deadline which is due in approximately 2 weeks.
One week goes by money is SLOWLY trickling in… At this point I begin to panic… If I don’t make this deadline I will feel like a failure, but I keep hearing God’s still quiet voice say “trust me”….(easier said then done)
4 days before deadline: I heard God clearly say “if you had a choice how would you like the money to come in?”
“Alright God….if your gonna give me a choice…I want the money to come in a huge anonymous donation the night before the deadline…so I can see right before my eyes how truly powerful you are.” (keep in mind I’m just spitballing ideas with God…assuming that my request is impossible)
Morning of the deadline: Morgan wakes me up telling me in a very high pitched squeal “ Your fully funded!”
*tears begin to stream down my face as I quickly grab my phone to check my account numbers*
1,500$ ANONYMOUS DONATION donated the night before the deadline.
*lots of tears*
Typing this story out about a month after it happened still gives me chills.
I’m currently in Cambodia right now and we are in the middle of month 5/9. Im back to living with all 43 of my squamates…instead of my little team of 6 in Thailand. Thailand was special. Those 2 months will be cherished forever…and my students smiles are ingrained in my mind. I find myself scrolling through photos before I fall asleep of my students…so its safe to say I fall asleep with a smile on my face. My ministry here in Cambodia is not as rewarding as teaching English to 2nd graders… Im currently working as a waitress in this little cafe in the city of Battambang. Where I help this wonderful Christian Cambodian women fulfill her dream of making customers smile with good food. She absolutely loves to cook for people, but she is very short staffed and is trying to run this cafe by herself. Take the orders. Cook the food. Deliver the food. Deal with customers complaints…and finally cash them out. Thats why God placed me here to help lighten her load. Its hard to always stay positive when angry customers tell me everyday how I’m not doing a good enough job, or how there is not any sugar left. Then I go back to the kitchen to inform her there is no sugar left she just smiles and casually says in her little accent “oh sorry I have none left I’ll go to the store later. ” When she talks to me she has this sparkle in her eyes that doesn’t need to be diminished by customs yelling at her…and that is the only reason I’m learning to just accept the criticism with a smile and a apology. The customs don’t understand that she is the only one cooking all the food and making all the coffee in her humble kitchen. I ask her if she wants my help…but she has always cooked by herself and doesn’t want me in the kitchen. She only needs me to take orders, deliver food, and cash people out…so thats what I’m gonna do despite what customers tell me I should be doing. I find myself having to find my identity in Christ to believe that I’am doing a good job and stay positive. He is teaching me that He is the only one who can judge and I shouldn’t write people off because of their bad attitudes and that my worth doesn’t lie in my perforce, but in Jesus. When I constantly remind myself of that I can let go of always trying to please people and rest is pleasing Jesus instead of toiling in the frustration that comes with falling short of people’s expectations.
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. …
Romans 14:1-23
