It’s happening. It’s really happening! In two weeks I’ll be at training camp, discovering exactly what I’ve gotten myself into. I’m so excited to meet my squad and to prepare for this adventure with them! Then, approximately 3 months from today, it’s launch time. Off we will go to serve God and his people in 11 different countries for 11 months. I am thrilled to have this opportunity. I am so thankful that I’m at a place in my life where I can do this. I can’t wait to see what God has in store!
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, friends, family, and others who are making it possible for me to do this.
We made the first deadline, $5000 by September 23! I didn’t know how I was going to make that deadline. On September 21 there was about $300 in my trip account. How was this going to happen? I considered putting $5000 of my own money in, but then how would I buy my gear? I wouldn’t have any spending money while on the race. Also, if I did that, what would I live on when I return from the race?
All these worries. Lots of prayer. What was I supposed to do? I prayed more. I spent a day fasting. I prayed some more. God answered.
I had trusted that God would provide for my race, but he showed me that by being afraid of putting my own money in I wasn’t trusting that he would provide for me always, before, during, and after the race. He will. He made it clear, though I tried every logical argument I could think of, that I needed to put my own money in. How much though? The full $5000? Or less and trust that he would make up the difference?
After lots more prayer he gave me a number $4000. That was most of my savings, but I would still have enough left for the gear I would need to buy and some spending money on the race. Ok, I was ready to write the check, but where was the other $700 going to come from? God answered that too. Between the night of the 22nd and the morning of the 23rd, $710 came in, that I knew of. God is amazing.
About a week later I checked my fundraising account and saw that there was more than that. A rather large anonymous donation had come in (Who ever gave that, Thank You, Thank You. I wish I knew who you were so I could do something for you.) A couple more anonymous donations came in. (Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. Once again, I wish I knew who you are. You have no idea how much I appreciate you.) Friends and Family members I didn’t know were going to donate had donated. (Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!) Thanks to you guys I’m over a third of the way funded!
Now, there have been some questions about what happens to the money if something happens and I can’t go. I don’t see that happening, but I can’t see the future. So, here’s what happens. In order for your donations for my trip to be tax-deductible, Adventures in Missions can not return those donations to the donors, nor can they just give me the money. However, if I can not leave in January for some reason, I will pick another trip with Adventure in Missions to go on and all the money raised will be transferred for me to go on to that trip. The money raised is committed to a trip with Adventures in Missions. Right now, that trip is the World Race trip that leaves in January, and I can’t wait to be a part of it!
Adventures in Missions sends out short term mission trips, for high schoolers, college students, and families. The World Race, which I’m doing, is just one of the trips they offer. Through these trips, short term missionaries partner with established ministries in serving the people in each area through prayer, discipleship and education while working with children and adults. In each place, the aim is to continue to spread God’s word and serve his people, as we are called to do through the great commision.
Now, I’m all ready to pack for training camp so that I can be well prepared to leave in January. My friend gifted me a pack as her donation to my trip, so all that’s left for me to do is fill it with my gear!
