To my supporters:
I think about you all the time. I may not know you personally, but you are on my mind constantly. This week, God has been showing me the fruit of raising support. It is a difficult thing to do, and if you are doing it/have done it, you will agree with me. I think that in our society, asking for money is a really sensitive thing, something that shows your need and therefore shows something negative. From the very beginning of this journey, I have had to make the decision to let go of any pride in this fundraising process. My prayer from the start has been to be able to experience God through fundraising, and boy have I! He has graciously given me His eyes to see fundraising through His perspective.
He has shown me that He is truly the one who is providing the money, and He has done this through the craziest ways. I have come terms with the fact that I/we actually do not own anything, and He owns it all. I may write letters, sell shirts, and talk to hundreds of people, but apart from the Lord moving in the hearts of people to give, I would not get very far. Watching the way God has provided in just a few short weeks has been one of the most jaw dropping, life-changing experiences I could go through. He has taught me that if I am obedient and simply follow His lead, He will provide.
He has also showed me the value of praying for my supporters. Whether you are my family, my friends, or someone I do not even know, I have found that there is a high value in praying for those who are joining me on this journey. This is not a one-sided relationship. I want to be a blessing to you and give thanks to God for you, because I truly care about the heart of every person who is supporting me. My desire is for this opportunity to go beyond myself in so many ways, and one of those is for you, my supporters. If you are supporting me financially, and/or in prayer, my hope is that you are receiving abundant joy in this partnership. Even though you may not be physically traveling with me, my prayer is that you would see what God is doing. I also pray that your faith would be strengthened, your joy would be filled, and your hope would be restored in a good and mighty God. He is rich, and nothing is too hard, too big, and we could never ask too much of Him. I am asking that the Lord would unleash His Spirit on each of you, and that your lives would be enriched as you watch how He works through my time on the World Race.
By your support, you are saying that you believe in what our God is doing. You are saying that you are confident in what He is going to do through my team as we go into each of these places. You are saying that you want to be a part of what the gospel of Jesus is accomplishing throughout the world. You are saying that there is hope for those who have not heard this amazing news of a Savior. And you are right!! So, please continue to join me and declare that truth! I am so thankful for you!
Below are just a few pictures to show some of the ways God has been provding. It's so cool to experience all the blessings He has bestowed on me and I would love nothing more than to share them with you!
After meeting a wonderful lady and talking with her about my upcoming trip, she immediatly runs to her attic and hands me this backpack. (which will be my closet for 11 months) She offered up a lot of differnet equipment I will need for this trip. Saving me close to 500 dollars! Did I mention I only knew her for about an hour?!
Here's a crazy thought: Let's rasie 15,000 dollars in change!! One night after church, college students jumped at the idea of emptying there pockets and donating their change. Pennies have never looked so pretty! We raised 40 dollars that night. This was the start my of coin collecting journey!
I love the idea that people are gethering all their lose coins and donating them. What a cool story to tell if my trip became fully funded becasue of pennies!! So far I have collected 350 dollars in coins!
“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” 1 Chronicles 29:11-13
If any of you are still looking to donate, you can go to the upper right part of this page, (under my profile picture) and click the "support me" link.
You can go to my GoFUndMe page and drop a donation there, also.
http://www.gofundme.com/2bzdj0
