With all my (mediocre at best) efforts on trying to fundraise for this trip. I seemed to hit a wall. You see I wasn’t actually trying to fundraise, but trying to just support myself through this whole thing. Since the beginning, I was sure if I budgeted well enough , I wouldn’t need anyones help. I could get there all on my own. That wasn’t the plan God had for me though.
At the college group at my church ,that we have named ROOTS, one of my friends showed up that I haven’t seen in awhile. I wasn’t particularly close to him, but he was one of my brothers in Christ that I knew had not only the heart for missions but had some experience in being sent out to the mission field. With my path of fundraising being blocked by a wall, I decided to make light of the situation and go speak to him about it.
I told him how I was saving and how random situations would cause me to use up what I have saved, causing me to go back to where I started. Other examples of me actually trying to donate to myself and my card either being rejected and/or if it went through, it got refunded back into my account with no explanation. He laughed. As well as I did about this whole situation. I then asked him a question that was rattling around in my thoughts for some time, deciding that I can put it to rest by speaking it out loud.
So I asked, “Is it wrong for me to want to support myself? Cant I just raise the money on my own and go, and just ask people for prayers?”
He replied, “Anthony, there is a difference between you sending yourself, and God sending you.”
Needless to say, this new thought rattled in my head for many days. I met up with my pastors and close friends to really check my heart in what I was doing, by closing the possibility for people to be able to contribute to what God wants to do.
My friend and I ended our talk with him telling me that most people believe mission trips start the day you get on the plane or arrive at the location. In fact, it starts the day God placed it into your heart and you choose to line your will with His. It is when you say “Im in!” My mission trip has already started, and I am so excited to keep watching what God is going to do in this.
