I am fully funded!!!
I just want to say THANK YOU to each one of you who has supported me through this journey. I am now currently 100% funded.
My Fundraising story:
I remember first looking at the daunting number of $14,500. I remember thinking there is no way I can raise that much support, especially in such little time.
My training camp started on July 1, 2011 and I needed to have the first $3,000. I remember the looks I got when I said I had to come up with $3,000 in three weeks. Then saying I still needed another $11,500.
I am a practical person, I have had a job since I was 15 and I’ve never had to rely on God for my money. I’ve had to live on faith in other areas (not really now that I look back in comparison to how I am living now) But I have never had to live on faith when it came to money. EVER. But I’m so glad I’ve been able to grow and have faith in that way.
A couple weeks before leaving on the race I still needed a huge chunk. I was starting to get worried. Other world racers were fully pledged and it seemed I was so far behind the majority of the squad. Alumni world racers kept telling me to not worry about the finances, they will come in. But after one of my yard sales wasn’t that huge of a success I began to worry. What if I don’t get funded. What if I fail in this area. What if God doesn’t come through and provide? (Then my thoughts just kept running) What if God does’t want me to go after all? I still need $10,000, that is a huge amount.
I remember calling my squad leader Mike Sanders, and asking him to pray for fundraising for me. He prayed that God would show up in big ways. Well that is exactly what happened. I don’t know if guys remember this post about the donation I received (check it here). But a couple who I had never met before decided to match all my donations, cutting my need from $10,000 to $5,000. Donations and pledges started pouring in and here we are now, fully funded.
I learned that God doesn’t worry about money, and me worry for God doesn’t help God out. When I say I’m going to trust God I need to let go and give it to God.
Thank you again to those that have donated to this missions trip. Funny how even raising support increase my faith by so much. Please know that I am so grateful for each and every one of you. You helped make this mission trip a reality.
Love,
ASH
