As of right now, I’m about 3% in for fundraising. I remind myself daily that I’m only in month two of this journey, that I still have time – but looming deadlines on top of Senior Oral Comps coming up (a really big oral test I have to take in order to graduate – meaning essentially, if I don’t pass, I don’t graduate = lots of stress and anxiety = maybe no September Launch = shut down mode).
I know I sound kind of cryptic, it’s a gift. My ultimate goals right now are to pass, graduate, get to Training Camp in July, and then to launch in September!
There are lots of blessings that have come on this journey, though.
*Fundraising ideas galore up in my head. (Now it’s just a matter of making them happen).
*I’ve spoken with a few individuals about their own missions experiences and their time on the mission field to see how I can maybe broaden my circle of possible supporters. I still have more meetings on the way.
*Small donations showing up in my account when I am in a day of doubt. Every little bit helps!
*Blessed with a tent from a wonderful couple who I have gotten to know through church here in Quincy and via special Friday Night one-on-one Prayer Time. (Thank You, Van Der Eems’!)
It’s slow and coming, but things are lining up. While these small victories definitely make me certain that God really has His hand in this whole thing, it is still easy for me to doubt and feel unqualified because I can’t control the way in which the financial support will come in (slow or fast). I can’t control the ways in which others will help me. It has to come from the whisper of God in their own hearts and from His whisper alone.
The lack of control in that is terrifying for me.
As I’ve said before, I check my donations page one too many times in a week to count. It creates doubt. So, starting this week ahead, I will not be looking into my account donations for any reason until I am home and on Spring Break (which is about a month away now). To any squad mates who might be reading this, this is my cry for help and accountability: Please hold me accountable!!
My specific goal right now is to have $3,500 in my account by the end of March. I would love to have half of that amount donated in the next month, or if God wants to blow me away with a miracle and have me $3,500 in by Spring Break, that would be cool, too. (God? You there?)
My next fundraising effort is going toward Training and Finding Sponsors for a Half Marathon that my school is doing in order to fundraise for a Water Well in Haiti. I will not be along for the ride in that particular fundraising effort. I will, however, be running and finding my own sponsors for The World Race.
Because a Half marathon is 13.1 miles, my idea for the race is to spend each mile in Prayer for each of the countries I will be visiting on The Race, as well as Haiti and the ENC Community to end off the Half Marathon. I would love to get sponsors, but if there is anyone that is particularly fascinated with a country or section of the world I will be traveling to and would like to donate a one time gift of $30 for each of the countries in each region I will be visiting (Southern/Central America, Asia, or Africa), that would be a huge encouragement on each mile of the Half Marathon that I will be running. I will be setting up a GoFundMe Page for the Half Marathon specifically and will share that link via my blog very soon. Otherwise, my hope is to find some sponsors who would be willing to help and are passionate about either running, missions, or helping out Nonprofit Organizations.
Another reason I am doing this run is because I need to get in shape. Yes, many think I look skinny and think I look like I am “in shape.” In all honesty, though, I’m not. I’m kind of lazy. About a week ago, Adventures sent us our Training Camp Dates (!!!!). Training camp is from July 6th – 16th, 10 days of pure awesome with a whole bunch of Jesus loving people!! There is also a new component to training camp in which we all need to walk two miles with our large packs in under 33 minutes. This is yet another motivation for me to get into the sport I love again, and to propel me forward with motivation in running. Adventures said we should get our tickets soon if we are flying to training camp (which I am), but I don’t want to act on anything until I know I’m set and stone or at least close to it for Training Camp in my account.
So here is the breakdown of my financial need deadlines:
Due on JUNE 12TH: $3,500
(You must mail checks in by Friday, May 29th, online donations Submitted by Tuesday, June 9th)
Due on AUGUST 21ST: $10,000
(Mailed checks by Friday August 7th, online donations Submitted by Tuesday August 18th)
Due on OCTOBER 31ST: $13,000
Due on DECEMBER 31ST: $16,267 (FULLY FUNDED)
The easiest way to donate is online through the Support Me button on the left hand side of my blog. If only 40 people pledge to donate 50 dollars a month for the next 9 months, I will be fully funded by November.
So in conclusion, here is what I need as of right now:
Prayer – For God’s provision, for His strength and guidance through this whole process, and the courage to not look at my account or feel discouraged because I am starting from a very small network. To believe in His miracles and to really put my trust and faith in Him to provide all that I need in the coming months, while also reaching out to those who are just as much in need as I am.
Financial Support – If you could please pray about a possible number that God has placed on your heart to give, whether that be monthly or otherwise, please consider giving and helping me out. I truly believe that God will bless you tenfold with whatever amount you give.
Other Necessities: I am in need of a backpack that will hold all of my things while traversing the world in Ministry as well as a 30 degree sleeping bag and help with immunization money.
You can also subscribe to my blog, as this is a fantastic way to freely support and stay up to date about my World Race Experience.
Thank You so much for joining me on this journey! It means the world to me and I am praying that God blesses each of you on your endeavors, wherever you may be on the specific journey He has called you to.
All my Love,
Ashley
