Hello and yes, I am playing hard to get.
I do understand that this is only my second blog while many of my squadmates have written seven or eight. But I just can’t be too eager and scare away my subscribers. The thrill is in the chase.
I struuuuuggled writing this (or any) blog because I really had nothing to write about. Who cares about how the Lord is working here at home? There is no adventure or excitement going on in Carlsbad.
But I am learning that I don’t need to be overseas in a third world country to see God work miracles.
If we’re talking miracles, let me tell you about my fundraising. And how at the same time I really truly couldn’t tell you about my fundraising because I’m not even sure how I have all this money. It’s not very common that some 21 year old gets almost 17,000 dollars in 6 months. Not to mention, I didn’t write any support letters, much of my funding came from word of mouth and the few fundraisers I put on. It doesn’t make sense, and I shouldn’t have this much money but I have found that this stuff seems to be pretty easy when that money is coming directly from the one who created everything.
Really the most groundbreaking thing that I learned from this process is that the money that I have in my bank account or my wallet or in that little fundraising bar above this blog is that it really just isn’t mine. The money is His, He has just allowed me to be a steward of His funds. And that to me is SO humbling. It also is quite the game changer — it takes all of the pressure off of me and allows me to give that huge responsibility up to Him. Hey, I still need somewhere around 2,000 dollars but He has been so faithful in this process that I am just so excited and expectant to be somewhere in Nepal and see Him provide that need.
I know that sounds a little crazy but also I think God is a little crazy.
So who cares that I’m not yet in some tiny village in Ethiopia, possibly getting malaria and also pooping in a hole in the ground?? The big stuff also happens at home!! The thing is, it really doesn’t have to be extravagant for it to be His will. I serve a God that is extravagant, and I have learned that wherever you are, He shows up and whenever He shows up, things happen.
A lot of you are reading this because you donated to me — and wow I am sooo incredibly grateful for you. So thank you thank you for being so generous, and also for having faith in me, and obediently stewarding His money. I won’t let you down.
Also, quick update, I write this on hour 10 of my flight from Seattle to Shanghai. Once there, we travel to a city called Xining, about a 25 hour train ride away. I would greatly appreciate prayer for my team and I, that we find a place to stay and that the Lord puts people in our paths that need to hear about Him. This first month will require a lot of prayer and reliance on the spirit because we have no ministry connections in this new city and no hosts at the moment.
Due to the fact that China is a closed country, and opposition toward Christianity continues to rise, I will have to password protect my next few blogs until we get to Nepal next month, my password will be china (shocking!!!!!)
