I just got off the phone with my mom. She had a story for me that has absolutely put me over the moon, made my day, inspired me once again, and I need to share it with you all.
My mother went to a funeral a few days ago, where she ran into an old friend of hers, Anne Brown* (*names have been changed for privacy purposes). Mrs. Anne looked at her, tears in her eyes, and said, “Donna, I have a confession. I never gave to Betsy’s mission trip.” From there she began to explain.
Back last year when I was fundraising, I sent a support letter to Mrs. Anne and her husband John*. With the hustle and bustle of life, the letter was set amongst the stacks of paper on a desk in their house. Their son, also named John*, read my letter, and asked his mom to act on it. For months John reminded her over and over again, but the letter remained on the desk untouched.
Then one day in December Mrs. Anne received a thank-you note from me in the mail. I was thanking her for donating to my World Race fundraising, which she knew she hadn’t done. She went to her son, baffled, and asked, “John, did you do this?”
“Mom,” he said, “I can’t do things like this, and she wants to go. I had to help her get there.”
Meanwhile on my end, I was making every last effort to finish fundraising before I launched on the Race. I was sending emails, making phone calls, and checking my fundraising account multiple times a day. Then on the afternoon of December 5th, I logged in to find a donation from “John Brown,” and I burst into tears. Assuming it was from Mrs. Anne and Mr. John, I wrote them a thank-you note, and then immediately started writing a blog. I needed to tell the world that it was over, the task was complete, we had crossed the finish line. John’s donation was the last one I needed. I was fully funded.
It wasn’t until today while talking to my mom that the truth was revealed. This whole time I was being supported by someone my own age whom I’ve never even met, and I didn’t even know it. An unexpected, secret donation was what got me here on the Race, and today I was finally able to thank that person who allowed me to experience this incredible journey.
I am sharing this story with you for two reasons.
One, I am so honored and humbled that someone would care that much to give of their own money without being directly asked. I am once again reminded of the incredible team of supporters from all over the country who have made this possible, and I needed to say thank you one more time (and a thousand times more). God is blowing my mind today, using fundraising to remind me of His goodness and provision six months after I had put fundraising out of my mind. Isn’t He funny in how he works?
Two, I share this story to encourage you all to financially support people you’ve never even met. The last financial deadline is coming up on July 1st, at which point all of my squadmates must be fully funded. Unfortunately several people are still in desperate need of funding, and they will not be allowed to continue on the Race without fulfilling the financial obligations. Below you will find the names of my squadmates who still need help, along with links to their blogs where you can donate. Would you please consider giving to one of these incredible human beings that I am blessed to do life with? No donation is too small (or too large), and I can speak from personal experience, every bit helps! And who knows, maybe you’ll be that final donation that pushes my friends past the finish line.
Will you give selflessly to someone you’ve never met? Will you be like John?
Click on the names below to learn more and support my squadmates.
Leah Nestor, team leader and essential oils enthusiast
Meg McCluskey, my partner in crime for social justice rants
Sara Torres, teammate, artist, and fellow Tennessean
Katrina Nixon, teammate and adventurer affectionately known as “Canada”
Katrina Palazuelos Rico, translator, youth ministry magician, but more importantly my confidante
Karissa Rodriguez, my friend since Training Camp and newly anointed Squad Leader
Amanda Bednar, fitness fanatic and lifelong learner
Missy Geiszler, one with nature and casseroles
Brenna Lucero, Spanish beast and good at EVERYTHING
Kathryn Krause, flowers on the outside, rapper on the inside
