I weigh about 230 pounds. When I decided to do The World Race, I finally resolved to work out with more than just the occasional trek to the gym. I knew that these 11 months would take a toll on me if I was not preparing myself physically and a friend of mine is being completely awesome, helping me work out and so far in the course of a month and a half I have lost about 7 pounds and strengthened muscles that I didn’t know I had. It hurts, bad. And puking is inevitable. I hate the workout…But I love the results.
Faith is a muscle. Think about it. Faith has to be stretched and worked, used and torn, in order to become stronger. Why else would it be that the church grows the most in times and places of persecution? Take China for example (one of the countries that our squad will be traveling to). The church in China is one of the largest and fastest growing in the world. And it is all underground. Christ is persecuted but the body is made stronger through the beating. Right now, my muscle of faith is being strengthened. I am not strong. As a matter of fact, I am feeling weak and tired, praying for rest. But, as my workout buddy Eric (shout out!) would say, “Push through it, as hard as you can, as fast as you can. Just a little longer.” So what workout is doing this to me?
One word: Support
Raising support for The World Race has been one of the most trying times of faith in my life. At this point I have $522.20 in my support account and my first deadline of $3,000 is coming up in less than 75 days! It is scary. What a stretch of my faith, right? I find myself hearing this a lot from God, “Wait on me, Brandon.” My Lord knows what I need and he knows what he wants. My Lord will provide for me. I continue to have faith though the waiting hurts. Part of this waiting has led me to a decision. Though a seemingly small action of faith, I am going to refrain from viewing the progress on my online support account for 2 weeks. I started on Thursday so until Thursday, March 17thI am going “blind.” I am going to continue sending letters, continue making calls, and keep selling bracelets with faith and diligence allowing God to do the rest.
If he wanted to, God could Jedi mind trick the final $14,277.80 that I need into my account, no problem. You know, “These are not the droids you are looking for” kind of thing (I know, I’m a nerd). But, I am certain that he loves seeing his creation working together to fulfill his perfect and good will. That is why I still need your help! You know, the two largest donations that have contributed to the $522.20 in my account have come from what we like to call “poor college students.” I was amazed to see some of my friends, struggling with the rest of us walk up to me and discretely (and humbly) place $100 and $160 in my hands because they believed in God’s work on The World Race. I am moved to challenge all of you. If you are on board with this ministry and what God is doing in the world and even my own life, I challenge you to pledge your support. Become a donor or even more courageous, make a pledge to be a recurring donor of my mission to spread the gospel. Click on the “Support Me!” link on the left of this post and follow the instructions there.
If you are led to give, consider sending a check to avoid fees. All you have to do is make the check out to Adventures in Missions writing “Brandon Barnum’s World Race” in the memo line so they know who to give it to and send it in to this address…
Adventures in Missions
P.O. Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
God is strengthening my faith in him through you. I know that he will make this happen and I pray that it is through you. I love you all and am praying for God’s blessing on you.
The Man With Unclean Lips,
Brandon Barnum
