I’m moving to India!
Just kidding. For the most part. My heart is the one moving there.
When a racer returns home, they are asked one of two questions :
- How was your trip?!
- What are you going to do next?
The first question I’ll save for another blog…the second question, however, I finally have an answer to.
Many of you reading this, my wonderful supporters, have followed me on this journey this past year. You’ve, in a matter of speaking, walked through every hurt, every celebration, and every challenge this race has thrown my way. I’m am honored, privileged, blessed, and stoked to share that my journey is only just getting started!
So, India. All of you know about India…or may know what a hold that country has on my heart. For those new to my blog, and for those who want a reminder, my month in India was spent at a special needs orphanage in Hyderabad. Here, we were told to pick one of the 15 babies at the time to mother for the month. My baby was a 4lb, 4 month old, little diva, named Ruby. I found such joy in capturing the lives of the Children of SCH with my camera…God began to ignite in me a new passion…a passion to advocate for these kids. To be their voice…to be their biggest fan…
At the end of the month I received an email from a stateside missionary who had been following my journey via social media. She loved the pictures I’d been taking and loved my passion for the organization. She mentioned to me that she would like me to start praying about meeting with her at Project Searchlight (a program designed for racers a month after they come home to find their passions and how to use them to further the Kingdom). Immediately I knew that I wanted to do whatever she asked…I wanted to be a part of this incredible family. The months that followed I spent time fasting and praying about what God’s will was in all of this…what did He want from me? To take this job would mean that I would have to support raise my salary…
I just couldn’t imagine looking 120+ orphaned babies in the eyes and say “It’s too hard.”
“My plans are more important”
“People won’t take me seriously.”
“It will never be seen as ‘a real job’”
When in Malawi, I received an email formally inviting me to join the organization. I began to sweat, to squeal, to tear up…I just knew this is where God wanted me.
Which brings me to a few days ago. I have prayed, fasted, and now have the tremendous honor, blessing, and pleasure to let y’all know that I have accepted the Child Sponsorship Program Director position at Sarah’s Covenant Home…stateside. I will continue to live in Michigan, as well has having a hand in furthering SCH and their goals from home. It is a full time position, and I will be doing anything and everything regarding getting these kiddos sponsored. I will manage the website, making sure things are updated and that new children are added, as well as correspond with interested donors, manage the SCH Flickr page, brainstorm, create, and send out donor updates quarterly, and speaking with organizations/churchs/businesses that may be interested in becoming donors.
I will be using the very gifts and talents I learned at the car dealerships…for good.
Sometimes God brings us to a place that is uncomfortable…to a road that you know you’ll have to depend on Him to get through. Fundraising is one of those roads for me. Because SCH is a nonprofit, and we want as much going to the children as possible, my salary will actually be support raised. I am aiming to fundraise $1800/mo in order to keep up with my everyday costs, as well as supplies for my job. A portion of the fundraised amount would also go toward my travel expenses as I will be traveling to SCH twice a year, in India, to meet the new children, take photos and videos, and meet with Sarah to discuss future plans and ideas to make SCH famous.
This may seem a big number. But we all have seen just how faithful God was in getting me this far…I have 100% faith that He will come through for this as well. He wouldn’t bring me to an option like this and leave me hanging.
This is where y’all come in. I need your help. I would ask that you prayerfully consider one of 3 things :
- Donating. I need your help. Not just me, but these kids. If you’re thinking right now, "well I’d rather the money go to the kids that you”, I get that…but please remember that the attention that these kids could get would not be nearly as much without someone in my position being sure to make SCH famous! By donating to me, you’re allowing for the voiceless to have a voice. You’re literally witnessing a miracle. Donations can be one time, or monthly…I have a plan for monthly donors as low as $10/month. Pray about it. Ditch maybe two starbucks a month, and consider what you could do with that $10.
- Hosting an SCH party : I’ll have more information on this soon, but I will be putting together a presentation as well as have some things to sell all over some yummy food. I would love to visit your small group and share with you about how y’all can be personally involved in making these kids smile…and making sure that they have everything they need.
- Choose one. I chose Ruby. I would ask, after this blog…and after you visit my donation page, even to look around, that you visit the “Meet Our Children” page. I would ask that you sit down with your family, and yes, consider either a partial or full sponsorship, but also to bathe that child in prayer. To print their photo and to put it onto the refrigerator so you’re reminded every day of this little miracle. To adopt them spiritually…to love them from where you are. And to share everything you know about them to your friends, neighbors, and family so that they too can see what an impact your prayers are having on your little one.
I am so excited about this new chapter of my life…I am excited to be a part of such an incredible organization…and I’m excited to do something that matters. Something that makes a difference. I’m also excited for YOU to be a part of it! I would covet your prayers as I journey into this new season…prayers for strength, endurance, and childlike faith, as all of these things are required for a job like this.
Coming back to America, I wanted to be a part of something that mattered…I didn’t want to go back into car sales or to a job that was bathed and surrounded in greed and pride. I am so thankful the Lord heard my cries, and provided that opportunity. And so we go.
PLEASE VISIT MY NEW SITE WITH SCH (and DONATE if you want…): CLICK HERE!
**Also, I will still have my photography business as well. Don't forget to schedule your session!**
