Well, I’m a slacker. There’s no other explanation for my lack of blogging. I do apologize! Ok, moving on…
I want to give you all an update on what’s been happening as my departure for the Race gets ever so near. If you haven’t heard the news, then you might want to sit down because it’s crazy… cue the drum roll…I’M CURRENTLY AT $11,300 IN SUPPORT!! In less than two weeks I went from $3,000 to $11,300…the look on my face is still one of shock and awe. Just a few short weeks ago I was really REALLY struggling with my support raising. I was completely doubting my ability to make support calls, to share my story with strangers, to stand up in front of people and complete a presentation. I was dwelling on that number $3,000 and wrestling with doubts on how it would become $8,000 (the amount I need to leave), let alone the $14,300 to be fully funded. I had heard/read/said over and over again that support raising is not about me. But it hit me one night while I was crying over my frustrations with a support video I was trying to make, that I was completely making it about me. About my abilities (or lack of abilities), my video, my level of likability and popularity. And I was on the verge of panic because I knew I wasn’t going to make the $14,300 happen.
Then I read Psalm 37:23… “If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” I was reminded that this journey is what God has called me to. If he’s still calling me to it, he is faithful and he will provide the resources to make it happen. I was for sure stumbling around (quite literally shaking and stumbling around before my presentation) but God has been holding me firmly on this path with his hand. He gave me a firm step when my wonderful church decided to support me monthly in a huge way (definitely NOT a result of my poorly planned support meeting). Another firm step when I received a crazy huge tax return that was absolutely out of nowhere (no way I did that). And yet another confirmation of his provision when I was given nearly $4,000 after a dinner party and presentation with a small group (many that I met for the first time that night).
Seriously, God is brilliant. None of my incredible support stories were a result of my skill in any way. I’d say it’s about time to get over myself. God is so loving and so faithful to complete the work that he has started… he’s making it happen. I want to thank all of you who have partnered in this ministry so far. I’m so excited that you have chosen to obey God’s call to take his love to the ends of the earth by sending. I pray that in this process you see and are moved by God’s fierce love for his children all over the world. The point is for him to receive the praise and glory for all the good and miraculous that comes out of this journey.
Training camp is in less than a month. And then just a few short weeks after that I will be launching out to Ireland! Things are crazy but so exciting! Please be praying that I keep my focus on Jesus. Pray that I recognize and persevere over the many distractions that are not of God but that are being thrown at me from every direction. And PLEASE be praying for the people that I will get to serve on the race… that God is already revealing himself to them now.
I will leave you with the video that I made. It’s just a quick look at a need of each country and the vision of hope that I desire to share with them. Be blessed, each and every one of you!
