I had been away from internet for six days. I knew that my deadline to having all of my money in for The World Race was just around the corner, and if this wasn’t met I faced the possibility of being sent home before our team departed for Africa. If it was met then my fundraising would be complete and I would have in my account the incomprehensible amount of $15,500.
To be honest when I first saw that number, I closed The World Race website window and said, “Well, that’s it. I can’t go on that trip.” There was NO WAY I could come up with that amount of money. I had never seen that much money in my life. It was impossible.
And it was…for me. If it had been an easy thing, if it had been a couple hundred dollars or even a couple thousand I could have worked hard and saved up and taken care of everything myself. And I could take all the credit. But I did nothing. I had one fundraiser, and it did not go as well as I would have liked. There were very few people I straight up asked for money. I had people handing me checks in church, on airplanes, at the grocery store.
No, I couldn’t have done any of that. God did everything, in a way that only God could have done. ALL the credit is His. Because I didn’t know if I could get that much money, I HAD to step out in faith. I didn’t know if it was going to be okay. All I knew is that God was asking this of me. I had to trust that if He asks me to do something He would take care of everything I needed. He will never ask me to do something and then let me fall on my face. My pastor always says God does not send the equipped, but equips those He sends.
He could have sent me $15,500 on a cloud from the sky if He wanted to, but He didn’t. I know He loves to use His children and He set so many people in my life to bless me. I am completely overwhelmed by my family is behind me 100%, my friends who were even more excited for me that I was about the trip, and the amazing community of Bigfork.
I humbly thank you from the bottom of my heart.
When I checked my account today it read $15,502.97. I was so excited that I got up and ran outside into the streets of Changlun, Malaysia. My host mother wanted to know what was the matter. I was ecstatic, however my work is still not finished. I have 5 teammates who are not fully funded. They are my family and I would be devastated if any of them had to leave. If there are some of you who were going to donate to me and did not get a chance, I please ask you to consider donating to one of them. All funds need to be in my July 1st
Lydia Hart: needs $2,401
Lydia is my fellow introvert on my team and I think I would go crazy without her. She brings such wisdom to this team and is our go to person for art and children’s ministries. She is also the only one on the team who can effectively explain past perfect participles to a room full of Cambodian university students.
http://lydiahart.theworldrace.org/
Melissa Crilly: needs $2,730
Our fearless leader. She has guided our team through thick and thin and has personally helped me through some of my own struggles with her words of wisdom. She has such a wonderful heart that is constantly seeking God, and also makes all the moms back home breathe a little easier because she is a very capable RN.
http://melissacrilly.theworldrace.org/
Travis Lee: needs $ 1,800
Travis is our local prayer warrior. You can often find him in his room, or a nearby field singing his lungs out praising God. His passion and enthusiasm for life can be observed by his use of the exclamation point on Facebook. Travis has been on my team from the beginning and been an encouragement to me like none other, I am truly grateful for his prayers.
http://travislee.theworldrace.org/
Pat Stiller: needs $2,000
Pat is like a Swiss Army knife. Whenever we need something done, we can just pull out Pat. He can preach, climb trees, kill animals, entertain children, teach English, build tables, light fires, and leads killer worship. As my team leader for four months out of six, I have upmost respect for him and all he does.
http://patstiller.theworldrace.org/
Liz Purull: needs $1, 724
If I ever need a laugh I know I can go to Liz. Liz brings a spirit of laughter and joy to our team, but is also not afraid to be honest and real. I know I can always go to Liz to talk about anything and without her, I would have no one to sing “Super Bass” in a horrible Minnesota accent with me.
