October 2011…I remember it like it was yesterday. I was at the women’s retreat for my church, and the Holy Spirit was tearing us up! Lady Patrice, Pastor Mayceo’s wife had just finished ministering to us using her testimony, and all I could do was cry under the weight of GODs Glory in the room. As my sisters worshipped all around me, I felt compelled to lay down my life once again. To once again ask the LORD what HE wanted me to do, what HE wanted me to lay down and sacrafice for HIS Glory. I knew I could NOT live without HIM, and I was willing to do anything for HIM.
It was in that moment that JESUS gripped my heart and whispered to me,
“ I want you to do the World Race”.
After worship ended that night I lay awake all night thinking about the words GOD had just spoken to me. The World Race? Really LORD? I knew there was no way I could say no, and not that I even wanted to but there were 2 things that hung in my mind.
1. The World Race costs $15,000
2. I have to give up a year of my life
Those 2 thoughts made me worry, and it took me days before I could even admit to another person that I thought GOD was calling me there. To be honest, I thought that people would look at me like I was crazy once I told them how much support I would need to raise, to be honest I questioned many days if I was crazy myself. But GOD was so faithful, and HE did the exact opposite. I remember telling Phylica, my oldest friend in the world, her response? “ I believe GOD wants me to support you” I sat there and cried at lunch, knowing that having the support of her and her husband would mean the world to me. I remember telling Vanessa, (one of my best friends) she had thought for a long time I should do the race, and she looked at routes with me, as I prayed over the one GOD would lead me to. Telling my parents honestly healed something in me. They were so proud that I had surrendered to the LORD to a place where I would allow HIM to do the crazy in my life.
And it was like that with every person I told. Love and support poured in from all over. Some of my closest friends sacrificed time at night to be on a conference call and bathe me in prayer. I had loved ones bake me cupcakes for fundraisers, stay up at night helping me make posters, help pass out flyers, sell bracelets for 2 good causes, come to chic-fil-a, write letters, pray and fast beside me, all because they believed that GOD could, and would make something great out of this year to bring HIMself Glory. Those closest to me know how much I struggled at times to believe GOD myself.
There were a few days I cried to my mom, telling her I didn’t know if I wanted to give up a whole year of my life. To leave everyone and everything behind that I loved so dearly, although I knew it was for a much bigger purpose. I was loved, and encouraged through the hardest times. And I believe that GOD used you all specifically to do that, knowing I was too weak and I needed HIS love to see me through, HE used you all for that.
I looked over my support account and I couldn’t help but praise GOD. There is $3600 from anonymous donors, $3600 from people I dont know and have never met, and $8400 from those I love the most and hold dearly to my heart. And yet I know that every penny came from the LORD, HE has used His people so beautifully to fulfill HIS purpose. There are donations from atheist, unbelievers! Im like “you have no clue how GOD just used you, and you don’t even believe in HIM” Donations from drug dealers, poor people, struggling students, teenagers, pastors, my church family, my blood family, and friends near and far.
Quick GOD story. A friend of mine here on the Race happened to mention me to a friend of hers, a young man my age. He ended up donating over $2000.
It has been such a faith journey…
Our daily food budget on the race is $3 per day, or $1 per meal. So know that if you donated $10 you are the reason I ate for 10 meals straight. We buy supplies to bless the ministries we work with, so your donation might be the reason a young Vietnamese orphan had Christmas this year. Or the reason the GOSPEL was presented in the 10/40 window for 5 months straight.
I could go on all day with miralces and GOD stories on how HE has worked through this journey. This is my heart saying thank you, I know that GOD pulled each and everyone of you together to fulfill HIS purpose in this journey. Thank you for loving and supporting, although it was not and has never been about me.
See I believe that GOD wanted Aariya in India to be loved on and hugged for a month, so He used you all to make that happen. I believe the street boys we feed this month need someone to pray for their deliverance, so HE used you to help with that! GOD is doing things all over the world, and HE is using HIS children to accomplish those things, HIS children meaning you. I know that although I have given up so much it doesn’t even compare to what I have gained. I gave up my friends, but when I come home I will be a better friend because of this journey, I will be a better servant, mother, wife, worker, disciple, and follower of Christ all because JESUS sent me here, I have gained so much.
A long time ago the LORD reminded me that it was not at all about the money. It wasn’t about the amount because believe it or not $15,000 is absolutely NOTHING to GOD, but HE told me He wanted to use His people , the people around me, and in my community to get involved in the making disciples of all Nations, and HE is doing that so beautifully. I look forward to HIM sending others to fulfill HIS purpose, and supporting them in that time. Every time you prayed, donated, served for HIS purpose you took part in the great Commission! Praise GOD!
It all about JESUS…
So if you are reading this I pray that just a little of this story has touched your heart. Know that GOD can and will do the impossible in your life that HE has spoken, He can perform miralces, and provide where HE calls, I am a living testimony of that. When HE calls you to lay down your life (because He will in one way or another), submit. Even if it looks challenging, and Impossible HE will guide you along the way.
And to JESUS, My biggest supporter. I am absolutely honored and humbled that you would choose me to love on your people all over the world this year. Nothing I have done deserves the privilege of hugging an orphan, adopted into your family, or praying for an HIV stricken widow, because I know that the orphans and widows are especially precious to you. And yet you bestowed the call on me this year. I pray that every ounce of my life can bring you Glory, because it is for you that I live, and it is for you I die. I pour out my life as a liquid offering unto you. You LORD are absolutely more than life to me.
I love you all. See you this summer.
Carmella
P.S. My mother and I have the privilege of being in Kenya this year for their elections. Please pray for peace for that.
