If you know me well you know that I am blind as a bat. Without glasses or contacts my world is a very different place full of blurred colors smearing together. I have never been stuck in that world; the thought of it terrifies me. All of my life I have been so blessed to be able to afford to go to the eye doctor regularly and afford new contacts and glasses for my poor eyes. Without glasses or contacts simple things like reading, driving, picking out clothes to wear, maintaining a job, looking for food in the fridge would all be impossible. Can you imagine a world like that?
With that being said, at training camp I met a married couple who I will be traveling with. Their names are Hannah and Justin Wofford. They are on fire for the Lord, it’s amazing. I didn’t get to spend very much time getting to know them, but I could see and feel how big their hearts are. They are amazing, amazing people of God. And much like me, Justin has very poor vision. His is actually WORSE than mine (hard for me to imagine). However, unlike me, Justin currently has no money to afford new glasses. His glasses are very expensive. His last pair cost $600 and he can tell his vision has worsened.
I want him to have eyes that can SEE the world; see the beautiful places God has created. Hannah and him are giving up everything they have to go where God leads, with eyes that can see or not.
I am writing this blog because I can relate. I have a huge heart for people that have no choice but to be stuck in that world of blindness. He is going to travel the world and share God’s love with vision or not. I want him to see. From the depths of my heart I want to ask you, if this struck your heartstrings at all please PLEASE help me raise money for this man to travel the world in September WITH GLASSES.
If you know of anyone who would help please share this story with them. I want to ask you to pray about this HARD. If you feel called to help Justin Wofford buy glasses before he leaves in September please donate. I will be putting my own fundraising on hold until that man has glasses. All the money I collect will be mailed to them in Florida. No matter where you are in the world, if you want to help please let me know. We will find a way. Please lift this couple up in your prayers.
UPDATE::
8/22 Two weeks ago my heart was on fire for the Woffords. Having already reached my August financial deadline, I felt I was in the perfect position to help this couple. I didn't really have a plan and I didn't really know if people would be willing to help but I wanted to try. I felt a need to help. I began collecting money and having conversations with others about this situation. I got in contact with my Optometrist named Pat & Leanne Whitworth. I was aware that they were Christians and traveled internationally frequently to give glasses to those in need. Pat immediately agreed to helping Justin Wofford out. He knew very little but he was in! It was so awesome to see God's love and compassion shine through other people. I had a past teacher contact me also and say she'd love to donate and later contacted me about knowing another Optometrist who could help!! God is so good! The Wofford's ended up finding someone near them in Florida who was able to give them a deal. Although, they didn't use any of the help hundreds of miles away in Missouri, it is so great to see how selfless, generous, and compassionate people can be. I am so thankful for everyone who was willing to help. Any money that I raised for the Wofford's to get glasses was donated into their World Race fund, so that they too will be able to launch in two weeks! (I think they are actually still in need of more funds before launch, so if you'd like to help them out you can support them on their blogs at justinwofford.theworldrace.org & hannahwofford.theworldrace.org).
