No one likes asking for money. I don’t like asking and I especially don’t like taking it.
It’s humbling, somewhat painful, and really awkward. Part of me wanted to wait and try to pay my own way, but by God’s grace, I needed to fundraise!
Before I left, I wrote a blog about how I vowed not to be that person who becomes overwhelmed by all of the “what if’s” with fundraising. Money can become such a stressor and discouragement, so I chose to pray my way through it.
From the beginning, I trusted God with all $16,277. I told Him to have His way and teach me through it…and boy, did He ever.
Here are “a few” of the lessons that I learned through fundraising:
- I learned that fundraising is a part of the Christian life. Either we are going to the nations or supporting those who are. Once I realized that fundraising was totally biblical and that He mandated the church body to support missions, it took away all ill feelings I had about it.
- I learned that fundraising it is a gift to invite others into your life. It’s a gift to allow others to love you, support you, and pray for you. It’s a gift to have a class follow you and do updates on “Missionary Monday’s.” It’s a gift to have my parents tell me that people ask about me at church. It’s a gift to have teammates supporting me back in the States. It’s a gift to allow people to invest in the spiritual world through my journey.
- I learned that fundraising is fun when you celebrate what God is doing. I had many “praise breaks” with those surrounding me when I checked my progress. I received the call that I was accepted for the World Race as I was standing in a hotel room about to go play the season opener for my senior collegiate basketball career. I don’t remember much about the game, but I do remember running from room to room celebrating with my teammates what I was going to be doing for the next year. As the funding began, I celebrated every little percentage increase. I texted my fam. I tweeted and posted about it. I updated the whole athletic training room weekly about how much money had come in and what I had planned next. Those were such exciting, joyous moments. It’s way more fun taking the time to celebrate…because let’s be real, $16k is A LOT of money!
- I learned that fundraising deepens your trust with God. Fundraising is such a practical example of what our lives should look like –placing our needs in God’s hands and trusting that He will take care of the rest. Sometimes, nothing came in for weeks. It was disheartening and those “what if’s” began to roll back into my mind, but God was always faithful to bring in donations and encouragement right on time.
- I learned that fundraising isn’t always about money. By definition, fundraising is about raising money…but it’s really about the person in front of you. It was a blast having strangers visit my garage sale and talk them into coming to church on Sunday. It’s about sharing the Gospel with people who have never heard of a “mission trip” before. It’s about seeing people, having conversations, praying for their needs, and then seeing how God will work.
I’ve really enjoyed learning and stretching my faith through fundraising, but I must admit that I am OVERJOYED to be done.
Remember how I mentioned that blog post I wrote before leaving about all of the “what if’s?” Well, I ended that blog with some “proper what if’s” and I’d love to look back on them:
- What if I took God out of this `theological box’ that I’ve placed Him in and watched Him freely move? What if God provides in a way I’ve never imagined possible? What if God allows me to share Christ with children, men, and women? What if I didn’t obsess over what I don’t have and thank God for what I do have? What if God breaks chains that people once said were unbreakable? What if God gives me compassion for a specific place or issue? What if God has already given me everything that I need to be successful? What if God takes me deeper than I’ve ever gone before?
The funny thing about that post is that I have an answer to every one of those questions now. I’ve halfway finished with the Race and God has not only been faithful to bring in money I’ve needed, but to also answer every question I’ve had and to show me the things I’ve wanted to see and experience. The awesome thing is that it’s not over yet. There’s so much more. There’s always more. Thank you God.
If you’ve been as blessed in giving as I have been through fundraising and wish to continue blessing a world racer, please consider funding one of my squadmates/friends who still needs to meet their fundraising goals:
http://mckenzieriley.theworldrace.org/
http://andiecortez.theworldrace.org/
http://katiemastropaolo.theworldrace.org/
