I have spent the last few months planning, advertising, going to different businesses to get sponsors, and chatting people up to play for my World Race Golf Tournament. Today was supposed to be the culmination of all my hard work and effort.
Let me say that I had set my expectations high. Everyone was praying for a great turnout, telling me that God could overwhelm me this Sunday. I was stoked and expecting around 20 or so teams. The man who helped organize the tournament does several every spring for the golf course. He said to expect at least that. So I prepared for that, mentally, spiritually, and physically(food, printouts, awards, and raffles, etc.).
When registration began, I was ready and waiting for a show from God. What I got, was a big letdown. Time to start play and only six teams had shown. I needed 20 to cover the cash prizes I had advertised. I was praying when I wasn’t talking to players. I hoped for a last minute flood of late players. Nope. Today was the last day of the Masters…
The tournament must go on. The golfers played, had a good time. I handed out prizes and raffles. Thanked everyone for coming and their support. Then it was over. What now?
We started counting the money. After the prizes, paying the course, and the raffle, I had made a little over $500. Huh?!? How did I make that much? Only six teams came. It was all thanks to some sponsors and a couple generous donations by players. I was surprised by the net from this little event.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not ungrateful for what God has provided, I just had my expectations so high. I think I would have been more excited if I made the same amount with more players. I was very disappointed in the turnout. I know that thousands of people had seen the advertising. Most of them from my church.
Now the struggle with my inner self. Trying to be thankful to God for the generous donations or being angry at Him for not answering my big prayers for this tournament. After all, i just finished Sun Stan Still and learned I needed to be asking God to stop the Sun in the Sky. Today the Sun Set as usual. As I write this I still feel a little upset. Satan is still trying to pit me against God. However, God will prevail.
What did i learn from today? How to plan and run a fundraiser. I had never done one before. The next one will be even easier. All this will work out for good.
All that said, I am still so thankful to all the Sponsors: Shane’s Rib Shack, Pokey’s Restaurant, Cleveland Tire, The UPS Store, Platinum Bonding, Hughes and Associates, Preferred Pharmacy, and Cleveland Appraisals. Thankful to the Players who did come. SOOOOO Thankful to all my friends and Family who helped volunteer. They made this much easier.
After the funds from this tournament, I will be at about $9,300. I still will need almost $7,000 to be fully funded. I feel so excited that I am at where i am at. God will bring in that last $7,000.
It is only one month from Training Camp. I am so ready to begin this journey. Once I leave in the end of June, it will be more difficult to fundraise. I want to be as funded as I can before i leave, to focus on the mission.
If you feel like you would want to help me financially, please click support me at the top of the screen by my funding status bar. If you decide to do monthly support, please make sure to end your payments before the 15th of December. Anything sent in after December will not go towards me, because I need to be fully funded by the end of December 2014. Again thank you and keep me in your prayers.
