Fundraising.
Sometimes it can seem like a dirty word. For someone like me, who doesn’t like to ask for help on anything – much less ask for money – it’s a daunting task. And if you’ve read much of my other information, you know I have to raise a pretty hefty sum. When I first saw the number, my head started to spin. Then I came to a realization: the funds that I raise will be what I live off of for nearly a year. So effectively it’s my “salary” for a year. And I’m going to be doing some extensive traveling during that year. All of a sudden it felt like that number was not nearly large enough!
Up to the point of this post, I have only just begun to raise funds, and thus have made hardly a dent in what seems an insurmountable obstacle. But I believe that is one of the key lessons in this whole process. At least, it will be a good experience for me.
Our society today tells us that we can have anything for which we are willing to work; that we can do anything we set our minds to.
(Now, let me take a step back. Just to be clear, I think it is important for us to tell our children that they can do anything, and be anything they want to be. It instills a sense of confidence and hope that will encourage them to become contributing members of society when the time comes for that.)
That being said, when we start to believe that all that we possess and all that we have achieved is a result of our own abilities, we have problems. I’m speaking to myself when I say that it is of paramount importance to acknowledge that we have and we are able to do only the things that God permits. The amazing part is that we serve a God who loves us – a God who tells us in Jeremiah 29:11: “I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you, and not to forsake you.”
Which brings me back to fundraising. This challenge will be an excellent growing opportunity for me, as I begin to understand what it truly means to rely solely on God. Although I will be doing my very best as a fundraiser, ultimately it is God who will place His will on the hearts of those who are willing and able to support me in His ministry. In other words, there is nothing I can do to guarantee that I will raise all of the funds needed.
That’s a sobering thought.
Don’t misunderstand me – that does not give me an out to say “Well there’s nothing I can do, so I’ll just sit back and let God do all the work.” I still have a responsibility to act as the hands and the feet during the fundraising phase. This phase is one of the many media through which I will have the opportunity to be a light to this world.
(P.S. If you are interested/willing/able, the easiest way to support my trip is via the “Support Me” link to the left. I will post my support letter in a follow-up post.)
