Whoever said money can’t buy you happiness…..
The last six months I’ve been in some extreme places. I’ve been in the mountains of Africa. I’ve stood in front of a world wonder. I’ve been to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and I’ve been in a community outside a landfill. I think you get the pattern. For every high there’s a low.
Through it all God has been cultivating a spirit in me. A spirit of determination. This has been a characteristic God has blessed me with since birth, but now there’s strength and force to push harder.
Last month in Cambodia God walked me through a scary lesson. We had training sessions for what is going to be hard fight ahead. For a while I wasn’t sure what that meant. This week I think I found out.
I was informed last Wednesday that the new deadline has been set for the end of this month. I need $1,300 this month and another $1,015 next. Otherwise I won’t be able to continue with this race. So I’m going to be transparent with you.
Out of the $14,198 in my account, I have paid $10,000 out of my own pocket. I’ve been amazed and brought to tears seeing the generosity my friends and family have shown me. It is truly humbling. Sometimes I felt like a burden asking and asking for help. Now here’s the transparent part…. Yes, I have personal money I’ve been using. I buy extra food for myself, I spend money on going to different cities, and pay to see things and experience every place I can to the fullness. I’ve paid for a lot of massages and coffee. But what I don’t tell people is about the other things my money has done. It’s helped a small gym stay open in Africa. I often over tip to bless someone a little more. God opened opportunities to share his name in a country predominantly Buddhist in a coffee shop and than a gym. Gifts were bought for women who’ve been made to feel unworthy. Kids got a little more educated with an English work book. There were pictures packets for 140 students. There was a night we arranged to take out 11 kids and a few adults to treat themselves because they never left the school campus in which they lived and treated them to pizza.
Those were some of the biggest expenses. There are countless more I’m sure. If you knew me, you would know I’m a giver. God has blessed me with feeling that if it’s worth having, it’s worth giving. I don’t want to go on this race if I can’t keep giving when there’s a need. I know it’s not always in money but let’s be real. Money talks and if that’s the most tangible way to open up a conversation to get to know someone and share Christ, I’ll take it.
To quote Tim Tebow “I don’t know what my future holds, but I know who holds my future.” I’m not scared or anxious about anything just ready. I do need help to continue this journey, but my race doesn’t end here regardless. Thank you to does who’ve shown so much love.
