I hope this message finds you like a friend!
I have experienced life away from home for over 100 days, seen beauties that no words can explain, gained a new family of 54 crazy people, felt love like never before, and been allowed to extend this unconditional love to all I have met in the past 4 countries. And so I genuinely say from the bottom of my heart, “Thank you to all who have supported me!” I am serious! I would not be here right now if it weren’t for all of your prayers and finances.
I am writing this blog to present a need before you. My next deadline in my support raising is January 1, 2013. I currently need to raise $3,020 or I will be coming home much sooner than expected. I want to soberly remind you that there are only three kinds of Christians when it comes to world missions: zealous goers, zealous senders, and the disobedient.
I have been reading through the epistles and Paul the apostle often mentions the needs of himself and other saints. What grabs my attention is not that he does what every missionary does: ask for money and prayer–it is the way he asks. Paul asks out of boldness and expectation. He knew his role in the body of Christ. He was called to spread the gospel amongst the nations, and they were called to support his call.
Therefore, in the spirit of Paul, I want to once more thank each and every person who has supported in sending me to proclaim the gospel in the nations thus far. My mother and father have encouraged me tremendously as they share with me testimonies that involve so many of you stepping out to love your neighbors with the same love we have been so freely given. And what is encouraging and uplifting to my spirit is that God is using my feeble blogs and life to encourage you to step out in this faith and take risks! Praise God!
I know the Lord has called me to pour myself out and join the least of these on the margins for 11 months, to proclaim the gospel and to be transformed myself. So I challenge you, the body, to do your part in keeping me on the field laboring for the Kingdom. Every member of the body has a role. Being on the field on the other side of the world is currently mine, and supporting me is yours. Like Paul, I say this knowing that you know this and knowing that you will continue to bless me as you have done so in the past, which I am grateful for!
I am fully confident in the provision of God and in you, as zealous members of the body, to come through faithfully. All of this is not to guilt you into supporting me but to gently remind you of the reason we're alive: To make Him known among the nations!
In the words of Pastor John Piper, "God has an inexhaustible enthusiasm for the supremacy of His name among the nations. Therefore, let us bring our affections into line with His, and, for the sake of His name, let us renounce the quest for worldly comforts and join His global purpose."
Just go to the side of my blog on the left and click the link that reads (3,020.94) left to raise! Support Here! and then make a donation.
Let me encourage you that no amount is too small, and no amount goes unnoticed by God is you give the amount that He places on your heart. Like I always say, “If everyone on my college campus gave me 1 dollar, I would be fully funded.”
In Christ’s Love,
Grayson
