I’ve come to realize just how blessed I am when it comes to the assistance I’m receiving in regards to the missions trip. I recently spoke at my church and the amount of support I have been given is truly astonishing. In all honesty I wasn’t expecting much in terms of support. I had no doubt that I would get donations, but I thought it would be a one time thing where people would just give some money out of obligation and never speak of it again, boy was I wrong. I have had people come up to me and ask about the trip with sincerity and that just makes me really happy to see that. I’ve had some people who are willing to donate more than I could hope to ask for.
I’ve had a tough time relying fully on God to provide for this trip, it’s tough to go up in front of a crowd with a power point that you didn’t even have time to spellcheck properly and to organize meetings with people and basically ask for money. Asking for money is so different from what we’re told to do in society. If I asked for money in the streets no matter the cause I would be told to, “Beat it hippie!” and, “Get a job!” That just makes it all the more meaningful to see that despite this people are still willing to give to me. I wouldn’t be able to do this without friends and family, so to everyone who has supported me or are praying for me or even just considering supporting me, thank you, thank you so much for what you’re doing. I by no means am close to raising my full support, I have quite a ways to go in fact. In order to do this I am going to have to get out of my comfort zone, work hard, and to truly rely on God to provide for me.
I want this trip to have a lasting impact on both me, those going on the trip, and especially those who live in the countries I’m visiting. I realize that I won’t change the political situation in Guatemala or clean up the entirety of India on this trip, but if I can make a connection with at least one local, if I can change a life and give people hope through Christ than it will all be worth it to me.
I realize there is a stigma that a lot of people have against missionaries, especially against people around my age. Some believe that the only reason that a lot of missionaries go on these trips is for the sights,food, and culture along with the alibi that you’re going out there to help people in order to raise funding for what is basically a paid vacation, I can’t speak for others, but I DO NOT want this trip to be a all expenses paid vacation. Obviously I do plan on having fun down there, I’m going to live in three vastly different cultures and societies it would be hard to not have some form of enjoyment down there and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with enjoying myself, but at the same time I want to focus on saving lives and not just spending my time having fun. I’ve been on mission trips before and I’ve seen hopelessness and it’s not a sight I like seeing. I’ve seem homelessness, starvation, and hopelessness down in the Dominican Republic. I’ve seen people rely on magic and voodoo to save them, but in the end only God can save them. I hope that God will use me in order to help both people with their physical needs and especially with their spiritual needs.
I got a bit side-tracked with this post and the message wasn’t even what I meant to write about in the first place, but nonetheless it’ll make do. Once again I would like to thank everyone supporting me, it truly means a lot and if anyone who stumbles upon this post are called to donate it would be very appreciated along with your prayers for a safe travel.
