“He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.” Psalm 107:14
I first heard about the World Race around Two years ago. I have been praying for an oppourtinuty to serve with them ever since. I went to Haiti during the spring of 2015 and when I came back the Lord told me it was time to apply to the World Race. Nine months later here I am,committed to serving the Lord and his people in Thailand,Malawi and Guatemala for three months each. This trip cost $13,805……..$13,805. I did not start worrying about fundraising until about three weeks ago when I started Fundraising. I realized that I live in a world where people work hard for their money. A world that wants me to go to college for six years right after high school,get a job,make a family,live a little then die. Meaning,that it is hard for people to let go of hard earned money or to support something that may potentially delay my consumption of the American Dream.I started stressing. I started believing the lies that the enemy was telling me:
“You can’t raise this money,no one supports you,not even your family”
“You really think that with God all things are possible? Cus they’re not”
“Your not worthy,that’s why you don’t have the money yet”
And so on…
Then I stopped and I remembered who I was. I am Janelle. I am the girl who rebelled. I am the girl who lived a life of promiscuity. I am the girl who cut her self. I am the girl who smoked weed often. I am the girl who lied to and manipulated people. I am the girl who was in an abusive relationship. I am the girl who can go on about who she was. But my salvation in Jesus Christ….That’s who I am now,today and forever.The day that I gave up myself to follow him,the lord BROKE all of those CHAINS (even the heavy ones) off of my life.
So,I thought,if the Lord broke those chains off of me then, surely he can break the chains off of me now.The chains of my worrying over fundraising,my families unsupportive hearts and my doubt that he wants to use me.
I heard this song called This Love by Housefires. In one part of the song,it says this:
“There is no chain this love can’t break,so be free”
I KNOW that the Lord will break these chains. I KNOW that I will raise $13,805 for the World Race Gap Year. I KNOW that the Lord will do an amazing thing in the hearts of my family members and I KNOW the Lord wouldn’t want any thing more but for me to serve him.
I was in chains but now I am free and being used to glorify the Lord who created the world.
Blessings,
Janelle
P.s. If you got this far,thank you for reading!
