ALL $18,700 IS FULLY FUNDED!!!!!!!!
How? Well, let me share.
About a year ago, in January of 2018, I applied for the World Race knowing I had to fundraise $18,700 in order for me to go and stay. It sounded impossible! I was at a point in my life where the urge in my heart that kept saying “GO” was all I had to depend on. That was God telling me to abandon all my comforts, things, job, family, friends and discover him around his world by serving his people. It sounded crazy. See, I believed in him, but I didn’t know how to have faith in him. I remember telling him: “If you’re really real, then I know I’m going to have to trust that you will provide all the money, and if you really provide, then I will get to experience my first miracle.”
Did I doubt him? Oh heck yeah, I did. I have a past of wavering faith and being a hypocritical Christian. I didn’t understand how to have a genuine relationship with God. Me saying the words: “I believe God is going to fully fund the entire $18,700, so I am not worried” is different than me actually choosing not to worry. I had to learn that saying you believe in God is different than having faith and trusting him. It’s giving him what I am worried about and choosing not to allow anxiety in my heart. I did not know that at the time though.
It was hard. I had many deadlines I had to meet in order to be on track with fundraising goals. Did I make any of the deadlines? No. There were times I was worried. I was fearful: “What’s going to happen if I don’t make the deadline? Will I be sent home?” I had to trust God that he took me on this race on purpose. He has a plan for me.
Well have you heard of the story of Jesus Christ and that he died for you on the cross because he loved you so much? Here’s a Bible Verse that summarizes the story: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world. He did not send him to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:16?-?17 ERV (Easy to Read Version)
When I first truly understood what that statement meant back in 2014, and have explored the whole story, I thought it was the most beautiful description of love I have ever heard. I chose to believe it, so I decided to “give my life to Jesus.” But there’s a difference between believing this statement versus actually giving your life to him, and actually experiencing his love and having faith in God. I finally learned the difference on the World Race and through my fundraising experience.
The World Race has been a time to learn and experience God loving me. He loves me so much. He told me to trust him, and that he would provide the $18,700 for me. He put people on my path and opened their hearts and minds to give. Giving is an act of love. Every single one of you who have given to not just me, but to the people I serve around the world, is an example of the love God has for us. His action of giving up his life for us is similar to you giving up part of your salary for another. Think about it: You earn your salary by the hard work and energy you put in daily, I and no one else deserves the money you earned, yet you gave away a portion of your salary to help someone else. That is such a beautiful, generous, act of love I had the privileged to learn, understand and receive.
God’s love alone is enough, but he also gifted us with a community in addition. I could not have done this fundraising journey without all of you, my community: family, friends, people I thought were acquaintances and even strangers! The fact that we have raised $18,700 together shows the reality of compassion and hope there is in humanity. Some of you have selflessly given anywhere from $5-$2,000 or more! It just proves how a collective group of people can make an impact around the world. How inspiring!!!
On top of giving financially, many of you have done the simple act of spreading the word while others have given me words of encouragement, prayers, and advice. When it was hard for me to see God, your words encouraged me, your prayers uplifted me, and your action to spread the word of this fundraiser helped strangers find my story to give. Your small actions of love toward me have made an infinite difference in my journey. Saying thank you is not enough. The love you have shown me has helped me see, not only God’s love for the people of this world, but also his love for me. I don’t deserve His love, nor do I deserve to go on this lifetime experience, but he gives me his love anyway. Similarly, the disciples’ did not feel they deserved to have their feet washed by Jesus (or his love). I too didn’t want him to serve me, but when you give God a chance to love you, provide for you and serve you, it’s beautiful!!! It’s real!! I am just so filled with his joy!!!
You are part of God’s miracle. See? I told you that You Will Witness A Miracle in my January blog post: https://jasminejaurigue.theworldrace.org/?filename=you-will-witness-a-miracle
Again, I am so amazed at God and what he’s been teaching me about trusting him. What seems impossible is totally possible when we actually practice faith for real. Faith isn’t just a word, it’s an action. It’s hard, but it’s a real action with real amazing consequences. God loves you too, and so if there’s anything that is worrying you, or holding you back, trust God. He is real and he has a plan for you too.
Thank you, everyone, for teaching me this profound lesson about love, trust, faith, and giving. I am forever changed by this experience, and I promise you that I will forever serve God, trust Him, and live my life for others.
For those who said they give, but didn’t get a chance, it’s totally okay!! Please do not donate toward my fundraiser anymore. I am fully funded. 🙂 However, you can still support me and my team by donating to one of my three teammates who are not fully funded and can use your help. My teammates blogs are to the left of this blog: Brittany Tobin, Praise Jorgenson, and Rocky Esquibel.
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Thank you so much!
My original expression when my last donation was given to make me fully funded. ^^^
The Mediterranean Sea behind me.
