That's a great question! So much has been going on! I figured it was about time for an update on fundraising and preparations for my journey. Most importantly, I need to acknowledge that I’m really a bit blown away as God has been opening me up to seeing His love in a new and deeper way. I’m humbled and I’m grateful because I’m so undeserving. The more He gives, the harder I want to push myself to live in greater ways for His purposes; and the less bearing my understanding or society’s definition of success or purpose holds in my heart. Transformation is inevitable when you truly taste the goodness of God. However, I also still struggle to simply receive this love and not keep trying to work for it. His love cannot be earned, and I know that, yet I still try REALLY hard. haha I really don’t even know how to express what is in my heart. I’m literally overwhelmed; and find myself unable to even smile big enough at times, while a moment later wanting to cry because there is seemingly no valid answer to the question “Why me?”…nothing but “I chose you.” By the way, that is a very valid answer! I just still get stuck on feeling like there has to be more justification, yet knowing that I can’t come close to reaching any justification even if it did exist. I can’t wrap my brain around it. Even so, I’m so glad to be in this place.
I won’t get anywhere if I keep trying to explain or make sense out of anything further in the paragraph above, so I’ll move along to the fundraising efforts. God is continually strengthening my faith to know without doubt that He is going to provide every bit of what is needed! You may have noticed a financial status bar on the top of my page and see that I am only $100 away from my first deadline! Again, I have no doubt this will come in the next few weeks! God has been orchestrating some pretty awesome things between "randomly" meeting an alumni racer in a Starbucks, to strangers donating, to groups voting to support my journey together, to friends and family showing fantastic support in all ways.
Plans to fundraise: I received the Mud Love bands that I will be selling as a fundraiser so let me know if you’re interested in purchasing 1…or 10 or so. I'll post something separate about those. This is about the only fully planned fundraiser right now. I was recently brainstorming with my parents and they may help me out through advertisement at their automotive shop! I would love to visit your church, Bible Study, youth/college/women’s/any other group to share about this journey. This could be a great opportunity to challenge your group on global missional living as you adopt a missionary for a year (However, I am a huge believer that anyone claiming to be a follower of Christ should be living missionally right where they are on a daily basis, and I will challenge others accordingly)! I am considering some kind of fundraising dance party or dinner (or both). Please feel free to share your ideas!
Lastly, per the request of a friend, I am working on compiling a list of some of the specific gear and supplies I will need for my journey. I may end up registering at REI for some of it, and listing other things where it doesn’t matter as much. This list will be coming soon as I want to make sure it’s accurate.
Thanks so much to all who have shown so much support up to this point! I look forward to others joining me and my team on this journey!
