“You know $15,500 is a lot of money to raise.”
“I know.”
“I just don’t know if in this economy it will be possible to get people to just give you that much…”
“Well, I trust God and if He wants me to raise the money, then He will provide it.”
I remember the conversation like it happened yesterday. We were sitting in a Hardees somewhere in the countryside of Virginia. The topic made me feel queasy enough to stop eating my fries. I stared out of the large restaurant windows studying the mountains bathed in sunlight, and as I spoke the words I felt doubt begin to creep in my mind. I knew I had to trust the Lord, but my companion was right. $15,500 is a huge amount of money and I wasn’t actually sure it would come.
Constantly pushing away doubt through prayer, I knew I had to move forward. So in January I began sending out support letters. For weeks I spent most evenings on the couch performing the same motions: write personal note on preprinted letter, stuff envelope, address envelope, seal it, stamp it, and repeat. I would stop by the post office on my way to work in the mornings to drop off the stack of letters finished the night before. Each stack of letters was given a quick kiss and a breath of prayer before being dropped in the box.
A couple of weeks after I began this process, donations began trickling into my account. Then the day came where the first really large donation hit. I was sitting in my office at Liberty University performing my second daily check of my fundraising account when I saw it. I yelped with joy and then immediately began shedding tears of happiness. Ryan, my coworker, rolled his desk chair across the office and gave me a big high-five. I remember praying, “God this is actually going to happen. You’re going to do it, aren’t you? You’re going to give me the money. Please continue to give me faith in your provision.”
So fast forward to September 19th of this year. I was sitting upstairs in Ground, one of our favorite coffee shops in Coleraine. Liz and I had finished morning ministry early and decided to head out for an Americano and some Wifi before the before the afternoon work started. I had no idea that it would be the day that the letters, bracelet fundraisers, Facebook events, talks, and personal conversations finally paid off in full. It took my mind a few seconds to comprehend the information when I checked my account, but when it registered I made quite the scene. The peaceful room of couches and coffee drinkers was interrupted by whoops of delight and fist pumps. I don’t think I stopped smiling all afternoon.
One thing I have realized, however, is that none of this is due to me or my “work”. I am fully funded because God called me to the Race and promised to provide. I am fully funded because over 100 people felt the need to donate. I am fully funded because YOU listened to God and decided to support me. So, thank you. Thank you for your faith, obedience, belief, support, and love. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. Thank you for being the hands and feet of God in my life.
I am so excited to continue with this journey over the next 8 months and see all of the plans God has for me. This is all possible because of the love and generosity of our Heavenly Father and because of your obedience to HIm.
Thank you!
