Fundraising. Possibly one of the most daunting words you could speak to someone who is looking to go on a trip of this magnitude. Everything about this journey is hard. Just saying yes to go is a tough decision. I thought about time missed with family and friends. I thought about all the holidays, birthdays, and weddings that I WILL miss. I thought about how scary it was to give up an entire year of my life. After all of that, I said yes; I started my application.
Opening the application I realized, wow, this is no joke. These people are serious about this process, and they are asking a lot of me. They wanted me to share my pitfalls and my shortcomings. I had to explain every problem I’ve had in my relationship with the Lord. Then to take it a step further, I talked about those problems with a complete stranger on the phone. They asked me hard questions about where I was at in my life, and where I wanted to be. Then I got the call. Its the call I was anxiously awaiting. It was the call that told me my dream was becoming a reality. It was the call that told me I was now a World Racer.
So, now what? Now I have a $17,000 size mountain staring at me, right in my face. I have never faced a price tag of this magnitude before. Frankly, it is one of the scariest and most intimidating things I’ve faced in my very short life. I am a fairly independent person, and it is hard for me to know, already, that this is something I cannot accomplish on my own. I know that I cannot come up with this money on my own. I know that it is going to be the first opportunity for the Lord to show up in huge ways. Fundraising is not easy. It forces humility which can be a very uncomfortable place to be.
I have to be fully funded by November of 2016. I have three months after I leave to raise any final funds needed. That means that for the next year, I get to set up camp in that place of discomfort. I would be lying if I said I was excited. I am terrified. But in my terrified heart I know that this is what the Lord has for me. I know that he has called me to the race, and I know that he has big things planned for my life. This is my first step of faith in this very long process. Some might say this is the biggest step. This is a $17,000 dollar step. This is a step of support letters, selling t-shirts, doing crafts, and speaking in front of people to ask for their prayer and support. Sometimes I feel a little insane when I tell people my after graduation plans, but most of the time I am covered by the arms of the Prince of Peace. I am ready. I am prepared for this journey and I can’t wait to see how the Lord comes through during this next year. So…
Ready,
Set,
Fundraise.
Let’s do this.
