Hello everyone!
This time is FAST approaching. I wanted to update you on my progress with fundraising and how I am preparing.
**I am currently $3,054 from being fully funded!**
I believe God wants me to raise these funds before I leave. He has already helped me raise $14,946. I never thought I would get this far. I can remember being discourage in January and February, wondering how in the world I would reach my goal when I was having a hard time scraping in $100. This whole process has been yet another testament of God’s provision and care for us. I thought I had learned this lesson at the age of 16, when God gave my mom a house, a car, and an amazing job that would help support us when we had nothing. I continue to learn how little faith I have and He is continuing to encourage me to rest in Him.
All this to say, I feel as though He wants me to ask once and for all, to take a leap of faith and lay down my pride for a moment and ask for help. I cannot stay on the World Race without your help and support. Please ask the Lord if this is where He wants you to put your tithes and offerings. If you are the person He has called to help me continue this journey. When God called me to the World Race, He also called others to provide and He will continue to do so. Thank you for discerning if He has called you to be a provider!
As far as preparation goes,
I am moving my things out of my house into storage of some sort (which may look like the form of Grandma’s house?). Obviously, not everything is beautifully put together, but you know me… I love improvising and I am not too worried. It always work out. I am saying my goodbyes, slowly realizing this is for real, and heavily understanding the weight of this undertaking. I have spent much time in prayer, in worship, and in the Word. Satan has been attacking me for a few days now, and has left much grief in my heart about pain I am feeling in different areas of my life. It is very convincing to feel like I will lose everything and like I will never change as much as I want to on the Race. I’m terrified of not pressing in and taking advantage of the experience of the World Race, though I know I fully want to give the World Race everything I got. I have to keep remembering that Satan only attacks when something incredible happens and ask the Lord to throw of shackles of doubt every day. Most importantly, continuing to live in obedience to God and reverence for His Word. Living in this way brings such life and fulfillment, and I want to always obey and dive in even I do not feel an emotional connection to such a task.
Please continue praying for me and encouraging me. Pray for my squad as we tackle this endeavor together. Pray for unity, that we would always fight for each other. No matter what, that we would always turn back to Christ and love each other deeply, even in times of frustration toward one another. We can do this, folks. We can serve and bring the gospel. We can be the hands and feet of God. We can learn firsthand about discipleship. And we will. I promise you, God has an anointing on this squad. I cannot wait to see His glory through the year, for I have already seen so much of it along the preparation journey.
With all my heart, I love you all. Peace be with you.
Mary Beth Byers
