So a few weeks ago, I was talking to some coworkers about how I was going to do this cool thing next year called the World Race. I was all excited telling them, I'm going to get to hold orphan babies, play with street kids, go to bars and minister to girls caught up in the red lights districts, and build churches all over the world.
As this is not a typical after graduation plan, the questions were rightly asked…
"So, are you getting paid to do this?"
I kind of chuckled a bit and said, "No, I actually have to raise $15,500 to go."
The looks on their faces reminded me that $15,500 is a hefty chunk of change and I'm really going to have to work at raising this money.
The next logical question, "So, how are you going to get it?"
"I ask people to donate."
They all chuckled, and one said, "Who would give you money?"
Although the question was asked in funny and playful way, it sent my mind a reeling.
Why would anyone give me money?
Why should anyone donate some of his/her hard earned money to support me?
I really couldn't think of any reason why anyone should donate other than they would be investing in my life.
And what an honor!
I really believe this trip around the world is going to change me. How could it not? Have you read the blogs of the people on the World Race right now? If not, you should totally take sometime and do it, like now! They are really being the hands and feet of Jesus in our world. They are bringing the Kingdom of heaven to earth, now, ordinary people, with a big mission, to see the Lord live and move through out this world.
Wow.
I wanna be apart of that.
I can see the woman God wants me to be, and all these experiences are helping shape that person. I am completely blown away by the generosity of the people in my community willing to invest in my life.
I've already learned so much, and I'm no where close to leaving yet. My attitude towards money has changed. A friend at my school bought some power steering fluid for me and put it in my car for me. (And you're thinking, what does that have to do with anything?) Well, I gave him some money for helping me out. A day or so I walk by him and he says something like,
"Why in the world would you give me money when you have a can in the bookstore for spare change for a $15,500 mission trip?"
Well, I just said something like
How can I expect God to bless me if I refuse to be a blessing to others?
Freely I've received so freely I will give. [Matt 10:8]
All this to say, I don't take money lightly, and I know you don't either. You work hard for your money, so you shouldn't just dish it out just because I asked nicely with a cherry on top.
I can't promise that just because you donate money that God is going to drop a night deposit in your checking account, but we do serve miraculous God, so who knows!
If you have given to me already, or you are planning to, or even if you're just reading my blogs and supporting me with prayer, thank you for investing in my life.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Oh and P.S. I'm having my first big fundraising event this weekend! A dinner at South China Regional Church of the Nazarene in South China, Maine, Saturday, November 5 at 6pm. If you're in the area, I'd love for you to stop by grab some food, and listen to me speak a little about what God's doing in my life.
🙂
