I’m in awe right now. How is $16,962 a goal that was met? The Lord! He worked in me, He worked in you and He made available many resources. This blog is dedicated to everyone who responded to His tug at your heart. I have profound gratitude for your generosity, time, and prayers. Becoming fully funded for the World Race meant a lot of sacrifice, not just mine but yours too. So much is possible with faith, hard work and sacrifice. I hope the journey of how I got here will benefit future racers or inspire others to trust the Lord when He calls you to something that seems extraordinarily expensive or outside the realm of possibility. If you’re one of my supporters, then we get to recap on the neat ways in which you contributed.
The all-important support letter started my financial journey. My introduction to this crazy big endeavor, the call I received, my responsibility to it and my initial plea for help. I knew God was guiding me and that I would reach this moment. At Target Copy I had help cutting and folding all my handmade letters, the kid behind the counter offered me help, and as he looked over the info I was able to share my faith with him. I gave him some contact info for guys at my church. A divine appointment, evangelism and free help made for a great start at fundraising.
My t shirt fundraiser! Fun is in the word fundraiser, it was fun for me to design it and fun for me to see family and friends wearing it. I hope you’re all still enjoying the shirt, wearing it out and about. Now there are also really cool stories to share when you’re asked about it!
July 4th party at my place! Picnic style fixings, backyard bonfire and a walk down my block to the biggest fireworks display in the area. Door charge and additional support added up to an amount that had me believe it was totally possible to fund this thing. I loved opening up my home for one of the last times, having my friends gathered in one place. Shooting off fireworks in the yard, laughing with one another, eating great food, such fun times!
The 34th St wall in Gainesville, Florida. The wall spans several city blocks, known for its graffiti art and promotional displays it’s a community bulletin on a grand scale. One of my best friends helped me to paint a large World Race mural, after hours of stenciling she was the first to learn every country on my route. After all the hard work I was thrilled to see that it was left untouched for a month, when usually they are painted over within days. Go Jesus! This fundraiser was more about raising awareness than raising funds, but the two are linked and so funds kept coming in. I also had a blast with the bestie who helped me to get to where I am now!
Garage sales…many of them. When I moved out of my home I decided to sell most everything. It wouldn’t make sense to spend a ton of money storing my stuff for a year, and there was quite a bit of money tied up in things I wouldn’t need. For my first big sale, I coordinated the timing of it with a street festival happening in the town where I was living. My family’s porch on the main street made for the perfect venue. I had a lot of help from my roommate who sorted, categorized and priced everything. She also donated clothing into the pile of other items contributed by family and friends, I had lots to sell! Over the span of a few months I had several garage sales and took the majority of my wardrobe to consignment shops and thrift stores. This brought in lots of money!
Applications for assistance. I received two scholarships for the World Race. One from my church and one from a foundation. The $2000 scholarship from my church was part of a memorial fund in honor of Frida Crawford, who served the church alongside her husband, the senior pastor for many years before she passed away from cancer. They paved the way for many missionaries because of their love of spreading the gospel. I never met Mrs. Crawford but I heard many great things about her and I hope to be making her proud as I walk out this World Race journey. The other money I received was $5000 from a foundation. The founder had recently passed and so this, too, was like a memorial scholarship. She had such a love of world travel, an explorer, a compassionate woman who believed in service, learning from other cultures and bringing good to the needy.
Around the World Dinner Benefit. The Penumudi family generously opened up their beautiful home for a dinner buffet, not only did they host my event but made delicious Indian food which attracted many friends to buy meal tickets. Also helping me that day was another friend who provided Colombian appetizers and another who made fabulous Bulgarian desserts. The buffet was amazing and I got to share my heart for the trip. I was also sent off with many blessings and prayers.
Thank you to those who joined me in these endeavors, those who supported me monthly, those who gave anonymously, those who gave when they didn’t have it to give, and those who held my hand along the way. We can now lift our hands in praise because I made it to the end of the fundraising! Please join me in praying for those on my squad who have yet to reach the goal and consider supporting them financially! Mackenzie Hutchins, Melissa Flores, Heather Whitford, Mike Ward, Sally Fallanca, Talia Linde, Esther Houser, Michael Fiene, Pamela Christian, Alexandra Keeley, Alexis Leon, Sean Falconer, and Ryan Stephens.
