When I signed up for
the race, like most people, I had no idea how I was going to raise $15,500.
It did take me while
that I wasn’t going to raise that money but God was. Before the race, I had stressed
myself out trying to put together fundraisers and such, but most of my success was NOT in what I was doing. It was when I
wasn’t doing anything but truly believing God would provide was when I saw
money come in. Before I knew it, I had raised $11,000 before I left on the
race. I can’t really tell you how I did it. It was all God.
I was lucky that
when the April 1st deadline rolled around for $11,000, I was all set and didn’t
have to worry about fundraising. But God was faithful. Even though I had the
money in for that deadline, he still sent in a bit of money into my account. It
was a blessing.
And then June rolled
around and I had to raise the remaining amount. I had to raise about $3700 in a
month. And I had no idea how. I had relied a bit on my brother to help me
fundraise, but he’s now in a situation where he is support raising as well. And
I was in Malaysia, in the jungle, without a ton of internet access. It seemed
like all odds was against me, but I had faith that somehow, somewhere God was
going to provide. God has spoken so clear to me that I was supposed to be here.
To be here on this race.
Money started coming
in the last 10 days to my deadline. And
thank you God that I’m fully funded. But what I wanted to share was who God used to provide for me.
As I look at my list
of supporters, many of them are my friends.
Many of my friends, who like me, are fresh out of university, don’t have
a lot of extra money or solid jobs; or paying off student loans; some
are still in school; some have to pay rent; some are newly married and trying
to figure out their life. But it doesn’t stop them from being faithful and good
stewards of their money. They don’t use any of those things as excuses but have
a huge heart for God and missions and to see the gospel brought to all nations.
My friends are some of my biggest supporters and I’m constantly encouraged by
them. In addition to supporting me financially, they pray for me. Through this support raising, I definitely have
learned a lot about faith, but my friends have taught me about generosity and stewardship of money.
I can tell you,
support raising is not easy, nor is it pleasant at times. I hated asking people
for money, but when you look at support raising as inviting people to invest in
God’s kingdom, it paints a different picture. God never lacks money. It’s all His. He
provides.
