- Holy COW!!! It is unbelievable seeing how generous people are with their resources, their time, and moral support to help me prepare for this mission. I have had soooo many friends and family from all over the east coast supporting me.
Asking for support has got to be the most uncomfortable part of this journey yet (at least for now), but when I get over my desire to “be independent and support myself”, I get to invite others in and give them an opportunity to be a part of this commission. I may be the physical body that goes but that is only through the support of all of you. Your obedience to support me, however that looks like, is JUST as pleasing to God as my obedience to go. God has been using a large quantity of people and I am beyond humbled by it. That is something I wouldn’t be able to say if I tried to do everything for myself like I typically would.
The school I teach at, Yellow Branch Elementary School has blown me away! They have come together and commutatively supported me. 45 t-shirts have been ordered from my faculty and staff alone. My amazing bosses and coworkers have decided to have a “Support Rachael Day” once a month where they wear my mission trip shirt and pay $2 if they choose to wear jeans. I am in awe of the amount of support I have behind me at this school. It is incredible and I am so grateful for time I have left at this school!
I have just 6 short months before I take off. Lots of people have asked me about what the $19,200 is for so I wanted to explain to anyone that may be curious. This will cover living for the year (food, housing, travel, and health insurance) Separate from this I am saving up money to pay for vaccinations, all the gear, bills for the months I am gone and other important things like that. Also, YES, I will still be able to go in June even if the goal isn’t met yet. I need to have it raised by 4 months into my trip.
If you have read to this point, then it’s time for a fun little challenge. I am ecstatic to be traveling and experiencing new things but also trying to fully live and be in the moments of right now. Knowing I am leaving for a while helps me appreciate time with people in my life and desire more quality time with them so I have a challenge for you. I challenge you to make a list of everyone you hold closely to your heart that you don’t normally experience much quality time with and write ideas of an experience you want to share with them to make them feel loved. It can be simple and inexpensive like taking them on a hike, walking their dog with them, or bringing them a coffee and having a conversation on the coach. When you make a list, and spend time thinking about things you can do for/with someone, you get more creative and intentional and the truth is we need intentionality to create meaningful relationships.
Thanks for reading! If you take on this challenge share some simple ways that you have made time with people more meaningful.
