I was so moved and overcome with emotion. I had to donate! I just had to! I had no idea even if I had the money to donate. How am I going to help provide for someone else when I still have $10,300 to raise for myself? So, I sat in my chair debating as to whether or not I should go and give. I fnally got up and walked through the mob of people to the World Vision Micro table. I grabbed the flyer as the people were talking and read. The first thing I noticed was that they were seeking partners or people to give a minimum of $25 per month or one time. I knew I didn’t have that. When I got to the lady at the table I said, “I don’t have $25 to give but I want to make a donation. can I do that?” She said, “sure” and I told her all I have is what is in my wallet as I am also raising funds for my mission trip but I want to give it. I didn’t even think twice about the donation and I all I had was a measly $14. I thought to myself, “Its not much. What’s that going to do?” I knew that I had to give it though.
So, this leads me to tonight. Tonight was my first home group since returning from Training Camp. It was a difficult time for me. I had just come from work where I cleaned out my classroom and turned in my keys. I’m not going back. Not because I don’t want to but because God has called me elsewhere. I’m in that transitional period; sad for what I have left and what I will be missing; excited for what’s to come; scared for the unknown. So, it was difficult to fully focus tonight.
Prayer time came and as always, I mentioned my squad and the funds needed. The leader, Mike, prompted me to share what sacrifices I gave up to go on the Race. At first I didn’t really understand what he meant. I mean God called me that’s it but he prompted me to discuss my whole job situation and so I gave my story. You can find the full version here but the short version goes a little something like this…
4 years ago I was in my senior year of college when I was introduced to the World Race. I felt called to go but I didn’t think I was good enough. I graduated and did what was expected of me, got the job, got the apartment, got the boyfriend, but wasn’t fully happy. Trying to find happiness I moved out of state and then back again in about 6 weeks and ended up getting a teaching job where I live know. A year into teaching I realized I still wasn’t happy and so I began praying that God would tell me what to do. That’s when I attended my old church and heard Trevor speak about going on the Race. I felt like I should go but didn’t think I was good enough and ignored the pull. I continued to pray and 6 months later met Chelsea who informed me she was going on the Race. Once again that pull and I finally realized this is what God wanted me to do. I didn’t understand it and how it would be possible since I have college and medical debts and so I argued with God for 5 months. I asked that I would wake up thinking about the Race and I would go to bed thinking about the Race and all other doors would be closed. For 5 months he answered that prayer and I finally gave in and applied.
But see, my story doesn’t end there. I told my home group that after I was accepted I thought I still was in control and had a fall back plan (I always have a plan B). I could just take a leave of absence for a year and I’d come back and have my job. WRONG! My leave was denied and so I had a decision to make. I decided to resign my position. I am completely relying on God right now. I have given up control and decided I would follow him. If I don’t receive $6000 by July 17th I don’t launch August 2 and I still need a total of $14,800 to complete the Race.
After home group ended, 3 people came up to me and quietly handed me money all saying almost the same things I said and thought just last night, “It’s not much but I want to give this to you. Your story touched me.” I walked away tonight with $100!
Driving home I realized that we all have a story. It was the story I saw in the video last night that prompted me to give all I had in hopes of sharing God’s love with another. It was my story tonight that prompted others to donate all they had in hopes of helping me reach my goals in order to travel the world for God. And so, I ask you, what is your story?
