I’m not the kind of person who enjoys asking other people for money. But then again, I don’t think those kind of people exist. This isn’t the first time I’ve been put in this position, however.
The first time I had to ask people for money was when I went on my mission trip to Haiti. Fortunately for me (and our team, and the people we reached in Haiti) my big sister, Sadie, came on the trip too. When it came time to send out our support letters, Sadie was much more comfortable with it than I was. This time, though, it was just me. (Okay, and my parents helped a ton!)
When I started doing the math, and calculating how much money I need to raise, I got a little panicky. The fear started creeping in that the money wouldn’t come, that I wouldn’t get to leave for the World Race. Or, possibly more devastating, I would get to go on the Race for a bit, and then be asked to return home because I don’t have the funds to stay on the trip. I was voicing these fears to my parents, when my dad spoke the truest words to me. He reminded me that this trip was not my idea. This mission is not from me, but from God. So the money will come. Essentially, my dad told me to have a little faith.
And why shouldn’t I? My dad is right (as always). The money came for my sister and I to go to Haiti. And I wasn’t comfortable asking people for money then. But Sadie had the faith that if we ask, we’ll receive.
Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
So here I am, once again, asking people for money. But this time, I’m going to try and let go of my pride, let go of my anxiety, and simply trust God. I believe whole heartedly that God called me to this mission, so I’m choosing to also believe that God will provide for this mission. And maybe fundraising is another lesson God is giving in “teaching Sydney to let go of control.” This is probably a lesson I need to be taught daily. But as the people at AIM told me, “God is trustworthy and faithful. Fundraising is an opportunity to experience this firsthand.” So I’m going to try and use it as such.
So after days of writing, editing, printing, stuffing envelopes, sealing envelopes, and stamping envelopes, the letters are out! And if you saw my facebook post, guys, I wasn’t kidding. If you think you aren’t getting a letter, think again 😉
BUT if you don’t get a letter, no need to feel left out. Simply click the “Support Me!” link on the left side of the page to make a donation online. If you’d like to avoid the processing fees and mail in a check, you can mail it check to
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374
Make sure to include “Appealed by Sydney Roberts” on the memo line of the check.
I’m also working on some fundraising event ideas, but nothing to solid to share yet. So if you’d like to be updated about these in the future, make sure to keep checking my blog! (Or subscribe to it so that you can be notified each time I update it.) OR ask me to put you on my “monthly newsletter” list to receive monthly updates by email or postal mail. Don’t know how to get in touch with me? Click the “Contact” link on the left hand side of my blog.
Man, this blog is so nifty 🙂
