This post is about something greater than you or I. It is about the power, love, and glory of God. It is about God working through unknowns, and allowing a simple vision to become a reality. So whether you donated, or not, I hope you can find great encouragement in reading it.
Dear Anonymous,
I do not know who you are, your identity has been hidden from me by your choice. But please accept a heartfelt, deep, and sincere thank you! I know you only by the amounts you donated, but whether you were the anonymous that donated the $5.00, or the $1,000, or any of the amounts in between, please know I am praying for you, and am so incredibly grateful for your generosity.
Truly I mean generosity, because generosity gives without expectations, generosity gives wholly, generosity fills a need at any costs, Generosity is selfless. Truly you gave with no expectation of fame, or reward for such an action. But know that you will be blessed, not just because you gave, but because you gave without expectation, and without earthly reward.
I am so humbled by your gifts, as I know how hard it would be for me to let go of $1000, much less to do so in such a way that I would not be known, no fame, or thank you for lack of ability to do so. By your donations (and I mean every anonymous donation), you have taught me an incredible lesson about the spirit of generosity. You have done so much more than donate funds to a great cause, but rather you also humbled my heart, and for that I am eternally grateful.
I do not know who you are, or what part you play in my life, but I can only imagine you are a person who seeks Gods first. Know that because of your humbling approach to donating that your earthly treasure, or reward may only be this post of thankfulness, but your heavenly reward is only greater because of HOW you chose to love.
Furthermore, know your money is not just going to me, or my costs, but rather to plant church’s in places where there may be no hope, it will go towards 30,000 street kids that live in one city alone, it will go to help women who are involved in the human trafficking/sex industry get out, it will go out to communities so hard hit by poverty, disaster, war and famine, and allow such places to not be identified by that, but rather the community that overcame such things, by the power, and blood of Jesus. These are just some of the possibilities of where your funds will go. There are so many more that I won’t even know, see, or understand until my boots hit the ground. But know that money will provide FREEDOM to all who would gladly accept it.
You were an answer to prayer, in my time of need. You fulfilled the bold statement made days before my deadline. The statement that God would provide the $1200 needed to reach my $10,000 deadline. Not only did it come, but I did not know who it came by, so I only have God to thank. But I know there was an obedient soul behind it wanting all glory to go to God, as it did, and thank you for that.
Because of this generosity, and that of many, many more, my fund raising bar is at $12,056! which means I only have $944 to reach my next goal of $13,000, and it also means I only have $5,505 to go until I am FULLY funded at $17, 561!
Thank you to all, anonymous, and known donors! Your great love, and generosity has reflected that of the fathers in so many ways. I am greatly humbled by this experience, even though it is not over yet, I am so very grateful. Thank you to all who have given of their time, finances and talents to build me up to where I am today. Know you are all in my prayers every day.
Sincerely
Thomas Ruhland
