$6000! That's the number I'm sitting at with my fundraising. Still a ways to go until I get to $16,500, but God is providing!
I wanted to take a few moments and share what the fundraising process has been like for me.
I actually started out optimistic back when the number was $15,500. I thought, "Not only will I be able to raise money from people back home, but I have tons of friends on the ship who will most likely give as well! I was like, "This is gonna be pretty easy!" Then reality started setting in… that's really a lot of money.
Nobody on the ship was giving. I had been promoting the Race for several weeks without any luck. I started to become discouraged. It's like I knew in the back of my mind that God was going to start providing, but I had a little bit of doubt.
Family back home started giving a good chunk of change, which gave me a little hope. But I was still thinking that the money would roll in faster! I was praying everyday, checking my account everyday… what was wrong?
Slowly, I had a few friends on the ship give more than what I anticipated. Things were starting to look up! Then we got a message from our Adventures in Missions mobilizer (Jess) saying the health insurance program was changing and that we needed to raise an extra $1000. I understood that this health plan was better and will benefit us in the long run, but that still meant an extra $1000 to fundraise. I wasn't necessarily discouraged, but I definitely was not psyched about the news!
Recently in Bible study we discussed prayer. This scripture was mentioned in our discussion: "When you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him" (Matt. 6:7-8). Right after that, Jesus speaks about where the focus of the prayer should be… let "Thy Will Be Done" (Matt. 6:10).
I didn't put much thought into this until a couple weeks later when God was like, "Tyler… you think maybe I want you to get this stuff through your thick head for the Race?"
You see, I had been saying to God that I trusted Him. Yet, time and time again I'd pray the same prayer… "Jesus, I pray that you provide for my World Race funds… I'm leaving it in Your hands. You got this." Irony anyone?? It was a mindset of "I'm doing my part, so can you go ahead and do Yours?".
God had already put me in this position. Would he not provide for me? HIS will be done! Not mine.
I decided to pray one more time and let that be it. I now have an overwhelming peace and can safely say that I know he will provide. And look!… I am 40% funded and just got a total of $1,040 raised by anonymous donors in the past week!! Praise God.
So that's kinda how fundraising has been for me. It's been up and down, but I have no doubts now. I want to thank everyone who has given already and for those who will give in the future! We are in this together as a part of God's higher plan.
