Three weeks until launch and God is already working in big ways! From the beginning, I have worked to leave this trip in God’s hands. I wanted to learn to trust God more and seeing Him provide has definitely been teaching me. This post is simply a praise party for what God has done.
A few weeks ago, someone I work with told their church’s small group about my mission trip and simply asked for prayer. I thought that was very sweet and thanked them for gathering people to pray for the group of us and our trip. A few days later, I was shocked by the follow-up of those who were just asked to pray. A gentleman from the church had come to tell me that they were sponsoring me and wanted to interview me for a video to share with the congregation at their church for a love offering. I was overwhelmed. I was so thankful for God showing up in this way and the financial progress He was providing. In addition, the day after the interview, they came back and reported that multiple other churches had asked for the video to show to their own church for a love offering. This widespread reaction was more than I ever would have imagined the news of my mission trip having. I was, and am, so grateful for the people in my life that donated and made an impact in this trip being possible.
A few weeks later, I was reaching a deadline of my fundraising for 7,500 dollars. I was 2,000 dollars short of that goal and only had a few days to go. I had savings that I was prepared to commit to this trip, but I thought I might wait another day to see if I could get any closer to my goal, and therefore, not have to put as much money into my account. Not long after having that initial thought, I realized that if I’m going to ask people to give up their money to my trip, I need to be committed to it as well. I donated the 2,000 dollars that day and felt relieved to have done it. The next day, I checked my email to see that in less than 24 hours I had received 1,200 dollars. That was the largest amount of money I had received in one day and it taught me a lesson.
After I was willing to show that I was fully committed to following God and submitting to His plan, I was rewarded in ways that I could not have anticipated. God has shown me His power and provision time and time again.
And once again, after writing that last sentence, about ready to post this on my blog, I got a message from Bill, another person that I worked with over the summer. He said, “I have a group of kids that would like to meet you.” I had no idea what that meeting was for, but I was looking forward to it because I like surprises and kids. A little while later, I got a FaceTime call from Bill and quickly after saying hello he turned the camera around to face a crowd of kids screaming in excitement and their children’s pastor telling me that those kids had raised over a thousand dollars for my mission trip during VBS. I could not believe that this group of kids had done such an amazing thing for me. I was almost brought to tears and all I could do was repeatedly thank them for spending their time to raise that money.
God is so good and He has done amazing things to show that He is with me in making this trip happen. I can’t wait to see what He can do with this trip while we’re on the field!
I love that you hosted a praise party for what God has provided, and how he provided funds for your mission trip. I also love how people are getting to know you, the missionary. Little children are learning about missions, the joy of giving, and connecting with you.?? I am one of your Gap Year coaches and am looking forward to some celebratory gestures when I meet you next week at training camp. Thanks for the praise party- always fun!