Fundraising

So many thoughts are swirling as we pray and prepare for this mission trip… it seems there is always a ‘current’ prevailing thought concerning preparations. In less than a week, we need to have a pretty large sum of money turned in to Visiting Orphans in order to begin the process of purchasing plane tickets and getting things in order for the upcoming trip. As I think about the fundraising issues, I am amazed at myself, my doubts, my worries, and in awe of the Lord who loves these orphans so…

A likely title for this narrative would be “the day I became a beggar.” On a Sunday evening in February, I prayed and told the Lord I would go to China if that was His desire for me. At that point, my heart already knew he was calling both me and Halli to go. My mind also knew it was going to take some pretty creative planning and fundraising to make our going on this mission trip a reality. I clearly remember telling the Lord that I would beg for the funds if that was what it took. Looking back, I think He must have smiled….

Almost immediately funds came in for our trip. Amounts came in that floored me – and reminded me how much He loves the orphan and desires that I love them too. During those first days, He used those donations to encourage my heart that I was hearing His call, and that He would provide. I am also reminded He is seldom early --- NEVER late!!! As the days progressed on, funds have come in, and we have appreciated every. Single. Donation that has been made. I also know that even with what has been coming in, we need more to make the trip a reality. We started various fundraisers. While those fundraisers have helped, they haven’t provided the funds required for us to go. And the Lord reminded me of my promise that I would even beg if that was what it took….

I don’t think I have ever done anything that took me anywhere further from my comfort zone. Asking for help simply does not come easily to me, but without funding, we cannot go to China and love on His children there. As He has encouraged me to humble myself and ask for funding, He has reminded me of some things.

Things like, how much is it worth? What is the value of a hug to a child that has never known love? Of being held as sleep overtakes a tired little body? The value of praying over that child, speaking His promises over him or her... Or of communicating His love to an adult who works with the children? What is the value of one single soul? Eternity. What is that one soul we might reach with His love worth to me? To my friends? Is it worth my shamelessly begging for help? Is it worth my time away from home? Worth trudging through China in one of the hottest months of the year? Worth the money my friends and I will invest? And what about my soul? Was saving me worth His sacrifice for me? He was betrayed, denied by some He loved, spit on, beaten, and brutally hung on the cross. For me. He did that for one single soul. Was His sacrifice worth it? I believe He would say ‘yes.’ And now He is asking me to go out of my comfort zone, agree to go where He has called, and find a way to make it happen. If that means I will have to be more creative with fundraising, to work longer hours to accomplish the things we have going, and yes, even to beg, then so be it. The cross is before me. How could I do less?