Our goal is to raise $90,000
in the next year and a half. In addition to that, we need to have a significant
amount of that be continuous support by regular givers. When we sit down and
really think about how much money that is, we get overwhelmed and discouraged.
We also get motivated to pray. I feel like there are times through life where
we want to give glory to God for something, but at the same time we feel like
we accomplished that goal because of our own hard work. This is not one of
those situations. We feel extremely dependent on God to get us through this and
to bring people, churches, and ministry partners into our lives. Having this
daunting of a task is bringing us out of our comfort zones by asking for help
and praying for specifically what we need.
Raising money is not a talent
that David and I have. I have horrible memories of trying to raise money in 6th
grade band by selling cookie dough (which resulted in begging my parents to
just please buy the cookie dough so I could stop begging people.) Neither of us
are fond of presenting and we definitely do not consider ourselves public
speakers by any stretch. With that being said, we feel completely different
about speaking about Blessing Home and Thailand Methodist Mission. There is
nothing in the world we would rather be telling people than how Blessing Home
is keeping children out of the sex and drug trade in Thailand and the amazing
ways God is working in Thailand. Honestly, I am having a hard time shutting up
about it. Once I get going I get really passionate explaining it and David has
to calm me down before I get so excited and fired up I start getting loud and
sounding angry.
We had our first opportunity
to explain the ministry more to our church on Easter. We were able to set up a
table, our pastors helped us create a wonderful display, and we talked to
people before and after the service about the ministry. We haven’t had many
opportunities yet to speak with people about the ministry but every time we get
the opportunity we know that we are one step closer to reaching our goal and it
gets us more excited. Although part of me wishes that there would be a giant
anonymous donation so we wouldn’t have to fundraise anymore, the other part of
me is thankful for the process. I love the way God works through so many people
to make His plan happen. I know I am thankful for times where God had me in the
right place at the right time so I could encourage someone, pray for someone,
or give to someone. I wouldn’t want to lose those experiences, and now it is
our turn to be on the receiving end. We have had generosity and support and
prayers from people we don’t even know, and that is even more proof of how God
is working in people, and we can’t take any credit for how that happens at all.
 |
| Our display Easter morning at Heritage Church |
