$100,000 MILESTONE!!!

I once heard a missionary ask, "Where is the FUN in fundraising?"  I laughed, but now I really get it.  It is absolutely the hardest thing we have ever had to do in our married life. 

The idea of moving our family to Kenya was pretty difficult to swallow in the beginning.  But we have had so many unmistakeable messages from God that this is His plan for us, that eventually His peace that surpasses understanding has replaced our fears*.  (Not to mention that living in Kenya is certainly more appealing than living in the belly of a big fish :-)  It's an exciting moment when you finally peel your fingers away from all that you've been clinging to, with the hope that God will make good on His promise to deliver more than we could ask or imagine**. 

That elation of knowing you are in the center of God's will carries you like a hot air balloon over your promised land.  There you hover, gazing on the sunrise, and even smelling the adventure awaiting you.  But you've never operated a hot air ballooon before, and you suddenly realize you don't know how to land.  You have no way to touch ground in your promised land without the help of the hands and feet of God: your fellow brothers and sisters.

When we made the decision to move forward, we had no idea how humbling it would be to give up our independent status as professionals and ask other people for money in order to obey what we feel God is calling us to do.  We've been timid in our approach, because you never know how people will react.  We've been blessed with a number of friends who call it a "privilege" to be able to walk this journey with us by contributing their time, money, and skills.  We've had others react with disbelief that we would actually ask for support money so we could "vacation" for three years.  (I'm still not sure how taking care of 40+ children 24/7 could be considered a vacation...but whatever).

Whatever you call it, the process of fundraising has definately been part of our spiritual preparation, perhaps even moreso than our physical preparation.  Isn't the whole point of being a Christian to become more like Christ?  I can think of no one more humble than Jesus, giving up His royal status in the heavenly realm to be born a screaming (poopy) infant, completely dependent on Mary and Joseph for His very survival.  He touched the rotting flesh of lepers, scrubbed filthy feet, and eventually hung on a cross between two thieves, all to obey what God was calling Him to do.  As I write this, I wonder if I can start to view fundraising as a privilege rather than a burden.

So now the exciting news....  When we began the process of setting our budget and fundraising, the $160,000 we need to raise seemed absolutely overwhelming and impossible.  This morning we received an email from our amazingly efficient accountant at church that our cash and pledges have exceeded the $100,000 mark!  God is good and "knows all our needs.  He will give us all we need from day to day, if we live for Him and make the Kingdom of God our primary concern." (Matthew 6:33)

With our potential departure only 4 months away, we have much to accomplish in a short period of time.  We still need to raise almost $59,000; in addition to completing YWAM training applications, Kenyan work permit applications, preparing the house for rental, selling much of our household on Craigslist, figuring out our missionary health insurance and shipping options.  We are choosing to leave the fundraising in God's hands for now so we can focus on the other aspects of our preparation.  Please continue to pray with us that God's perfect timing would be revealed and that the many aspects of our new life would come together in a way that glorifies Him!

*Phil. 4:6-7
**Eph. 3:20

Choosing to Disagree

A most sincere thank you to all of you who commented on my last post.  Your sweet thoughts have been extremely encouraging.  Sadly, however, my name was not on the list of scholarship winners that were posted early Friday morning.  I had no idea going into this how disappointed I'd be if I didn't win the scholarship.  It's probably a good thing I didn't think that far head, or the fear of failure might have actually kept me from applying :-)  Truth be told, not being awarded the scholarship sent me into a tailspin of agreements with the Father of Lies:

"I'm not good enough."
"No one wants to hear what I have to say anyway."
"How foolish of me to think God might use me in this way!"

I wrestled with these accusations most of the day and nearly met my defeat.  Then it occurred to me:  It was Good Friday.  Isn't this the very reason we commemorate Good Friday and celebrate Easter Sunday?!?!

I am so precious, so valuable to God -- the very Creator of the vast and awesome universe -- that He sacrificed His only son so that I could spend the rest of eternity wrapped in His presence.  So I am choosing this day to disagree with the Father of Lies.  He is not my father.  My Father loves me and encourages me through His truths.  "My gracious favor is all you need.  My power works best in your weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9 - NLT)

His gracious favor is upon me.  And His gracious favor is upon you, too.  May this knowledge give you every reason to celebrate with me this weekend.  Have a joyous Easter!