Guys this is actually happening!! So far so good on this whole "a-post-a-day" thing. I've really been enjoying getting to write for you and to keep you tuned into all that God is laying on my heart and revealing to me day by day. Thank you for sticking with me and coming back each day to read my posts, it truly means a lot to me. With that being said, if you haven't had a chance to check out my posts from the first four days of "Blog Month," you should go give them a read when you finish up with this one. Love you guys and thank you for your constant and unyielding support.
Let's talk about the big, scary F word that makes everyone super uncomfortable... That's right, f-f-FUNDRAISING. Money makes most people squirm. In our "do-it-yourself" society where everyone aspires to be a "self-made" man... or woman, we're taught from a young age to be self-reliant and to never ask others for a so-called "handout." That's why when God called me to The World Race, an $18,200 Mission Trip, I didn't exactly jump at the opportunity. Don't get me wrong The World Race was a literal dream come true for me! I mean traveling the World for a year to be the hands and feet of Jesus was all I could ever ask and hope for and MORE. Once I learned about The World Race I began filling out my application immediately, but the one thing that continued to hold me back from submitting it was the fact that I didn't think raising that much money was feasible. It was daunting. It was terrifying. And in my mind it was absolutely IMPOSSIBLE.
I went on with my life, but I would always go back to my application and just stare at it, hoping God would give me some sort of sign or just submit the application for me. I began praying fervently about The World Race. "God, You continue to lay this opportunity on my heart time and time again. No matter how hard I try to go on with my life You just keep bringing it back up. I can't do this though. There is no possible way that I can pay for this." Instantly I felt like I had the wind knocked out of me and it was as if God said, "Meagan I'm not asking you to pay for this, I'm simply asking you to be obedient and go. All you have to do is trust me."
The rest is history, and here I sit before you blogging away and preparing to leave the country in EXACTLY ONE MONTH from today to go on The World Race. Has my fundraising journey been an easy one? No, not in the slightest, but honestly I wouldn't have it any other way. God has used fundraising to teach me so many lessons in this season of preparation and waiting. It's been an on-going process and someday's it truly feels like its own full-time job, but I've already seen so much fruit come from it and it has brought so many individuals into my path who now get to be a part of my World Race journey as I head to share God's love with the nations.
So, let's talk about all the incredible opportunities that God has placed before me in the pursuit of raising such a monumental amount of money...
JOBS: I have nannied longterm for a family, and babysat for multiple others. I have dog-sat and house-sat for many individuals. I have cleaned houses. I taught ukulele lessons. I had the opportunity to direct a play at my Alma Mater in the spring. I was given the opportunity to work at a local Feed and Seed store in my hometown, (HUGE shoutout to Mr. Shane and Mrs. Mandy Prophett, you guys are AWESOME). I was a camp counselor. I became a substitute teacher and have enjoyed getting to form lasting relationships with some of the incredible students that I've had the honor of meeting!
FUNDRAISERS: I sold t-shirts through Fund the Nations. I sold stickers. I did an "Adopt-A-Box." I sold my clothes and other miscellaneous items here and there. I made wooden signs for individuals homes. I partnered with Go Rings and sold jewelry. On the 11th of many months I asked individuals if they would be willing to donate $11 in honor of the 11 countries and 11 months (definitely give this one a shot on November 11th... cause it's LITERALLY 11/11). I sent out support letters. I sold “Adopt a Country” and “Adopt a Continent“ jars. Annnddd I even have a fundraiser going on today...
In honor of today being September the FIFTH (and due to the fact that I need about $5,000 in order to be FULLY FUNDED), God gave me the idea to have a fundraiser today called PIE-FIVE! Will you donate JUST $5toward my Mission Trip right now? For every five people who donate $5 it will equal ONE pie in the face for moi! So if you want to go ahead and donate $25, you just bought a whole pie! Heck, if you want I'll even let YOU be the one to come throw it in my face!
The bottom line is everyone's fundraising journey is so different just as everyone's World Race experience will be different. Some people are able to work to raise the money. Others have family and friends who are able to donate left and right. Still others have anonymous donations come pouring in when they least expect it right as deadlines are needing to be met. So breathe. Trust your Papa, and submit that application right now. Don't wait and don't second guess God's ability to provide if He has truly called you to this. Do it, what are you waiting for???
-Meagan
