Provision

Wow. The first month of support raising is almost over, and I am utterly blown away at God's faithfulness and provision so far.

I have put a lot of effort and prayer into this process this month, but I have to admit that I've been a bit skeptical about how all of this would go. I've never had to raise support for anything before, and $12,000 seems like quite an undertaking for my first time. But I've been praying more and more for increased trust in the Lord. I know that He is faithful, and I've heard great stories of His provision. I want to trust in that same power in my own life. What I've seen just in the past week has shown me that God is way bigger than I can imagine.

I sent out  a bunch of support letters early this month. Less than 100, but a lot nonetheless. These went to most of my friends and family. After a few weeks I started getting responses about gifts, and I can keep track of these things through a website that is updated by Mission Year.

I also decided to do a t-shirt selling fundraiser. I'm blessed with the resources and support here at Truman State to be able to screen-print the shirts myself. This saved me a considerable amount of money on the shirts. I paid $513.70 for the cost of plain shirts, screen printing ink, and shipping for both. It took only a few hours to print all 150 shirts (with the help of great friends), and I've been able to sell them over the past week and a half.

Tonight I counted the money I have accumulated from these shirt sales over the past 1.5 weeks. Between cash and checks (excluding a huge pile of change at the bottom of the jar), there is exactly $513.00. I don't know if you noticed, but the shirts cost me $513.70. SWEET. Because, as I also mentioned, there's a huge pile of change at the bottom of the jar that I know is equal to over $15.00. Plus, I still have more orders to fill for shirts. But everything from here on out is profit!

Furthermore, Mission Year is matching whatever is donated in my name during this month, up to $1000. I know that I have at least $950 so far, but I've heard of at least five more donors who are getting money in this week. God easily provided that first $1000! And it will be doubled! So after the first month, I will have over $2000 raised already! So cool.

I have other exciting things to update you all on, but I need to go study for my last undergrad test! More updates soon.

Thanks for all the love and support. You all are great.

Hope

Tonight at CCF, Reed talked about Revelation 21, the creation of a new heaven and new earth. This is good news. This is exciting talk. All of the comparisons to Genesis are really great. I was encouraged by the promise and truth of God's renewing power. At the end of the evening, he asked us to imagine the transforming power of Christ that has changed and shaped our lives at work in the people and world around us. What will this world look like when it's transformed by that same unmatched power? This thought grabbed my heart and gave me hope. I've seen the incredible transforming work of Christ in my life. I am hopeful for the things that can and will be done in the world around me.

I've seen the power of chains broken and joy renewed. I've been given hope and freedom. I've been set free from so many bonds. I have a purpose and satisfaction in living life each day. I see how things I do really matter. I've seen the power of love and encouragement.

My heart breaks when I hear life stories and see the pain that is so prevalent in this world. It hurts. It is not how God intended. It is not exceedingly good. My heart breaks when I reflect on my own life and my repetitive sin. I am a broken person, even with the freedom that Christ has given. But there is freedom. I have freedom to change. I have freedom of forgiveness. I am a new creation. For freedom Christ has set us free. I am no longer a slave to sin.

And I am hopeful for this world to experience the same freedom. I am hopeful to do what I can during this life to bring the Kingdom of God to earth. I am eager to spend my days loving in words and deeds, offering grace and kindness. I am eager to share Christ with this world however I can. I want this world to experience freedom.