4 More Days...

December 16th is my fundraising deadline. 4 more days until this phase is over, the phase that almost kept me from going to Uganda in the first place. The idea of raising support for a mission trip scared the heck out of me. But God did what He always does, and ever so gently, took my hand to guide me through that fear. 

I want to pour out my heart one last time in regards to this fundraising effort. I'm gonna be real, and say it's probably taken about 20 minutes to get this far. A lot of typing, and a lot of erasing. So I'm just gonna call this an introduction, and get started with it. Ready, set, go. 

I'm all for keeping it real here. So here's the deal:

I have 4 more days to raise $945. Considering I started at $3,700 (now $3,800 due to some final budget changes), that number makes me shout praise to the Lord already. That number makes me tear up at the thought of the names that comprise that $2,855 already raised. And that's not an exaggeration, you should have seen the tears at small group this week.

The honest to God truth is that come December 16th, I will be putting the remaining amount on my credit card. So, yes, if not a single dollar was raised beyond this point, I would still be going to Africa come January. 

So why am I writing to you right now? Why am I sharing my heart, and asking for your help, if I'll be going regardless?

 Because I truly believe that God is calling people to be a part of this. 

When I look back on moments where I know without a doubt that I heard from the Lord, most of those moments were when He led me to give to others. I truly believe that God blesses our giving, and that He uses it more than we know. I am happy to pay the remaining $945, but what if God wants to use you in this? 

What if He was whispering in your ear to give to this trip, and seeing this post is serving as confirmation? 
(It's happened to me, huh Annie?) 

What if God wants to use you in the lives of the pygmies that we are going to serve? 

What if He wants to use you to spread the gospel, and plant churches so that everyone in Kisoro, Uganda will have a church within walking distance? 

What if He wants to use you to help teach about AIDS in a part of the world where education on this disease is desperately needed?

I wish you could hear the sincerity in my voice when I say that I don't ask these questions to guilt you into giving. If you don't feel a pull to support this particular mission field, then please follow the Lord's leading and give where you do feel a pull! Allow me to say that you are off the hook! No guilt necessary. I love you all the same!

That being said, I genuinely believe that there are those out there who are feeling called to support this. Whether you feel called to support what God is doing in my life, or in these pygmies' lives, or in Uganda in general, I pray that you would be blessed by following that leading. I pray that your giving would be returned to you ten fold, and that your faith would strengthen as a result of your obedience. 

I am thankful for each one of you, did you know that? I hope you do. Your support from day 1 of this exciting adventure means more to me than I could ever tell you in a blog post. 

4 days. $945. If anyone can do it, God can. 

{If you would like to donate, you can do so here} <3