Oh the joys of fundraising. If any of you have ever had to do fundraising for an event, you know what I'm talking about. It's a unique situation, one I can't even begin to describe to you. It's definitely one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do in my life. But there are great lessons to be learned from having to go through it.
The biggest lesson is learning to trust in God. I like being self-sufficient and taking care of things on my own, but apparently God has placed me in a position where I cannot provide for myself. I feel helpless and weak, but I'm learning that's where God wants me. He wants me in that place where I am relying completely on Him for all my needs, and fundraising gives you a great opportunity to do just that. I wish it didn't take such a situation in order for me to rely on Him, but that is what it has taken.
Pray for me. Pray for my funding, that God would be faithful to provide, and it would come in on time. And most importantly, pray for my faith. Pray that it would survive this testing, and prove to be a genuine, God-honoring faith.
25 February 2009
07 February 2009
Austin Mission Trip: Day 2
Today brought a morning of rest, some great devotional time, and then we were off to Zilker park for some fun and fellowship with strangers. After last night, I was really focusing on having some conversations--on just getting myself out there and letting God provide the rest.
And the great success of today is that I did have some conversations while we were in Zilker park. Talked with Danielle who is a believer, and whose friend was a baby ruth last year at the woods (her name is allison) and was hired for summer staff but cant do it because her parents told her she had to get an internship--and allison is thinking of doing the forge next year. So hopefully we'll get to talk to her at church tomorrow night, but it was great to see how God lead us into that conversation.
Another lady I talked to was named Bekah. We met bekah in line for the girls bathroom (I wasnt waiting for the women's restroom, mind you, I just met up when I came out of the guys). She is a non-believer, and was reading the books "meditation" and "happiness" so she is obviously searching for something. But she wasn't open to talking about the gospel--she said that everyone has their own beliefs that work for them. And then she proceeded to head out pretty quick.
One of the guys I talked to was just a weird situation. He was just kind of sitting off by himself, watching children play play. I went over to talk to him (at the insistence of B-rit), and proceeded to try and talk to him. But his answers were really short, and there just seemed something fishy about him. Finally, after I asked him if where he was from (he had already told me he was not from Austin), he said, "A long way from here," and then got up and just walked away. So again, no gospel presentation--but the more I think about it, the more I am glad I talked to that guy. Even though I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, this guy gave me the heebs, and I was just glad that he went away from where all the kids were playing. Not saying anything was going to happen, but you never know.
As I look back on today, I am happy yet still unsatisfied. It is good that I got out and started to engage strangers in conversation. Getting over that hump was a huge success, and one I know I can now relive on a regular basis. But I am eager to get over the next hump--sharing the gospel with a stranger. Hopefully the next few days will provide me that chance. Tomorrow morning we are going to church under the bridge, which is a church service performed for the homeless under the overpass of a bridge. I hear it's awesome. We are planning on just going and chatting it up with whomever we meet. Continue to pray for us. We've had two good days of witnessing, and we want it to continue. We want to see God do some great work through us before we leave Austin.
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always."
And the great success of today is that I did have some conversations while we were in Zilker park. Talked with Danielle who is a believer, and whose friend was a baby ruth last year at the woods (her name is allison) and was hired for summer staff but cant do it because her parents told her she had to get an internship--and allison is thinking of doing the forge next year. So hopefully we'll get to talk to her at church tomorrow night, but it was great to see how God lead us into that conversation.
Another lady I talked to was named Bekah. We met bekah in line for the girls bathroom (I wasnt waiting for the women's restroom, mind you, I just met up when I came out of the guys). She is a non-believer, and was reading the books "meditation" and "happiness" so she is obviously searching for something. But she wasn't open to talking about the gospel--she said that everyone has their own beliefs that work for them. And then she proceeded to head out pretty quick.
One of the guys I talked to was just a weird situation. He was just kind of sitting off by himself, watching children play play. I went over to talk to him (at the insistence of B-rit), and proceeded to try and talk to him. But his answers were really short, and there just seemed something fishy about him. Finally, after I asked him if where he was from (he had already told me he was not from Austin), he said, "A long way from here," and then got up and just walked away. So again, no gospel presentation--but the more I think about it, the more I am glad I talked to that guy. Even though I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, this guy gave me the heebs, and I was just glad that he went away from where all the kids were playing. Not saying anything was going to happen, but you never know.
As I look back on today, I am happy yet still unsatisfied. It is good that I got out and started to engage strangers in conversation. Getting over that hump was a huge success, and one I know I can now relive on a regular basis. But I am eager to get over the next hump--sharing the gospel with a stranger. Hopefully the next few days will provide me that chance. Tomorrow morning we are going to church under the bridge, which is a church service performed for the homeless under the overpass of a bridge. I hear it's awesome. We are planning on just going and chatting it up with whomever we meet. Continue to pray for us. We've had two good days of witnessing, and we want it to continue. We want to see God do some great work through us before we leave Austin.
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always."
Austin Mission Trip: Day 1
(This blog was actually written yesterday, Friday the 6th of February.)
As the day winds to a close here in Austin (actually, I guess it's just getting started, seeing as its 1:15 a.m.), I figured I would write and give an update on how things are going.
Day one was great. We had some evangelism training this morning, which was good. I got some really good stuff from that. Then in the afternoon I had the chance to relax and actually take a nap. But the big event didn't come until later tonite, when we hosted an FCA Fifth Quarter. Let me tell you, details were all over the place tonite , and schedules were constantly being changed, but we got the event done. And in true God fashion, it was a smashing success. There was an awesome turnout (maybe around 75 people) and the kids were asking Candice (the sponsor for FCA) when the next one was. To be able to give that ministry such a shot in the arm for future events they may do was awesome. And just to be able to interact with the kids and talk to them and support them where they are was great.
But i wasn't happy with my own "performance" tonite. Starting conversations with strangers is perhaps difficulty #1 in my life, and I let myself off the hook tonite. I threw the football with some guys at various times, and juggled the soccer ball with some others, but I just wasn't intentional with my conversations--which is to say that I really didn't start any conversations. As we were driving back to the house after it was over, I was really bummed out about it. But luckily, tomorrow will provide a chance to get back on the horse so to speak--another laid-back atmosphere in which I can have some intentional conversation while engaging in some sports. So if you get the chance, pray for the group--pray that God will continue to work through us here in Austin. We really want to see God do some great things this week, and are praying that he would answer that prayer.
As the day winds to a close here in Austin (actually, I guess it's just getting started, seeing as its 1:15 a.m.), I figured I would write and give an update on how things are going.
Day one was great. We had some evangelism training this morning, which was good. I got some really good stuff from that. Then in the afternoon I had the chance to relax and actually take a nap. But the big event didn't come until later tonite, when we hosted an FCA Fifth Quarter. Let me tell you, details were all over the place tonite , and schedules were constantly being changed, but we got the event done. And in true God fashion, it was a smashing success. There was an awesome turnout (maybe around 75 people) and the kids were asking Candice (the sponsor for FCA) when the next one was. To be able to give that ministry such a shot in the arm for future events they may do was awesome. And just to be able to interact with the kids and talk to them and support them where they are was great.
But i wasn't happy with my own "performance" tonite. Starting conversations with strangers is perhaps difficulty #1 in my life, and I let myself off the hook tonite. I threw the football with some guys at various times, and juggled the soccer ball with some others, but I just wasn't intentional with my conversations--which is to say that I really didn't start any conversations. As we were driving back to the house after it was over, I was really bummed out about it. But luckily, tomorrow will provide a chance to get back on the horse so to speak--another laid-back atmosphere in which I can have some intentional conversation while engaging in some sports. So if you get the chance, pray for the group--pray that God will continue to work through us here in Austin. We really want to see God do some great things this week, and are praying that he would answer that prayer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
