... Fundraising

... Does that phrase make you uncomfortable? Does it excite you to give to a great cause?

I have been living in the reality of "fundraising" this last year.

And yes, while I continue to work through my own fear's & varying emotions, I also have had a call by God to enter this season & act of faith which entails asking people to give to a need and kingdom investment like college students.

Call them college students call them your kids, call them "tomorrow's leaders"... call them "wandering souls"... call them "seekers of truth"... they truly are that & so much more.

As I thank people for giving and ask people to pledge & partner with me in this work the concept and action word; DEPENDENCE comes to mind.

I guess I could say; "No Thanks" to the call God has put before me... it sure seems easier to do that sometimes. I guess I could walk away?

But the truth is I follow a God that wants all of me. He is a God that wants to fully submerging me not sprinkling me on the forehead.
A God that always pursues me

And the frightening and relieving reality is that I need to DEPEND.
I can DEPEND.
It is biblical & healthy to DEPEND.
Both on God to provide & for others to participate.

Does it feel vulnerable... yes.
Do people respond awkwardly... some.
Does it feel uncomfortable... sometimes.
Is it stretching my faith... more than you'll ever know.

"So... Lisa, what are you doing this summer?" (I get that at least once a day)
-My response
"Fundraising... I am sharing with anyone that will listen, the hopes & dreams I have... God has... for reaching the 15,000 students @ URI... and then asking people to consider giving in order to make the mission possible."

Someone told me last week to think of missionary fundraising like a Easter Egg Hunt... I know the money is out there somewhere... otherwise God would not have called me into this... so it's my job to simple "ASK" people...

"Are you one of those people that God is prompting to give?"

While I know money doesn't fall out of the sky... I have had a new perspective on money not really being ours.
It's just paper and it's on loan to us for a time. Yes it's hard earned, but at the end of it all what will show for it?

My mentor & friend read me passage in Matthew last week that she felt was what I needed to hear regarding "going out" & fundraising ... it's the passage when Jesus sends out the disciples... Matthew 10:11-14

"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town."