(Disclaimer: This blog will be pretty honest. I am by no means perfect. I may or may not come across as fearful, conceited, arrogant, stupid, depressed, or ugly-minded.)
Okay, here's the honesty part. We don't have a lot of extra money. There is no way we can personally finance the full cost of this trip. So, the only way we can go is through the donations of others. And, I'll be really honest, the idea of going on a missions trip and asking people for money feels really super weird to me. Because, the truth is, I want to go.... And I'm excited to go... And even though there are parts of me that are nervous and a little overwhelmed by it all, at this point I feel really enthusiastic! And here's the untruth that has been whispering in my mind:
If going on a missions trip is so exciting and rewarding, then isn't it kind of like a vacation? A free trip? How nice. Just ask people for money and you can go on a missions trip! A FREE vacation! Wow, that's a great little scam you got goin' there! Way to go!It's like there's this part of me that feels guilty for asking for donations because I am so excited to go. And then, on the flipside, I feel kind of overwhelmed when I think about how much money we have to raise. And that's not even including the extra expenses... Like updating my passport, mailing support letters, buying stamps for the support letters, return envelopes, and thank you cards, setting aside extra meal money for the trip, etc...
Two days ago I was feeling a little burdened with the mere cost of stamps. As I ran around my house cleaning and organizing, I consciously thought "Ohhhh shoot! I bought enough stamps for the support letters... But not the return envelopes.... That will be another $50..."
And then, God sent me a little love note.
After thirty more minutes of cleaning and organizing I went to my car to look for a lost piece of paper. I looked everywhere. I even reached behind the glove compartment (you know how items can fall back into the car?).
And lo and behold - I pulled out a set of 32 cent Bugs Bunny stamps. Now, there were only 10 of them. And they are ancient (and thus 32 cent instead of 44 cent). And who knows how they got there! But I knew... they were a God-given sign - just for me.
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19
