Fun? raising

As I am preparing to leave America in January, to go back into the nations, sharing the love of Jesus and the hope that I have in Him, aka the gospel.  I have started doing the one thing that most people do not enjoy doing, raising funds for the trip.  Fundraising is often not fun.  

 

I have been trained in Western society that I need to be a strong, independent female.  Capable of handling everything on my own without the help of others.  There are a few exceptions, like if I am on a team then I should try to rely on other’s abilities some because “there is no I in team,” as they say but really, I should try to accomplish most of the work myself because then “it will be done right.”  Do these phrases sound familiar?  If I ask for help, people may think that I am incompetent, under achieving or just looking for charity.   

 

What does the Bible say about fundraising?  

 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

 

For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:9-12

 

For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:9

 

Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. Acts 3:3-5

 

As I began fundraising in November for this upcoming trip, I have not taken the “fundraising is not fun” approach, instead I have been operating out of an attitude of gratitude, thankfulness and faith, knowing that God will and always has supplied all of my needs.  

 

In 2014, God brought in $16, 254, having me fully funded BEFORE I was sent out to Asia.  That was the first time, I went on a mission trip that was 100% fully fundraised.  Those funds did not come in over night or without efforts on my part, I opened a bakery in November of 2013, in my home and thus began the fundraising projects.  I made organic bath and body products, canned hundreds of jars of applebutter, apple sauce, fried apples, spiced pears, pepper slaw, roasted red peppers, pickled peppers, soups and other canned foods, cleaned homes, babysat, sold 31 bags, made hundreds of hand crafted cards, restaurant dining nights, sent out more than 250 letters, set up tables at craft fairs and bazaars, spoke in churches and to different groups about the trip, held many social media campaigns and more.  I certainly felt like I was “beating the streets” to raise those funds.  All of my hard work and efforts paid off.  When I sat at a craft fair from the 6 am set up time until the 8 pm tear down and only sold $70 worth of product because of the low attendance of the fair, I was grateful for the $70 that had been raised!  Or some weeks with the bakery, I’d have specials and no orders or someone would order 5 cakes for the next day and I’d start baking them when I got home from work at 11:30 pm and finish at 4 am, then be off to work again at 5.  I saw God bless my efforts and they did not return void.

 

I am currently raising $6,500 for the next leg of the journey, beginning January 3, 2016.  I will be co-leading E Squad with Mark Rowdon and Leanne Leblanc.  

We’ll be with E Squad for 5 months, will start out in South Africa in January, Botswana in February, Madagascar in March, Vietnam in April and Cambodia in May.  As squad leaders, we will be discipling and mentoring these 41 people, into deeper relationship with Jesus, what it looks like to be the hands and feet of Jesus, how to see people, make others heard and valued, we are disciples making disciples.  

 

I started fundraising with a Buy a Block Board:

This board works by you selecting a number and then you donate at least that amount.

 

I set up a table at a Christmas Bazaar on 12/5:

Many items are for sale:

Handmade Christmas Tree Figures with Tea Lights – $5 for small and $7 for large

California Citrus Perfume – roll on 2 oz $6 and spray bottle 4 oz $12

Organic Shea Butter Lip Balm – Chocolate 2 oz $4 and Lavender 2 oz $4

8 oz Salt Scrubs made w/ Coconut Oil $4 – Cool Citrus, A Walk in the Woods, Cooling Relief, Cleansing, Lavender Woods, Sage and Citrus

8 oz Sugar Scrubs made w/ Coconut Oil $4 – California Citrus, Brown Sugar Honey

4 oz Coffee Sugar Scrubs $2 – Peppermint, Pumpkin Spice

Homemade Pepper Slaw 8 oz – $3

Homemade Ginger Syrup 8 oz – $3

Homemade Guinness Syrup 4 oz – $2 and 8 oz – $4

Handmade Quilted Coaster set of 4 – $10

Handmade Flannel Lined Pouch for Glasses or Electronics – $10

 

 

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts – these make great stocking stuffers or small gifts

Voucher for 1 dozen original glazed doughnuts – $9

Discount card (two dozen original glazed and discounted offers) – $18

 

 

All items can be shipped.