It’s easy to complain about fundraising; after all, it is very awkward and stressful. But the past couple days have been really encouraging for me, and I remembered something important.
I chose this.
I have a lot of contacts with a mission organization that pays its missionaries. I could have tried to work with them (and I actually did serve through them when I spent five months in Senegal), but I decided that I would rather raise my own funds. Why would I possibly choose to make my life more difficult?
- Fundraising keeps me humble.
There is nothing quite like saying, “The only way I can do this thing I want to do is if you’ll help me,” to create humility. I go through much of life believing that I am in control and that I only need to rely upon myself. It is good for my ego to have to rely upon other people. - Fundraising inspires me to be grateful.
If humility means giving control of your life to someone else, then WOW does it feel great when they take care of you. Although I can definitely be a self-centered asshole at times, it really helps when I stop and think, “This person worked hard to make money. They could spend that money on clothes, vacations, or a new phone. They could buy BOOKS with that money, but instead they are giving some of it to me.” And that never fails to fill me with a wave of incredible gratitude. - Fundraising gives me opportunities to draw close to people.
In addition to the closeness that comes from asking for help, there is a second closeness that fundraising provides. I recently started praying through the list of people who donated to me last year. Not praying that they would give again, but just, attempting to dig into those humble and grateful postures where I bring people before God and ask him to bless them. This does wonders for my heart, and I find myself madly in love with dozens of people after these times of prayer. - Fundraising gifts me with opportunities of people drawing close to me.
This is actually my favorite part of fundraising. I am a needy person, and I so love when people send me messages. I guess opening myself up and admitting that I need help financially reminds people that I also need help emotionally and spiritually. One of the best parts of this is when someone I haven’t talked to in a long time reaches out, and my heart just absolutely overflows.
Humans are needy creatures. We cannot survive on our own without the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual support of others. Fundraising helps me admit that I have needs, and (revelation I had while in counseling) when I open up about my needs…they get met! So whether you’re in a position to need fundraising or not, I encourage each of you to get vulnerable with someone trustworthy and tell them one of your needs.
With that in mind, if you’d like to make a donation to help me stay in Athens, Greece and continue working in a safe house for women who have been sexually exploited and trafficked, click below!
It Is Trish 