Lessons of a Frantic Fundraiser

Fundraising.  As a Missionary, it’s inevitable and purgative.  It truly is one of the many things that allow me to grow in faith.

Katie and I are 5 days away from Belize, our home away from home, and we are still a little short of our goal. At the beginning of the summer when we started racking our brains trying to come up with ways to fundraise I remember praying before mass saying, “Ok, God. If this is what you want of me, you have to provide.” I don’t think it was coincidence that the Gospel was from Luke 12:7, “[I]ndeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.” God has a very mysterious and sure way of working in my life.  Through the cans and bottle drives, the garage sales, the bake sales, chicken barbeques, and letter writing, the only way I kept my sanity was by saying “Ok, Lord.” And just when I was about to throw my hands up in the air and think that it was impossible, an image of the kids or a cherished memory would pop into my head and I would calmly continue on.  

This past weekend Katie and I held a bake sale at our Church.  We both work 40 hours at our summer jobs, so there was no way we could bake everything that we needed to. I was definitely hesitant when my mother suggested a bake sale; it seemed like too much work and not enough profit. I was wrong. The mass right before the bake sale, I prayed and said “Lord, I just need people to be generous. I trust You.” It turned out to be one of the biggest fundraisers of the summer!  At the end of the weekend I was astounded by people’s generosity; I am always so touched when people give us donations. Every time, without fail, I simply say “God is good.” It’s true, you can even ask Katie! There are no words to describe how thankful Katie and I am for the generosity that people, even total strangers, have shown us. It reminds me of the beauty of the Universal Church and that this isn’t “my” mission, it’s God’s and He will use me as He desires, I just have to be willing.

A special thanks to my wonderful mother who spent countless hours baking and preparing things for me. Also to everyone who devoted their time and talents. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!