Done fundraising!

I'm finished fundraising! The last few donations came from my Uncle Tom, Liz Johnson, and my cousin Kim Joller. If any of you still want to donate, give to the orphanage.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO GAVE! YOUR SUPPORT MEANS SO MUCH!

Yay! I leave for Peru in 8 days. Ah!

Almost to $5,000 goal!

Let me tell you something. I hate fundraising. Or I thought I did. When the Lord told me I was supposed to go to the orphanage, I told Him, "I can't afford to go on what I'm making. I would have to raise support. I hate raising support. But I know you want me to go." He replied, "Then raise support. I'll give you the money." I was reluctant when I first started asking people to give. But God showed me through this experience that it truly is His will that I serve at Hogar de Esperanza.

What blows me away about it is that many of the people who gave barely even knew me. My close friends gave, but many of the people who gave hundreds only knew me casually. It just shows how amazing God is. He used the people I didn't even expect him to use! Plus, friends and family who don't even know the Lord gave.

When I saw that my newest roommate, Julie Lubinski, gave $300 today it really hit me how much God has blessed this fundraising experience. I just met Julie about a month ago and the Lord put it on her heart to give so much! With just $114 left to raise and 11 days before my departure, I am overwhelmed by Jesus' love shown through my friends and family. Every single dollar is a sign of support for the vision God gave me for this trip and I am looking forward to sharing all the great blessings He will provide this upcoming year. I'll leave you with this verse from Matthew 19 that Julie told me inspired her giving:

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life."

Jesus has shown me crazy love and it blows me away. I thank Him for every moment and opportunity.

Funds raised online: $1665
Funds raised offline: $2921
Total raised: $4886
Total needed: $114

Just $414 more to raise!

My wonderful Aunt Donna gave $500 (more, she gave $600 earlier this year). At my going away party on Saturday, my friends Diane Origel, Marques Nelson, and Eric Tornel gave $20 each. And Eric's mom and sister gave me $20 each! (that's $100 total for those who don't want to do the math). Just $414 more to raise! Please consider giving.

Original Goal: $5,000
Funds raised online: $1365
Funds raised offline: $3221
Total raised: $4586
Total needed: $414

Yard sale action

The yard sale this past Saturday brought in $178 (well, I made $133 on Saturday, then I sold a couple things on craigslist this week that brought in $45). Yay!

Original Goal: $5,000
Funds raised online: $1665
Funds raised offline: $2321
Total raised: $3986 (79%, not reflected on ChipIn counter)
Total needed: $1014

Donation Station...$1,192 more to raise!

Matt Spencer, a friend from church, gave $500 today! And my Uncle Doug and Aunt Mary gave $100! Only $1,192 more to raise in 29 days.

Don't forget to come out to the yard sale at 7am this Saturday (we'll be there all afternoon too).

Birthday Donations!

It's my birthday (I'm 24!) today, so if you've been thinking about giving to my Peru fund then today would be a perfect day!

Also, I'm having a YARD SALE in conjunction with a great lady from my church, Leslie, this Saturday at 7am at my house in Pasadena. Come on out if you can! We also need people to help move Leslie's stuff to my house (she lives a short block away from us). Call (626-221-0072) or e-mail me if you want to help. And if you have stuff laying around that you want to get rid of, you can drop it off for the yard sale anytime Friday or Saturday in the morning. Again, just call me.

Servicio

Service has been something I've reflected on a lot since I was a teenager. I wrote here about how Jesus being a servant was such a crazy revelation when I was 16. If you pay any attention to this blog, you know that I love quoting My Utmost for His Highest. Today's reading was so relevant to my preparing for Peru that I had to post something about it. I encourage you all to read it. Here are some of my reflections.

"We count as service what we do in the way of Christian work; Jesus Christ calls service what we are to Him, not what we do for Him." I get so caught up in what I'm doing for God rather than just embracing Him. Christ keeps saying, "Focus on me and everything else will be clear!" But I don't believe Him. I want to focus on serving, helping people, and everything good that isn't the Lord. If I just focus on Him I will have to give up control. (What's almost funny is that I never have control to begin with!)

"If I am devoted to the cause of humanity only, I will soon be exhausted and come to the place where my love will falter; but if I love Jesus Christ personally and passionately, I can serve humanity though men treat me as a doormat." Here at home, abroad in Peru, and everywhere I go in this life, I trust the Lord will give me His love. I trust that His love will crush my own ideas about service, goodness, and humanity. The never-ending lesson is that my God is far more powerful than my sympathies and ideals.

41 days...