Financial Update

Here's the breakdown for the trip funds:

Learning phase: $1,800 [raised]

Outreach phase: $1,000 [still needed: $900]

Plane ticket: $104 [raised]


Thank you to all who have helped so far! You have blessed me so much.

Rachel

God Did It!

Remember all that freaking out I was doing about the rest of the money I was going to have to raise? Well, part of that figure was a round-trip plane ticket. The last time I looked, it was going to cost me about $700, a normal fee, but still a lot of money. God decided to step in and take over that part of the cost: Two people have stepped forward and offered frequent flier miles to me to go towards my ticket. A $700 round-trip ticket from Chicago to Santiago has been reduced to $104. I am humbled as I am once again reminded that God does not always work in the obvious ways (like a large check or a successful fundraiser), but He does always come through and provide. I am so thankful for the God that loves me outside the bounds of my imagination.

Here I Am, All of Me

Lately, I have found myself worrying about where the rest of my money for the trip is going to come from; a couple of nights ago I was even in tears. I believe this is what God has in store for me, yet I am becoming a professional worry-er. That is, until Sunday. In both church and youth group we sang about the peace God brings when we give ourselves and our plans to Him. It really struck me how much I had been worrying and making myself miserable. Even though all my life I have seen how God provides for my family, I hadn't really accepted it as something He would do for me. The song "Take My Life" (originally by Francis Havergal, but sung by Chris Tomlin) has now become my prayer, especially these few lines:

Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Take my silver and my gold
not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect and use
every power as You choose.

Take my will and make it Thine
it shall be no longer mine.

Counting Down

Well, I have 44 days until I will be in the DR! I am still trying to reach my $4,000 goal and will be making prayer cards to send to everyone (just a little reminder) and I will be sending out a few support letters. If you haven't gotten one by the end of June, and would like one, please let me know! Now that my open house is over, I can start focusing completely on getting my stuff ready for the trip!