Lauren DeHays is just your average college grad. Having visited El Salvador several times, she knew God had something special for her there. A few months later, she was preparing to go on the mission field as a part of Christ For the City International. But sometimes, even getting there can be a challenging ordeal, especially when it comes to the area of finances...
I sent out my first letter
in February to family, family friends, and close friends of mine.
This was the most
“comfortable” form of fundraising for me and I was hoping that that would be
enough. Although I had heard and read about how else to raise all your support,
I honestly didn't want to do much more than that because my idea of “asking for
money” made me feel extremely uncomfortable. I really disliked the idea of
having to be intentional about it.
So, my account slowly grew
with one-time donations. I continued to pray and talk to people
about this next step that God has for me whenever the opportunity arose.
However, I was passively waiting, hoping that the letters and prayers
would be enough to get me fully funded. Over the next few months, as my target
goal of a September departure date approached, I was nowhere near being fully funded and only had a handful of people who were committed to
donating monthly. That’s when the anxiousness, frustration, and discouragement
started to settle in.
I was pretty disappointed - even doubting if God would truly provide for me to go and serve in El
Salvador. I sent out another letter, but only a few more people jumped on board
to support. Through this process I really wrestled with trusting in God’s
provision and also began to see that I wasn't necessarily putting “feet to my
prayers.” I went back and forth, thinking that all I needed to do was trust God
and wait on Him, or trust in God yet actively raise support - even though it was
something I was uncomfortable about.
As September ended, I finally came to the point where I was willing to do whatever it took
and opened my mind and heart to God to trust Him to guide me. Once I surrendered support raising to
God, that’s when things started happening.
The Lord used lots of
wonderful Godly people to speak wisdom into my life. He also gave me a
boldness to ASK, pick up the phone, meet face to face with people and
churches, and to not cross anyone off of the list. Thanks to Facebook, I sent
out messages to so many different people explaining God’s calling for me, my
need, and asking for their support and being part of this ministry. I set up
calls with quite a few people to explain more about what I would be doing in El
Salvador and how they could help. I spoke with some that I could physically
travel nearby and talk in person, but for most people the Facebook message was
enough.
So praise God, that’s how
it all came in at once and I was able to leave for El Salvador. You know, it’s
so cool looking back because I know without a doubt that God’s timing was
everything. Not only did He work in my heart to help me navigate through
fundraising and show me what a blessing it is to partner with so many different
people in ministry; but by not being in El Salvador when I wanted to I was able
to really draw closer to God and be poured into by others through the work of
the Holy Spirit. I wouldn't have traded that for anything!
I had always heard
that support raising is a growth process with the Lord and a whole new level of
trusting in Him; and I can attest that it’s certainly true. Although it was
really difficult, I am gratefull because of the Spiritual growth and blessings
that God gave me through that time.
For more stories and information about Lauren, check out her blog at http://laurentoelsalvador.blogspot.com/. Also, to check out the ministry of the CFCI base she is working at, check out their page: http://cpcielsalvador.org/en/index.
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