Top 5 Things I Have Learned While Support Raising... So Far.

Anyone who has gone through the support raising process for any type of ministry can tell you that it is a process that can teach you a lot. God uses the ups and downs to teach you things about Him and even about yourself. So here are the top five things I have learned (or been reminded of) so far:

1. God is sovereign.  He is in control of everything, even when it feels like he isn't. He has a plan and it will work out the way He wants it to work out. I just need to trust Him.

2. My plans are not the best plans. God has His plan for providing for me. His plan for my life is the best plan. Even if I plan out how I want everything to go, God knows better, and in the end I always like His plans better.

3. Support raising is not about me. As I read God's Word and spend time with Him, He reminds me that people are giving to Him and His kingdom, not me and my mission work.

4. God can be a God of the last hour. Sometimes I catch myself thinking that I will never make it to Prague because I am only at 25% of my support. Those are the days that God puts people in my life to tell me stories about how they were at 25% with two weeks left of support raising, and they make it to 100%.

5. I need to put God first and seek His kingdom at all times. I can do all I want to meet people and ask for support, but I need to be relying on God at all times. I am not the one who is going to bring the money in, God is.

Praises: I had a going away party this past weekend (even though I don't know when I am exactly leaving for Prague). I got to spend time with family and friends. Above is a picture of my friends, Cassie and Emma, and me at that party. Also, my church raised $1,300 for me through a silent auction, and that is almost double what I thought it would be.

Prayer Requests: A friend is throwing me a support raising brunch on Saturday. Pray that at least four of the people who come will feel called to give to my ministry with TeachBeyond monthly. And pray that God will provide the rest of  my support so I can be in Prague before August 22nd (first day of new staff orientation).