Overabundance: an excessive quantity

If you’ve been following along, you’ve already read about my problem with fundraising, doubt’s anchor sinking deep into my thoughts. For those who haven’t, let’s just say it was a struggle, both mentally and spiritually. Well, I’m glad to share that God did it; He came through! And in true God fashion, He did it in His own timing. 

When I was accepted onto my squad, I was told that I needed $5000 by May 11th; $10,000 by June 25th; and the full amount by November. Now, I’m sure those deadlines were supposed to be helpful, but if I’m being honest, it was probably one of the most stressful things in my life.

I tried everything I could to come up with the first $5000. I sold bracelets, slipped blog cards into graduation announcements, and even put some of my own money into the donation box. Though, none of it seemed to work. The bracelets were messed up, people lost the blog cards, and I was running out of money. To make it even more frustrating, people would tell me to my face they would donate but in the end never did. I was doing all this work only to turn around and see little to no rewards, few donations. It felt like there was a dam that blocked anything from coming through. As if God was making me wait just to see how long I would keep trying to do everything by myself. 

On May 7th, I graduated from college and found myself at a very important moment. As I sat at my kitchen table, the excitement from graduation still settling around me, I counted everything I had fundraised. In two months, I raised $2500, only half of what I needed.

At that kitchen table, I grappled with myself, wondering how I was going to raise half my funds in four days, wallowing again in my lack of confidence and doubt. I had two options: give up on the race altogether or give up trying to do it by myself and walk in faith until God provided. In that moment, I decided all I could do was trust God. There were too many signs that He called me to this trip, and for me to give up then would be walking away from the life He made for me. I mean, I didn’t have a back-up plan, so it was faith or nothing. So, I prayed and told God that I was done trying to do everything myself, that I was just going to trust Him.  

Little did I know, God already had the reins in His hands…He was just waiting for me to stop fighting for them. The night after graduation, my Tía was woken up at four o’clock in the morning. God wanted to talk about her donation, and I’m so glad she was willing to listen. 

Now, something to know about my Tía: she owns The Crowned Bird, a popular boutique in Big Spring (and now Midland!), Texas. It’s a chic little shop that sells really cute outfits from pajamas to formal wear, devotionals, inspiring jewelry, and more. But, the significant thing about her shop isn’t the items she sells, but the heart with which she sells them. The Crowned Bird has a heart for the Lord, and in everything they do, the Lord is their focus. These girls foster community and encouragement, something that is so contrary nowadays. I encourage you to check it out, it really is something: The Crowned Bird. Though it sounds like an ad (which it isn’t, more like a shoutout), my Tía’s shop is a huge part of the story.

When I originally sent out my grad announcements, my Tía and Uncle agreed to donate $500 overall. They both felt it would be a sufficient amount to pay forward to my fund. However, at a later time, my Tía felt inclined to give more, and she decided with herself to give $3000. As she waited to talk to my Uncle, she worried about his willingness to give such a large amount. You see, it’s not that my Uncle is stingy; he’s just frugal, spending only when necessary. But, as she brought up increasing their donations, he surprised her and topped her amount, admitting that they should probably donate $4000 instead. She agreed immediately and was satisfied with the $4000, whispering in my ear after graduation that they had a gift for me.

Of course, God wasn’t quite done, so in the early morning of May 8th, He woke her up to talk. He posed her with the question: How great would it be for a missionary not to worry about fundraising but rather use that time to grow and prepare themselves with Him? She agreed. Then, He asked her to donate the totality of the Crowned Bird’s tithes to my fund instead of their $4000. Without knowing the amount, she agreed and hopped in the car, heading for the store. The tithe account held $8000 in total. 

I can only imagine the emotions that were going through her head as God asked her to do something so out of her comfort zone. $8000 is a lot of money, and it’s not easy to give it to someone else simply because God asked her to do it. To make it worse, she thought my Uncle wouldn’t agree, that $8000 was just too much. However, God had already convinced him, and in the end, my Uncle encouraged her to follow through. 

With all that being said, I cried when I saw the check and cried even more after I listened to my Tía tell the story. Not only had God provided, but He provided in surplus, far exceeding my $5000 deadline. Where I saw four days of gut-wrenching faith, God saw one moment of trust and tripled my fund. After that moment, my dam broke. Within the month of May, God provided over $16,000, and He hasn’t stopped there. To this day, He continues to provide– money for gear, vaccines, and other expenses. 

Looking back now, I wonder how I ever questioned God’s ability to provide for me, but faith is always easier when you’re standing on the other side, isn’t it? So with this story, I encourage you. If God can provide $16,000 in a matter of thirty days, then I have no doubt He can tackle whatever obstacle you’re facing. 

When Paul wrote his letter to the church in Corinth, he told them “Remember this– a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

I thank everyone who has donated to my fund; I wouldn’t be where I am today without your help. Also, I encourage you to keep listening to the voice of God in your ear. The more you listen, the more He’ll talk and the more He will amaze you. God’s fingerprints are all over this experience, but another lesson He’s shown me is that everything relied on our willingness to listen. 

God had been telling me to let go of my fundraising for months, but I never did out of fear and worry. Only after I willingly let go did God allow His power to come through and prove to me that He would provide in every circumstance. In the same way, my Tía had to willingly listen to the Lord and step out in faith. If she wouldn’t have, I fully believe that God would have found other ways to provide. But, because she did listen, God was able to capitalize on her willingness and make the donation so much more significant. To paraphrase Paul, don’t do it because you have to or you should; do whatever you’re called to do willingly. I think a willingness to listen and obey God is one of the greatest things humanity has to offer. And, as we walk this path willingly, we will find that God’s favor will always be with us, that He will provide in an overabundance.