REJOICE WITH ME!
Let me begin this letter with a sincere word of thanks for the prayers you have offered on my behalf this month. I am happy to report that God is answering those prayers and He is providing!
It has been an amazing couple of weeks; over 60% of my total funding for 18 months of service has now been met!
In other news, we have decided to postpone my return to Asia so I can work to reach my fundraising goal. I'll spend most of that time here in Missouri. Please be in touch if you'd like me to share with your congregation, Bible study, community group, or even your family. I will be in the U.S. through Easter and will return to Hong Kong April 6.
PRAY. DRIVE. SPEAK. DRIVE. PRAY.
This has been much of my life these past few weeks. I spent roughly 60 hours in the car this month, traveling almost 3,000 miles to Houston, Austin, College Station, Tulsa, and St. Louis. It's been quite a month. I've been able to meet and share with hundreds of people, and it's been a big blessing to reconnect with family and friends, past supporters and new partners.
In all of these interactions, it's fairly common for someone to commiserate with me, saying something like, “How are you doing? Fundraising is tough, isn't it?” My answer to that is two-fold. Yes, it can be a pretty difficult slog if I fall into the easy trap of thinking that raising support is a necessary but unpleasant activity.
By the grace of God, though, I can see this part of my job from a radically different perspective. Henri Nouwen said it well: “As a form of ministry, fundraising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, entering a time of prayer, visiting the sick, or feeding the hungry.”
At first glance, that statement might seem a little over the top, but from my experience, it's the truth. Fundraising can be a powerful spiritual experience. It provides opportunities to encounter God at work in amazing ways, and I have seen it first-hand, thanks to many of you. God has brought you and me together to serve Him by serving the Chinese people, whom He loves so much. I am humbled by how He has led many of you to reach out with words of encouragement, offers of prayer, and generous gifts of time and resources.
I know your gifts are not given to me, but are given to God for his purposes. I'm thankful that I get to be the conduit through which your gift is given, and it is my prayer that you will be blessed in your giving. God promises it!
“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)
“You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity...” (2 Corinthians 9:11)
McALISTER's FUNDRAISING EVENT
If you are in the Jefferson City area, please join me at McAlister's Deli on Missouri Boulevard on Tuesday March 23 from 5-9pm. McAlister's is donating 10% of all sales that night to my work in Asia. It's a great deal -- you can help send me back to China by eating some awesome food. It's win-win! No need to bring along any extra forms, just your appetite.
I'll be there all night running food and bussing tables with some friends. Hope to see you there!