Ever since I first came to Christ in October, 1988 I have said that I would go on a mission trip one day. Over the years, however, I allowed things to get in the way of making that dream a reality. You know the excuses we all make: "I don't have the time to take off work", "I'm no good with tools", "I'm not healthy enough", "I don't have the money", "I'm afraid to fly". Believe me, I made all of these excuses and then some.
Last April I read in a CP newsletter about a mission team going to Guatemala to work with children there. Here was a trip that was right up my alley; I absolutely love children and am actively involved in the children's ministries at my church. I checked on the cost of the trip and hit a brick wall; there was no way I could raise that kind of money in such a short period of time. Once again I allowed myself to be distracted by my own excuses and missed out on an opportunity to serve, but God kept CP and their mission teams on my heart and mind.
Late last year I again began thinking about the summer mission trip opportunities and happened to run across the "Survivor: Guatemala" contest on WBFJ. I felt God leading me to enter, but not being a particularly lucky person I really didn't think I would win. Little did I know that God had plans to use that contest to bless me anyway! While I was fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the 10 contestants, and even more fortunate to have made it to the next to last day of competition, I did not win the contest. Before I was eliminated however, I committed to God that I would go on the trip regardless of the outcome and that if I did win, I would help someone else to be able to go on the trip as well.
The day after I was eliminated, I received an e-mail from Lisa Holbrook; an anonymous donor had called and contributed 1/3 of the cost of my trip! Then I received a check in the mail from a couple in Ohio who had heard about the contest and wanted to support me. Later that month I received donations from two individuals in my church. My husband and I decided to make some adjustments in our finances to enable us to finance the remainder of the trip; I began babysitting to raise funds, we cancelled our cable television service, and we refinanced our mortgage to free up some money each month.
Then another huge blessing came in the form of yet another anonymous donation of 1/3 of the cost of the trip! With my trip now paid for, I felt God reminding me of my earlier commitment where I had promised to help someone else go if my trip was paid for. I felt Him saying, "Okay, I took care of your concerns and I blessed you when you stepped out in faith, will you step out again and pass those blessings on to someone else?". He laid one particular person on my heart and I have since partnered with her to help raise funds for her trip. God is so good!
Maybe you have felt God calling you to step out and serve in some capacity with CP, but have allowed distraction, self doubt, and worry to keep you from making a commitment. Perhaps you know in your heart that He will provide, but like me, have trouble dragging your head along for the ride. Trust me when I say that He is always faithful and we can trust Him to provide for our needs when we step out in faith, saying "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord". See you on the mission field...Jaime Hayes LaDuke