The God Ask

Wow, today marks 2 months and 3 days that I have officially been the US Director of Healing Faith!! While the transition from one ministry to another was bittersweet, I know the Lord prepared me for this position.

The first time I decide to go to Africa, I remember my mom (well my whole family really!) being worried, and I remember sitting on the phone with her telling her, I just feel called to Africa, not sure in what capacity but I do.  Little did I know that a few short years later, that would be exactly the place I am at!!
While I am not called to go and live in Africa, at least at this time, I am definitely called to ministry with African Missions, and specifically Healing Faith.

I believe in this ministry, I see the amazing things they have been able to accomplish, I see the integrity and the love that they have.  It isn't just a facade, this ministry cares deeply about the people they serve.  They care about their physical, emotional and spiritual healing.  They do not go in for a quick fix and leave, they look at long term effects.  Making sure their actions impact positively and in eternal ways.

It has taken me a bit to get settled into this new position.  To let the reality hit.
I have begun to really fall into some what of a routine, I don't know if there will ever be a strict routine like a normal 9-5 because of the nature of the position, but thats what I love about it!  But I have figured out a few ways to help me be more productive, and BONUS!! One of those ways is to talk to Kari on a weekly basis!! Love that lady!!  And I feel completely honored to be serving alongside her and her precious family!

But now that the dust has settled a bit, and reality has set in, there are real goals that I need to start the process of making and achieving.  One of those is a fundraising goal.
Now that Reagan and I have finished fundraising for our trip, I have still been asked if we need more donations.  When I tell them we have reached our goals, I have had several still ask if there is something else they could donate!  It's happened a couple of times, and it for some reason catches me off guard and I stumble thru my words, when inside I am thinking, "YES! I need to begin raising monthly and one time donations for my position!"  But the words don't come out, something I am working on!
 
Healing Faith has grown to need my position, however, my position is still one of missional work, and one that I need to raise funds to help the ministry that I love.  This way the funds they already work hard to raise, do not need to be used for my salary.
I am in the process of reading this incredible book, The God Ask, it is all about raising support for your ministry position.  It is a reminder that our money is not ours to begin with, and when we ask for support, we are merely taking an action step in faith and He decides whether that money is meant for our support or someone else's.  So a no should not be discouraging! It also shows you how support raising began, starting all the way back in the Old Testament with the Levites.  Really cool to see how the Lord put a plan in place for those doing ministry!

Chris and I as a couple have been praying about this journey and how we would begin.  I have struggled a lot with it.  Not because I am afraid of fundraising, if you know me you know thats not the case!! When I believe in something, I feel it is something the Lord has placed on me as a task to be the voice to ask for the funds.  But, I want to do it in the right way.  I want those I am asking to know I am something worth investing in, and their money will be used wisely.
We are still figuring out exactly how to do things, but I have felt a tugging to just get the ball rolling!

Some of you, I may be contacting by email/phone after I return from our Spring Break trip to talk about the possibility of becoming a monthly sponsor.
Chris and I would love to sit down and talk with you about what my position is, how your support would help, and who Healing Faith is (if you don't know!!).

There are a couple of easy ways to donate, all of which are tax deductible!!
1: You can donate online (to the right of this blog is a DONATE button!!)
2: You can send a check to Healing Faith: PO Box 1649, Bryan, TX 77806
3: You can send a check to my home address: 2602 Hollow Oak Cir, Bryan, TX 77802
(All checks need to be made out to Healing Faith, with Rachel in the memo line)

If you feel led towards this in anyway, I would love to talk to you!!
If you would like to commit to joining me in prayer as we begin this journey, I would love to hear from you!!  Prayer is my number one request!  The money is from God, so those who are called will give, those who aren't will give elsewhere, more than anything I would love your prayer support.

Thank you for your prayers as Reagan and I are about to embark on our journey to Uganda in a few short days, as well as the journey Chris and I are about to begin!