Stop Feeling Guilty About Fundraising

If you have been involved with missions in any capacity you may have experienced some less than ideal reactions including “You’re going on another trip?”, “How many times have you fund-raised for something?” and my personal favorite *awkward stares from those around you as you excitedly talk about your upcoming journey (hoping that you won’t ask for money).

Many people understand that you have a heart to see and make the world a better place, but others, even close family, friends, coworkers and church members can get uncomfortable with the thought of handing you their hard-earned cash. After dealing with these responses for a while, it can be easy to start feeling guilty or shameful that you should have worked more hours so that you wouldn’t have to fund-raise at all. But that just isn’t how God works. We rarely have time to financially prepare for such adventures ourselves (because we don’t know we will be going on them) and instead have to faithfully rely on God that He will provide, because we sure can’t see how the funds are going to come in.

Recently, I was overcome with such a bad feeling of wondering how I could be asking for people to fund me again when there are so many people/organizations that need funds as well. But after being at CGA this last week, I have been so convicted of my view on this. God sent me here for a purpose, therefore He has delegated specific people to work with me to reach my financial goal. How insulting I must have come across to Him, to have a negative association with having to fundraise. Do I not believe that this is what He has designed for me in this season? I can say that I have faith all day long that He is providing for me, but that also doesn’t mean that He will hand everything to me on a silver platter. He wants me to work for it.

So yes, I will be calling, texting, emailing, blogging, and posting on social media that I need support still. And I do this, not to pressure someone, but because people cannot know what need you have until you tell them. If I am told yes, then fantastic! I’m one step closer, but if I’m told no, then that’s great too. At the very least I will have put a tug on their heart to get involved with something, because the need across this world is just too great. I will not allow myself to be offended or perturbed because I know who I am in Christ and He has sent me for a purpose. All I have to do is be willing to work for Him.

“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”-Proverbs 11:24-25 (NIV)

I ask all of you to pray about if you are meant to partner with me, to help make a positive impact on the world. If you feel led to support me or any of my Adventures family, please click this link to the Adventures Donation Page and put the participant(s) full name in the “Participant” slot.

All my love,
Aimee

“Far be it from me to not believe, even when my eyes can’t see. And this mountain that’s in front of me, will be thrown into the midst of the sea.”-It Is Well, Bethel