First lesson in Fundraising

GIVE

Did I mean to type, SAVE? No.

That would be number 2. I can promise you, in our fundraising experience, that the #1 is to GIVE.

"..give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

Luke 6:38

*Disclaimer: I have been wanting to write this post for months but was hesitant for fear of readers thinking I was sharing so that they would donate to our adoption. I was thinking I would wait until our adoption was final and we no longer had a donate button. But as this week's events unfolded, I thought, "People ask me about fundraising advice and this really should be my first response."

And so I am sharing, please know that the purpose behind this is not a guilt-push-give-to-our-fund post, but an encouraging-trust-Him approach to fundraising.

I have received several e-mails asking about fundraising. I have been so encouraged to connect with other families that are working to bring home their little one(s). That was one of our purposes behind the "Minus 1 Project" title: encouraging other families to start their own "Minus 1 Project". The "Project" meaning fundraising to result in one less orphan.

An obvious approach to fundraising or raising money is to save: cut back on the nonessential items (things you would like to have but could wait a year or two to have, for example beautiful wicker porch furniture with big, comfortable cushions in a lovely floral pattern, used of course). But another some-what logical idea would be to cut back on giving. Why would someone who is trying to save money continually keep giving money away? The answer: the promise above in the book of Luke.

The other evening we had several chances to give money to different causes and needs. In the process of doing that, I was hesitant to the amount that my husband suggested we give. It seemed a bit much to me, but we did. (Please, I am not bragging or boasting..I am simply sharing a story, that is part of our adoption journey, which is one of the purposes of this blog.)

The following morning we woke up to several "Notification of payment received" emails that nearly doubled what we had given away. Later that afternoon before paying out a bill that was due, I called to check on the amount only to find out we need not pay at all. Really? Yes, the man explained that there should have been a note attached reading that the fee had been removed. Why? He even was unsure of the reason, but assured me we owed nothing.

Does this happen every time we donate or give? No, but it is amazing how while continuing to give, our savings increases. And, especially the times that my heart is hesitant, it assures me, once again, that God's promises are true.

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

2Cor. 9:7-8

This post certainly would not be complete without acknowledging and thanking all of those who have given to our family. Whether it be through the donate button, a fundraising item purchase, or check, you are encouraging me to have a giving spirit. We KNOW we could not be doing this without each of you. We take no credit for ourselves. Fundraising only works when others are willing to give, to sacrifice, to bless, to invest, and to obey.

THANK YOU.