When I started this search for support (donations), I was actually praying for the chance to just meet one person that would be willing to support me for the whole trip. I knew it wouldn’t happen but I wished it would so it would be easier and I wouldn’t have to step out of my comfort zone and ask for money from people. But you know what… stepping out of that comfort zone and asking for donations as been a wonderful and blessing experience. I talked to friends and family that I thought for sure were going to donate but no, surprisingly it has been more of the people that I have maybe meet once or twice, or I just was able to tell them about my future trip. It has been the greatest to talk to these people about Jesus and their experiences that have had with the Lord. Those moments can not be replaced by anything. Thank you God for putting me in those situations to meet these AMAZING PEOPLE, that have truly blessed me and have glorified your name.

I think it’s probably best to start off with that I believe God wants me to go on this trip. I have always had in my heart a desire to go overseas. So ever since I went to college I have wanted to study abroad. After discussing with my parents when I should go, we thought it would be best in the Spring Semester 2011. I started doing research in the Fall of 2010. After a lot of research, I decided I wanted to study through a program that would send me to China, India, London, and Paris. I was so excited, did all the paper work and then situations started to arise. I realized then that I had not even prayed about this trip, didn’t even ask God if this is what he wanted me to do. So right then and there I gave the trip up to God to decide. After that, more and more obstacles came about, so then I realized God didn’t want me to go on this trip for many reasons. I let go of the trip and moved on and in the Spring 2011, I wasn’t even searching to travel and God had me meet Sarah Rinn, the leader for Global Journey. After just talking about life to her, I mentioned how I would still love to travel and that is when she told me about her organization. I took her information, prayed about it and over the whole summer the thought kept going in my mind about how this would be an even better trip than my Study Abroad and it was all because God had already planned on me going. I applied in August 2011 and got accepted. Since then I have been trying to raise support. I know God is going to teach me many things on this trip and I know this for sure because he is already teaching me how to be afraid to ask for help (money). I have always been the type of person that really hates asking for other people’s aid in anything I do. So when I first started asking my christian organizations at school I was so shocked and amazed at how other students that didn’t even know me were willing to give me money. The first donation was from a girl in FCA and she donated $50 then another girl in FCA was willing to make, design and sell wood crosses, and all the proceeds would go to me for my trip! Both of these girls had never talked to me or had met me until that day I had announced the trip to FCA. After the generosity of those two wonderful girls, I knew for sure that God wanted me to go and he was going to help me get there, even if he has to teach me lessons on the way. Since then I have received many donations from family, friends and many other wonderful strangers, I thank you all so so much!!!

I love this quote from Crazy Love by Francis Chan, ”We are consumed by safety. Obsessed with it, actually. Now, I’m not saying it is wrong to pray for God’s protection, but I am questioning how we’ve made safety our highest priority. We’ve elevated safety to the neglect of whatever God’s best is, whatever would bring God the most glory, or whatever would accomplish His purpose in our lives and in the world. Would you be willing to pray this prayer? God, bring me closer to You during this trip, whatever it takes…”

Love,
Jackie