Dear Friends:
Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. I cannot say it enough. I am continually amazed and humbled by your support. You have all joined me in this service – committing me to your “thoughts,” pledging to support me financially, and having tremendous faith in His power to work through us. Thank you for the love, encouragement and support you so generously give me.
It has been a little over a year since I began this endeavor. The phone call to my parents to say that I had accepted a position in China was one that I will never forget (They probably won’t forget it either because I am such an awful daughter that I called to tell them the big news on their 25th Anniversary – I totally, accidentally, stole their thunder… sorry Mom & Dad!) Interestingly enough, the next few weeks after the big phone call were not spent on cloud nine dreaming about what life would be like in China; rather, we started to seriously wonder how in the world we were going to raise the financial support. Everyday newspaper headlines reminded us of the severity of the economic crisis. I read numerous articles about nonprofits struggling to find funding because donations had significantly decreased. And all the while, I couldn’t stop questioning how we would raise the money I needed to serve in China.
However, I kept reminding myself that this is the work He called me to do. He promises to provide for all of our needs. He is always faithful. I read the following pr-yer and thought it was great, “Help me to see that the mountain I consider impossible to climb is the one that You see as an opportunity for a better view.”
Well friends, today, I want to share that this mountain of fundraising, one that I thought was impossible to climb, is a mountain that He has used to give me a better view. Don’t get me wrong, fundraising was stressful and overwhelming at times. The hike up the mountain wasn’t always easy. But through my fundraising, He has shown that all things REALLY are possible in Him. I have learned that when we are totally and utterly dependent on Him is when we are truly living by faith. We trust that He will provide.
And provide He did, in ways beyond my imagination. Most importantly, He provided YOU! He opened your hearts to the work CWEF is doing in China, and He moved you to partner with me in this work. I am touched by the support and encouragement you continually offer me. Climbing the mountain of fundraising gave me a better view of how many incredible people are part of my life. I am speechless and will forever be grateful for your generosity, your love, and your kindness.
Thank you.
Whitney
