Grab a carpet square - it's story time!
I've been working steadily on my fundraising these past weeks and over the course of which I have accumulated some stories to share with you. Some cute ones, some clever ones, and all of them giving praise to the God who guides and lights the adventure that is my life.
The Soap Ladies
Back in January, I had the privilege of teaching two young ladies named Kennedi and Lindsey (both around age 11) the art of folding paper cranes. A little while later, they pioneered their own soap making business called "Sud Sisters". They remembered me and dedicated a percentage of their profits to help me get to Japan, calling their project "Soap for Hope!"
Flash forward to a few weeks ago.
The Maumee Garage Sale
The parents of my soap ladies are part of the same small group. I spoke to them about Japan the same night I taught their kids origami. They decided to hold a garage sale. All of them donated items to sell and then gave me the profits of their work. I was stunned! I love watching people use their creativity, ingenuity, and elbow grease to work for the Kingdom!
So that got me thinking, "what if I had my own garage sale?"
The Holland Garage Sale
The items left from the Maumee garage sale were graciously transported to my house where it was added to the small thrift shop's worth of stuff from my own family and some friends. The sale went really well and some more income was added to the Japan fund!
During the sale, 3 little girls (probably between age 4 and 7) came up to my table where I was sitting. One of them, the littlest, handed me a drawing she had made of Strawberry Shortcake. "This is for you!" she said, shyly. Another one of the girls handed me $3. Confused, I asked "Did you find something you wanted to buy?" "No," she said, "It's for you to get to Japan." Overcome by their sweet hearts, I thanked them and asked for their names. They were Mariah, Lydia, and Mateya (guessed at the spelling, but pronounced "Mah-TAY-uh"). Their mom was watching from the van just at the curb. I waved to her and thanked the girls again, watching as they held hands down the driveway, got into the van, and drove away.
Their offering, though it was small, was one of the most generous I'd ever been given.
Another generous moment came during the sale when a retired Army Chaplain and his wife (now ministers at a local church) came and encouraged me in my calling as well as prayed for me right there in my garage. I am constantly astounded how the Lord seems to always know when I need an encouraging word and sends someone like the Chaplain and his wife to build up my faith.
Cupcake
I get the opportunity to not only minister in Japan but also to be a teacher of missions here in the States. Some of those moments look like giving, some like receiving. One moment came when I had visited with a family in my church and talked with them over dinner about my call to Japan and what Christianity is like there. A few weeks later, their young daughter, Hope, approached me at church with a small envelope in her hand. She had started a cupcake business and wanted to give me an offering from what she had made. After thanking and hugging her, I thought to myself, "There is a family teaching their children to give."
That is a lesson that will not return void.
The stories continue as the adventure unfolds. Thank you for supporting me in life, love, and prayer! More stories to come!
