I would love to share with you guys some amazing news :)
First off, let me start out by saying how great the God is that we serve. His faithfulness is overpowering and overwhelming. The Lord has taught me so much in the last few months than I have ever experienced before.
So, my deadline to get in my funds for the trip was this last Friday the 20th. Me and Alexa hosted a benefit concert to bring in funds (we both decided that the funds that were raised that night would go to my trip since my deadline is shorter than hers). A while back, I was talking to my good friend, Justin, about how the funds were coming and I told him I wanted to find a band to play a "gig" for us so we could raise some money. Well, it just so happens that Justin is in an amazing band called Herbert and Brothers and I asked him to talk to the leader, Daniel, and see if they were interested in doing a concert for us. When I heard back, I got a eager "Yes!". So, me and Alexa started planning with the band for a concert and I had to explain the situation to Dainel about why my deadline was in July. He was incredibly understanding and the support him and the band showed towards our trip was incredible. He wanted to pour himself into something and just really show the love of Christ, which he did. Anyway, we met the night before I left for a church conference for a week, and we had not set up a date or had a venue for this proposed concert. We had plenty of ideas, but nothing else. While I was gone that week, I really trusted that if God truly wanted me to go to Australia that he would first provide a place for us to have this concert, and from there provide the rest of the money I needed to go. Surrendering my desires and my future to Christ wasn't a one time thing. It is a constant battle that I struggle with. Anyway, when I came back from the church conference, I got word from Daniel that they had found a venue! I was ecstatic. So, we started hardcore planning for the event and while we were planning, I was having some major doubt if I should go. Not because I couldn't see myself there or because I didn't believe God had incredible things stored for me; but because I did not have enough faith in God that He would provide the funds I needed to go. Once I got back from the conference, and up until the concert date, I had received about another $2,000 from people in donations. Anyway, the concert approached and I was eager to see what the outcome would be. I was totally okay with whatever God wanted to do with my future (which took me a long time to get to that point--probably a good 6 months!). That night, instead of the 5-6 person band they normally have play, the band gathered up about 20 people to play along side of them to bless Alexa and I. It was a breathtaking night. I mean, this was like a full- out orchestra playing for us. Well, not really us. Only Jesus. (See picture!). At the concert, we had an art show and a bake sale, and after the music was done, people came out and started buying things and donating money and telling us "thank you" and "God bless your trip" and "your stories are inspirational" and "I'll be praying for you"and all sorts of encouraging things. That night, we raised over $2000 for the trip. And I am incredibly happy to say not only am I going to Australia and have bought my plane ticket with Alexa, but that God is faithful and His power and beauty shined so brightly that night and continues to throughout my life. Even more exciting than the funds I received is the fact that God is working big time and He never ceases to stop providing in radical ways.
I still have about $1500 to raise and it could possibly be more depending on where I go for my outreach portion of the trip. But I know God will provide and I have some money saved up that I plan on using if I don't get any more donations. Anyway, we will try to keep you all updated as we continue on this journey.
To Christ be all the glory!
Love,
Laura
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