Today is July 27th, 2010. I have officially been on my journey as a Navigator Staff in Training for two months. Since finishing my time on EDGE Corps with The Navigators in May, I have been working on raising a budget that will allow me to minister and live well in San Diego, CA. My budget covers my income, benefits, ministry expenses (man-to-man discipleship costs, training costs and resources, conferences, student scholarships, etc.), administrative costs, and cost of living increase. The budget my supervisors have helped me come up with is increasing from $2,500 monthly to $6,500 monthly.
As I am having to raise so much more money this summer, it has been quite the growing and trusting experience. As God has led me to become a full time staff with the Navs, I am confident He will provide what I need in order to fulfill that calling. After two months of fundraising, the Lord has brought in 35% of my budget. On top of needing to raise a team of support around me, I have been trusting the Lord for housing and a working car (my car of two years was declared unfixable this week). I constantly have in my mind the image of Peter walking on the water to Jesus, but quickly seeing the waves rise around him, Peter begins sinking. At times, while looking to Jesus, I can feel myself being distracted and pulled down by the waves. The waves of life in fundraising are things like the economy being low, how big of a jump my budget is taking, finding housing and a good situation in San Diego, my car breaking down, having a long way to go on fundraising, and distractions.
As I have met and talked with a mentor of mine, he reminded me that fundraising, as anything in life, takes prayer and work. I need to be faithful in the little things that God has called me to, and trust God to take care of the big picture and provisions. Much like ministry, I need to be faithful in what God has called me to, having face to face appointments, calling supporters, sending out letters, and more. The fruit of my labor and faith is all in God’s hands. I truly believe, God will provide through the people he chooses, whose hearts he moves in to be a part of my support team and what we are doing at the University of California, San Diego. God has placed me in a situation that provision and fruit is all to His glory and power. I am excited and ecstatic with every new partner, with every new gift, and with every provision. I am so excited to be able to share the stories of how God has, will, and is providing. Thank you for any and all faithful readers. I ask you to pray for God’s provision this summer. I will be sharing the stories of what God does to provide in the way he chooses to. Thank you for all you do in my life and standing with me.
More to come soon,
Stephen
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