The Joys of Fundraising

Fundraising is not all that FUN!  There are definitely parts that are fun, but, let's just face it, mostly it's a lot of hard work!  This weekend we are hosting an online auction to raise funds for our adoptions.  We have been overwhelmed with donations!  We are SO grateful for the 109 items that were given to us to be auctioned!  (www.CarrollFamily.webstore.com)  To all our donors, we are thankful beyond words!

So, why fundraise?  I'll start with the obvious: we don't have the funds needed to adopt two children from Ethiopia!  Yet, we know without a doubt we have been called to this (see how we were called here).  So, we are faced with two options, take out a loan or rely on the Lord to provide through grants, donations, and fundraising.  Here are a few reasons we chose the latter.
1. We believe that the Lord calls us to live without debt.  Obviously, we have some debt, but we are striving to eliminate debt and not to add to it.  (One could definitely argue that adoptions warrant borrowing money.  My purpose is in NO WAY to say that people should not fund their adoptions by loans, and the truth is that we may come to that point in the end as well.  However, we believe that should not personally be our first line of action.)
2.  Fundraising allows others to join us in our call to adopt.  The Lord may not call you to add to your family, but we believe that throughout scripture He does call ALL believers to support orphans in one way or another.  This could be YOUR way!
3.  Not taking out a loan forces us to depend on the Lord in a way that challenges my need for control.  Whew!   I said it!  I have a need to control things - think that's why I'm a teacher?? :)  The entire adoption process challenges my need for control, but specifically in the financial area.  I grew up always hearing about my parent's money problems and always knowing there was never enough money, so I have a NEED to know that the finances are THERE for things.  HAHAHA!  Boy has the Lord worked on that area of control in my adult life.  More than ANYTHING else He has taught me over the last 12 years, He has taught me that He ALONE is my JEHOVAH-JIRAH - "The Lord is our provider."

The Lord is GOOD, and He will provide for ALL of my needs, including this crazy amount needed to bring home our children.  To date, He has given us almost $14,000!  What an encouragement and an ebenezer to remind us that He will continue to provide!  So, in that light, fundraising IS a joy!  Despite the hard work, there is joy in fundraising because the Lord uses it to involve others and to provide!

If the Lord calls you to join us in our adoption journey, you can make donations by clicking the DONATE button on our page, or you can give directly to Bethany Christian Services in our name, so that your donation can be tax-deductible.  (Email for details:kylienchann@gmail.com)  Or, this weekend, you can SHOP!  Check it all 109 items at www.CarrollFamily.webstore.com!