I do not take lightly the generosity of others that has allowed me to live and work a life of service internationally. The hundreds of people who have prayed over me and financially donated to my ministry or gifted me so many different things are at the top of my gratitude list each Thanksgiving. Even though I don’t live in a country that celebrates Thanksgiving as a national holiday, I’m still overwhelmed by the good gifts and intentionally thank God for what I’m blessed with.
When I first moved overseas, I had to gather up a support team of people who would donate monthly to pay my salary and then an additional $5,000 for moving and start up costs. It seemed like a massive number, but God brought the money into my support account in a matter of months. Subsequently while serving overseas, I’ve stayed at secure enough support levels with a buffer in my account to cover any shortfall with unexpected donations supplementing along the way. It’s a crazy way to live, and, honestly, not always my favourite when I don’t know how much money will be coming in each month, but I’ve had this connected faith growth through the massive donations that keep me serving long term.
Speaking of long term… buckle up for a wild faith building adventure and an invitation to be a part of something massive…
Since my house has now been sold – sticker on the sign and all – I have got written permission from my landlord that I can stay until 12 January (an extra few days past the original date) if needed. Nothing else has changed since last week’s post where I mentioned a couple committed to praying into a long term creative solution. This long term creative solution is still not a guarantee, but it has a $100,000 hurdle (NZD). As I prayed over this number through the past week realising we’re coming up to Giving Tuesday and the US EOY donation season, I couldn’t help but feel that number shrink. With no guarantees, I have to couch this in a few caveats, but basically, there’s a chance I could have an accessible house built for me though it wouldn’t be available immediately. This creates a guarantee of a few extra moving costs and then some other financial commitments that this couple is helping to budget and work through.
Ready to watch that number shrink?
$100,000 NZD = $56,000 USD.
I have no idea the end of this story, but I’m on a wild adventure with God where so far after saying yes at 24, I moved to Germany and met some amazing TCKs, broke my back, and ended up spending a decade doing ministry in Europe testifying to God’s goodness in my ongoing recovery only to end up moving to New Zealand to be handed even more ministry opportunities to bear witness of God’s amazing faithfulness. At so many points, I’ve asked and seen God show up above and beyond my request, so I’m asking one of the wildest things yet. Would you prayerfully consider donating towards a $56,000 USD goal by the end of 2025? One month is barely a blink, and this is like an annual salary for loads of people, but I absolutely believe God can eliminate this barrier to my housing situation in just four weeks. Are you someone who has $20, $50, or $100 to donate to my TeachBeyond account? Or maybe you’re praying about where to make a larger end of year tax deductible donation and can give $1,000, $5,000, or even $10,000. Please pray over the number you can give and click the donate link at the top of this page.
Or maybe you’re looking for where you can be generous with £50, €100, or 500 CHF if you don’t have a USD account – you can still be part of this journey if you email donate@teachbeyond.org.
Kiwi friends, I’ll have answers soon on the best route to keep the money from depreciating through multiple conversions, but there’s one last avenue for being generous on multiple continents. If you’ve not yet purchased my latest book, I have plenty of copies in stock in Portland and Christchurch if you’re interested in buying a copy directly from me for $20USD or $30NZD so that all profits can go towards this fund (instead of Amazon).
I have to stress that I do not know the end of the story, and I can’t guarantee what the housing solution will look like, but I do know there will be expenses to get me set up in any new place – interim or long term. This funding push will be used specifically for my housing costs that regardless of the route will be above and beyond during this coming year. $56,000 is a lot of money, and I do not ask this lightly. Just as when I ask for prayers over my physical healing – which I’m also still hoping you’ll pray for alongside this funding push – I know it’s a huge ask. And I know it’s easy for God to do.
Whenever I ask God to show up, he does. Usually in unexpected ways far more beautiful than I expected. Despite not having a solution nailed down on this, I’ve already seen God drop hints at creative solutions beyond what I could ask or imagine, so I am trusting that whatever works out is going to be better than I can dream up on my own.
Who am I to be the centre of this miracle this month? I feel incredibly humbled to be in a position to ask for this and to have the privilege to celebrate the overwhelming generosity of the people of God.
