Monday, November 18, 2013

I Could Really Use Your Help!

I am wondering if any of you have any ideas on how to get people to donate and not just say "I love what your doing". I am very grateful for all of the cake orders, but nobody is donating just to donate and I can't make 3000 cakes. So how do I convince people that this really is a WE project, not just a ME and LIVVY project? So if you have a suggestion, please put it in the comments box, but only give me good advice don't just fill it up with words of encouragement because we are really doing this for God's glory and so if you want to tell us how much you love what we are doing, then tell God that you love what He is doing. Thanks for all of the support, its not that we don't appreciate that, but right now what we really need is prayer, and donations.

2 comments:

  1. Hey Gabe! I have been praying for you, your family, and this project all morning. I have several ideas, and also am going to attach a link to a sermon that I think (hope) will be encouraging to you about God's faithfulness in provision.

    First of all, just so you know that this is coming from someone who understands, my parents have been on staff w/Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) for over 30 years, and every single bit of their income comes from donations of people who want to support their ministry and be part of it--they raise over $50,000 for each year and God definitely provides all their needs!

    The primary way that people raise money with CRU is by one-on-one appointments and letters. We believe that God says to ask and He will provide, so we just ask by way of letters explaining what we do, one-on-one meetings where we explain the role on campus and how God has used it, and how, by partnering financially, someone is able to be part of this ministry that they may not be able to do in other ways. Also, we always ask anyone who gives for referrals of others that they think may be interested in supporting the ministry financially. As I said, my parents have lived on this type of provision from the Lord for over 30 years and have never had a year without their needs being met! This is a sermon about faith and God's provision called "the Key to Miracles" by Ron Dunn and it gives a great illustration of our plans versus God's plans in how He can provide. The illustration that made me think of it starts around the 34 minute mark (it is long-ish, so if you don't want to listen to the whole thing start there) http://turret2.discipleshiplibrary.com/2712A.mp3

    Now, even though I think that just asking is a good way to go, I know that God also uses more traditional fundraising, and here are some ideas that I have helped friends with or seen God use over the years:

    Yard sale (this would probably be for in the spring) have people donate unwanted items and sell them at a yard sale, all proceeds going to Samaritan's Purse

    Some local businesses will do fundraising nights--if you know of a local (or even a chain like Chick fil a) Christian-owned business, you can ask if they will donate a portion of the proceeds from their business on a specific day to this project. The Chickfila in Bowling Green does this for local schools, but has also done it to benefit people's adoptions so it's a good possibility.

    Host a holiday open house (this would need to be organized soon) with people who do direct-selling businesses (Mary Kay, Scentsy, 31 Gifts, Pampered Chef, etc...) and ask them to donate a portion or all of their commission. I was part of one of these a few years back for a friend's adoption, and they had a lot of business b/c people could get lots of Christmas shopping done in one place, and it benefits a good cause.

    Also, maybe ask for monthly support? To some people, they feel that they can't give a "significant" one time gift, but $5-$10/month is really easy and it adds up. I think Samaritan's purse includes the option for that.

    Those are my main ideas for now, but if I think of others I will let you know. I would encourage you to spend some time specifically asking the Lord to show you how to ask and pray. Ask Him to direct you in prayer goals (ie, $1000 by a certain date, and pray that a certain number of people will give certain amounts).

    You are learning some great but challenging lessons about God's provision. I love the videos of you and Livvy celebrating how God is bringing in the money, but it can be hard to remember that He is still doing this when it comes in slower. This is a lesson in perseverance and faith and He will provide because He is definitely the one who put this on your heart!

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment and we will definitely try some of these ideas! Thank you so much for praying for our project. We do really know that it is God that has to give us the good ideas because that is why this will take faith and not just happen in a week like the goat did.

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