Blutifully Human

Last week, we had a team meeting. At one point, people were asked to give some of their inspirational fundraising stories. One team member spoke of how someone offered to donate. They asked how much she would like and she facetiously said "ohh...I dunno, $1500". The person proceeded to write a check for $1500, and even offered to go ahead and cover the whole cost of the trip ($2500). She was shocked that they had actually taken her seriously, and that they wanted to give even more. She turned down their offer to give more than $1500 because she wanted to still experience putting in the work and effort to partner with others and seek more funds.

I...was...floored. I know the story was meant to inspire, but as I said there with the measly little $500 that I had raised thus far, I'd be lying if I said that part of me wasn't a little discouraged. It wasn't that the people that I knew didn't want to give, but they just didn't have the means to donate a large quantity. I couldn't think of one person that I knew of that would be willing and/or able to donate $1500 on the spot. Not one person.

The room sat in silence for a little bit, and then I decided to contribute. I spoke of how I sent a donation letter to my mom in California. As she began to tell co-workers and family about it, more & more people began to inquire and ask her for a letter. She made copies and handed them out to people. Someone asked, "Kenya is a missionary?" My mom replied "of course she is. Kenya has been giving and doing for others as long as I can remember. She moved to DC on her own because she heard from God. She's still doing that today". Granted, this is the same woman, who sold Girl Scout cookies for me, and helped with countless school fundraisers selling chocolate and gift wrap. But here I was, a grown woman, and she was still supporting me ...and still urging others to.

Whether someone gives $5 or $500, that is one extra human being that believes in me. That is one extra human being that believes in this mission and the difference it will make for babies, children, men, and women in South Africa. That belief, is worth more than $1500.