Many of you received our update in February that covered where we are on our fundraising. (Side note: If you would like to get our newsletters e-mail me at audreymarndt@gmail.com or chasevarndt@gmail.com) Since then we've raised about 50% of our annual support and about 20% of our outgoing support. At the end of February, we spoke with Wytheville Presbyterian Church at their Elevate Gathering, which is a monthly contemporary worship service. Shane and Emily Sledd have been friends of our for years since our time at King. Shane and Emily both work with youth at WPC and I know they are great at what they do!
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In mid March, we met with a community of believers at First Presbyterian of Pulaski. Following worship, we ate spaghetti with members after the service and shared our story! We're thankful to say that they have committed to partnering with us while we follow God's call! As we develop new and current friendships with individuals and churches, we are recognizing how thankful we are for this relational piece in this fundraising process. It's been humbling as we've seen God through others who are ready and willing to share themselves and their resources with us!
Later in the month, Chase and I traveled to Rawlings, Virginia where some of my extended family resides. My grandma, Lucy Ann Traynham, grew up and was married at Concord Presbyterian. After her passing in 2008, she left money to the church and some of it was spent this year to buy supplies for the Stop Hunger Now Program. Chase and I worked along with my parents, Uncle Randy, Aunt Debbie, and my cousin Tori and roughly 40 other individuals at Concord to create the packages of meals to be sent internationally! It was very meaningful to be involved in the packing and I know that Grandma would have been thrilled to see 10,000 meals packed to be sent to help those in need. Mama was able to reunite with her cousins at my great aunt Cece's house and we enjoyed sharing a little bit about Kenya. After our visit with family, we drove to Williamsburg to meet up with my siblings for dinner and walk around Colonial Williamsburg. On Sunday morning, Liza took us to her church in town!
In early April, we look forward to sharing with First United Methodist Church in Martinsville, VA. FUMC is another special church from home since my great aunt Marian is an active member there and I have spent many a night with Brian and Amy Mateer, FUMC's youth directors, attending and being a part of their group in high school! One of my favorite aspects of fundraising is seeing and remembering the people that He has brought into our lives for particular seasons and those who have been present throughout. As we wait on the Lord's timing in this endeavor, we are grateful for what He is teaching us!
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore, he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! -Isaiah 30:18
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