About three months ago, my life looked significantly different. I never thought I would go three months ago. It started as a little dream. About two months ago, stumbling into IOI, it started to look possible to go, and I realized that this dream was much bigger than me. Whenever I tried anything in my power to make anything happen, things would fall through. But, God wanted to show that I am merely a jar of clay and the surpassing power belongs to Him and not to me.
So, two months ago began the crazy journey of possibilities becoming realities. And, oh wow... I realized that this was quite impossible to do alone. Aaron Hardin, from IOI, projected that I would need about $4,000 to afford this trip. I was about half way there from being awarded a $2,000 scholarship after my tuition was paid, and I had hope. But, $2,000 more is a lot to try and conjure up in little to no time at all. So, I sent out support letters at the beginning of April and started preparing for a huge fundraising opportunity. Mary Spellings, from The Art in the Village Gallery in Casey Jones Village provided me with an opportunity to set up a booth for free alongside 30+ other local artists during the Spring Festival to sell artwork to make money to go to Ireland. April 27th from 9AM to 5PM would be the big day at Casey Jones Village during the Spring Festival. I awaited it with anticipation, painting little watercolor cards in bulk.
Many ceramics art major friends also donated some of their beautiful original mugs for me to sell. 19 mugs were donated.
I painted three bird houses and three paintings.
This one was called "Seasons of Growing"- Alice Nettles, my mentor bought it.
This one was called "Wonder"- bought by my friend, Jameson Winter.
Also many friends and ladies from my church donated cookies that they made for the occasion. Several people from church also let me borrow things to use, such as a table, a little cooler, chairs, painting stands, and more. Things were looking good and everyone was getting very excited about coming to the fundraiser. My friend, Lizi Fraiser, made this poster for the fundraiser.
Then, the weather was looking starting looking more and more gloomy with each glance at the forecast. I started to pray that it wouldn't rain. Of course, it poured with thunder and lightening. That day started in some of the worst ways possible: the Spring Festival was canceled, I woke up an hour late without very much sleep, and rain rain raaiiinn....
I could have tried to drag everything out to Casey Jones anyway, but I decided that I would try and just sell my things out of my room at school. So, after some conviction of bad attitude and determination not to let this dampen my spirits, I started to let people know that the fundraiser was happening out of my room. Only minutes later, friends started to show up to by things and to keep me company. I was blown away and humbled by the turnout of the fundraiser. Just how many people showed up and how much they bought and donated blew my mind. God had showed me the work that He had prepared in advance for me to do and then when I put my confidence in my work He foiled my plans to show me that HE would make it happen. Again, I was reminded that this trip and this mission was so much bigger than me. It was about community.
The following weekend, I had started to plan a benefit concert last second with several Union students playing for fun and to try and raise more money for my trip to Ireland. Friday night starting at 7PM on May 3rd at the Casey Jones Village Amphitheater. My new friend, Hilary Borden designed these beautiful posters for the benefit concert.
All the details barely worked out in time. I booked the Casey Jones Village Amphitheater, which cost about $100 (they graciously lowered the cost from $250) and Chris Hare provided and worked the PA system for sound. Again, it looked as though rain would foil our plans, but thankfully, the stage was covered and we decided to just hook everything up on the stage and have everyone stand on the stage with the performers.
Chris Hare, Jameson Winter, and I arrived at 2pm to start setting up. We set up, sound checked, and started about 7:30pm. Some people dropped out last second, and some people were added last second, but about 30 people played in about 20 acts with a turnout of about 70-100 people,
including the performers, come. I had not planned on singing myself, but after one of the singers dropped out, I sang with my friend, Shane Caver, who really wanted to be able to play. It was a lot of fun. It did not stop raining the whole time the concert went on. The concert ended around 11pm and we finished cleaning up and left at about 11:30pm.
I was amazed at the turnout despite the freezing cold and rain, and by the amount of people who stayed until the end of show. It was just a fun night. It was about community and celebration of the body of Christ. I was so blown away again.
After about a month of the two fundraisers and the donations of friends and family from the support letters, I was speechless, humbled, and so so so thankful to say that I had exceeded my goal and I could afford to go to Ireland.
While all this was going on, I was also trying to figure out details for Ireland, because a lot of things were not set in stone yet.
So, now I have a plan ticket to leave June 12th for Belfast, Northern Ireland! I will hopefully be staying with family in Donegal for a few days at the beginning and the end of my trip, then I will be in Strabane for 3 weeks, and then Letterkenny for 3 weeks, focusing on discipleship and relational ministry. I will be spending a lot of time helping and getting to know the churches that have invited me and are hosting me. I will be staying with families from the churches. I have no idea what this summer will present other than adventure and more realization of my need, my friends' need, and the world's need of the gospel. I am so excited to see the beauty of Ireland in its landscapes and its people. I have realized that as breathtaking as hills, mountains, and oceans can be, nothing is more beautiful than the souls of people coming to and being transformed by their Creator.
I have realized that this trip is so much bigger than me. It is not about me at all. It is about community. It is about the body of Christ. And, I am so thankful to be a part of it, and I am so thankful for everyone who is a part of it.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support.
Isaiah 61
Much Love,
Kait
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