Posted in General Posts by Sarah Gustafson on 4/29/2012
It's quite mind-blowing to believe I will be leaving 2 short months from now. As time is rolling near, I have been so humbled by people's willing to give financially to this opportunity. You all have been truly amazing and an answer to prayer. As the letter says, every little bit helps and you all have been so, so, SO generous, words can never portray how deeply I appreciate your kindness. I received an envelope at church with a dollar and some change in it and a note that said "a little girl on Sunday donated this for the trip around the world"
I remember being a little girl and holding on to every dollar so tightly so I could buy some candy that didn't have to be pre-approved by mother... (and thus being traded for an apple). I mean this only to say that that dollar and some change from a little girl whom I've never met means a whole lot to me. That I and this trip was worth giving up that candy (or apple), that she and all of you have confidence not in me but in what God can do through me. And for that reason, I am humbled.
Let me share with you the many answers to prayer:
**I was blessed with a job that allowed me to save enough money to cover my mountainous loans while I am away as to not fall behind, as well as the many other expenses that seem to add up even when I'm not here...
**As of right now, God has provided through you all, almost $12,000 which means I have just 3,500 left. That is pretty amazing actually :)
**Not only do I have prayer warriors around the globe, but God has brought together a team from Lighthouse church in Twin Falls to pray and fundraise on my behalf while I am gone. Thank you Pam Fadness for putting that together and being such a great support with all this.
I will leave you all with a set of verses from one of my favorite books: Phillipians. So many wonderful promises in this book:
Phil 4:10-20: I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Phillipians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus that gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Jehovah Jireh means God our provider. He has provided, He has been faithful, He will continue to be faithful. We serve and are loved by an amazing God.
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Posted in General Posts by Sarah Gustafson on 3/23/2012
Hi! Support letters are out!! Thank you all so much for your prayer support already! You all are wonderful and I feel so blessed!!!
Training camp is coming soon (yikes!!) and it'll be no time at all before I leave the country, though it still seems like a year away....
Preparations for the trip are going well, I've gotten all the big supplies, and am working on the littler supplies.
More details to come!!!
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Posted in General Posts by Sarah Gustafson on 12/4/2011
Sometimes I really hate spiritual warfare.
Most of the time I don't feel it coming on, don't realize its there (which probably makes me the worst Christian in the world, because I know I should be able to recognize it and yada, yada, yada, but I didn't... again... lol!) where was I? Oh, right, not seeing the spiritual warfare. The way the devil loves to attack me is by lonliness. I have an unfortunate combination of an extrovert personality and a love language of quality time. Which means when my life gets busy and my dear friends' life gets busy and I'm not spending quality time with people, well satan decides to make me believe that I am not loved or valued by anybody including Jesus.
One would think that after 28 years that one would get over that... well some of us are slow learners. One major way God speaks to me is through worship-music. And it seems as though He brings songs into my life at just the right time. This last Sunday as I was going through my usual depressed woes, it was a combination of How Great Is Our God and Christ is Risen (I think by Matt Maher) and the amazing combination of God amazing beauty, power, etc and His love for us, that 'He bled for us' Ok... I'm just going to post the lyrics to Christ is Risen/Come Awake:
Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
But fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to Him who showed great love
And bled for us
Freely You've bled for us
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, Come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Beneath he weight of all our sin
You bowed to none but Heaven's will
No scheme of hell, no scoffer's crown
No burden great can hold You down
In strength You reign
Forever let your church proclaim
O death, where is your sting
O hell, where is your victory
O church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night
O death, where is your sting
O hell, where is your victory
O church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead
He's alive!! He's alive!!!
Oh so much beauty and truth in that song. Everytime I hear that song, it hits me a wee bit differently. Sometimes its the love of God that He 'Freely bled for us.' Sometimes its the power of Him- that He 'tramples over death by death', sometimes its the blatant in your face Satan 'O death where is your sting'?!?! Which is I think how I'm feeling now. Oh satan, you try, but the battle's been won by the love of Lord our God!!! So amazing!!!
p.s. in addition to prayer in this part of my life, I could use some prayer for life decisions that I'm having to make right now, including where I am to spend (and work) the next 5-6 months before I leave for the World Race. Its appearing that God is just seeming to open the door wide open the last 2 hours for one decision that I have written off for many months. So prayer for wisdom and guidance is requested. Thanks you!!
Here's making plans and God directing steps (and thereby changing my plans!!!)
Sarah
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Posted in General Posts by Sarah Gustafson on 11/20/2011
Thank you so much to you all who came out to Lighthouse for the Bake Sale fundraisers! You all were such a blessing and it was great to meet some of you who I hadn't met yet. Also a special thanks to those who baked, donated baking ingredients, and worked behind the table with me on both Sundays! You all are such a blessing!
Again, please feel free to email me at sarah.krystine@gmail.com with any question about the World Race, support, etc, etc.
Thanks again!
Sarah
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Posted in General Posts by Sarah Gustafson on 11/7/2011
Welcome to my World Race blog!! This is my first official post!!
You can read most of this on my 'About Me' page, but just to brief you on how I got here: I graduated from Duluth, MN with an Occupational Therapy degree and worked in Minneapolis for 3 years before my itch to travel got the best of me. I began working as a travelling Occupational Therapist and living life on the road. After much down sizing, my Camry and I took off to the West coast. I began working in Oregon, then to Idado, and soon to Tennessee/Georgia area. God has blessed me with amazing friendships and community in each place thus far. After 2 amazing 'divine appointments,' I learned about the World Race. I offered up to God every excuse in the book why it is not even realistic to go- school loans, work, family, etc. God then graciously kept me up all night with the question 'Why not? Do you trust me?' And with that, I gave in. God is so good! Its amazing to think back to the last 10 years and how He as so incredibly orchestrated my life to prepare me for this time and for this trip.
Well I am beginning the whirl wind (so it feels) of fundraising which is proving difficult when I don't have a home church or a home either I guess :-/ Everyone has been so very gracious with me and my ever-changing schedule. The next couple weekends I have lined up a yummy bake sale and photo sale at church. Yay!! So if you are in the Twin Falls, ID area, please stop by Lighthouse Church for some delicious cupcakes, bars (yes, I'm from Minnesota), cookies, pies, cakes, etc.
I'll leave you with this thought: A dear friend just sent me a text with a reminder of God's steadfast love and promises in Psalm 23 and Psalm 91. Here's a bit from Psalm 91- God speaking about us: 'Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.'
Thanks for reading! Talk to you soon!
Sarah
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