If I'm being real, the fundraising season is one of the most difficult seasons for a missionary. People think you're crazy for uprooting your family and the American dream. It's in those conversations and moments where we are overwhelmed by our friends and family creating lives that are "normal" and the sense that we should be doing the same. Being a stay-at-home mom and Mark working the night shift at BMW, we are tired, we bicker, we struggle financially and it's in those conversations that we look at our progress of fundraising and ask ourselves, what are we doing? People don't want to support or partner with us until they see the work being done. And it's in those conversations that we must explain the validity of this season and that work IS being done. God is using this season to give us the opportunity to put all of our trust in Him and allow Him to work in our hearts.
It's in the quiet moments, the ones we rarely get to spend together, just the two of us and Jesus that we know the Truth. But when the world is loud and Satan stirs unwanted thoughts, fears, and insecurities...we struggle.
If I'm being real again...I personally think that it's super cheesy to post song lyrics. But nonetheless, Sanctus Real has written a song that has become much more than a song to me, it is now my prayer. It goes like this...
"I'm not a warrior, I'm too afraid to loose
I feel unqualified for what you're calling me to
But Lord, with your strength, I've got no excuse
Because broken people are exactly who You use
So give me faith like Daniel in the lion's den
Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness
Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense
So I can face my giants with confidence"
There's no doubt that Mark and I are two broken people. We know that and we work on it each and every day with the Lord and each other. We feel deep down that we may not be great at what the Lord is calling us to--but we know even deeper that the Holy Spirit and His strength will guide us each in every moment on our fundraising journey here in the States and in the Philippines serving with KIDS. Jesus calls us to go, why would He not be there with us every step of the way?
Would you pray this with us? Pray that God gives us the faith to continue this season of fundraising. Pray that God continues to restore our hope in this process, even on the difficult days. Pray that our heart continues to overflow for this mission and the community that it serves, the hearts of those called to give so that we may server, but most importantly pray for the hearts that Jesus is going to use us to change.
Would you partner with us? If you know of a church looking to support a missionary family, reach out! If you have friends or family that may be interested in learning more about our heart to serve, reach out! Not only do we need financial partners, we would also love for people to commit to praying for us. None of this is possible without prayer warriors. If you would be interested in joining a prayer team for our family, reach out. We can be reached through Facebook at @lifewiththelovatts or through our email markandelizabethlovatt@kidsim.org.
Love and Blessings,
Bette & Mark