Raising Support: What It Really Means

Five years ago, I never imagined that I would be married to someone who's salary was based upon the generosity of others. I never imagined that I would have to ask people to open their hearts to us and the ministry that God has called us to and use their finances to support our family.

A little more than two years ago, we started this process. We had hoped that we would have our full support within a few months, but alas, that was not to be God's plan. We have had ups and downs, increases and decreases. Prayers answered "Yes!" and some answered "Not yet."

But more and more over the last few months, I have realized that "Raising Support" is so much magnificently more than raising funds for our family. Yes, that is a really big part of it, but that is not all of it. Far from it.

Almost ten months ago we found out we were pregnant with our second child. The financial future for the Harris family looked a little, well, less than perfect. We hadn't planned this one, per se - or at least, the plan we had for this one looked a whole lot different. So we reached out to our supporters. We asked for prayer for our finances, for our family, for the pregnancy...and we knew that we were getting that prayer support.

Over the last 6 months or so, we have tried to get together with our supporters - not for any other reason than to just build a relationship with them. Because support is so much more than just money - it's community. We are the body of Christ and we need to support one another - we want to pray for those who are supporting us as much as they are praying for us and supporting us with their generosity.

As we have continued to meet with people and ask for their support, we have realized that there are so many more facets to that word. Community, friendship, prayer, love...and as our relationships with these people grows, I am so much more grateful for the path that God has chosen for us. Not everyone gets to say that they have a relationship with their payroll. But we do. And that has been one of the greatest blessings that God has given us.

"Raising Support" doesn't mean raising funds, it means raising friends. We are greatly blessed.