Finance

Now this is amazing. With my job at YFC I have to raise half of my annual salary through asking people to give to me each month. This was a mammoth task and started back in August. I had only 50% of what I was meant to and it was getting me down. It's not the easiest time to ask people for money but aside from that most of the people I know are poor youthworkers/students so its hard as it is!! I'd got myself into a financial pickle and was so close to maxing out my overdraft and being able to buy anything or pay for bills. I knew that pay day was at the end of the month but that would only be half of what I'm meant to get due to me only raising half of my side of the bargain. So things were very tight. My car, bless it, was running on fumes.

On Thursday we had our YFC Full Team Meeting and during it we had a prayer time. In 3's we prayed for each other and the full 5 minutes was taken up praying for me as I opened up to how brassic and desperate I was. So 2 hours after the meeting someone who is in a similar same boat as me decided to bless me with £200!! I could not believe it. They said that they'd been blessed with finance recently and wanted to help me out. I didn't know what to say. That money has helped me to breath easier and not panic. But that's not the end of the story...

A couple of weeks ago a standing order came in from some old friends for £150 a month, which is amazing but I thought that couldn't be right. So I didn't add it to my total raised until I'd followed it up with them. The easiest thing to do would be to make a phone call, but I was too scared. I even saw them last week but didn't say anything. So I plucked up the courage on Friday and phoned them. I asked if it was meant to be monthly or a one off (the much more likely of the options), he said "no it is meant to come out once a month". Right i thought, then surely the amount cant be right. So I tentatively asked if the amount was correct and they said yes!!! and then asked is it not enough and would i like more!! I was astouned. With gift aid on top that makes it £192 a month and moves me to 70%!!! I ALSO had more standing orders come in, one for £64 a month (which I knew was coming on), £32 a month (unexpected!!) and £3 a month (complete bonus). So what a great day!!! The end is in sight and I still have to speak to my old church and give letters to key people there.

But it doesn't end there!! My sis-in-law text me to say a cheque from Soul Survivor had arrived for £130 to say thank you for running Sports!! AND I followed up some work from May and the cheque for £100 is on its way as well!! GOD IS GOOD!!!! Within 24 hours of people praying for me I had had all of this happen, not only did God get me out of a hole but He has provided for me beyond that!!

I have learnt some valueable lessons though, firstly I am now budgeting everything that I spend and keep a track on bills and incomes. Very useful. I also now value prayer so much more. Get in there!!