Random thoughts, rants and reflections

I like what a friend told me some weeks back. This guy, who also happens to be a supporter, was relating to me some of the values he holds in his profession (he is a financial adviser). One of his guiding principles was "Do you want to build people or do you just want their money?". This, he said, has helped him view his job in a different perspective than most in his industry. Elaborating, he explained that if he choose to just 'squeeze' his clients for every penny they got, that'll be probably the last deal they'll ever do with him. On the contrary, if he places his clients' interest above his, a lifelong partnership or even friendship would take place.

i fully resonate with this mantra. hence from the start of support-raising, i've always consciously reminded myself that i'm in a 'people-raising' ministry, meaning i use support-raising as a means to get people involved in my ministry, not to see how much money they can offer as support (though i still need to raise my target amount).

However, as much as i hold on to this value, i can't help but to feel discouragement when potential supporters indicate they are not able to be a ministry partner. Annoyance and even frustration follow when, in the midst of calling people, i somehow get the vibe that i'm on the 'low-priority' list on their agenda. this is when people fail to respond to your calls, smses, emails, letters, and some would just say they can't make it on the eve of a scheduled apppointment. this is exactly what has been happening over the last 2 weeks, which unfortunately leads to me feeling frustrated at the lack of progress in my support-raising.

yes, this is the reality of support-raising for fulltime work in a non-profit organization such as Campus Crusade. I feel that in just this month alone seeing all the ups and downs, i've got a general synopsis of what's to come further in my ministry in years to come should i choose to take the fulltime route permanently. euphoria and joy, disappointments and frustrations.... from a heart of thankfulness at the beginning, i find to my shock that i've allowed it to slowly erode to a complaining spirit.

i need the time for a 'heart' checkup alone this monday when i go for my personal retreat. not going to do any support-raising related stuff that day, but just to spend that day alone seeking God.