where your sponsorship money is going...a confession

happy Friday dearest readers:) 

my friends arrived today. 

i have LITERALLY had a perpetual smile on my face for the last few hours! 

isn't it amazing when your worlds collide? 

a wee bit of home right here in the Nepal in the form of my friends! 

today i wanted to share a little more of my heart in regards to sponsorship. 

I was so overwhelmed by the response I got after I posted yesterday,

thank you. all of you. it almost made me cry. 

this morning when I was in the shower I was all giddy thinking about how awesome it will be to sponsor and promote so many of you! 

and then, 

in the back of my mind,

I felt the Lord nudging me...

"katie, will you give it ALL to me?". 

I froze (literally, IN the shower, stark naked!) 

Sponsorship had been exciting for the networking aspect, but also because I felt like I would be able to earn a little extra income for the small things Kevin and I need on a daily basis. When you're a missionary, there isn't much "extra income" lying around. 

ya feels me? 

but in that small moment, 

I realized,

ALL I have is the Lord's. 

This blog is HIS. 

All you dear readers are HIS. 

So if he is asking me to give of it...how could I refuse? 

it belongs to Him anyway. 

And really, 

the bottom line is this...

God is a provider. 

He has met every need Kevin and I have ever had. 

We've never been without. 

ever. 

And yet, so many around the world go without every day. 

without food

without clean water

without medicine

without a roof over their head. 

without parents or family to care for them. 

friends, it wasn't easy. i'm human, sue me. 

 I know it seems small and trivial, but I tried to justify why I should keep the money. 

"But Lord, this will help Kevin and I continue to do your work....blah blah blah"

...as if God needs my help in providing for us. He's ALWAYS provided for EVERY need...

and then some! 

I just finished reading "The Hole in our Gospel" by Richard Stearns. 

and the chapter on money really convicted me. 

our world is controlled by money, and if we're not careful it can control us. 

But the BEST way to  cut the ties of dominance it has over us is to simply, give it away. 

R. Scott Rodin says this, "Our check stubs speak more honestly of our priorities than our church membership" 

Money is a great treasure that only increases as you give it away.” — Lord Francis Bacon

so, I've decided that every penny that comes in from sponsorship, 

I plan to give away to a charity of my choice. 

currently, if you sponsor Hope Engaged for the month of July (with 3 free weeks of sponsorship in June) I will be donating all that money to the aftercare home that we work at in Nepal. This home takes girls rescued out of sex trafficking and seeks to love them, feed them, clothe them, provide shelter for them, and care for them. 

And you guys, God is moving in AMAZING ways there as girls who were once trapped in darkness both physically, emotionally and spiritually are being renewed, restored and LOVED by the Lord our God,  and our amazing staff. every day I see freedom rising forth from the ashes. 

So, all that to say, as you sponsor Hope Engaged, you are not only advertising your blog/business, but you are providing for tangible needs around the world! 

how awesome is that? 

have an amazing weekend friends

as God teaches us all how much he loves a cheerful giver,

love Katie 

ps- if you would like to sponsor me, send me an email at katie.emma.cook@gmail.com and i'll send you the information!