...Oops... I meant to say, "I've been meaning to ask you FOR something."
Well... here it goes, I am really asking and really writing an entire blog about this. I even tried other ways of doing this and it didn't really work that well. But first there are a few things I need to get out before I ask for money:
1. If you're new here, feel free to ignore this.(If you are new please check out some of my posts such as the Boots Blog, Successful Saturday, or even some older ones from the past (while traveling the world on the World Race) like Women for Sale, or Let it Rock.
2. If you're old here, feel free to ignore this.
3. Please be aware that this is my least favorite part of being a missionary.
(I hate the word missionary sometimes... we are all "missionaries" and
because I am at a "leadership academy" some people don't see this as
"missions." That's okay though, I will continue to meet people and tell
them about Jesus as I live my life =) 4. Know that I wouldn't be writing this post at all
if I didn't feel like this is something I was supposed to have written
months ago but didn't, and now every time I try other ways of asking for
money or writing about something else I feel a little guilty of asking
or not asking directly. So now I can't put it off any longer.
5. I mentioned this not being enjoyable, right? But I really hope you understand deep, deep down that this is the woooooorst part of the whole gig for me. (who
really likes to ask people for money and be dependent on others...
especially when they have been able to provide for their own in the
past? Yes, it sucks but God has used this to break me of a whole lot of
myself) *deep breath, here goes nothing*
And yes you know I am a missionary. Yes I attend a leadership school as
well. Well, as you know a missionary sometimes does have to ask for
money. As I mentioned earlier, it is as bad as it sounds (as bad as that
time where I worked as a telemarketer). BUT I really do believe in it
and in what I am doing.
And
I truly believe that the people who support me financially should
hold tightly to that "nice feeling" because the gifts that they give so
that I can be here are changing peoples lives for the better. I know
this to be true. I've seen it with my own eyes, I've read the emails
and witnessed peoples lives changed throughout the world. It is real.
And it's worthy of every dollar spent
to make it happen.
All of that, to say this: I need financial help.
If
we lived in the states I would have job to provide for myself. Can't
really do this here for legal reasons (but I did try already). This is
kinda what I need help with
1. G42 Leadership Academy
I
am here in Spain under the leadership of this academy. I love it. It is
teaching me incredible things but it does cost money. It is $1000 a
month, which includes food, housing, and classes. Without it, I wouldn't
be here and wouldn't be doing what God has asked.
2. The "B" word... BUDGET
I
came here thinking that it might be like last year when I traveled the
world for little to nothing... yeah right this is Europe. It is more
expensive than the states.
3. Going home I
do eventually have to go home and soon I will have to buy an airline
ticket back to Dallas. The cost of oil is going up and so is my ticket.
Lame, I know.
So, I'm just gonna throw this out there and hope that we're all still friends afterward:
Would you please consider making a donation to me and this ministry here in Spain?
There's an easy to use, friendly looking PayPal option, right here!
Or you can past this link http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate
Then you will want to click on the intern support button. This will take
you to a new page that is a G42 secure donation portal through Pay Pal.
From here there will be two options for those with a Paypal account and
those without an account.
With PayPal account:
input your donation amount and then hit update total. You then will
be taken to a new page where it will ask you to sign into your PayPal
account. You will then be taken to a new page and it will ask you to
review your donation. On the line where it says your total donation to
your left there will be a button to click that says name of intern.
Click it and type in the desired intern name. Once you do that hit
donate and you are all set.
Without PayPal account:
input your donation amount and then hit update total. You will then
be taken to a new page with your donation amount up top and at the
bottom left of the page a statement that says "Don't have a PayPal
account?" then there is a continue button next to the statement. Click
it. You will be take to a new page where you can input your donation
amount and the information of the credit/debit card you would like to
donate from. After inputing your information click review donation and
continue. You will then be taken to a new page and it will ask you to
review your donation. On the line where it says your total donation to
your left there will be a button to click that says name of intern.
Click it and it will give you a box and you can type in the desired
intern name. Once you do that hit donate and you are all set.
Or this Old thing called mail:
If you are mailing in your checks you can do so to this address and make sure you write the intern name in the memo line:
G42
P.o. Box 130611
Houston, TX 77219-0611
Last
but not least, a HUG and a KISS for all those who have read this and to
those who have given so much already. You really are awesome. Also to
Jamie for inspiration of this blog. Check out her blog, her and her husband are awesome people doing some great things in Costa Rica.
Are we not all on a journey? Are we not all headed somewhere... a new day, to something better, a new venture, a new job, a trip abroad, or possibly something more? No doubt we are going somewhere, but where and what for? Back in November, I started receiving a revelation about where I was heading and its purpose (you can read about it here). This revelation began as I started reading through the Old Testament with the purpose of understanding its significance today, if any. As I began to read about the exodus from Egypt, I noticed the theme of inheritance as they were on their journey to the promise land. Through the reading I began to understand that God had an inheritance for me as well (1 Peter 1:4). So with my inheritance in mind and leadership school approaching, I knew that I would be coming to Spain to start this journey. I believe that somewhere along the way I got a bit distracted of where I was going. I thought to myself many times that I was already there, I have already crossed the Jordan and started receiving my inheritance. About three weeks ago, I realized that I did not have it... I was going back to places from the past that I thought I had dealt with. To further the confirmation of this, we started a word study of Numbers 33 (the recounting of Israel's journey) on the different camps where the people stayed. What I got from this was that the places that the people camped were not actually real places but places they named after what they were feeling. For example they camped at Marah, a place of bitterness, Haradah, a place of fear, as well as Kinroth Hattaavah, graves of lust. What you notice about the whole journey is that they lived by their circumstances, not by what God had promised them. They wondered in the desert for 40 years because they did not go and take possession of the land. It took 40 years of people learning to leave and get rid of all the things they were holding on to and realize that God had something for them, something better than fear, better than lust, better than bitterness. He had told them He was taking them into their inheritance but they were just not willing to let go. Countless miracles, signs and wonders and they still were not ready... He was waiting on them to fully walk into their inheritance. Today, Christ is in us (Colossians 1:27) and we have the same ability to walk into our inheritance as they did in the desert. Where are you camped out today? Are you still camped in places of fear, of lust, of bitterness? Or are you waiting on God to do all the work... they camped in places of palms and stations where they were just waiting. We have been given everything we need to walk forward across the Jordan and leave these camps behind. While they camped for 40 years, they celebrated Pentecost and Passover but were not able to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles because there was no harvest because they had no land! On Thursday, I decided that I was tired of wondering around from camp to camp and was ready to celebrate harvest. In Joshua, before they reached the promise land, God tells him that the new generation must be circumcised. They had to get rid of all the crap they had been holding onto- the circumcision of the heart. They were able to celebrate what God had done for their people through Passover and then the day after the manna ceased (Joshua 5:12) because they ate the fruit of the their land! They no longer needed the manna because they had what God had originally promised them... a land that they could work that would give its own harvest! They received their inheritance! “And the commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.” (Joshua 5:15)
I was not wearing sandals to class but boots. So in front of class and now here for all to see, I have taken my boots off as a symbol of this transaction (see Ruth 4:7) that I am receiving my inheritance. I am no longer camping out but celebrating all that He has done! If I were to have gone to the worlds top literary school, I could not have ever dreamed or written a better journey than where God has already taken me and where He is continuing to take me.
Just wanted to give a quick update on this past week as I began my first week training. It was an awesome week and I found a new path to run on Saturdays that allows me to run along the beach and the across this awesome bridge (pictured right). Here is a look at my schedule:
Monday -4miles Tuesday-Off Wednesday- 5 miles Thursday- 4 miles Friday- Workout Saturday- 6.5 miles Sunday- Off
Total... 19.5 miles
Thank you all so much for supporting me on this half marathon and for my time here at G42. I am sill in need of sponsors for this run! Here are the ways you can help: 1. A one time pledge of any amount (click here) 2. Pledge a dollar amount by the km for the run (The race is 21.09km) 3. Pledge a dollar amount by the mile for the training- weekly 4. Donate towards entry fee, running shoes and running equipment, and travel expenses (email me at Copeland_A@yahoo.com for mailing address to send check) 5. Prays are much appreciated!
That is right everyone, the rumors are becoming reality. On April 3, 2011 I will join approximately 17,000 other people to be apart of the
11th Madrid Half Marathon!
Many of you who know me are thinking they possibly might have gotten the wrong blog update from the wrong Auston Copeland. No people, it is the truth! I have been trying to run since March of last year... It has been a love hate relationship that I have with running. Starting out last year I was barely able to run 15 minutes without thinking we needed to call an ambulance. As of now, it might not be too much better, but starting this week I am entering into training mode! That is right, cutting back on desserts and coke... and running mornings 5 days a week and fitness training in the afternoons! Now your probably wondering why I am telling you about this endeavor... it is because I need your help! With about 4 months left here in Spain, at G42 Leadership Academy, I have $2,760 left to raise. So in the spirit of support raising I thought I would do something to make it interesting and fun! This is where you come in, I am looking for people to support me as I run! There are several ways to do this:
1. A one time pledge of any amount (click here) 2. Pledge a dollar amount by the km for the run (The race is 21.09km) 3. Pledge a dollar amount by the mile for the training (my watch times in miles & run anywhere from 12- 23 miles!) 4. Donate towards entry fee (23 euros), running shoes and running equipment, and travel expenses (email me at Copeland_A@yahoo.com for mailing address to send check) 5. Pray, because I need it!
If this is something you would like to do, or have questions, please email me at Copeland_A@yahoo.com. I will be blogging weekly about the training so you can follow me over the next month!
It was my fourth birthday and I remember it like it was yesterday. You think it's impossible to remember that far back? Well I remember it because that is when I received my black doctors bag filled with all the essentials... a stethoscope, a thermometer, a few pill bottles, a whole new identity. I grew up with so many aspirations. I went from wanting to be that doctor, to a lawyer, to an international real estate agent, to a entrepreneur ... the list goes on and on. As a grew up and the professions changed, so did my reasons for them. It was no longer necessary to be these things because I was passionate about them but because that is what my family said would make the money and that is what my teachers said was successful. My aspiration became success and what I deemed success was making money. Is that really what success is? Fast forward 15 years from my doctor playing days to the completion of my freshman year of university. I thought I was on my way to being successful. I had a plan laid out to finish school with a business degree and to be rich. I was on my way. I had a great job with benefits, insurance, a 401K setup... all before age 19. It seemed that it was the right thing, this is what I wanted right? Yet something was missing. I couldn't place it, not quite yet. I was miserable. Everything that I thought I was supposed to be doing and everything I thought that was leading me to success was telling me something else. It was on a missions trip to Peru that I found what was missing. It was love. The look of all the children and families that had absolutely nothing, they had something I didn't. They had the love of God in them. They had joy admist their poverty. They had smiles when I had a frown. They had what I didn't have. I knew that I had to change. Success was not what I thought it was... I was ready to leave. I was ready to find it. There was a change in me. It was really great (for a short time). I knew that I needed God like these people. So I embarked on a journey that took me to the complete opposite of where I had been. Over the next three years, I studied God's word, I gave up all the things that were “bad,” I gave my life to serving God. Somehow after a couple of years I realized I was miserable again. Success had become doing and building ministry... "was it enough?" was all I ever thought. I reached a breaking point. One year later, 18 years after my doctor days, I traveled the world and saw many things. I saw people all over the world looking... looking for something. Many had been down the same road I had been and many were on the road I was currently on. Over the year I realized that everyone was looking for some sort of love. So the previous three years of working and building were nothing in comparison to the love that God had not only for me but for the entire world. I was free. It was this Saturday that everything came into place. Where this journey of success came to play. My friends and I traveled to Guadalhorce, on the outskirts of Malaga, to talk to some prostitutes and given them some flowers and baked goods. It came to me in an instant. Something so simple. To love... that's all, it's just that simple. I am made to love, to be love, to show love... all because He first loved us! Those girls on the streets needed to hear it, we all need to hear it... that is that we are loved. Success is knowing that you made a difference, even if its just a little. This will be forever called “Successful Saturday.”
Today I woke up still feeling a little sick. So with my Sunday afternoon being free, I decided that staying in the cold house would not be an option and I headed down to beach to let the warm sun do its wonders to this cold. Although I was not healed from the sun, I did receive some pretty cool revelations about some things I have been thinking about the past couple of days. As I was walking down the beach with warm sand between my toes and the occasional cold tide hitting my feet, I was in search, and determined, of finding the perfect spot. You what I am talking about... the one with no screaming kids, less people, and no vendors offering you knockoffs. I settled down, despite the fact that I couldn't find my ideal spot, laid down my towel, put my Ipod on, and opened my book. As I was reading, I began to get a distracted by my thoughts and started thinking. These thoughts went something like this: I can't believe I am here. I am lying here with the Mediterranean Sea in front of me, the snow covered Sierra Nevada's to my left, and my tiny white village behind me. I started thinking about the worship we had the night before and how I fell asleep last night to the same picture that I had when I was worshiping... a massive amount of people altogether singing and worshiping God in the rain. As the rain fell, no one was running away but enjoying ever minute of it- it was a renewal for everyone. I then began thinking about Friday night. I remembered that just a few blocks from where I was lying I worked for the night. Somehow I ended up with a job passing out fliers (it was pretty bad so I decided to tell the man it wasn't worth it...) on the street in the cold night. It was an experience. I met a lot of people, two of which were prostitutes from Ghana, working right down the street from me. I talked to them as much as I could... they were busy trying to get customers and I was trying to pass out these darn fliers. They didn't want to be in Spain, they want to be home in Ghana, one of the girls said to me. So as I lay there in the sand, the verse that has been stuck in my head for the past two weeks seemed to tie all my thoughts together.
"WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US" (1 John 4:19)
That my friends is why I am here, to love. A simple verse that I have never really paid attention to before but gives me purpose in everything. That is to love these girls from Ghana, that is to love the kids yelling ridiculous slurs at them, to love the men that have taken advantage of them, and to love this world so much that my desire is to just love (worship) Him back, even in the rain, because it is His love that renews us each day.
Hola mis amigos! It has been nearly two weeks since I landed in the Costa del Sol region of Spain. Every morning I wake up and think to myself, “am I really here?” Yes. Yes, I am here! I have been trying to put in words everything that has been going on since being here but I just haven't found them. It has been a little overwhelming to say the least but I mean that in a good way. I am currently here in Mijas, Spain beginning to pursue this dream of serving the world. I have a small idea of what that will look like but as for now I am here learning everything I can while sitting under some pretty awesome leaders. In the last few classes we have discussed everything from purpose, to love, to missionary journeys, to building a dream, and to everything else in between. So as if Im not one to already be in a thousand places at once this has added a few more places to wonder. So with that being said, I am here in Mijas, loving every minute of it, being challenged, and ultimately I am learning some pretty cool things. Here is to the next 5 months and to the beginning of something greater than myself. Thank you all for taking your time to read, to pray, and support me financially. I am still not where I need to be with the finances so if you are looking for ways to support the Kingdom of God please visit this link. Gracis mis amigos for allowing me learn and take it all in!
So I have a few remaining T-shirts that I am selling to finish the support raising for 2010! I have sizes M-XL available for $20. For $5 I can ship them directly to you! If you would like one please send me an email at Copeland_A@yahoo.com.
If the T-shirt is not your thing, and would like to support me for 2011, I can still use your help. G-42 is a non-profit organization, where your donations are tax deductible. I am incredibly grateful for the
support you have provided in 2010 while serving on the World Race, and I am
hopeful that you will continue to see value in the work God has called me to in Spain.
I would like to welcome you into this
opportunity through supporting me in prayer and/or financially. My financial
goal for 2011 is $6,000, which breaks down to $1000 per month. The
options of one-time donations or monthly pledges are available. I currently am
in need of supporters to commit to monthly donations, as indicated by the table
below.
Supporting on a monthly basis not only assists me
financially, but also provides an opportunity for you and me to build a
relationship. Having the consistent support of people on a monthly basis is a
huge encouragement to me and the ministry I'm doing with G42.
Of equal importance is prayer support. I am asking for
people who will commit to pray for me regularly. I will send prayer partners a
monthly update of specific prayer requests along the way. If you would like to
commit to being a prayer partner, please contact me via e-mail at Copeland_A@yahoo.com. I ask that you consider continuing
to support me in one of these ways. It means the world to me to know that
people are committed to supporting me each month in prayer and financially. I
would be honored to have any support that you are willing to give.
Please know that I am thankful for whatever you are able to do and I do not take any of it for granted. I
am committed to a life of service and know that God will continue to use me to
make an impact on those around me, including you. I appreciate your
consideration of this letter and this opportunity that enables me to represent
you as a servant to people around the world through G42. Thank you in advance and if interested in supporting me financially please visit the G42 website by clickinghere.
So how is it being back home? That is the number one question that I receive on a daily basis. It just kind of depends on the day how I will answer it. I don't think I really knew how I felt, for real, until today. Several things have attributed to the conclusion. First, I was at my local CVS making some cards, and this lady asked to see the final result. Well to give you a visual, its a “year of merry memories” that has a lot of pictures from this past year on it. I told her what I did and her response was something like this: “wow, that must have been an awesome experience, are you going to go back to any of those countries?” My response was sharing with her about my plan for Spain and for working in Asia and Eastern Europe one day. She said that was an “ambitious plan.” Not sure why, but the first thing that rolled off my tongue to her was “we all have a plan.” The look on her face gave me the impression that she didn't like that response... she also said “plans change.” The conversation ended because she walked away. I simply smiled to her as I walked out of the store. The second thing that happened, that showed me how I am feeling, was an e-mail that I sent to some friends on the race. I just started rambling in the e-mail, asking them about a thousand questions, many of them personal, and numerous other things. After the questions I typed out a sentence that read “as you might can tell I'm missing the race a little... it's really weird being home. Not that I don't love it, but I really miss the community of the people on my team... people here don't ask, when you wake up, how your night was, or ask you about your devotions, they really don't care too much about what God is doing in your life, and people aren't really big on challenging you...” I haven't really thought about this at all... really, I promise! It just kinda came out. So the third thing that confirmed my true feelings about being home is this blog, by my awesome teammate, Annie Rose. You really should read it... it's that good. But what I got from it, is that I am called to be a fighter, to fight against the things of this world. The blog then takes a complete 180 as she discusses her routine throughout the day. Where in her my day, did she I pick up the Word? So when God calls us to fight we are supposed to be prepared, right? Well, Christ called us to love, to love others, and know the love that He has for us. So amidst all the frustration of being home... I need to recognize more of His love, and love a little more. What does any of this have to do with how I feel about being at home? Well, for starters, everything. See the lady at CVS left me frustrated because it was almost as if she was telling me my plans were just a dream. She represents numerous people I have encountered since being at home... yes, it is my dream, God's plan! I am perfectly okay with people questioning things... don't worry I do it too. I just hate seeing people believe that they can't reach their dream. The mentality of dreams being “just dreams” makes me want to shake someone (That's a whole blog in itself!) Then the e-mail I sent confirmed everything... the lack of community and how I miss it, how I took it for granted this past year, and how vital it is for Christian living. Then this blog that sent me into a thousand directions... I know that I am there is a “war” to be fought and yet now that I am home... I honestly haven't really prepared that much for it. It's not that people here do things wrong and I am appalled by the way they see things... it's just I found something I really like and I want to stick with it (and share it with everyone!) and continue on this path of growth with others. I might be on a rambling tangent that doesn't makes sense. What I have learned with blogging is that sometimes you just have to put what's going through your head on paper (like a journal) and that's all! So this is it, this is how I feel, I have a hard time listening to people feel defeated, I miss my community, and I struggle with preparing myself for these “situations” that are apart this life we live. But i know that:
“The Lord your God in your midst, the mighty one, will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Just wanted to give a quick update on this past week as I began my first week training. It was an awesome week and I found a new path to run on Saturdays that allows me to run along the beach and the across this awesome bridge (pictured right). Here is a look at my schedule:
That is right everyone, the rumors are becoming reality. On April 3, 2011 I will join approximately 17,000 other people to be apart of the 
It was my fourth birthday and I remember it like it was yesterday. You think it's impossible to remember that far back? Well I remember it because that is when I received my black doctors bag filled with all the essentials... a stethoscope, a thermometer, a few pill bottles, a whole new identity. I grew up with so many aspirations. I went from wanting to be that doctor, to a lawyer, to an international real estate agent, to a entrepreneur ... the list goes on and on. As a grew up and the professions changed, so did my reasons for them. It was no longer necessary to be these things because I was passionate about them but because that is what my family said would make the money and that is what my teachers said was successful. My aspiration became success and what I deemed success was making money. Is that really what success is? 
Today I woke up still feeling a little sick. So with my Sunday afternoon being free, I decided that staying in the cold house would not be an option and I headed down to beach to let the warm sun do its wonders to this cold. Although I was not healed from the sun, I did receive some pretty cool revelations about some things I have been thinking about the past couple of days.
