As you probably know, I'm collecting empty cans and bottles this month to raise money for my GAP year in Dublin, Ireland. As I mentioned in my last post, my first collection of cans and bottles was pretty successful. We got a total of about $36 (plus some donations from my coworkers...so about $47). We didn't quite finish going door-to-door in my subdivision though, so my friend Ashley and I went out again yesterday morning to do a bit more. We hit the road at about 9:45ish yesterday to start collecting. After ringing one doorbell and getting no response, Ashley said, "Oh! We forgot to pray first!" She was right. Before our first collection we prayed in the car that the Lord would bless our time and that He would open peoples' hearts (and their doors) and that I would get lots of cans and bottles. This time we prayed a similar prayer, and I added "Please multiply the number of cans and bottles that we get today, like You did with the fish and bread." I couldn't believe how quickly we got an answer to prayer. The next 4 or 5 houses ALL gave us cans and bottles. Lots of them! Ashley said, "It must have been because we prayed!" I knew it was because we prayed. God is so so faithful. It was amazing to ring those peoples' doorbells and have them give me their cans and bottles. Ashley and I were truly overwhelmed by the amount of cans and bottles that began filling up my trunk and eventually the back seat of my car. By about 11:00 yesterday morning we had filled my car up so much that we could barely fit any more bags in it! Praise God! Another thing that was really a blessing is that we seemed to have perfect timing with some of the people. Often times we rang someone's doorbell just as they were leaving their house...but they STILL ran to the garage to get their cans and bottles! One lady even said, "Wow, you have perfect timing! I was just getting ready to take them to the store!" This just goes to show that "He makes everything beautiful in His time," (Ecclesiastes 3:11). There were several houses that we went to that the people were just getting ready to leave, but they still grabbed their cans and bottles on the way out. :) Praise God for His perfect and beautiful timing!
Another cool thing that happened while we were collecting yesterday was this: at one of the houses there was a young man mowing his lawn. We stopped in his driveway and waited for him to see us and turn the mower off so he could hear what we were doing. I told him that I was going to Ireland to do mission work and I was collecting cans and bottles to raise money, and he immediately went to check his garage, and then his house, for bottles and cans to give me. When he couldn't find very many (only about 5), he pulled out his wallet and asked, "Are you accepting donations?" I had not had ANYONE ask me this during our can and bottle drive before, so it caught me a little off guard. I told him yes, though, and he gave me a nice donation of $20. Praise God for such a kind man that answered God's calling in his heart to support my mission work in Ireland. :) I was literally jumping for joy (just ask Ashley...haha) when we left his house.
Me and Ashley (my "little sister") with all our cans and bottles
Whew! Look at all those! :)
Just wanted to show off my exceptional organization skills. ;)
When we returned the cans and bottles we got about $76! That's not including the Kroger and Trader Joes ones that I haven't taken back yet. Yay!
I was so so happy with the way that the can and bottle drive went yesterday, and I'm so excited to finish the rest of the subdivision and see how God provides. If time allows, I'm also planning on collecting in some of the nearby subdivisions. Please keep me in your prayers that God continues to provide for me. I have exactly three weeks until I leave for Ireland, and I'm about $2,400 short!
One more note: if you have some cans and bottles that you'd like to donate, or if you'd like to help me collect some time in the next couple of weeks, please let me know! I'd love the help! :)
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