When someone makes a first-time gift to the New Life Ranch’s Mission 14:19 Scholarship fund, we try to call right away and say, “Thanks!” Last week, we received an online donation. We discovered the gift came from a camper. Development Director, Jason Wilkie, called her mom and asked if he could visit with her daughter to thank her personally and ask what led her to give. Mom said, “Sure.”
As it turns out, the camper recently got her first job at a donut shop. Her parents suggested she split her earnings in three ways: a portion to give, a portion to save, and a portion to spend. When Jason asked the camper why she chose to give, she said, “I gave because I am called to do it. I prayed about it, and I felt God wanted me to give it to New Life Ranch. New Life Ranch has had such an impact on my life. Why wouldn’t I give so that another kid could come to camp?”
Scripture reminds us, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Cor 9:7
It is certainly a gift we will remember, because she gave a significant portion of her very first earnings not out of duty but out of her heart.
