Posted in pre-race by Kiera Dragan on 4/4/2012
MARCH…..A MONTH OF MIRACLES....A MONTH WHERE MY FAITH WAS RESTORED....A MONTH OF COMPLETE KNOWING MY GOD IS ABLE......
I started march saying that I was wanting to reach my $6500 dollar deadline which is enough to leave in July....the only thing was I was $2600 dollars away. I was a little overwhelmed but I knew God was more than able to provide.
March was a big push on the support-raising front!! I had cupcakes sales, T-shirts, as well as a St. Patrick’s Pancake Breakfast. I didn't know what to expect in regards to the breakfast...small town....could go either way....everything seems to get around, word of mouth, posters, newspaper ad, but still you never know…..
(T-shirts $20 each)
Slowly as that morning began to unfold they started to pour in at a steady pace, there must have been 30-35 ppl in the first 45 minutes, my heart was full. From 8am -noon we served pancakes and sausages, 120 people came through the doors of my church, and over $1800 dollars was given in donations. PRAISE GOD!! Unbelievable.... He showed up like He always does. After the pancake breakfast I HIT THE GOAL I HAD SET AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH!! I was quick to set a new goal; to hit the half way mark....$7775 dollars by March 31st!
(pancake breakfast center pieces)
There must have had 1/2 dozen people that approached me the weeks following the breakfast asking if they could give a donation because they hadn't been able to make it!! It has been such a humbling experience. I even had a call from people that were sent support letter in November, now wanting to donate to my mission. I had not been forgotten! Timing is everything! Within one week alone I must have had 5 or 6 people tell me they wanted to donate to my mission. SO BLESSED!
I sold 44 orders of cupcakes which my friend Stephanie Campbell helped me with...because Lord knows I don't bake and I don't have artistic ability...with that said I really enjoyed decorating the cupcakes, and I wasn't that horrible either. That fundraiser brought in about $400.
Just when I thought March was all said and done...I received a check for $100 dollars from a couple I hadn't even gotten around to sending a support letter too....WOOOWWWWWW GOD!!!
So my total acct balance March 30th was $8005.05......without the $100 dollar check. Then on the 31st, like God does, I received another check for $250 dollars and a $20 dollar bill from someone who didn't make it to my breakfast!!! So I sit here in awwweee.... March has been a ridiculous blessing. I couldn't have imagined that well over $4000 dollars would come in! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! How is that possible!? Well let me tell you....my first blog I ever wrote I told you I served a big God...and nothing is impossible for Him....I had no way of raising $15 500 dollars by July...it was all Him or I wasn't going! But like He does, He's doing His thing...I am over half way there and I can't wait to see how He works out the next $7500!!
Supporters: YOU ARE THE REASON THIS MISSION TRIP IS GOING TO BE POSSIBLE...YOU ARE THE ONES HE IS USING, YOU ARE THE ONES HELPING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, A CHANGE...TO YOU; I SAY THANK YOU CAUSE ITS ALL I HAVE!!! LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Month of April: Support goal: to bring in $1625 dollars.... $10 000 dollar mark...LETS DO THIS!!! xx
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Posted in General Posts by Kiera Dragan on 2/20/2012
Because everyone else is doing it.....here it is........
1) My middle name is Dawn...after my dad...but obviously spelt the "girl" way
2) I was born on a friday the 13th ( I think its great)
3) I have twin sisters Robyn and Kim
4) I live in small town Canada ( UGH...I am blessed tho)
5) I would love to live in America one day...preferably where there are palm trees
6) I am addicted to seeing the world
7) I have ammmmmaaazzzzing friends all around the world
8) My best friend is Dean (or Deanbestpersonintheworld as FB told us for so long) We used to be enemies in junior high
9) Ive been in 3 continents so far ( North America(obviously) Australia, and Europe, had a lay over in Asia once
10) I studied at Hillsong International Leadership College in Australia
11) I was a dance major
12) I interned at the Los Angeles Dream center for 6 month in 2010
13) I love California
14) I HATE winter...snow and negative temperatures are evil
15) Yet God placed me in Canada
16) I really DO NOT enjoy animals
17) I do LOVE giraffes tho
18) I lead the youth ministry at my church (JUST YOUTH)
19) I hate talking about myself
20) I could listen to other ppl talk about themselves for hours
21) I love to ask the questions
22) My favorite food is tacos
23) I used to play the piano for 10 ish years...but couldn't really play now to save my life
24) I teach dance lessons to some awesome kids
25) I love my sisters more than anything...we are super close
26) My car's name is Lucy (Lucille)
27) My ipod's name is Estelle
28) My computer's name is Jaxyn
29) Yes it is necessary to name all major belongings
30) I hate coffee
31) I work at a coffee shop
32) I have zero artisitic ability
33) Yet I know God has made us all creative in our own way
34) I have a minimum of 3 jobs right now I have 5 different jobs ( Always running in a different direction)
35) I like vanilla milkshakes
36) I ve been a waitress since I was in grade 10
37) I can't play sports
38) I secretly think I may be good at basketball bc i'm pretty good at throwing the milk jugs in the recycling from a decent distance away
39) I enjoy being tall
40) I look like my dad
41) I live in a house with my sister but we still live in the same town as our parents
42) I like eating Mc Donalds (or Maccas as the Aussies say...I still call it that)
43) I would live at the beach if I had my way (maybe one day) I love the Sun and the ocean
44) I am still unsure if I want kids
45) I love cookie dough icecream
46) I have a love/hate relationship with trying to get in shape
47) I love main stream pop/hip hop music
48) I don't really watch T.V
49) I do enjoy reality TV tho
50) I love Disneyland/DisneyWorld
51) I held an annual pass for Disneyland when I lived in LA
52) When I was young I wanted to be a singer
53) Then a pediatrician
54) Then a kindergarten teacher
55) Now I just want to see the world and tell people about my Jesus
56) I am the oldest child
57) Growing up we had pet bunnies...then we had hamsters
58) Mice freak me out
59) I have almost no friends in the town where I live (bc they live all over the country)
60) Some of my best friends are American (and I know that will continue to be true, as I spend the next 11 months with almost all Americans)
61) I love the way cupcakes look and taste
62) I think bubbles and fireworks are two of the most magical things in the world
63) And lights at night
64) I'm not very good with technology
65) I do want a tattoo someday
66) I think sydney Australia is ridiculously beautiful
67) I still can't believe I am turning 24 this year
68) I will turn 25 in Guatemala
69) I sucked my thumb til I was WAY TOO old
70) I had to get braces because of it
71) I read the bible in 8 months while I was in Australia
72) Php 1:21 is one of my fav verses...For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
73) I can't wait to go to Thailand
74) I enjoy eating out...like ALOT
75) I am unfortuantely not too good with money...I am trying tho
76) I hate how much time I waste on Facebook or social networking for that matter
77) I have never bought an alcoholic beverage in my life
78) Ya, I don't drink
79) I 've never owned a gaming system in my whole life
80) I have zero gaming ability
81) I always fake smile in pictures...because I actually CAN'T smile genuinely
82) I tend to take alot of pics of myself and usually get made fun of for it
83) I almost always tip my head when I look in the mirror
84) I love Finding Nemo and Toy Story
85) The note book is a classic...SO cute
86) I've done almost all my traveling since I graduated in 06
87) I've been to 7 US states
88) My favorite fruit is bananas
89) Ive been to Mexico and Cuba
90) Ive never actually been on an overseas mission trip
91) I don't get sports...like DO NOT GET IT! ( I already know I am the odd one out on this squad)
92) This makes me the odd one out in my family too (my mom is with me tho)
93) I love jewelry or accessories with owls on them
94) I don't really like shopping that much (markets are fun)
95) I am really not that neat ( my room usually stays clean 2 days tops)
96) I enjoy preaching
97) JESUS IS EVERYTHING TO ME
98) I can't wait to go on the world race with the amazing G Squad
99) I did this just to see if I could think of 100 things about me
100) People often tell me I am too serious and need to smile more...but I am very easy going and love to have fun
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Posted in pre-race by Kiera Dragan on 2/10/2012
IM A LITTLE TOO COMFORTABLE......
July is around the corner (or so it seems)....and for most of my teammates they are counting the days till we leave around the world (love you guys)...I just can't bring myself to do so. To be honest I like my home....I have a cute little house with my sister.....I have a car named Lucy that runs smooth.....I have an awesome family a couple blocks away....I have a cell phone that allows me to easily reach the people I love.....I have reliable internet...... A comfy bed.....I have a shower that runs hot water.....and a washing machine that cleans my clothes. To be honest this is the first time in my life I don't want to leave HOME!
You see I crave adventure....I seek it....I am always looking for the next high. I really dislike mundane and ordinary.....boredom is of the devil.....BUT IM A LITTLE TOO COMFORTABLE....Its a trap that most don't have the eye to recognize....because for most; its what life is "supposed" to look like! It 's what feels good......but Im not so sure comfort is what I was made for......
I KNOW I MUST GO....because If I don't; I compromise the call of Christ, for own my desires...my own comfort..... I WILL GET UNCOMFORTABLE... (In my case it will require leaving all those things I listed in the first paragraph behind)......GET UNCOMFORTABLE because that's how things change....that is how character is built, faith grows. That is how orphans can find a sense of home in the arms of a stranger, how women and children are freed from sex slavery, how the lame walk and blind see, people that are oppressed are set free, that is how people find truth, and the love of Christ is spread throughout the earth..........
BECAUSE SOMEONE SAID GOD USE ME! I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS COMFORT THING ANYMORE....I DON'T WANT TO HAVE EVERY LUXURY AT MY FINGER TIPS. I DON'T WANT TO MISS IT ANYMORE....BECAUSE LIFE IS MORE THAN LIVING DAY TO DAY, TO WAKE UP, TO WORK AND TO GET PAID! ITS MORE THAN EVEN ATTENDING A SUNDAY SERVICE, FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF OUT OF AN 168 HOUR WEEK, AND TO RATTLE OFF A ONE MINUTE PRAYER BEFORE YOUR HEAD HITS THE PILLOW.
It's about PUTTING OTHERS FIRST (almost an impossibility these days), and SACRIFICING YOUR WHOLE LIFE, not just the areas that are convenient for you; for a man named JESUS who paid the ultimate price for you! You see Im not saying having "things" are bad....or that everyone needs to drop their career and book the next flight to Africa. What I am saying though, is to take the blinders off your eyes that cause you to miss the fact that your neighbor is struggling, or the girl at your work place fills her pain with the boy next door, or a drink at the club. GET UNCOMFORTABLE, SAY NO TO FEAR and tell her there's another way, and where you go when life pulls you down. If someone is ill, tell them you know a healer, GOD ALMIGHTY! Get on your knees and cry out to Him, pour out your heart......JUST DO SOMETHING THAT ISN'T EASY.....THAT REQUIRES TOTAL DEPENDENCE ON GOD......
But you see; we are a little too comfortable.....
*Please consider being a part of the amazing calling on my life....I NEED YOUR PRAYER AND ENCOURAGEMENT FIRST AND FOREMOST! If you are feeling called to give financially....Awesome...I pray nothing but blessing on you....thanks for taking the time to come along on my journey with me......*
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Posted in pre-race by Kiera Dragan on 2/1/2012
So here we are FEBRUARY 1st....5 months til we Launch for the world race! Its kind of crazy to think how quick the time is going....wait....Im not surprised....time always gets me like that.
So I am still approximately 250 dollars short of making my first $3500 deadline! I would really like to hit that so I can start working towards the next big one... $6500. For the most part I have kept the faith and I am totally expecting God to show up and blow up my support account. I figure if YOU KNOW you are called, He can't NOT provide. So thank you again for those have supported already! SO humbled and blessed! So in one of my rough couple of days I wrote a note to God...and because I want to be vulnerable and share my heart with you guys I am going to post it! (unedited/unrevised)
Dad,
Sometimes I feel as though they expect I have it all together, but they'd be wrong.
On the inside I have my questions and insecurities...my why God whys, my blah boring ordinary days that drain me! I FEEL EMPTY!
I want to give it all to YOU but somehow my faithlessness clings to me...it ROBS me and I hate it.
I hate questioning you....I feel ASHAMED.
I know it all in my head but somehow I am having a melt down and finding it hard to move it from my head to my heart.
Refresh me o Lord, revive me! Show yourself to me because I don't want to sit here empty anymore! I need your touch. I need a miracle today....it can't delay any longer.
Yet Lord help me to trust your timing, your love for me outweighs it all. Why can't I wrap my mind around that! Oh right, my humanness gets in the way!
Thank you that I'm not supposed to understand why things happen the way they do, why not everyone gets their miracle! For you see the beginning to the end, and I see only what lies before me. You work all things for the good, even when it is the bleakest, darkest situation.
I TRUST YOU, because you hold my life in your palm. I TRUST YOU...because I am nothing without you. I am but a breath. Comfort me Lord! Be strong because I am weak, be faithful for I am faithless, be peace for I am a raging strom! Be my life...for without you I AM DEAD!
You are the best Dad...I LOVE YOU!
Your daughter,
Kiera
Whatever you are facing...NO circumstance or situation is to big for OUR GOD! Pour out your heart today...because an honest, vulnerable heart is a healthy heart... one ready to be healed! You are allowed to have rough days....just know who holds your world in HIS hands! KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH!
BLESSINGS:)
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Posted in General Posts by Kiera Dragan on 1/19/2012
To all my lovely Canadian friends and family! (The majority of you are I know) I just want to let you know that if you would like a taxable rec't for your donation towards my world race mission trip, please make your checks payable to:
Minnedosa Calvary Church
Checks can be mailed to:
Box 1856
Minnedosa, MB
R0J 1E0
Since Adventures in Missions is an American organization they are unable to issue you taxable rec'ts! If you do not require one, feel free to donate online by clicking on the support me tab located on the left hand side of my blog!
I am honestly blessed beyond measure by the prayer and financial support I've received! I could not do this without your support! Thanks for believing in my God dream! Praying blessings on you all!
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Posted in General Posts by Kiera Dragan on 12/5/2011
This is a blog I wrote before I even probably found out about the world race. But I really like it so I am going to share it with you!
What will u do with your life? It haunts if you let it. This question crosses my mind probably every single day. Sometimes it screams at me over and over. I wish I could shake it out of my brain. I mean its a standard question that someone would ask a person my age. Definitely a good question to ask yourself. I feel like that question should bother me, yet I’m at peace. Perhaps the feeling of needing to measure up to SOMEONE’S definition of success is tied into that question. So you didn’t go to university? So you work at a coffee shop, and a dollar store and get paid minimum wage? You still live at home? Somehow I feel I might have missed it by the world’s standard of success.
I wonder why there is no across the board definition of success. To one its money, to another its a car and a house, and to another its having a family. Then again maybe its running a business, or working at your dream job. Perhaps its seeing the world, or running a marathon, or maybe its seeing your kids have kids. Then again maybe success to a teenager is getting out of their home town, to the homeless man it may be finding a cardboard box to call home. Maybe success to the terminally ill is seeing one more day.But WHAT IS SUCCESS?
Is it knowing you truly can belong in this crazy messed up world? That you weren’t an accident, and there is a definite plan for you? Is it that there is more than meets the eye when you look at this life? Realizing material things don’t really bring happiness?Or Is it finding out what you thought was success is not really success after all?
So Kiera what will you do with your life? I will answer in confidence…..Give my all to see one more person find the truth that Ive found. To sacrifice. To Love Continually. To offer the hope of JESUS to a hopeless world. To me that is success….but then again my definition of success makes absolutely no sense to half the population, Im ok with that. I have nothing to prove. I don’t need to measure up to a false sense of “making it” in this life….and I won’t.
WHAT IS YOUR SUCCESS FOUND IN??
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Posted in General Posts by Kiera Dragan on 11/30/2011
I don't know where to begin!! November....you have been a blessed month. I am not one to advertise or make public that I am fasting, but I want to let you know what the Lord does through our obedience! This month I decided I was going to fast from "sugars" any treats, pop, or candy. I was believing God for many things pertaining to my trip, basically wanted to set up the next 7 months for a win; as I prepare for this adventure. So here are some of the AWESOME things He has done this month.
#1 awesome thing God has done in November--> this month I ve been partnering with Threads of Hope, Inc selling bracelets. These bracelets are made in the philippines, money raised goes back to the families so that they can be self supporting. In this case because I am fundraising for them $1 goes back to the families, and $ 1 dollar goes towards my my trip for every bracelet sold! I first heard about this fundraiser through some of my teammates and I looked on the website and quickly dismissed the idea of partnering with them. I mean really isn't the whole friendship bracelet craze over? But after one of my teammates mentioned it again I thought what do I have to lose? I ordered 700 bracelets thinking well maybe I can sell them all before I leave before in July.....let me just tell you its been exactly four weeks (11/30/11) and I have 29 LEFT...... I AM ESTATIC!!! These bracelets have sold themselves, I feel honored to be able to help such a great cause while I am helping raise support towards my trip at the same time! God has blown me away with the support Ive received selling these bracelets. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE BOUGHT! BTW I have 600 more on the way! WOW GOD!
#2 awesome thing God has done in November--> Near the middle of November I was sharing with our childrens ministry at our church about missions! I got to share a little bit about the world race as well as the bracelets. At the end of it my sister bought all the kids a bracelet. I told them when they see it to remember that they are all missionaries and to pray for the families in the philippines, as well as missionaries around the world. After all was said and done 10 year old Teagan came up to me and asked if she could make a donation to my trip. My eyes well up as I type this...I was just so touched; that God could use a child to bring such blessing to me. SHE "GOT IT"! She understood the value in missions and there aren't words enough to say how amazing that is! She will be blessed no doubt! Needless to say the following week she showed up with $ 10 dollars in hand! Not the amount, but the sacrifice to give the amount. I will never forget that!
# 3 Awesome thing God has done in November--> My support letters are finally under way. There was a bit of confusion surrounding the fact that I am Canadian, and AIM is an american organization, therefore they would not be able to issue taxable receipts to my sponsors. The exciting news is the my church has approved that they will be able to issue them out! I don't believe a tax receipt should make or break a decision to give, but I know it may be incentive for some. So if you are in my world you can probably be expecting a support letter in the mail this coming week. AND IF YOU WANT ONE AND DON'T GET ONE LET ME KNOW:)
#4 Awesome thing God has done in November--> God has given me soooo much opportunity. Whether it be a random conversation in a coffee shop, or telling someone about my bracelets. I ve been able to share about my trip. The coolest thing that happened though was just the other day I was like God give me an opportunity...I need an opportunity. AND WHO WALKS INTO THE COFFEE SHOP.....THE WOMEN WHO WRITES FOR OUR TOWN NEWSPAPER. I was nervous...but I asked her if she would be interested in my story, and also about the bracelet fundraiser....she gave me her card and I need to set up a time to chat with her! HOW AWESOME IS GOD'S TIMING!
#5 Awesome thing God has done in November--> I was at work and one of my co-workers has been having to walk to work, because he is without a car right now, a 45 minute walk for him. The other day he was telling me he wanted to get an ipod or mp3 so he'd have something to listen to on his walk. I dismissed what he said that day but a few days later I just was thinking...God how can I bless him? I mean ideally i would love to get/give him a car...but considering I still need mine for the next 7 months that wasn't an option. God reminded me though that I did have my old ipod that I hadn't been using...THAT WAS IT...IM GOING TO GIVE HIM MY IPOD. Today (11/30/11) at work I told him I had something for him....he was smiling ear to ear when he saw it, he said thankyou so much and gave me a hug. It was the best feeling in the world.
November has been such an eye opening month...as much as I ve faced my doubts of raising the finances to do this mission trip, God always gently reminds me its His timing, and He is never late! I want to live generously.....I want to put others before myself ALWAYS! How can I expect people to be generous towards me if I can't be generous towards others. Am I giving to get....I can honestly say NO and it is a beautiful place to be. I just want to be a little bit more like 10 year old Teagan...willing to give whatever it takes to make a differnce, to give because she sees the VALUE in it! It is who she is and not what she does! Lord make me more like that! Can't wait to see what December has in store!
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Posted in General Posts by Kiera Dragan on 10/11/2011
If you haven't heard the exciting news I have been accepted to do an 11 month mission trip to 11 countries called THE WORLD RACE!!! www.theworldrace.org This is my route as of now, although it is subject to change ( Bulgaria, Romania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala)
Words can't really begin to describe my excitement and anticipation as the process of embarking on this adventure begins. Why the world Race? Because I am PASSIONATE about Jesus I am PASSIONATE about people and I am PASSIONATE about seeing this world changed with the hope that Christ brings!
The world Race is with AIM or adventures in missions they are based out of Gainsville Georgia. I leave for this amazing journey in July 2012 but before that can take place I have to attend a training camp in the states in May. For 10 days they are going to push us and pour into our lives as much as they can to prepare us for our journey. I know nothing will be able to totally get us prepared for what will encounter but I look forward to meeting my teammates and getting uncomfortable because that is what this experience is all about! Its not about easy!
What will I be doing on the World Race?? Well that is kind of a loaded quesiton. It honestly could look like anything. It could be teaching English, working in orphanages, running children/youth programs, working with prostitutes and human trafficking victims, building whatever, door-to door ministry. BASICALLY JUST LOVING ON PEOPLE!!
HERE'S THE THING!!! In order to go on the world race In need to come up with 15 500 dollars! So what does that money go towards. That money covers the costs of flights, ground transportation, food, and accomadations while I am away. I will need to raise additional funds for needles, health insurance and flights to and from training camp, and flights to the States to fly out and a flight back to Canada when all is said and done. You may be thinking Kiera THAT IS ALOT OF MONEY.... how do you plan to come up with that? First I want to tell you that I SERVE A VERY BIG GOD, who has a whole lot of resources. Its kind of like when you ask your parents...how do you know that the person you are going to marry is the right one? And they always respond... you will just know. I guess until it happens to you, you can't really explain it better than that. Well that is kind of the same idea for me going on the world race, I JUST KNOW that this is what the next season that God has for me, and I JUST KNOW that He will provide the finances for me.
So I am throwing it out there for you guys! Maybe you have a heart for missions, or maybe you just think WOW Kiera this is an amazing opportunity and I would love to see you get there. If so I would love to get in contact with you. There are a couple of ways for you to help support me. First easy way is to just go on my blog and on the left hand side there is a SUPPORT ME TAB. You would just click on it and follow the prompts. I would also be more than happy to send you a support letter.
You can email me your address or any questions you may have to: draganflies101@hotmail.com or just good ol facebook message me!! AND PLS FOLLOW MY BLOG http://kieradragan.theworldrace.org! You will receive updates as I post and be able to follow me as I prepare and journey around the world all for the cause of CHRIST!!!
THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU!! You have no idea of how blessed I am to know you guys and to have your support. Your kind words have overwhelmed me in the past month.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
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