Karis Heinze is currently preparing for a three-month Immersion program in Costa Rica. She and her team will spend several weeks in language school before traveling to remote villages on the Bribri Reservation to live and serve alongside the local community. She took some time this week to chat with an EM staff member and share what God has been teaching her as she fundraises for the trip.
EM: How did you hear about the IMMERSION program?
KARIS: For the last two summers, I spent a week with teams from my church serving in West Virginia through Experience Mission. During my last trip to West Virginia, God specifically burdened my heart for missions. I had absolutely no idea what that meant, but I knew I had to pursue it. The next day, our intern, Lindsey, told me about the Immersion programs starting up. It was one of those serious God moments where only He can be credited with the way things worked out.
EM: Before committing to the trip, were you worried about fundraising?
KARIS: I was incredibly worried about fundraising before committing to the trip. When I was told I had to put down a $500 deposit, I had no idea where that money was going to come from... Let alone the other $5,100 needed for the trip. I'm a broke college student! I had literally nothing to contribute financially.
EM: What have been some of your biggest challenges during the fundraising process?
KARIS: There were definitely a lot of obstacles in this process. Shortly after I accepted the spot on the Costa Rica team, my dad lost his job. While my family and I have been blessed and never been lacking anything we need, the situation emphasized the already present challenge of having nothing to begin with. I am also a full time student and have had to work two jobs just to make ends meet. In addition to having no money for this program, I also had a limited amount of time to dedicate to it.
EM: Had you ever done any major fundraising before this program?
KARIS: I have never had to raise support for any of my previous mission trips. Any time I have gone somewhere, I have been able to pay for it out of my own pocket or a family member covered the cost for me.
EM: Could you share some of the creative ideas or methods you used to begin raising money?
KARIS: First and foremost, I spent a lot of time in prayer about raising financial support. It was a huge challenge, but I know that nothing is too big for God. Any time I went somewhere and prayer requests were made, I literally always asked people to be praying about my financial situation concerning this mission trip. I felt like I was being pushy at first, but I constantly had people checking in and asking how they could continue to pray for me in this process. It really meant a lot to know that while not all my loved ones could support me financially, they could intercede for me in prayer.
I sent letters to family and friends at first, but I felt like I needed to do something more. I have no problems with support letters for mission trips, but for me personally, it was really difficult to ask for people's money and give nothing in return. I was on Pinterest one day and saw all kinds of different craft ideas and do it yourself projects... Then I had a light bulb moment. I could totally make stuff and sell it to raise money!
My major project that raised the majority of my money was by making and selling coffee mugs. I would go to thrift stores or buy them in bulk from dollar stores and draw designs on them with sharpies. Once you bake them in the oven and spray a little ceramic glaze on them, the design is permanent. I asked my pastor if I could sell them in the church foyer between church services on Sundays, and he allowed me to set up a table. I made a sign that said "Mugging for Missions" (I thought it was pretty clever and pun-y) and set up some of my pre-made mugs. I also took custom orders, too, which really helped the sales around Christmas time.
I was also given a sewing machine and made infinity scarves to sell. Some of my friends who had gone on mission trips before recommended that I make t-shirts, so I did that using a website called customink.com. They were so friendly and really helpful in getting those t-shirts for me! At one point I put up a video on my Facebook to talk about the Costa Rica Immersion and the financial need I had.
Sometimes when people in my church heard about my fundraising, they would offer babysitting or house sitting jobs to me. One time I even had someone ask me to model wedding dresses for a spring fashion at a little bridal shop. They were sometimes the most unexpected, random jobs! But it was great because all of that extra income went towards my fundraising, too.
Once I got started on the fundraising, it pretty much snowballed and continued to grow. When people see your heart to serve and your willingness to work hard, people want to help. It was incredible to witness and know that it was God literally providing the way.
EM: Was the EM Fundraising Guide a helpful tool?
KARIS: At the very beginning, I got the idea to sell things I had made from the EM fundraising guide in conjunction with Pinterest. With the t-shirts, I wanted to draw up my own t- design but with my course load at school, it became too difficult. For that, I used a design from the guide. It turned out to be so much easier that way!
EM: What has been your biggest surprise throughout the process?
KARIS: There is not just one surprise. There were so many! The amount of support I received was incredible! I was so humbled during this whole process. I sold my mugs for $10 each, but sometimes people would give me $50 or $100 instead when they knew the profit was going towards missions. Going into this, I would have never expected that.
A couple of my really good friends crocheted head warmers and sold those for several months to raise money for me without me even knowing until months later! I was amazed that college students who are as broke as I am were willing to work hard alongside me. The love that they showed me through that is unlike anything I have ever experienced before.
My church is also very missions-focused. Every time there is a 5th Sunday in the month, there is a special collection above and beyond normal tithing to go specifically towards mission. Without me even knowing, one of these collections went towards my fundraising for the Costa Rica Immersion. I remember opening the check next to my mailbox and just praising God with tears in my eyes. I remember hearing God tell me, "Don't worry about this, my daughter. I'm going to provide for you." He really has.
Seeing the hearts of people who are willing to give alone was so amazing. I'm still in awe of how God used the people around me in this process. The only one worthy of the credit is God, because without Him I would have never been able to accomplish this goal.
EM: What would you say to people who are considering applying for the IMMERSION program but are worried about finances?
KARIS: If you are thinking about applying for an Immersion program, there is a reason for that. God would not be planting these thoughts or burdening your heart in a way that is deceptive or misleading. That's not who God is. Over and over in the Bible we see how He rewards obedience. By going to serve and spread the gospel, you are being obedient. To our human eyes, the price tag of an Immersion program may seem impossible. But in the eyes of our Heavenly Father, the impossible events in our lives are opportunities to make His name even greater. If I can do this, anyone can.
LEARN MORE | Check out our Immersion Fundraising Guide!
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