While my husband Matt and I were on summer vacation (in January for us in Uruguay) eating his yummy pancakes, I had a crazy idea to do a pancake fund raiser for the Tsunami victims. Many of our Uruguayan friends just love American-style pancakes, so I thought it would go over well. It could be a chance to involve many of our non-Christian friends in an activity with the Christian community. It could also provide a chance for many different mission groups to work together on something. I mentioned it to Matt. We thought of how much work it would be, and I tucked the idea away thinking, "God, can I really afford to give my time and energy to do this? Would it be worth the sacrifices I would have to make?"

Arriving home from vacation, I received an e-mail from World Vision suggesting ways to raise money for Tsunami victims. "Okay, God, are you trying to tell me something?" I was almost convinced He was, but how would others respond? I could never pull something like this off without a large, energetic team. While talking to several people, I received not only a favorable response, but heard, "That's a great idea. How can I help?" I decided this was something we should pursue, trusting that God would provide the energy and time my family needed. He would make it worth it!

It was indeed "worth it." We served over 120 people more than 550 pancakes and collected around $1000. We had 50 volunteers helping throughout the day, many of whom were non-Christian friends who had never stepped foot into a church.

It was a huge step of faith for me. Psalm 34:4-6 became my experience: "I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." In the midst of my fears about what people would think of me, how I would manage with our daughter Allie, and how to avoid hurting feelings, God indeed rescued me and delivered me from all of my fears. It was an experience I will never forget!

The benefit turned out so well that the International English Speaking Church asked me to organize their 90th annual mother-daughter dinner, possibly the church's biggest outreach of the year. I was humbled and touched. God was definitely in that Tsunami benefit in ways that I never could have imagined.

May we all follow Him in faith, even when our ideas are ludicrous and crazy. Chances are they are probably from Him!