Hello readers!! If you’re reading this that means you know me and love me enough to trust the links I post!! (or maybe you accidentally clicked the link and are now desperately trying to find your way out..) either way, you made it here! Woo! Well my name is Elizabeth Harper and I live in Knoxville, Tennessee. Welcome to my blog!
When I graduated high school I felt so lucky to be able to go to school in my backyard at the University of Tennessee (s/o to Willie and Mitch for funding my schooling and creating me. love y’all.) and was so excited to begin my education as a Music Education major. I knew from a really young age that when I grew up, I wanted to be a high school choir director. I’ve said that so many times to so many people it feels second nature at this point. I thought I had things figured out for the most part. I love my life. I love being able to spend time with people I love and share in their sorrow and joy. When I felt the call on my heart, I was so torn between what God wanted me to do and my selfish desire to turn my head and stay here a little while longer. To enjoy another Christmas with my family. To see my sweet friend get married. To see my girls graduate high school/college. This decision did not come lightly. The Lord confirms in my heart every single day that this is His plan for me, and I am so grateful for that. I am so glad He chose me.
Per usual, God had an even greater plan than I could have ever imagined.
In the spring I started feeling really called out and tried a few different outlets, but nothing felt right until I started an application for The World Race Gap Year. If you want a little more information on that, start here https://www.worldrace.org/gapyear/ but I’ll give it my best summary. World Race Gap Year takes college-aged students, like me, on a journey to 3 continents in 9 months to serve the least of these among real and raw community. My particular route will be in Thailand, Malawi, and Guatemala.
In each country, my squadmates and I will be doing various different tasks- from working in orphanages, to teaching VBS style camps, working with sex trafficking victims, teaching English, praying over the sick- whatever we can do to serve the greatest needs in each area.
I will face many challenges throughout the World Race, but as I prepare for my departure, one of my greatest challenges is my financial support. In order to leave fully funded in October 2016, I will need to raise $13,805. This money will cover all of my expenses while serving on the field as well as travel to and from the training camp and launch point. Although this is a daunting amount, I believe that God will provide me with the resources I need for the calling He has put on my life.
Good news!! Donating to this is included as a tax deduction! There are many ways in which you can contribute a payment to my trip. The first is through this blog. On the left side of the screen there is a link that says Support Me. by clicking that you are able to give an online donation via Credit or Debit card or by eCheck! However there will be an automatically added processing fee to your gift. Fees will be 3% for Credit and Debit cards and 2% for eChecks. The second way you are able to donate is by mailing in a check (they do not accept cash by mail). To do this ask me for a Donation Card that you will be able to fill out. Make the check to Adventures in Missions and in the memo line write my appeal ID which is HARPERSARAH. Then you will address the check to:
Adventures in Missions
P.O. Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
Also, I am totally 100% on board if all you can donate to my trip is loving on me (a lot) and praying for me while I’m gone. I will update this blog fairly often and hopefully you all will get to see the cool things my squad gets the opportunity to do!!
I want to thank you guys for supporting me in what might be the craziest adventure of my life. I am so thrilled to step out of what I thought was my plan and serve so many amazing people on this trip.
Love you guys so so much. – Elizabeth
P.S. You all should subscribe to my blog so you can stay updated while I am out of the country and it would just make me really happy to know someone is reading all my posts.
