Dear Friends and Family,
I pray that this letter finds you well and that each of you are enjoying this fall season that the Lord has blessed us with! I want to take a moment to thank each of you for your love and support through different seasons of my life. Many of you have played a crucial role, and I am very grateful for how the Lord has used each of you to bless and encourage me.
First, I want to say an especially big thank you to those of you who supported me both prayerfully and financially through my most recent adventure to Kenya, Africa this past summer. God moved in and through my life in huge ways, and I could not have gotten there or gotten through it without your prayers, financial support, and encouragement along the way. You were a huge part of the change that occurred in me and in Kenya in summer 2011.
Secondly, I want to take this time to share with you the next mission that the Lord has given me. In July of 2012, I will be traveling again with Adventures In Missions and embarking on an 11 month journey to 11 different countries: Ireland, Russia, Ukraine, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, India, Nepal, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Challenge: Asia. Asia is labeled “Challenge” because we have no contact set up in that country. Once we get there, we will ask the Lord to guide us to where He would have us go. We will establish relationships there with the hope that future teams will be able to return and continue the work that my teammates and I will begin.
Many of you may ask: why the World Race? Why now? I chose the World Race because while I was in Kenya, the Lord deepened my passion for missions. I enjoyed waking up every morning with the knowledge that all I would be doing that day is showing love to others and sharing Jesus with them. I wanted more! I wanted to spend more time on the field, sharing with others the hope and joy that I have experienced in Him! When I returned, I began to pray that the Lord would open up opportunities for me to return to the field. Initially, I had in mind that I would return to Kenya, but God had different plans. He kept bringing to mind the World Race, and one day I found myself applying for July 2012 Route 3. The best part is that I still get to go back to Kenya for a month! I’ve trusted Him, and He’s given me the desires of my heart (Proverbs 37:4)! I’ve chosen to go now because I realize that time is short, and the Lord has burdened me with the desire to tell the world about His incredible mercy and love before it becomes too late for them. More than any dream I have about this life, I desire to see others enter into personal relationship with my God.
My missions statement/Scripture passage for this trip is going to be Isaiah 58:10-12, which says, “and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings”. My dream and goal for this trip is to repair broken walls and see lives restored through the saving power of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection 3 days later.
First and foremost, I am asking that you would begin to soak myself, my teammates, and each of the above mentioned countries with prayer. That is the only way in which any of this journey will be successful. Prayer is powerful, and it works. If that is all you are able to do, that will be more than enough. However, I am also asking each of you to prayerfully consider partnering with me financially to help send me on this incredible mission. The total cost of this trip is $15,500. That’s a big number. But, my God is bigger. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, so I am not at all concerned, because I have seen His faithfulness before and am trusting Him again. To break this number down a little for you, check out the following mathematical calculations:
- If 45 people committed to contributing $20.00 a month for 18 months (December 2011-May 2013, when I return), I would be fully funded! (That’s a total donation of just $360).
- If 45 people committed to contributing $50.00 a month for the next 7 months (December 2011-June 2012), I would be fully funded before I even leave the country! (That’s a total donation of just $350).
- If 9 people committed to contributing $100 a month for 18 months (December 2011-May 2013, when I return), I would be fully funded as well! (That’s a total donation of $1800).
Please do not assume that these are the only partnerships I will accept! Any amount is more than helpful, and will put me one step closer to fulfilling the call of God on my life. All I ask is that you bring this to the Lord, and see if He would have you give. Romans 10:14-15 says, “And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?” Some are called to go, and others are called to send. Please considering sending me (or going with me!).
For easy giving, a form has been included with this letter that you can fill out and send directly to Adventures In Missions. If you would prefer to give online, please visit my blog page at jennasasso.theworldrace.org and click on the “Partner With/Help to Send Me!” link on the left sidebar. That will take you to the Adventures In Missions website, where you will find further instructions.
Thank you all for taking time out of your day to read this support letter, and thank you for your prayers and considerations for financial partnership. If you have further questions or would like to hear more of my heart about this trip, please do not hesitate to email me at [email protected]or call me at 901-428-3650. I would be more than happy to chat with you!
Have a blessed holiday season!
Until the whole world hears,
Jenna Sasso
World Race Participant
Isaiah 58:10-12
