As I sit here and reflect on my last month in Africa, it pains me to say that at the end of the month I will be leaving the race early and going home. Unfortunately, I’m still in need of $4,000 to stay on the race and after exhausting all of my support raising efforts, I have fallen short of my goal. The last 7 months have been an absolute whirlwind for me. God has introduced me to some of the most amazing places and people that I have ever encountered. I have fallen in love with my fellow T-Squaders and am walking away with brothers and sisters that I never knew I had. Although it’s not what I want, I will be returning to the States at the end of the month. My heart aches for the day when I have to say goodbye to my World Race family and the people I have met. I can only hope that someone else will be my voice to the lost, my peace to the restless, and my hand to the needy. Thank you to all of my supporters, family, and friends that have followed me along this journey. You have been nothing but gracious and full of God’s love. God Bless.
How did you feel when you read the above paragraph? Sad? Upset? Disappointed?Whatever those emotions and feelings were, the same things that are currently going through the mind of Suzi Ibanez’s supporters. Fortunately for me, I am NOT going home on the race. The above paragraph is the story of my friend and fellow teammate Suzi. Suzi is in desperate need of funds for the World Race or she will be going home. I am blessed and fortunate to have so many supporters and friends that have financially and prayerfully partnered with me while on the World Race, but Suzi is in need of that same love and support. If Suzi does not receive $3,200 in funds by Friday, July 15th a ticket will be purchased with her name on it and she will have to leave the race four months early. As Suzi’s squad leader and brother from another mother, I refuse to let Suzi go without a fight. Of course the enemy doesn’t want another person in the mission field proclaiming the Word of Christ. Suzi is a bold, courageous, spirit filled woman of God and there’s no devil in hell that can keep her from running her race! She’s our sister and we will NOT let her go home.
WWW.SUZIIBANEZ.THEWORLDRACE.ORG
Here is Suzi in her own words…
If someone asked me the question “Who are you?” about a year
ago, I would have probably looked at him or her straight in the eye and said,
“My name is Suzi, and I’m amazing and beautiful and you should probably get to
know me.” As a child I would tell my mother “I’m so cute!” and she would just
look at me and laugh and then forget that I just did something I wasn’t
supposed to do. I was not a stuck up child, I just knew who I was and no one
could tell me otherwise… or so I thought.
Over the last 23 years I have become very good at portraying
that everything was all good. Nothing could faze me. If anyone had an issue or
if they needed someone to talk to I was there. I was the strong friend that
people could count on. I was the friend that if they needed something at 3am
they knew they could call me and I would be right there. My shoulder was the
one that people could cry on, because of course I didn’t have any drama going
on in my life — I could concentrate on other people ‘s problems. I’m not
saying that those things are bad, I actually pride myself in being a loyal
friend and I want my friends and family to know that I’m always there for them.
The problem is that I never opened up to them. I never wanted to let anyone
know that I had struggles. I wanted people to think that I was good. I always
wanted to please people so I would be and do anything that they wanted me to be
and do no matter the cost.
You may be asking yourself, “so why are you saying this
now”? The reason is this: six months ago I embarked on this 11 month
trip around the world called the World Race. I wanted to go on this trip
because, for one, visiting 11 different countries sounded awesome and I would
be spreading the Gospel. Of course this trip has taught me more about myself
and actually has allowed me to bring up a lot of things that I have tucked away
deep, deep in my heart that no one has ever seen except, of course, my heavenly
Daddy. This trip has allowed me to be me
and taught me that you don’t always have to be strong 24/7. You don’t always
have to have the right answers, and you don’t have to put up a front that you
are ok. This trip has given me 39 sisters and brothers that love me so much and
they don’t care what my issues are, they love me through them and are there
right by my side taking each step with me towards my breakthrough. They are
there holding my hand when I I’m struggling and feel like I can’t go on. They
are my T Squad family.
I know God has called me to this amazing experience. He has
a purpose and plan for me here and now that may very well end early. The total
I have to raise for this trip is $14,300.
God has already blessed me with
I’m only $3,252.60
away from being fully funded. This is where I need your help. I have basically only 5 days to raise this
money before I’m sent home. Let me just tell you I’M NOT DONE YET. I want thank everybody who has already given.
I really can’t express my gratitude. Will you help me finish this race? Will
you help me not to get sent home due to a lack of funds?
Yes. God ‘s word will still be preached no matter where I am
but I know God has called me here and right now. He has plans for me to go to Thailand, Cambodia,
Australia and Malaysia, but I
can’t do that without you.
I understand right now money may be tight, but I know that I
have an all-powerful Daddy and He is my provider. Believe with me and step out
in faith because I know for certain when you do, our Father will bless you in
return.
Something that I have
learned about faith is this: in Hebrews 11:1 is says “Faith is the confidence
that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things
we cannot see.” So, have a little confidence.
I certainly do! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your
donations. The amount doesn’t matter I know you will be blessed no matter what.
So as you can see, I have been learning a lot, but I know I
still have a ways to go.
So, who I am? I am
Suzi, I have a lot of issues, I make mistakes, I will never be perfect and
thing is…that is ok. Of course I’m still amazing and beautiful and you really
should get to know me, J
but now I know that I don’t have to fix things on my own and that I’m still
loved even when I don’t feel like I deserve it. Again I
thank you for your donation. I can’t wait to tell you all bout that amazing
things God is going to do in the next 4 months on the World Race! I love you
all with all my heart!
Me and my sisters.
My team and crazy family!
After a church service in Mozambique.
