What in the “World” Race.
So,
over the past 6 months of raising support i have been asked what in the world (no pun intended) is this all about. So I thought that this blog could help people out, and help ease the confusion.
im not running a marathon around the world. thats really far.
okay, here it goes.
The World Race (WR) is an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries.
The WR is a program through a trusted and incredible mission organization called Adventures In Missions (AIM).They are stationed in Gainesville,Georgia, Not to far from Atlanta. They has sent over 100,000 short term and long term missionaries around the world since 1989. That is actually the year i was born, so thats pretty cool.
Each month, my team and I will be working with a local ministry or church doing whatever they may need. With the recent earthquakes and devastation in Nepal, our team will be focussing heavy on disaster relief and very intentional ministry in that country when our route finally gets us there. Our ministry may look like working with orphans and widows, feeding street children, going into bars and telling everyone the story of Jesus. Talking to people in forced human trafficking and sex slavery and giving them hope. That is, speaking life into places that are unspeakable. We will be doing construction projects and other very intentional practical things in every place we go. Starting the race I really have no idea what each month holds for me other than knowing what country I will be in.
All in all, I will be a missionary for a year. 11 countries in 11 months.
#11n11
So Where Are you Going? (you Ask)!
So the way it works is you sign up for a date to leave and a choice of 4 to 5 different routes. I picked September 2015 route 5. My Countries include
Uganda,Rwanda,Ethiopia,India,Nepal,Thailand,Cambodia,Malaysia, Nicaragua,Honduras, and Guatemala
Each Month I will travel to each country with my squad (Shout out to ZSQUAD), which consists of a little over 60 people.When we arrive we will split up into teams of about 10 people and do ministry at different locations across the country.
What do you need for this?
First, an open heart so God can change me to mold me into more of who He has called me to be. There are times that I know I will miss home, family, and comforts of the American dream but God has not called us to be comfortable but to follow him whatever the cost. I’m tired of most of the American Dream honestly, the world is richer and bigger than the way I’m living, and God is bigger than anything I could ever imagine. Honestly I feel that I am trading up to something better.
Second, Gear! Did I mention that all my possessions will be in a 65 liter Hiking style backpack. I will be taking a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and various other backpacking gear .
I already have a lot of my gear for the trip because as soon as I heard of the opportunity I have been collecting a little over time. There is still a few little things I need/ want to make my trip go even smoother. If you are interested in donating anything or helping me purchase anything, please let me know. Going on a trip to REI with me and helping me out would be so sweet.
Thirdly, Prayer! This will not be a easy adventure, its actually gonna be ridiculously hard, but I know it will be an rewarding one. I ask for Prayers of strength, patience, peace, compassion, self control and good health.
Finally, I need Financial support. I have been blessed with great job, good managers and coworkers at Panera bread, good health, supernatural strength, and awesome opportunities like having a massive yard sale, and selling my art, and hand lettered coffee mugs to people to earn an income and also save money for the race over the past 6 months. With this, I have been able to purchase most of my gear and also meet my first financial deadline of $3500 by june 12th
i am currently at $3,752.
But I still need your help!
There are a few things I still need stateside such as vaccines, malaria meds, and other big ticket items.
- I need a laptop. something light and durable, but decent to blog with and put my pictures on that ill take everyday. i would only think of spending $300 at the most. so if anyone wants to help me with that i would love you forever. it could be donated or used. it doesn’t matter.
- i need a camera. I’m traveling around the world and all i have to my name as far as cameras go is an iPod touch 5th gen and an iPad 2. If anyone has a good camera they could donate that they aren’t using, or could support me on my trip by purchasing one for me that would be the bomb. Seriously, if anyone would like to help with that it would mean the world to me truthfully for the rest of my time on Earth.
And lets not forget the cost of the trip.
The total amount that is needed to raise is….. wait for it,
$16,243.60
Before you double over with a panic attack this covers a lot of stuff .
Travel (land, sea, or air), food, and lodging . It also covers administrative, setup, coaching, debrief, and training costs prior to and at the start of the Race.
I also included the cost of race insurance that covers any medical expenses that may arise.
Knowing that some short term mission trips run upward of $2000 or more. This is for a
whole year, not so bad of a deal!
What Is My Money Going to?
Lets start by saying it will not go for me to go bungee jumping, riding elephants, buy gifts, be “spending money”, etc. unless you want it to.
Any check or card donation made through Adventures In Missions (AIM) IS tax deductible!
(note all card transaction WIll show up on statements as AIM, not The World Race)
The online/ mail donations will go directly to cover the $16,243.60
In order to leave with my squad, I have to be partially funded.
The deadlines are as follows.
$3,500 – Due 06/12/2015 (2 weeks prior to training camp) Goal Met!!!!
$10,000 – Due 10/21/2015 (2 weeks prior to your trip)
$13,000 – Due 4/1/2015 (End of 3 months on the field)
$15,500.00 + $767.60 (*Insurance) = $16,267.60 – Total Due by 12/31/15
Even though I can still raise support on the field, it is my prayer and mission to to be fully funded by when I leave in January so I do not have to take that burden with me.
What Can I Do To Help?
Prayer! There is no way I can do this alone! I need a team of prayer warriors to lift me up and become my support team.
Give! This is something that is hard for me to ask but it is also a necessary part of ministry and missions.
I have broke it down to say that If 125 people gave $100 it would
cover the total $12,505 I still need.
I am aware that some people can not give that much, but some may be able to give more than that. All I ask is that you give what you can. You may be able to cove 2 or 3 or even 10 peoples $100 and if so that is awesome and I hope God leads you to that.
I am believing for God to move and shake my world tonight, tomorrow, before training camp in 14 days, and before I leave the american soil for a year.
Share! Today we can share our whole lives with a click on a button. I ask that you share my story with others you know that I may not. So they can partner with us along this crazy journey.
Again Thanks for taking the time to look at this page.
If you have ANY questions, feel free to ask by leaving a comment or a personal message.
God bless.
Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)
