Dear Friends and Family,
I hope you are all doing well! You’re receiving this letter because your support of my ministry and service overseas has been a blessing to me at some point over the last 6 years. I am eager to share with you what exciting opportunities the Lord has introduced to me most recently.
Over the past year, I have taught Spanish to an amazing group of students from Masters Academy, worked at Student Life, continued my Masters at UAB, and spent every possible vacation at Puerto Alegria in Peru. Many of you have heard about my travels to Peru and have seen the impact that those children have had on my life. I have had the amazing privilege of volunteering there 7 times in the last 2 1/2 years. From translating on construction sites to teaching English, each moment has been a unique adventure and helped me to discover more about myself than I ever thought possible. I love to teach them. I love to encourage them. I love to support them in a way that points them to their Heavenly Father. Those children hold such a special place in my heart and the Lord has used them to teach me innumerable lessons about His joy and endless grace.
Through my service in Peru, I have developed such a passion to serve children around the world, not just children in Latin America. Wanting to expand my horizons, I began researching various mission organizations. In early March I found a program called the World Race that seemed to fit me perfectly. I applied and was accepted into the 11-month program this past June. The World Race is a program through Adventures in Missions that provides a chance for individuals to serve on a team that travels around the world assisting with various mission projects and sharing the good news of Christ with the nations. Some of our missions will include working in orphanages, responding to natural disasters, and planting local fellowships that reach out to surrounding communities.
There are two main needs that I am asking your help with as I prepare for this next year. First, The World Race is unlike anything I have ever done before, and guarantees that I will be stretched physically, spiritually and emotionally. As a result, my team and I are in need of constant prayer. I humble myself and ask you to pray for provision, protection, and a willing heart in service and sacrifice. Second, the financial requirements for 11 months of service require that I raise $14,000. I must raise the majority of this for food, travel and housing before I leave in early January. I am confident that the Lord has called me to this journey and will provide accordingly.
I ask you today to consider how you will partner with me. Donations can be made through this blog page by clicking on the Support Me section on the left hand side of the screen! They request that you send all donations by December 2008. Adventures in Missions is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 © (3) non-profit organization. Donors will receive receipts for their gifts with the understanding that the disbursement of those gifts lies completely at the discretion of the Adventures In Missions and that the gifts are non-refundable and non-transferable, per IRS regulations. Gifts may be tax deductible; please consult a tax advisor.
I am so excited about how the Lord will use and teach me through this experience. I hope not only to be a blessing to those I serve, but also to you and your family. It is my desire to go as your representative of Jesus Christ to the nations. I am humbled by the opportunity and hope you will prayerfully consider being a part of my journey. Thank you so much!
