Dear friends,
This is for you. CCUers, Elmbrookers, summer staffers. All the people I’ve had the opportunity to hang out with, talk with, bond with over the past few years. For those of you who bought tshirts, who’ve asked me questions, and for those of you who just think I’m crazy.
I want to be honest with you.
Honestly… I’m more excited than I seem. I think about the Race a lot…all day every day. I’m pumped, and I want you to know it. I want to share my excitement with you.
Honestly… the World Race is a huge deal for me. It’s not a trip to sightsee in 11 different countries. It’s not just a mission trip. It’s an entire year of my life that I’m committing to being broken, challenged, and transformed for the sake of the gospel. When I signed up and went to training camp, I made a statement — that I’m ready to build relationships, have hard conversations, be physically + mentally + emotionally exhausted, and love with all my heart. That’s not something I take lightly.
Honestly… I want you to get it. I don’t tell you about the Race so you can tell me how crazy or adventurous I am. I tell you because I want you to understand why the Lord has led me here, and how he’s working in and through this. I want you to know why I’m doing what I’m doing.
Honestly… fundraising is hard. I know it might seem like I’m solely talking about how great the Lord is, and how I’m finding His provision in new ways every day. And it’s true! So true. But I’m also being challenged every day. I don’t want to ask people for money. I hate asking for money, and being so hopeless by myself. Heck, I can’t even afford to buy passport photos. It’s hard to be so dependent on others. Don’t let me fool you.
Honestly… I need you. Yes, I could do this whole thing only asking for support from my parents’ friends, and it might work out. But instead, here is an opportunity for all of us to step up as a generation of world changers. It’s not just me. But I bet you’re a lot like me…you probably think “I’m a broke college student. Someone else will help.” Straight up…the Lord has called us to be cheerful givers. And honestly, right now, I’m in need. I’m not asking for one person to fund my whole trip. I’m asking for passport photos, and memory cards, and money towards vaccinations. And I’m asking for prayer, for provision and strength and clarity.
This is for YOU, my friends. This letter isn’t for my parents to share with middle aged moms or working dads (sorry guys). This is for the college students, the newly graduated, us young’uns. This letter is a call to action. I’m not the only young missionary in the world. I’m not the only one who wants someone to understand me, to listen, to love me. But I’m the one who’s speaking up.
So there it is. A letter for you. I hope you read the whole thing, and that something struck a chord within you. Because I want you to join me. You’re my friends, and friends were meant to do life together. The good, the bad, the ugly. Through challenging times and big laughs. Do life with me. Because I love you all.
Sincerely,
Leah
