Dear Blessed Friends and Family
I have to admit that 2015 was an amazing year but what God has in store for me in 2016-2017, he is really showing off all he can do in a person’s life. I am pleased to announce I will be serving as a missionary through Adventures in Missions (AIM), in their World Race program, an 11 month Christian mission trip to 11 different countries around the world! In October 2016, I’m heading out with just a backpack and my team to:
Costa Rica
Nicaragua
Honduras
Guatemala
Malaysia
Thailand
Cambodia
Philippines
Rwanda
Uganda
Kenya
The World Race calls Christians out of their comfort zones, requiring Luke 10-like faith, and provides the opportunity to serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the restorative hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations.
I will face many challenges all throughout the World Race, but as I prepare for my departure, one of my greatest challenges is my financial support. Like most other missions organizations, World Race participants are required to fundraise financial support in order to leave fully funded which is my goal! The total cost of the trip $16,561- which includes the costs of air, sea, and land travel, lodging, food, and training. As I take this large step of faith in trusting the Lord, would you prayerfully consider partnering with me financially on this incredible adventure? Your financial support will help me spread the Gospel and love of Jesus Christ to “the least of these.” Luckily, this amount is broken up into installments with deadlines to meet along the way.
$150 Deposit – Due 2 weeks after your acceptance date
$5,000 – Due 7/22/2016 (Fundraising Goal 1)
$10,000 – Due 9/16/2016 (Fundraising Goal 2)
$13,000 – Due 11/30/2016 (Fundraising Goal 3)
$16,561 – Due 1/31/2017 (Fundraising Goal 4)
$861 (Insurance)- Due 04/1/16
Adventures In Missions is a tax-exempt organization under IRS code 501(c)(3) and is a member of the ECFA. (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Due to IRS and ECFA regulations governing the administration of tax deductible donations given in support of a particular trip/program, support contributions given on behalf of an individual will be used to offset the costs of the trip/program you are involved in. All contributions are non-refundable regardless of the participant’s success in completing the program.
Enclosed is a response card inviting you to share in this ministry. Please make checks payable to Adventures in Missions and return the response card with your donation using the pre-addressed envelope provided. AIM will send you a receipt for your donation. If you would prefer to make your donation online, you may do so by visiting my blog site at: www.lydiaflowers.theworldrace.org. Just click the “Support Me” link in the upper left side of the page and complete your donation as instructed. All donations are tax deductable. You may send back cash to me and I will make a deposit for you as well.
I have prayed over this letter, and have faith that God knows how and where to use it. More than anything, my squad and I need a team of loved ones dedicated to supporting us in prayer, and perhaps that is the purpose that God intends for you in this letter. Prayer is the number one thing we need. There will be an abundance of obstacles that arise and entangle themselves around us as my squad prepares to go love on and serve the people we will meet on this trip. I ask that you will be praying for the challenges that lie ahead of me: living in a new and constantly changing culture, communicating through language barriers, protection from illnesses, and that I will have the strength to put God before me and share the love and message he has for me to share.
You are just as important to this mission trip as I am. It is the encouragement throughout the years that allows me to follow God so compassionately into the World Race. Please know that this letter is only intended to be a tool for God’s work, and there is no expectations bundled with it. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Please contact me with any questions, concerns, support, or even if you just want to know more.
