Today is April 28th. That means that in just over EIGHT MONTHS I will be abandoning my worldly possessions, hugging friends and family for the last time for eleven months, leaving the school I’ve come to love, and trekking around the world. That is some seriously intense stuff! Though I’m still living in a dreamlike excitement for my trip, the reality of this endeavor is finally starting to dawn on me.
God is funny, you know that? He has sent me on this mission with specific reasons in mind. Reasons that I thought would reveal themselves in the midst of my 11 month journey. What I’m realizing now—8 months before leaving the US—is that He has even bigger plans than I could imagine. I am already being forced to open my mind. I was accepted just three weeks ago and I am already being humbled.
Asking for help is hard, you guys. I’ve never liked to do it. I was raised by a strong and independent woman who always seemed to be able to do everything in the world with no help from anyone. Like Superwoman. I have always aspired to be that independent. But what the World Race is already revealing to me is that asking for help is not a sign of weakness: it is necessary. God wants us to be able to rely on our brothers and sisters in Him to help us do the things that we simply cannot do alone! We are His army, and we are to fight for the Kingdom together.
$15,500 is a really scary number. Vaccinations are scary (I hate needles), speaking to large audiences is scary, sleeping on a thin sleeping pad for a year is scary. Getting sick, experiencing team conflict, language barriers, foreign foods, and long travel days are all scary. But you know what? $15,500 is a doable number. Vaccinations will be over in the blink of an eye, speaking to large audiences can create awesome new relationships, sleeping on a thin sleeping pad for a year can be a teaching experience. Getting sick can make for a good story, team conflict can ultimately make teams stronger, language barriers can force us into genuine nonverbal understanding, foreign foods can lead to new favorites, and long travel days can make some of the best bonding experiences. It is all in how you look at it.
So here I am, on my knees before God, asking Him to bless me with supporters. It is so humbling to accept & understand that I just can’t do this on my own. I need to build up a team who will be with me from these early stages all the way through my final days on the race. I need prayer partners to be praying for me, for my squad, our travels and relationships, our health and safety, and our funding. Know that if you feel called to be a prayer partner for me, I will send you regular newsletters and updates in my time of preparation as well as my time on the race!
Finally, the hardest question of all. Do you feel led to help me financially? I can’t do this alone. I don’t know anyone who could. In these early stages, I currently don’t have any committed financial supporters. One way you can support me financially by pledging a monthly donation. You can set up a start and end date prior to committing. If only 5 people committed to pledging $100 a month for 5 months, I would already be almost a third of the way funded! If you prefer to just do one single donation, or sporadically as you feel called, you can simply click at the link on the top of my page to donate. Remember that no amount is too little and that’s coming from the girl with a piggy bank filled with change as her primary source of fundraising.
A third way you can help to support me is by checking out my gear registry. In addition to the money I need to raise, I also need to buy some really good gear (a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, shoes, etc.) for my race. I have started an online registry with all of these items that I’ll need to collect in the next 8 months, and will be adding to it as I get more specifics about what I’ll be needing. If you would rather send a backpack my way than donate monetarily, know that it is just as important and just as appreciated! That website is www.myregistry.com and all you need to do is type in Mary Dunne and my registry should come up right away! You can also try the following link: http://www.myregistry.com/organization/Mary-Dunne-Pewaukee-WI/622214
As I said, I will be editing it regularly so please check in often!
So yes, I’m scared. But honestly, the only thing that scares me more than going on the World Race is not going on the World Race. Consider supporting me prayerfully and financially, and take this wild walk of faith with me. If you have any questions about how you can support me, I am more than willing to break it down for you, give you a call, get coffee with you, or simply pray with you.
I’m a very musical person, as I’ve mentioned before. God speaks to me through music. Specifically in regards to fundraising, this song by Hillsong is breaking me down and building me back up. It is serving as a reminder that we serve a mighty God who can and does do the impossible! I hope it speaks to your heart like it does to mine.
God bless you guys. Like so much. You’ll be hearing from me soon.
“My whole life, I place in your hands. God of mercy, humbled I bow down in your presence at the throne.”
I hear you, God. And I’m giving this up to you.
