The Best Post I will Ever Write

Ha!  Tricked you. It is actually the obligatory and awkward "request-for-money" post.

  This (hopefully and likely) will not be my most inspiring post, but I knew that if I titled it, "Support Letter" or "Give Me All Your Money" that you would not be thrilled to read this.

But the title, in many ways, is not a lie. This post is the start of it all.

This is an invitation. 

An invitation to be a part of my life.
An invitation to help orphans, sick, elderly, prostitutes, gypsies, the homeless…
An invitation to be a part of God's love…
An invitation to be a part of something bigger than yourself…
 bigger than your town, bigger than your country…and ultimately, bigger than this world.

First please let me emphasize: support comes in many ways…being a part of this comes from praying for me, sending me a message of encouragement when I'm on the field, or even here while facing the spiritual warfare that comes along with following God's plan. It comes from sharing your life with me too, so that I can pray for you while we are apart (true story, I enjoy loving you!).

For those of you who want to financially support, I ask that you pray about it. Ask what God wants you to do. He tells us, "Freely you have received, freely give" (Matt 10:8).  If you don't pray, consider the humanitarian (and tax deductible) benefits of the trip. Know that I am inviting you to be a part of it because I think you will benefit too.

And I didn't write my last blog to convince you to give, but Jesus does support the joy of loving and giving, too- "It is better to give than to receive," Acts 2:35; the rewards of doing so, Luke 6:38; and even the fairness of giving, 2Cor. 8:8-15.

My friend recently did the World Race, and I can't tell you how much of a blessing it was to be a part of it. To know that a piece of me was there with her…helping to be her hands and feet throughout the world.  You, through me, will be delivering God's word, and love to hundreds, if not thousands of those in need.

If you want to sponsor a day (about $50) to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, etc.- write me to tell me that date, and I'll email you what I get to do on that date to honor your special date. (If you've already given, you're welcome to send a date too!)

Thanks to those who have already given, I am so blessed by you all. Thanks to all who will give.
If you feel the calling, and want me to spare you the pie charts, deadlines, and dollar amounts, scroll up now and click the support me link…

If you like the cold hard facts, we continue…

• $3,500 – Due 9/29/2012 (2 weeks before Training Camp)
• $6,500 – Due 12/18/2012 (2 weeks prior to your trip)
• $11,000 – Due 4/1/2013 (End of 3 months on the field)
• $15,500 (total) – Due 7/1/2013 (End of 6 months on the field)

*  Breakdown of my money on the field:
Intercontinental Travel–$4,235.00*

Food–$1,256.25

Lodging–$1,758.75

Transportation–$1,005.00

Long Distance Travel & Misc. Supplies–$1,115.55

You do the math…I'm living on $4/day for food and $5/day for lodging

*I have to admit that I've struggled a bit with the cost of transportation- the idea that that much money could do something else…but then I thought of Jesus and how he moved from place to place. If I'm doing like Him, then I must be doing something right.

Ways to donate:
*Check/money order sent to Adventures in Missions, PO Box 534470, Atlanta, GA 30350-4470 made payable to Adventures in Missions, with Appealed by Mindy Johnson in the memo (no charge)
*Online: credit/debit cards (3% charge taken out of what you gave to process the transaction), bank draft (2% charge), dynapay to do monthly donations from a checking account (no charge)

Beyond this I will likely have almost $5000 in personal expenses between gear (back pack, sleeping bag, tent, sleeping bag…), health insurance, and some plane tickets that aren't covered. If you'd like to help with that, contact me!

Please be praying for me to raise this money. I trust God will provide.