Dear Friends and Family,
Last fall, as I was finishing up college and thinking about what my future may hold, I came across an email from Adventures in Missions about a mission trip called the World Race. I began reading and discovered an experience that I had only dreamed about. The email spoke of a mission trip that takes you around the world, sharing a message of hope and salvation in 11 months. Wow!! I wanted to go, I had to go, but I also had to ask, “Is this where God wants me?” I struggled with this question for several months. In February, I finally felt confident to submit the application and go through an extensive interview. March 12th, I received my acceptance letter and was overjoyed yet also overwhelmed.
I have committed to leaving the country, family, friends, my comfort zone, for eleven months to travel to eleven countries spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ! The first two days of each month will be spent traveling to the next country or site and teams will compete, or “race,” to learn about the culture and people. The rest of the month is devoted to various ministries ranging from disaster relief, working with kids, evangelism, and countless other methods that God will use to reach His people. In preparation, we will be attending a ten-day training camp in August that will allow us to be ready to head out in October. At the moment, I do not know what countries we will be traveling to and may not know certain ones until we are headed there. This adventure forces participates to trust and depend on God to provide for our needs. We will be living out of backpacks, sleeping on the ground or in hammocks, living in tents, eating an assortment of foods, and expecting the unexpected.
My purpose in writing this letter is to invite you to join me on this life-changing journey. I would be humbled and honored if you would agree to partner financially and prayerfully with me in this ministry opportunity. I am specifically asking for fifteen people who will commit to pray for me each day until I return. Also, I must raise $1255 each month I stay to cover travel and living expenses for this Word Race Mission for a total of $13,800 for the entire 11 months. If you feel that God is leading you to support me financially, I have calculated that if only five people gave $75 a month, seven people gave $50 a month, 16 people gave $20 a month, and 21 people gave $10 a month, I would make my goal! Donations may be given as one-time gifts or monthly pledges.
I have enclosed a response card and pre-addressed envelope, which invites you to share in this ministry. Please make checks payable to Adventures in Missions. Please write “appealed by” and my name in the memo section of the check. All donations should be mailed to Adventures in Mission, P.O. Box 534470, Atlanta, GA 30353-4470. Including the enclosed card will provide AIM with all necessary information. Adventures in Missions is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) (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 Adventures in Missions and that the gifts are non-refundable and non-transferable, per IRS regulations. Gifts may be tax deductible; please consult your tax advisor.
Adventures in Missions has set up a blog site for each participate. This will allow you to follow me and my team as we enter the lives and culture of people desperate for the love and hope that only Jesus Christ can bring them. On this site, you can read stories, track our route, see pictures or videos, make comments, or help me financially. Most importantly I ask that you keep my team members, me, and the people we seek to reach out to in your thoughts and prayers as we prepare and then leave in October. God has big plans for this World Race and I pray that you will join me in reaching the world for Jesus Christ! Thank you in advance for your support, commitment, and prayers.
God Bless,
Sarah Diederich
sarahdiederich.theworldrace.org
