Dear Friends, Family, and Mentors,
Well, you’re probably wondering why I’m writing to you. I am writing to you to tell you about what God has done in my life recently. These past two summers, I have spent a month in Guatemala on mission trips, and after I got to experience firsthand what it truly means to serve and love “the least of these”, I knew that God was calling me to do much more than just one month in Guatemala each summer. I have spent the past few months praying and seeking out what God has planned for this next season of my life, and that’s when I came across the World Race: Gap Year. The World Race: Gap Year is a 9 month mission trip to 3 different countries, around the world not only to love “the least of these,” but also to experience true discipleship as I live for the Lord.
At first it seemed crazy to leave my family, friends, and comfortable life in America behind for nearly a year, and it also seemed like a crazy amount of money to raise to be able to go, but I felt God calling me to step out in faith and trust Him; to trust him with my future, to trust that His plan for my life is good, and more than anything to trust Him enough to follow Him wholeheartedly wherever He may lead.
After spending a lot of time in prayer, I knew God was calling me to take a leap of faith and go on this adventure.
I will leave in August 2016 to travel to the Balkans, the Philippines, and South Africa with a group of around fifty other teammates. We will partner with local churches and ministries to preach the Gospel, love the orphans, care for the poor, pray for the sick, plant churches, minister to women and children who are victims of human trafficking, and simply share Jesus with people around the world.
I’m excited for the opportunity to grow in my relationship with the Lord, to deeply rely on Him, and to take the love of God to these countries. I’m excited to be doing so many different types of ministry throughout the year, and I pray that God uses the time to show the unique gifts He has given me to serve Him.
Over the next several months, I will be preparing to leave in August, and part of that process is raising the funds to follow Gods call to the nations. I need to raise $13,805, which includes land, air, and sea travel, insurance and living expenses for the year. As I take this step of faith to trust God to provide for me, I ask that you would consider partnering with me in two ways.
First, I need your prayers. Please pray for my team and I as we raise support and prepare to leave in August. Pray that God prepares us for the work He will be doing in and through us during the World Race. In Ephesians 2 Paul says that God has prepared works for us in advance. Pray that we have the courage to step boldly into what God is calling us to. If you would like to see updates and prayer requests check out my blog shelbylaber.theworldrace.org which if you’re reading this have already done so thank you.
Second, please prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to support me financially. If 55 people commit to giving $25 a month, I will meet my fundraising goal. If 15 people commit to giving $100 a month, I will exceed my goal. Please don’t feel that you must give one of these amounts or that you must commit to giving monthly. This is just to give you an idea of how a few people can make a HUGE difference.
There are a few ways you can give: I have enclosed a response card that you can mail, with a check made out to Adventures in Missions, to PO Box 742570, Atlanta, GA, 30374-2570. If you would prefer to donate online you can go to my blog shelbylaber.theworldrace.org and click on the “Support Me” tab on the top banner or left side of the screen. If you are willing to give monthly, go to https://www.adventures.org/dynapay and be sure to add my name in the “Which Person or Purpose to support” Box.
Thanks for taking the time to read this letter, for praying for me, and for considering partnering with me. If you have any questions please feel free to get in contact with me. My e-mail is [email protected] . I’ll be in touch soon to talk with you about giving and to discuss any questions you have.
Thank you again!
Blessings,
Shelby Laber
