Dear Family and Friends,
I hope this letter finds you well! I wanted to write you to let you know about some new things that are going on in my life. As you know I have been running a home child care business for many years, while this has been a great experience, I have started to become restless and felt God started to direct me in a different direction. Jeremiah 6:16 states “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your soul.” I truly believe God has been opening and closing certain doors for me to begin me on a new path. Since I have found and became actively involved at Hope Community Church in Raleigh, NC I have slowly been stepping out in my faith. It has grown tremendously since 2009 and in November of 2012, I took a leap. It was time for me to stop planning and dictating all aspects of my own life and let Christ guide me. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…”
The leap turned out to be applying to and being accepted for a Christian mission program that will send me to do God’s work in 11 different countries around the world over the course of 11 months! I will serve as a missionary through an organization, Adventures in Missions, in their World Race program. Through adventure, ministry, community, and self-discovery, World Racers develop broken hearts that propel their hands to act for God’s kingdom around the globe. On the World Race, my team and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children who are trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the restoration and hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations.
I am so grateful for this opportunity that God has been preparing me for and given me, as well as every confidence that He will provide for my needs. Ultimately my prayer is that He will do that through each and every one of you. I am writing to you to ask if you would consider partnering prayerfully and financially with me in my ministry. Having the opportunity to help and serve has always been a desire of mine and it is coming to fruition with the help of my family, friends, and community.
I must raise $16,000 in order to go on the World Race, which covers all of my travel expense while in the field. I need to raise additional funds to help maintain my medical insurance, incidentals, and extras that come up along the way. I am also sending a desperate plea to find a loving family to care for my adorable puggle puppies (6 and 5 yrs. old) so I can be at peace knowing they are well loved and cared for. I definitely want my snuggle pups back when I return stateside!
The financial support can be given as a one-time gift or as a monthly donation, wherein you choose the amount and beginning and end date. However, all travel funds need to be raised on a graduated basis to maintain my eligibility. I need to have $3500 by April 1, 2013, $6500 total by June 1, 2013 to be able to even depart. I have to be fully funded no later than 6 months into the trip and ideally before I leave, first week of July 2013. If I can simply get 100 people to give $160 I would be fully funded! That is only $23 a month for the next 7 months.
I have enclosed a response card and pre-addressed envelope, inviting you to share in this ministry. Please make checks payable to Adventures In Missions and return the response card with your donations to ADVENTURES IN MISSIONS, PO BOX 534470, ATLANTA, GA, 30353-4470. The response card will provide AIM with the information necessary to send you a receipt for your donations. If you would prefer to make your donations online, you may do so by visiting my blog site at: www.shelbywills.theworldrace.org. Just click the “Support Me” link in the upper left side of the page and complete your donations as instructed.
I am so excited to see how God will move in my life and in the lives of others in the coming year. I hope not only to be a blessing to those I serve, but also to you! I would be honored to go as your representative to bring Christ Jesus to nations around the world and share my love with the less fortunate. I want to thank you in advance for your prayers and financial support. May God bless you as you prayerfully consider partnering with me in this ministry.
Many blessings to you,
Shelby Wills
