Shelli’s World Race!
WORLD RACER – SHELLI DANIELS
September 2012 – August 2013
11 countries + 11 months + One Incredible God
What I’m Doing…
For those of you just joining me, THANK YOU for checking out my blog! This is the same blog I will be updating throughout my journey to 11-countries starting in September. I will be gone for almost an entire year doing missions globally – living among the people in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, The Dominican Republic, Haiti, Moldova, Romania, and Ireland. I will spend about a month in each country, learning from the people and sharing my life with them. I will bring photos of my family & many of you, and stories of life in America to share with them. I will bring the hope and joy that I have found in Jesus – but also my arms to hold the orphan children I meet, to wipe a tear from a woman’s eye, my hands to serve a meal to someone hungry, my legs to stand and give all my energy to the people, and most importantly, my feet – to walk to the places where there is hurt, joy, human need.
One of my greatest inspirations is the dear Mother Teresa, who said:
"There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in –that we do it to God, to Christ, and that's why we try to do it as beautifully as possible."
Why The Race?
The World Race intrigued me, for several reasons; one – because it was a whole year. Backpacking. Living among the peoples. Traveling to multiple countries. I have never felt ‘called’ to a specific part of the world, like Africa or a certain people group – but I have felt for many years the pull towards my greater global family – the desire to learn about cultures and languages, and to hear the many diverse stories of life in places that are so different from mine. I want to spend this year giving all of my energy and strength to the people & to the Lord. To step away from ‘normal’ American life, Facebook, 9-5 work, fast food, the convenience of first world immediacy and all of its busyness, and just BE. With the people, free of all the appointments, the tick-tock busy pace of “do, do, do” – and sit back to share a two-hour tea with someone I’ve just met, living fully in that moment, loving with all of me that very one person – because in that moment, that person is all that matters…
How You Can Help –
Pray!
The number one thing you can do is pray. Pray for what, you might ask? Safety. Team Unity (I will be traveling directly with 5-10 other young people from the US – and you know how easy it will be to get on each other’s nerves). Health (backpacking/tenting in many of the places we will stay). Patience. And for the people – for divine ‘coincidences’ – running into the right people at the right time, people who could use a meal, a hand to hold, a new friend, a person to visit them in their hut, their hospital room, or their high-rise apartment. That people’s lives might be changed in some way through their interaction with me, that I would be ‘moldable clay’ in the Potter’s hand, like it says in Isaiah, “Lord, You are our Father – we are the clay, and You the potter, and we are all the work of Your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8,9) – to listen to Him for where to go, the words to say, when to speak, and when to just listen.
Give financially.
I need to raise $15,500 for The World Race. It feels like an insane amount, but yet it is reasonable – considering this is for a whole year of missions. So, I definitely can’t do this without you guys. My goal is to raise the whole $15,500 before I leave for my race on September 1st! I can continue to raise the money while I’m out in the field – until March 1st, 2013. I know things are tight for all of us financially, so I want you to know that ANY amount, $5 or $500, is IMPORTANT and valuable to me.
Here are my deadlines – (I am set for my June deadline – thanks to you, my amazing friends and family 
, but I definitely still need your help – in order to it to my Training in July, I need $6,500 by July 1).
- $150 Deposit – Due 3/8/2012 (RAISED!! Thanks guys!!)
- $3,500 – By 6/1/2012 (RAISED!! Thanks to some incredible supporters…)
- $6,500 – By 7/1/2012
- $11,000 – By 8/1/2012
- $15,500 – By 9/1/2012
Give Online: You can give really simply online, by clicking on the link to your left, "Support Me!" Adventures in Missions will send you an immediate email confirmation showing your amount and that it went towards me.
Give By Check: To give by mail, send a check to:
Adventures in Missions
P.O. Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
Be sure to indicate the purpose of your gift on the check: FOR SHELLI DANIELS
All donations towards my race are fully tax-deductible, as long as it's addressed to 'Adventures in Missions' and my name is in the MEMO line.
Get Me Outfitted!
I have created an REI ‘Wishlist’ with items I still need for my year of work on the Race. If you want to support me in a fun, tangible way, I am in need of things like a tent, sleeping bag, first aid kit, etc, they are all on my Wishlist – the link is HERE. You can send it directly to my address: 10544 Whitman Ave N #302, Seattle, WA 98133.
Send me some love/encouragement Pre-Race:
Please shoot me an email, send me a card, whatever you feel in your little heart to do! Again, I will be heading out September 1st – and could use the love! You can also call me (763) 670-1485!
