So, here I am… again. Never thought I'd be in this place… again. Missionary-ish. I don't quite know when the change happens from telling people that "I'm leaving the country for another stint as a missionary" to "I am a missionary". All I know for sure today about my life is that I am leaving on June 28th as a leader for a squad of missionaries going on the World Race. Discipling. Mentoring. Walking alongside and working with a group of about 50 people, age
20-somethings as they pursue serving the least of these as missionaries around the world. So here I go. There are three ways that as I go and you stay in the United States that you can support me to disciple them.
1. FINANCIALLY:
First thing's first. In order to disciple missionaries as a squad leader in July , I only need to raise $3,000 which will cover my transportation, food, and lodging costs. I'll be traveling with two or three other World Race Alumni throughout each country visiting the various teams that are placed in different locations and ministries. (Should I return to the field for the squad's debriefs in March and June, I will need to raise another $2,900.) You can support me three different ways.
1. DynaPay System
If you would like to make a monthly commitment, the DynaPay system may be the all-around best option. By entering a few bits of information online, you can give, by electronic check, once or twice a month. The best part: NO PROCESSING FEES. You MUST enter the end date of the gift in the online form or the donation will continue until our Donor Relations department receives written confirmation that you would like to discontinue your donation.
Go to http://www.adventures.org/dynapay/?tuid=9262574 to give through the DynaPay system.
Pros: No processing fee. Automated giving.
Cons: You must specify the end date or communicate in writing with Donor Relations. (In a desire to steward your money well and be honest about where I stand in regards to completion of raised funds, I will be more than glad to answer any questions that you may have, so please contact me with questions or concerns.)
2. Check by Mail
You can simply mail checks:
Adventures In Missions
P.O. Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
Pros: No processing fee. (I receive 100% of the money 🙂 Sent directly to AIM's back to be deposited.
Cons: May take up to 2 weeks from the date mailed for the donation to appear in my account.
3. Pay Pal
You may desire to support me in other ways that are not typical and leave the responsibility of prayerfully stewarding your money in whatever way I need at the moment. This could look like purchasing an internet card for my phone as I'm overseas, monthyly payments towards school loans for the time I'm gone that would otherwise tie me down and keep me from being able to go and serve, medical costs as I (have before) gotten sick on the field, and purchasing necessary toiletries. Please go to Paypal.com, click send money, and send it to [email protected] in order to support me this way.
4. Bank Draft
You can also set up a bank draft through the "Support Me" link on my blog. You enter your bank information and the funds come directly out of your bank account. This method is easy and convenient but requires a 3% fee to be paid to a third-party processing company.
Pros: Quick and easy to navigate. You can set up a monthly pledge.
Cons: 3% of your donation is paid to a processing company.
5. Debit Card and Credit Card
You can click on the "Support Me" link on the left side of my blog which will take you to a form to fill out. You can set up a monthly payment this way as well. Again, the drawback is that 5% is now given to a third party service to process.
Pros: Quick and easy. You can set up a monthly pledge.
Cons: 5% of your donation is paid to a processing company.
2. PRAYER:
As I am obedient to the call to leave my family, friends, job, and America (again) through this new season of leading , I am excited, yet peacefully nervous. (Does that even make sense?) I am a leader this go-round as opposed to a racer. I need prayer for continual wisdom, leadership, mentorship, discipleship for my squad. To guide racers through conflict management and sacrifice myself for them every single day. As I cannot do this in my own strength, I am asking for you to pray for me as I lead these 50 or so missionary newbies through a variety of countries, cultures, and conflicts in a way that they grow as men and women following Jesus. Which means I also need to be an example. (Oh, Lord help them!)
3. KEEP IN CONTACT WITH ME:
1. I learned my first time gone that I crave communication from all my peeps back home. Whether much or minimal, still communication. I also learned that I love blogging some stories of what God is doing around me and in me while I am on the field and showing everyone pictures of my life overseas. If you're not already, I would love it if you would subscribe to my blog at www.suzannebradford.theworldrace.org.
2. Also, please email me at [email protected] to keep me updated on your life.
3. While my blogs are about pictures and stories as they come up, I send out more details of my daily life, struggles and joys by email. Let me know if you would like to be added to my email list.
In these ways, you provide me with what I have discovered is so vitally important while away from home… communication.
Thank you for considering how you can support me in these different ways. I look forward to hearing from YOU!
