dear you,
I am so excited to announce that God has given me the opportunity this coming school year to take a gap year and spend nine months overseas, living out of a backpack, sharing His word to those in need.
the world race: gap year
The World Race: Gap Year is a short-term missions trip designed specifically for teenagers looking to take time off before or during college. This program was created by Adventures in Missions, an interdenominational organization that focuses on the discipleship of God’s word through missions work across the world. It was founded in 1989 and has sent over 110,000 people into the missions field. The program is nine months long, travels to five different countries, and offers six different routes. I will be on Route 2, traveling to Romania, Ukraine, Chile, Peru, and India, along with 40 other college students across the country. Together, my team and I, will be working as the hands and feet of Christ by partnering with ministries, already established in each country, to fill any possible needs; such as construction work, VBS, evangelism outreach, helping orphanages, visiting hospitals, praying for the sick, etc.
why?
As senior year of high school rolled around and people started talking about college, I began to question my identity and what I wanted to do with my life. For most of high school, I based my worth off of the grades I received, my performance in volleyball, the friends I made, and recognition of my hard work. My life became a constant chaotic cycle of keeping busy to distract myself from the emptiness I felt in my heart. So I did what everyone else did and applied for numerous colleges. I was accepted into the colleges that I applied to, but struggled to know where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do.
What I did know was I wanted time to figure out my future. I want to travel and experience other cultures. I want a sense of purpose, and I want a push toward pursuing a raw relationship with God. Although a gap year was not the plan I had in mind after graduating, I have no words for how thankful I am that God placed this opportunity in my hands. I’ve come to realize this past semester that serving others in his name brings me the true purpose that fills my heart, not all the things I was pursuing in high school. This is the push I’ve been longing for.
how you can help
Above all, prayer and support are the primary ways you can help . This upcoming year will be challenging and it’s certainly not something I can do alone. Any and all forms of encouragement would mean the world to me.
The second way would be through financial support. In order to be fully funded by September, I need to raise a total of $14,951. I also have two deadlines along the way, the first having raised $5,000 by June 15th, 2017, the second having $10,000 by August 22th, 2017, and lastly being fully funded by December 29, 2017. Any dollar amount big or small would be a blessing. I am confident God will provide, and place on your hearts the best way for you to support me.
If you feel called to give, you can do so by a check, money order, online, bank transfer, or by dynapay. Here are the details:
- checks/money order – must be made payable to Adventures in Missions with my name “Tori Roman – World Race Gap Year” in the memo line and mailed to P.O. Box 742570, Atlanta, GA 30347
- credit card/bank transfer – click on the “support me” link on the left-hand side of my blog, toriroman.theworldrace.org , and you will be directed through the process of making a one-time, monthly, or quarterly donation by credit card or bank transfer
- EFT (dynapay) – go to adventures.org/dynapay to fill out an online form for a monthly Electronic Funds Transfer from a checking account
Money donated will go towards my meals, lodging, transportation, medical insurance, training, coaching, and debriefing on the race, along with bringing me one step closer to a life-changing experience helping those in need of God’s love. All donations are tax-deductible.
updates
If you want to be updated on my life and adventures during the race, I will be posting on my blog. I can’t wait to bring you along this journey as I discover all the ways God wants to use me this coming year.
My trip would not be possible without your support. Please feel free to contact me by email, [email protected], if you have any questions.
blessings,
Tori Roman
