“How much does it cost?”
This is usually one of the first questions asked after hearing about my acceptance to The World Race.
$16,962.
(Eeeek. That’s a big number. A REALLY big number.)
“What does this amount cover?”
The funds that I raise cover all team costs once the trip begins, including food, lodging, and air, land & sea travel. It also covers administrative, setup, coaching, debrief, and training costs prior to and at the start of the Race.
It does not include: personal spending money, travel to the training, travel to the start point, return travel home from a major U.S. city at the conclusion of the Race, medical insurance [required], and vaccinations.
What usually follows that answer is “Well, that’s a lot of money, but if God wants you to go, He will provide.”
That’s a pretty bold statement, but it’s a statement of faith.
I view this fundraising process is a test of my faith. I am so inclined to worry that I won’t make the deadlines, while at the same time wanting to trust that God will provide the funds. I want to be completely transparent with you and let you know that it is extremely humbling for me to be in the vulnerable position of not being financially self-sufficient for a season. I want to let you know that I don’t take this lightly, and I want to let you know just how much your contributions mean to me.
I knew going into this that raising that much money would be difficult. It is a humbling experience to know that God will provide for the way He leads, because it is something that is completely out of my control. You and I don’t just have that kind of money laying around. But this is where community comes in. God has blessed me with a large community of believers. I don’t expect someone to donate toward the entire cost, but I do believe that we can achieve this goal by all pitching in a little bit.
The Bible tells me to be anxious in nothing (Philippians 4:6), but I can’t help but feel a sense of urgency when I look at the fundraising goals I have been given. I have passed my first goal (phew!), but the next one is even bigger:
- $3,900 – Due 9/25/2015 (Fundraising Goal 1)
- $10,000 – Due 12/18/2015 (Fundraising Goal 2)
- $13,000 – Due 2/29/2016 (Fundraising Goal 3)
- $16,962 – Due 4/30/2016 (Fundraising Goal 4)
I am almost halfway to my second goal!
To meet that second fundraising goal, I would have to raise about $170 every day for a MONTH.
Are you sharing my sense of urgency yet? Because I don’t know about you, but my heart drops a little bit every time I see the total number.
I am grateful for those of you who have so graciously supported me so far. I am blessed to have friends and family who have been so supportive of my decision and acceptance! If you believe in this mission, or if you want to support me as an individual, I sincerely ask that you consider taking initiative to help financially.
Some of you are not financially capable of supporting me, and you know what? That’s okay! I could really use prayer in this time of waiting for my launch date. Pray for me that I do not doubt or become discouraged due to financial situations. Pray for my nervousness in preparing for the unprepare-able. Pray for the people I will come into contact with for the next year.
Thank you so much for partnering with me in this. I know that God is going to truly bless you in your giving, and I know that my life and the lives of those I come into contact with will forever be changed because of it. View below for ways you can donate, or tune into my Facebook page for other events!
I currently have $5,120 left to go until I reach my second goal. That’s a lot for one person, but if every one of my Facebook friends donated just $10, I would be well over that second goal! Will YOU help?
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Donate Now:
1) Donate online with a credit card or bank transfer. (3-5 days to process) Click the “Support Me!” link on the left hand side of this blog and you will be directed through the process of making a one time, monthly or quarterly donation by credit card or bank transfer. This is the simplest and fastest way to donate. 2) Donate online with a monthly EFT. (1-2 weeks to process) Go to adventures.org/dynapay to fill out an online form for a monthly Electronic Funds Transfer from a checking account. If you know you don’t want to donate in one lump sum, but would prefer to donate monthly, this is an option for you! You can set an end date, or you can leave it open ended and notify Donor Relations when you want to stop your recurring donation.
3) Donate by check or money order. (up to 2 weeks to process) You do have the option of donating “the old fashioned way” in the mail. This is a little trickier, though, so if you choose to do this, please pay attention to the requirements:
- All checks must be made payable to Adventures in Missions and must have my name written on the memo line.
- You can only put one check per envelope because all checks are processed mechanically, so on the off chance you want to send more than one, send them each in their own individual envelope.
- Do not postdate checks, as they will be processed right away. Make sure you have the sufficient funds in the account before sending the check in the mail.
- Mail to: Adventures in Missions PO Box 742570 Atlanta GA 30374-2570
If you plan to donate via check, feel free to let me know so that I can make sure you get everything all situated correctly. 🙂
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Important things to note:
- All donations are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
- Cash donations are NOT tax-deductible. The only way to donate with cash would be to deliver it to me and trust me to donate it myself.
- Any donations made in excess of my goal of $16,962 will help support the ministry.
- As noted above, donations take a few days to process. If you donate using a check via snail mail, please allow up to two weeks for checks to be processed and show up on my page. If you donate online, please allow 4 business days for payments to be processed and show up in my total.
- I have made a considerable investment personally to meet my first financial goal, along with other expenses in excess of the $16,962 (buying supplies and gear, getting vaccines, purchasing airfare, etc.). This has put me in a situation that I do not have the funds to cover my next goal in the case that I do not reach it. I say that so you know that I am not expecting you all to do all of the work for me. I will be doing my part, but I still am in desperate need of your help.
- DO NOT FEEL BAD if you can’t donate. I’ve worked minimum wage jobs. Trust me, I understand. Prayers and encouragement are just as important, if not more.
- If you have any questions about donating, please ask!
