11n11 : 11 Questions and 11 Answers Continued …
8. How much does this cost and who is paying?
This next year will be full of some crazy, awesome spiritual growth. When I prayed to God to take control and lead me in His plan for my life, I never imagined it would be coupled with being stretched to fundraise $17,017.
So, this blog post is about the details of the most dreaded topic in the ministry field … SUPPORT! Things tend to get a little awkward when money is brought up, but there are three things I want to share about this fundraising journey.
- Asking for money is super awkward for me. I can be a stubborn person at times who does not want to be helped and who wants to do it all by herself [like a big girl]. But… surprise! I cannot do it alone. I have to be vulnerable and embrace the awkwardness during this season of my life.
- I believe it is biblical. First, it stretches me far out of my comfort zone to rely solely on God. It also stretches you by saying “yes” to what God is leading you to do. I’m 100% committed to learning the best way to fundraise biblically.
- I have nothing to hide. I also understand that you may be uncomfortable donating because you may want to know exactly where the funds are going.This post will outline where the $17,017 is going and how you can help. I want to be completely transparent with not only my personal journey, but my fundraising journey as well. If you have any questions, please reach out to me through the Contact icon at the top of my blog.
And now, for all of the details!
Training Camp: $340.34 – Cultural training before departure. This is the camp that I will go from October 19-29 and is full of spiritual, mental, and physical preparation!
Field Support: $680.68 –Getting supplies to us, supporting local contacts, etc. This is all for the ministries that we will taking part in.
WR Development Program: $2,042.04 – Improvements and developments for the current and future World Race Routes
Administration Fees: $2,892.89 – Processing, paying the staff who literally takes care of every detail of our travel, food, lodging, etc. months in advance and during our race as well
World Racer: $11,061.05 – See below for further breakdown
Intercontinental Travel: $4,977.47 – travel from continent to continent
Food: $1,437.94
Lodging: $2,101.60 – we are in tents most months but it is possible to be in a hostel, in a host home, and in hotels in debriefing weeks
Transportation: $1,216.72 – anything from tuk tuks and sleeper buses
Long Distance Travel & Misc. Supplies: $1,327.33
I will also have other expenses not covered in the $17,017 such as airfare to and from the 10-day training camp in October, airfare to Launch (where my squad all meets up to leave the country) and gear I will need for the 11 months. I have moved back in with my parents to save up extra money in order to take care of these expenses.
9. How can I get involved?
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me so far! It’s humbling, and incredible to see the beginnings of what God is doing in me and in all of you through this journey.
I have certain deadlines I have to meet.
September 23, 2016: $5,000
December 16, 2016: $10,000
February 28, 2017: $13,000
April 30, 2017: $17,017
While the full amount isn’t due until April of next year, my goal is to have the full amount raised before we launch. Please be in prayer that that goal may be met. THANK YOU again to everyone who has already shown so much support to me through encouragement, finances, and prayer. You are all AMAZING!
Support means more than a quick prayer or a check – it’s far more than that. Support represents us partnering together, sharing the vision God’s put on my heart and the mission He’s called me on. God designed us for community. If my story captures your heart in some way, I would love for you to join me on this journey. There are several ways you can do that:
- Share. Helping me share my message is one of the most meaningful ways you can show your support. If something I write resonates with you, I encourage you to pass it along. Subscribe my blog and share it with others. Connect with me on Facebook and help me get the word out about what I am doing. I would be honored if you would share my story.
- Prayer. I recognize there is no way I can do this alone. I am dependent on God working through me and around me. This journey will be stretching and challenging in many ways I can’t anticipate, but I know the prayers will make a way.
- Financial. Aa large part of my need is, very practically, financial. I would be honored to have you join me in this journey. There are a couple ways to do that below:
- One-time and monthly donations can be given by clicking on the “Donate” tab at the top of this page. It is tax-deductible and 100% of the donation is put into my account unlike other fundraising sites.
- Checks can also be mailed in: write checks out to Adventures in Missions and put “Jessica Ganci” in the memo line
Adventures in Missions
P.O. Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
10. That sounds like an awesome vacation, but why not just save and pay for it yourself?
Thank you, but thinking of the World Race as a vacation, though a common misconception, misses the heart of this ministry. I’m not going on the Race to avoid or escape from “real life,” because I love to travel or because I think it’ll be easy. On the contrary, I expect it will be one of the most challenging years of my life. Ultimately I’m going because the Lord has called me to, and I want to follow Him wherever He leads me. I anticipate and pray that He will use this year to break me and rebuild me to look more like Jesus. It won’t always be easy or fun, and there may be times when all I want is to go home. I will be stretched and challenged physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, but I pray for perseverance and that I return transformed, ready to radically pursue the Lord wherever He would call me next. This is not a vacation: God has invited me on an adventure, and I’m saying yes.
Stay tuned for the question I am asked most : Why not do something in the US?
