Good Day Everyone!
I apologize for not updating in awhile. I’ve been pretty busy the past month, but definitely need to be more proactive in sharing more about this race I’ll be doing. Praise the Lord, I finally finished my support letter! I will be sending out about 100 of them by the end of this week. Please pray that I follow through with this and that the folks that I will be sending this too will read it and be open to supporting me via prayer, finances, or encouragement. Here’s what the letter says:
Dear Friends and Family,
I hope this letter finds you in good spirits! I want to share with you what I plan to do for the next 11 months starting in January 2016. I graduated from Cairn University with bachelor’s degrees in Social Work and Bible three years ago. Prior to starting college having any knowledge in the Bible or social work was not exactly in my plan for my future. As I get older, I’m learning that sharing your plans is one of the best things you can do for motivation because it helps keep you accountable. Before going to college, the only thing I knew that I was really good at was singing. I still love to sing, but that was what I was planning to do with my life. Use the gift of my voice professionally. However, God had other plans for me. That’s where Bible and Social Work came into play. Prior to starting college I felt helpless. It was through the Church and professional help that I was able to move forward in life.
I was recently accepted to be a part of the World Race Fusion. The World Race is an 11 month Christian mission trip to 11 countries around the world. The work that my squad will be doing includes ministering to women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, serving through different needs in local churches, working in orphanages and much more all to preach the Gospel in bringing a restorative hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations. Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” This is why I’m confident in pursuing this path in the coming months. I know that the Lord has planted the desire of wanting to travel the world with a purpose. That purpose isn’t to please myself on a yearlong vacation, but to please Him by sharing my skills in serving others and my knowledge of the Bible through the World Race!
Will you help keep me accountable to this plan? Here are a few ways you could help:
- Pray. Please pray for confidence in God’s will as our squad is mentally, physically and spiritually preparing for this trip. Pray for the people that we will be serving in the 11 different countries, that their hearts and minds will be open to the message we have to share.
- Financial Support. Would you consider partnering with me in raising $16,562. This will cover all of my field expenses for the trip. Would you prayerfully consider joining me at $100 monthly or some other amount? Anything will help, no amount is too small. You may also donate online by visiting my blog site at: maryblizballesteros.theworldrace.org just click the “Support Me” link in the upper left side of the page. If you choose to write a check, the response card included will provide AIM (Adventures in Missions) with the information necessary to send you a receipt for your tax-deductible donation. Make checks payable to Adventures in Missions and you must include “World Race Mary-Bliz Ballesteros” in the memo line, otherwise the donation will not be directed to my account. Please mail all checks to Adventures in Missions, PO Box 534470, Atlanta, GA 30353-4470.
Here are my financial fundraising goals:
$3,500 Due 9/25/2015
$10,000 – Due 12/18/2015
$13,000 – Due 2/29/2015
$16,562 – Due 4/29/2016
- Encouragement. Support via prayer and finances are super encouraging, but so would words of wisdom and a quick conversation as I raise support and then am on the field. Perhaps there are some areas where I can help encourage you as well. You can reach me at [email protected] or Facebook message me at MB Ballesteros.
I look forward to seeing how the Lord will use you and I as we fulfill the great commission “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” Jesus. Thank you for considering how you can be involved in this next step in my life!
Grace and Peace,
Mary-Bliz Ballesteros
Thank you for reading and please spread the word =)
