So I finally got my support letter done and sent out to the first 70 or so people this week. I decided to stop being overwhelmed with everything I have to do in preparation for the trip and just start the ball rolling. I've been able to get a lot of stuff knocked out instead of just being overwhelmed by it all. It feels kind of good! So here it is:
Dear Friends and Family,
Hey everyone! I wanted to take a minute to catch you up on what is going on in my life post graduation. I will be leaving in October to travel the world to spread Christ’s love for the nations. If you would have asked about my plans after graduation, before Christmas, I would have told you that I would be starting a career and beginning my professional life; not going around the world.
I will be participating in The World Race (theworldrace.org). With The World Race I will be traveling to 11 countries spending a month in each country with a team of 9. I will be working in orphanages, churches, local communities, and partnering with different missions organizations all to show and share Christ’s love for the nations. The countries I will be traveling to are: Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Thailand, Cambodia, my team and I will choose one country in Asia, Malaysia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi!
World missions have never been something I would have considered. It wasn’t until a friend talked about doing the World Race that the Lord really started giving me a heart for global missions. He has really opened my eyes and broken my heart for all people to be able to know and experience his love. It has been amazing and reaffirming to see how he has blessed the beginning stages of my preparation for this trip, even while I was unsure. It was a slow process but the Lord opened one door after the next. Including a random phone call from Adventures in Missions, and having my monetary deadlines being met without having to ask for help (my application fee and initial deposit).
As I am preparing and departing for the World Race I would appreciate your prayers for the following: That I will use my time wisely, that the Lord will continue to open doors and make my next steps clear, for the countries that I will be traveling to, for open hearts to receive from the Lord, for my training camp that will be held July 2-10, for my team that we will build strong relationships, and that we would have grace and patience with each other.
If you would like to partner with me in this trip financially, it would be a huge blessing. I am responsible for raising the amount of $14,300, which will cover all of the major trip expenses. I have raised $1,300 to date. I need people who are willing to support me both through prayer and financially. I am confident that the Lord has called me to this and I know that he will provide for my needs. This is a lot of money, but I am faithful that the Lord will provide for his calling on my life.
As I take this step of faith I am excited to see how the Lord uses me and how he uses this time in my life to refine me and teach me more about himself. I am excited to see how he provides for me now and how he will continue to provide. I look forward to keeping you up to date on how you can be praying for me and what is going on in my life as I prepare and partake in this trip. I have a blog through The World Race that I am trying to keep up with (nathanielherndon.theworldrace.org).I will hopefully be updating it weekly. This will be a great way to see pictures and know what’s going on with me and how to be praying for me. Thank you for your support and presence in my life.
-Nathaniel Herndon
