Dear Friend,
I hope this letter finds you happy, healthy and enjoying life. My life- well it’s always an adventure! I am currently attending Hood Theological Seminary in North Carolina pursuing my M.Div. My prayer when I began this chapter of my life was to strike a balance between theory and practice: not being so caught up in learning about God that I neglected to walk with Him. I could have easily chosen to shelter myself in the cozy walls of academia or just bought an open-ended plane ticket and spent my life experiencing the world. Well, God is a prayer-answerer and knows the desires of our hearts. He provided me a way to do both and so much more.
In January 2011, I will be leaving for an 11-month, 11-country mission trip called The World Race! Have you ever seen the reality show The Amazing Race? People race around the world and complete crazy tasks in hopes of being the first to reach the finish line and win $1 million dollars. Well, my journey is The Amazing Race ON JESUS! I am guaranteed to win and my prize is priceless! I get to spend an entire month in eleven different countries not only experiencing all they have to offer, but also giving something in return. I am ecstatic about the opportunity to share the love of God, to connect with people, to serve and to grow. I know I will be challenged and changed. I look forward to meeting the woman I will be at the end of this journey.
Would you consider partnering with me financially in this journey? The cost of the trip is $14,300. That equals about $1300 a month for housing, food, travel etc. I need $2,000 in my account by August 18th in order to attend training camp. I must have $8,000 by January 1st in order to launch and begin this journey and the remaining $6,300 can be raised as I travel. Recurring donations are very helpful. If 40 people agree to give only $25/month from September 2010 until November 2011, I will meet my goal.
There are 3 ways to give:
- Online at www.shidabrooks.theworldrace.org by clicking the $ Partner With Me $ link in the left menu.*
- Send a check to Adventures In Missions P.O. Box 534470, Atlanta, GA 30353-4470 using the enclosed response card and pre-addressed envelope.*
- Send a check to me directly or through my account at Bank of America (please contact me for the account number). These donations will go towards the cost of airfare to/from training camp & the launch site, bills while away, medical shots/insurance, camping gear & other necessities. Donations made directly to me are not tax deductible.
Thank you for partnering with me in serving the world. I shall carry each of you with me on this journey. Please keep my “nervous” parents, my team and me in your prayers. I will keep a detailed blog of this journey (www.shidabrooks.theworldrace.org). Feel free to subscribe and leave comments. They are encouraging and will help me feel connected to home.
With Gratitude,
Rashida A. Brooks
*Adventures In Missions is registered with the IRS as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Donors will receive receipts for their gifts with the understanding that the disbursement of those gifts lies completely at the discretion of Adventures In Missions and that the gifts are non-refundable and non-transferable, per IRS regulations. Gifts may be tax deductible; please consult your tax advisor.
