Dear Family and Friends,
We pray this letter finds you well! We would like to share some exciting news about what God is doing in our lives. As many of you know, Stephanie and I moved to Virginia after our wedding in 2010. I was finishing my degree in Computer Information Systems at Eastern Mennonite University. Stephanie found a full-time job working as a nanny and cleaning the office of an architectural company. Then, in May 2011, the Lord called us home to Idaho. I have been working on the farm for my dad while Stephanie has been blessed, yet again, by another job as a nanny (amongst other end jobs). Shortly after moving back, we were asked if we would like to become the church youth leaders. We excitedly took the position and have loved every minute of it! I have also enjoyed being a part of the worship team at our church. Now, more than ever before, the Lord has been leading us into a deeper walk with Him. He has really been speaking to and through us, especially in the last two or three months. I even had the privilege of giving the message one recent Sunday. And about a month ago, God used Stephanie’s friend to inform us about a new and exciting opportunity. He has been preparing us for something bigger, something more. God is stretching us further and in different ways than we had thought. He is calling us to step out in faith and be a part of an 11-month mission trip . . . we are incredibly excited!!
We will be serving as missionaries through an organization, Adventures in Missions (AIM), on the World Race (not the TV show, ha-ha). The World Race is not your traditional race (no competition, instead, the quickness of the Gospel). It is an 11-month Christian mission trip to 11 different countries around the world. During this time, our team will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, and minister to women and children who are victims of human trafficking and people who have been labeled as “unwanted” or “cursed”. We hope to bring restoration and hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations. We will be serving (and being served in) China, the Philippines, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Romania, Albania, India, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Our prayer and expectation is that the Holy Spirit will move so deeply in us that we will be forever changed and be brought to a new level of faith and appreciation of the love, power, and faithfulness of our Creator. Our desire is that when we arrive home 16 months from now, we will be so radically transformed that we will not be able to return to life as it was before because we have seen and experienced too much. What God is preparing for us now will continue throughout our whole lives.
We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity the Lord has provided us. We have complete confidence that He will provide for our needs! Ultimately, our prayer is that He will move you to support us on His behalf. We are writing to ask that you graciously consider partnering with us in this ministry the Father has called us into. There are two major ways you can help: 1) Prayer- this is the biggest one. Please join us in prayer that the Lord’s Will be done and not our own. Ask that He would guide our every thought, step, and word . . . that all would be done to the glory of His Name. Ask that He would give us the boldness and confidence to be about His Work and that everything will be done and received in His Name. Lastly, ask Him what He would have you do to advance The Kingdom. 2) Financial Support- we ask that you prayerfully consider donating to this cause. We must raise $31,000 in order to step out into the World Race mission. This money covers all of our expenses while we are in the field, including travel costs, lodging, and food. It also covers things like administrative costs for AIM. And yes, I said 31,000 whoppers, all by next July (specific deadlines below). Also, we’re going to need personal money for things the $31,000 doesn’t cover, like health insurance, vaccinations, gear, and such. By the end, we’re looking at an even bigger number yet. We realize it is a lot to raise, but our God is the Almighty Creator of the universe. . . He is so much bigger than any financial burden!! Please be encouraged by this big number because at the end of it all, we will have more praise and glory to offer our faithful Father!
Now, if 62 people donated $50 a month for 10 months (Sept. 2012 �" June 2013), we would be 100% financially supported. We do not have to raise the full amount before our launch in January. However, we do have certain deadlines:
-
$7,000 �" Due 9/29/2012 (2 weeks before Training Camp in Georgia)
-
$13,000 �" Due 12/18/2012 (2 weeks prior to Launch)
-
$22,000- Due 4/1/2013 (End of 3 months in the field)
-
$31,000 �" Total Due 7/1/2013 (End of 6 months in the field)
We have enclosed a response card, inviting you to share in this ministry. Please make checks payable to Adventures in Missions and return with response card to:
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
The response card provides AIM with the information necessary to send you a receipt for your donation, as it is tax deductible. If you would prefer to make your donations online, you may do so by visiting our blog site at: CodyandStephanieStutzman.theworldrace.org. Just click the “Support Me” link in the upper left side of the page and complete your donation as instructed. Keep in mind that AIM will keep 5% of any donation of this kind to cover processing fees. Financial support online can be given as a one-time gift or as a monthly donation, wherein you choose the amount and beginning and end date. If at any time our goal of $31,000 is reached, your monthly payments will automatically stop.
Another option is to send a check directly to us. We will need extra funds to help cover the cost of gear, international health insurance, vaccinations, plane tickets to and from the training camp and launching site, and funds to cover expenses here at home while we are gone. Feel free to specify what you would like your donation to be used for. You can make checks payable to either one of us and send them to:
Cody and Stephanie Stutzman
4255 N 1900 E
Buhl, ID 83316
We are so excited to see how the Lord will move in and through our lives in this coming year. We hope to be a blessing to those we serve and to our brothers and sisters in Christ who send us. We are honored to go as your representative to bring the message of Christ Jesus to the nations! We would like to thank you in advance for your prayers and financial support… Thank you for allowing God to work through you!! May our Heavenly Father bless you and your families as you prayerfully consider partnering with us to bring Light into the world of darkness. Please remember to follow us on our blog site – CodyandStephanieStutzman.theworldrace.org – where you will be able to read and see how God is using your generosity to work in our lives and the lives of others around the world. May our Father never cease to pour His blessings and favor upon you!!
Your brother and sister in Christ,
Cody and Stephanie Stutzman
P.S. If you would like business cards to give away to friends, notify us and we will gratefully send some to you. Thank you!!
