Many of you know that I will soon be leaving the United States on a program called the World Race. I will be traveling to 11 different countries, proclaiming the love of Christ to some of the world’s most stricken areas:
South Africa
Swaziland
Mozambique
Romania
Moldova
Nepal
India
Thailand
Malaysia
Cambodia
Vietnam
This has been the hardest decision I have ever made. Why? Well, because it doesn’t make sense! It’s expensive. It means being away from home for a long time. It means selling everything I have. It just doesn’t make sense. Why would I do this? I thought I made my mind up: I am not going on the World Race because it doesn’t make sense. Then, through reading Scripture, God began to show me something.
It didn’t make sense to Able, but he still sacrificed the best he had.
It didn’t make sense to Noah, but he still built it.
It didn’t make sense to Abraham to leave his family to search for the promise land, but he left.
It didn’t make sense to Abraham to sacrifice his own son, but he was willing.
It didn’t make sense to Sarah to try, but she still conceived.
It didn’t make sense to Moses, but he still led the exile.
It didn’t make sense to Joshua to march around a city, but the walls of Jericho fell.
It didn’t make sense to Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, but they conquered kingdoms, enfored justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the sword, and were victorious in war.
Okay God, I’ll go. It doesn’t make sense, but I will go.
This is still a daily struggle for me. It’s still extremely hard to cope with the idea of leaving for 11 months, traveling around the world, giving my all for Christ. You see, the world is changing. It’s moving away from Christ. There are people who are so lost, and they are living and dying a life without hope. I anguish. I deeply anguish for the people of the world. I sometimes briefly, very briefly, wish that I could give up my own salvation in Christ for someone else. Paul had this same anguish in Romans 9:2-3.
The World Race is not a time for self-discovery. It’s not about figuring out who I am. I KNOW who I am. I am a child of God who desires to reach the world for Christ. I’ve surrendered. I’ve learned. Now, I go. The World Race is all about the nations of the world meeting Christ.
It humiliates me to ask for help. I’m an extremely independent person. I like to involve myself in things that I can do without help. So, it really really really humiliates me when I have to ask for money. I need to raise over $16,000 to cover expenses over the next year. This isn’t just to feed me or house me. I will be carrying a tent on my back to sleep in for 11 months. Much of this amount will go to helping churches establish ministries. Helping missionaries impact their community. Feeding the poor and the helpless. Combatting human trafficking.
Please don’t stop reading at this point! Go on!
I will go on the World Race. It’s something God has seriously burdened me with. I am selling everything I own. I am working a full time job. I am selling bracelets, globes, t-shirts. I am hosting events. I am fundraising. I will work and work and work until I can fund myself for the 11-months of the World Race. Even if it takes me a couple more years. I hope, however, that you can help me leave in January. I want to leave as soon as possible, giving the people at risk in this world a chance to meet Christ before they die. No, I am not trying to guilt anybody into giving, I am just being transparrent with you on my urgency to change this world for Christ.
I need $3,500 by September 29. I am about $2,000 away from meeting that deadline. Please don’t think that what you could be able to give is too small to be noticeable. Would you consider giving just at least $10 ?
If all of my friends on facebook gave just $10, I would be well on my way to be fully funded. Please consider giving what you can. Even consider giving a monthly donation of at least $10. If I had 100 people give $15 a month, I would be fully funded!
I would be so honored to go as your representative to bring Christ to the world. I know, it’s such a wierd thing to ask for money, and to consider giving money. So, I’m going to put the pressure on God. Ask God what He thinks, if you should give or not. You can trust Him 🙂
To make a donation, look for the “Please Support Me” link on the left side of this page. All donations are tax-deductible.
