I am ecstatic to announce that I AM FULLY FUNDED!!!! I have been raising financial support for a year now and have been blessed with $17,000 from your generosity. That is absolutely astounding.
The initial reason I didn’t consider going on The World Race was because of the enormous financial cost. Questions and doubts were raised before any money was: If you’re volunteering, why aren’t you getting a stipend? You know, like the Peace Corps? Why doesn’t the organization help you at all? What about paying back your student loans? Why is it so expensive?
I asked these questions, I researched these questions, I responded to these questions, and I prayed about these questions. The World Race website explains it this way: “Fundraising is a part of your journey and is ministry just like feeding orphans, preaching in churches, and visiting hospitals. You need both the financial support and prayer support from family, friends, and church partners and they need you to share the stories of what God is doing all over the world. Your donors send you out as an ambassador to nations. They send you out with the love and good news of the salvation and hope that is available in Jesus Christ.”
It continues, “We ask people to support us because we want to invite them to be a part of the ministry. Fundraising is about the body of Christ joining together to see God’s Kingdom come.” It is one thing to tell others about your plans for a trip. It is a completely different thing to invest with others in changing the world.
I would have never guessed how amazing fundraising could be. The process gave me an opportunity to share my excitement and fears with others before leaving. I got to tell others about my faith and what God had been speaking to me. I was constantly awed and humbled at God’s provision and your support.
On a micro level, your donation has covered the cost it takes to complete The World Race including meals, lodging, travel, administration, and staff support. On a macro level, your donation has mobilized me to journey the world, experience other cultures, form beautiful relationships, deepen my faith, share the Gospel, and serve with the global church.
You have helped me to continue to act out the Great Commission given by Jesus to go, make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them to obey his commands (Mt. 28). You have provided me with opportunities to feed the hungry, invite strangers in, clothe the naked, look after the sick, and visit prisoners (Mt. 25). It’s quite impossible to fully express what your generosity and support mean to me, so I’ll just say THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!
Practically, what does being fully funded mean for you? From here on out, do not send in donations through the AIM website. They will go to a general AIM fund, not to me personally. However, there are still some costs that the fundraising amount does not cover. These include medical insurance, vaccinations, and airplane tickets for flights to training camp, launch, and home to Minnesota. You can definitely still donate toward these costs if you so desire, but they will have to be through personal check or bank transfer. Please contact me if you would like to do this.
Also, I still need your prayers, encouragement, and personal updates! I love hearing about your life and how I can be praying for you. It means so much.
After leaving Greece, our squad headed to Sofia, Bulgaria, for Debrief. Now, we are in Draganesti-Olt, Romania, where we will be working with Hope Church to aid other long-term missionaries. Peace and love <3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Now I understand why authors include an acknowledgment section. There are certain things that cannot be completed without multiple supporters lifting you up in different ways.
Thank you to my parents: Jeff & Katia, Darlene & Dan
Thank you to my siblings: Lizz, Ryan, Zack, Dallas & Erin, Easton & Angela, Macy
Thank you to my extended family: Dave & Shirley, Lynn & Bill, Chris & Jasmin, Cory & Heather, Linda & Bill, Steve & Terrylee, Cindy, Greg, Diane, Irene
Thank you to my large donors: Roxanne, Brittany & Major, Jess & Haakon, Mary & Joe, Randy & Sandy, Sue
Thank you to my high school friends: Lainey, Kristen, Kristi, Katie, Sarah, Paige, Adam
Thank you to my college friends: Layla, Wille, Ari
Thank you to my coworkers: Josh, Will, Emily, Sarah, Christina, Vimal, Cat
Thank you to my mentors: Michelle, Melissa, Samm & Paul
Thank you to my church family: River Valley Church, Liz, Garrett, Jessica, Sallie, Unruh family, Julie
Thank you to my People of Praise community: Tom & Nancy, Mike & Sarah, Pat & Patricia, Jeanne & Mike, Ed & Janice, Jim & Konnie, Earl & Barbara, Ed & Elizabeth, John & Sandy, Mike & Joann, Anne, Hugh
Thank you to my sponsors: Hastings Green Mill, The Beat Coffeehouse
Thank you to those who don’t fit into a category: Dave & Linda, Bob & Leanne, Giovanni, Meghan, Chappie, Luke, Sara
Thank you those who donated anonymously. Thank you to those who organized, volunteered, donated, and participated in my fundraiser events. Thank you to those who bought a Look Up T-shirt. Thank you to those who donated to my two 1-100 number charts and one World Race Jeopardy board. THANK YOU EVERYONE!
