Hello everyone!
I thought I’d build a list of FAQs that you might have about the World Race or about how to support me in this very exciting opportunity. I will also post questions I have already been asked, and update this list as much as I can through this process so I can keep everyone informed. Thanks for stopping by and checking it out!
We’ll start with some very general questions!
What is the World Race?
The World Race is an 11 month long missions trip where you spend each month in a different country serving in a local ministry.
What do you do on the World Race?
In a nutshell, serve. The World Race is about plugging people into a culture and letting them serve. Each month will look very different, each month we could be doing VBS, construction, preaching, teaching, cooking, street evangelism, prayer walks, or a ministry we have never heard of before. The point is that we are there to serve, whatever that looks like from month to month.
Who “runs” the World Race?
The World Race is a program run by an organization called Adventures in Missions. The following is a description of who they are from their website. “Adventures in Missions is an interdenominational missions organization that focuses on discipleship. We emphasize prayer and relationships in our work amongst the poor. Since we were established in 1989, we have taken over 100,000 people into the mission field, some for as short as a week and others for as long as a year or longer. In several places around the world we minister year-round to “the least of these.” We believe that by giving people the opportunity to hold orphans, bring hope to the hopeless, and pray for the sick, lives are transformed. We seek to disciple as Jesus did; our vision is that God would use us to raise up a generation of radically committed disciples of Jesus Christ.”
How many people have gone in the World Race?
Since the first World Race in 2006 the World Race has exponentially gown and expanded. As of January 2016, over 3,600 Racers have said “Yes” to the Lord to experience this journey.
Where are you going?
My route is called the Expedition Route. It specifically is focused on the 10/40 Window, the most unreached area in the World for the Gospel. Because of the sensitivity of these areas, we are not allowed to post the countries where we will be anywhere publicly (online, etc.). But if you support me in any way, I can let you know face to face where we will be!
When will you go?
We will be launching in early January, 2017!
What does the World Race cost?
Each “route” (itinerary for each squad of Racers) has a different cost due to the specific travel needed within each route. My route specifically is called the “Expedition Route”. My total cost is $17,617.
What does that cost cover?
That total of $17,617 for my route covers all my air, land and sea travel, food, lodging, and insurance for the entire 11 months. But it does not cover the gear I need for the trip, the vaccinations/medications I will need, personal spending money, or my travel within the US to training camp/launch before the race begins.
How are you going to raise those funds?
Fundraisers and Support Letters!! I am responsible to raise my own support, through reaching people like you reading this right now! And to be super honest, I have no idea how I’m going to raise $17,617, but the Lord does! And I would be honored to have you on my team and support me in this incredible journey the Lord has waiting for me.
Do you have to have all the funds raised before you leave?
What an excellent question, if I don’t say so myself! I have deadlines I have to meet in fundraising, but I will be allowed to fundraise on the field! My first deadline is September 23rd, I need to have raised $5,000 total by then. My second deadline is December 16th, I need to have met the $10,000 goal. My third financial deadline is February 28th 2017, I’ll already be in the field, but I need to meet my $13,000 goal by that date. My last deadline is April 30th, 2017, I need to be fully funded by then!
How do I donate if I want to?
There are a few ways you can donate. If you are a part of Cedaredge Assembly of God, you can mark your donation with a note in the regular offering (anything saying, Eric’s World Race, Pastor Eric, etc.) and it will be sent to my Adventures in Missions account by CAG. If you want to give online, there are several links here on this blog to do so! Also you can mail a check directly to Adventures in Missions (they do not accept cash in the mail). You can mark your check with my name and send it to Adventures in Missions at their P.O. Box 742570, Atlanta, GA 30374-2570. There is a form at the bottom of my support letter with the address and instructions if you would like to use that as well. My support letter can be found here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/24627900/Regular%20size%20WR%20Support%20Letter%20Combined.pdf
Can I give monthly?
Yes, you can choose to give monthly or a one time gift.
If I give monthly, how long will that last?
As long as you want it to. But remember I have to be fully funded by April 2017. So from now (August 2016) that’s 9 months that I will receive support from you.
What if you exceed your goal?
If I am given support that exceeds my goal of $17,617, those funds to go the Adventures in Missions General Fund. I will not see those funds in any way. I will be in contact with all my givers frequently to alert them when I am in need, and when I am not, as to not let this overflow happen.
Will I receive tax deductions for donations?
Upon the close of each calendar year, Adventures sends donors an annual giving statement confirming tax deductibility in the U.S. Deductibility varies for other countries outside the U.S. and therefore it is the responsibility of any international donor to consult with their tax advisor as to the deductibility of their donation. Adventures is not incorporated in any country other than the U.S.
What other ways can you use support?
Prayer. That’s the big one. We will be traveling to some very sensitive areas and we need to be covered in prayer. Please partner with us daily! I also need to purchase gear for this trip. I have most of the big items, but I need help getting the rest of the gear I will need for this adventure. I have an Amazon list of items I need found here (https://amzn.com/w/X9S78GW0ZZGF). Also if you have a piece of gear that fills a role on that list, please let me know! I would love to use it if you would let me!
Ok now that we have most of the general questions out of the way, I will move on to more specific questions I have been asked.
Where are you going to be staying in each country?
It will be different in every country we visit. Sometimes at a missionaries house, or at a church. Maybe we will stay at a families house who donated space, at an orphanage, or possibly even outside! It will look very different from month to month.
What can you bring with you?
We are very limited on space and must be very mobile. We have been instructed to bring a 60-70L backpack and a day pack. Yes, we will be living out of our backpacks for almost an entire year! And of course I am going to work out a way to bring a travel guitar haha.
Will you be able to keep in touch when you are in the field?
Yes. Most of the places we will be visiting we will have access to some form of internet. I will be continuing to blog from the field as we go on this journey. I would also encourage you to go check out the blogs from Racers already in the field on the World Race website (https://www.worldrace.org/?tab=blogs&subtab=top). It’s so incredible to read about what God is doing right now!
Where will you be in the meantime?
I am currently in Colorado and will be for a little while longer. Sometime close to October, I will be moving back to Utah to spend time with my family and fundraise before I leave in early January.
Would you meet with me to talk about this more?
YES! Please let me know if you would like to meet up and talk about the World Race. I’ll even buy you lunch/coffee!
