What is the World Race?
It’s easy to picture me matching up with a partner to solve puzzles and conquer obstacles while sprinting across the countries on the Amazing Race. Anybody want to see me on television? Yeah, me neither! 😉
While I believe it will be amazing in its own unique way, the World Race is an invitation to dedicate a year to share Him through words and actions around the world and grow with Him. Our goal on the Race is to live in authentic community while serving the nations with His love and grace for 11 months in 11 countries.
Which 11 countries?
As of now, my team’s route is:
Bosnia/Serbia (half my squad will go to Bosnia, half to Serbia), Albania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.
Will your team spend longer in one country than another?
My team will spend one month in each country. I’ll mention too that my entire squad will be split into smaller teams. Sometimes there is a ministry that our entire squad will be pouring into and out of one month but often our smaller teams are planted in various Christian ministries throughout the country.
How large is a “squad”? What IS a “squad”?
Ever seen those movies where ‘Eye of the Tiger’ is playing and a huge group of people walk close together in slow motion looking impeccable? That’s a squad. Okay, totally kidding!
A squad on the World Race runs 35-55 people ages 21-35. The smaller teams we merge into are about 6-8 people. In these groups, we serve, pray, and together represent the church in the ministries we are united with in each country.
Is this mission work impactful and worthwhile? Some see a month as not much time at all.
I know there is a lot of debate out there about how long is long enough to make an impact. I personally believe I shouldn’t limit God’s movement in the world! I enjoy the idea of building long-term relationships during each month. On top of that, I also know God could have us meet one person briefly and He has the ability to sweep them off their feet.
As well, the organization Adventures in Missions who offers the World Race sustains long-term partnerships with the ministries in each country. Adventures in Missions gauges the ministries in need and connects our teams to those ministries. There even could possibly be route changes because of this – AIM truly stands by sending us to the most needy, darkest, hopeless places first in each country. We will meet needs but also equip some ministries for the future even after we leave. Also, many of these ministries have a team from the World Race almost each month but I’ll also say sometimes Adventures in Missions sends us to new ministry sites to begin a new partnership.
What kind of ministries will you be pouring into?
We won’t know specific details until after Training Camp (10 day squad/team preparation) which is in August! Here are some examples of types of formal, planned ministries that teams are a part of right now:
-Vacation Bible Schools or sports camps in the communities
-Building relationships with sex trafficking victims
-Praying over the sick and serving in under resourced hospitals
-Volunteering in refugee camps
-Teaching English as a foreign language in schools
-Serving in local orphanages loving on the sweet kiddos
And many more. It makes me incredibly excited to see where God takes our team and what people He will have us encounter! There are numerous ministries across the globe I cannot wait to come alongside.
Will you be able to explore and see the country?
Each week we officially get one day off to rest and also run around the country to explore if we want to. Sometimes our ministry hosts will want to share their home and culture with us as well and present opportunities to do so. The rest of the time though we will be deep within our ministries giving love, words, truth, grace, our gifts – everything God has given and will give to us.
When do you leave?
October 6th or 7th, 2017
Will you be home for the holidays?
I only will come home if something happens that is an emergency. So, let’s hope you won’t be seeing me for 11 months! Currently, I’ll be having my first Christmas in Africa.
That’s a big number, $17,617. That’s like my daughter’s first year tuition at college. Are you worried about that?
That intimidating, mocking number has been a huge reason I’ve hesitated on deciding on the World Race. This is also a tough place for me to rely on God. I also have trouble asking people for help or sharing with others how this kind of support can enrich their own relationship with God. That it’s so much more than about what is green. That’s tough to find all those words without sounding pushy instead of exactly how I want to come off – genuine and inviting.
All in all, I cannot do this alone! Any angle I look at that number, I cannot see a way without scooching close to God for provision and to others wanting to join in the good that is happening around the world outside the U.S. Talking about money can be awkward but I trust there will be people that want to join in!
It makes that number look less scary by breaking it down with a team of supporters in mind. If 32 people chose to offer $50 a month for 11 months for example, I’d be fully funded.
What does the amount cover?
The breakdown brought necessary perspective to me! The funds raised cover my food/meals, lodging, air, land, and sea travel. It also covers administrative, set up, coaching, debrief, and training costs. The final goals amount also includes the cost of a required MissionSafe medical insurance plan ($917) and Project Searchlight (post-World Race team gathering) fee ($200).
The total cost does not include my personal spending money, travel to training camp, travel to the start point in Atlanta on October 6th or 7th, return travel home from a major U.S. city at the conclusion of the Race, and vaccinations.
If you would like further breakdown with fun percentages and down-to-the-tee dollar amounts let me know! I want you to be completely aware and comfortable with where your money is going if you’re curious.
Can I just give once and not be a monthly supporter?
Yes, I will be grateful for $2.50 to a thousand. ANY gift is a blessing!
Some have apologized to me that what they have to give they view as a “small” amount. No, siree. It means everything. Don’t feel like you have nothing to offer! Also, scroll to the bottom to find more ways to support other than financially.
What do you mean by family of supporters?
It means this is more than each of us. I don’t only want to be the one thought of. I want to invest in, pray for, and encourage you too.
When are your financial deadlines?
$5,000 – Due 7/21/2017 (Fundraising Goal 1)
$10,000 – Due 9/22/2017 (Fundraising Goal 2)
$13,000 – Due 11/30/2017 (Fundraising Goal 3)
$17,617 – Due 1/31/2018 (Fundraising Goal 4)
Do the funds I donate go to your whole team or to you individually?
Yes and yes. This is a little tricky to explain I’ve learned! But what happens is when you or someone else donates, it is a donation to the entire organization’s missions fund. Then the money is pulled from that pool to cover my trip costs. The best way I look at it is that the amount I have to raise is my part to be responsible for to be able to go and the funds I raise cover my participation. If I wasn’t a part of going, that would be one less mouth to feed or one less airline ticket for example. So, yes, it does technically go to me! 🙂
What if the funds are not raised?
If this happens, I will defer to a later launch date (January ‘18) with a different squad and different route. My hope is to launch though with my current squad on current route in October 2017!
Are you going to be toting around a 5-piece luggage set? Where will you sleep?!
We’ll be living as our hosts live. This means the conditions I’ll be in daily could be sweltering hot, insect-infested, and include cold bucket showers. Other times we may live in better conditions depending on the ministry and place we go that month. Our living situation such as where we sleep also depends on our ministry hosts!
I can 100% tell you that I am required to fit all my belongings in one backpacking pack and one day pack which is similar to a backpack. An idea of what I’ll bring – sleeping pad, tent, sleeping bag, some clothes, laptop or some device to blog with, camera, journals, Bible, personal hygiene items, personal spending money etc.
Will we get to hear the stories of what is happening?
Absolutely! I will keep my blog updated while I am gone for the year. I want you to know how your support mattered.
Why are you doing this?
This is the next part of the story. After my plans got dismantled and there was hurt and pain not too long ago, this is what comes next is dedicating a year to Christ within international missions. God has pressed in and caused my heart to burn as I’ve considered this and, honestly, I ignored Him at first. But that didn’t last for long and I am restless to go and tell about Him and His kingdom. To share about Him in my life but also to hear other’s stories whether they already include Him or not. I want to do what I long to do here which is come alongside people and introduce Christ to their story or invite Him back into their stories. I also want to be a voice to these narratives and share them with you all!
This part I so want you to hear too…
My hope is to be sent on behalf of YOU. That you would want to send me. I understand I am going to be traveling in beautiful places but the men, women, and children that I will encounter will have physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. We are going to tough locations in these countries, not the most luxurious. I believe the Lord wants to desperately touch the lives my team connects with and I pray that while not all reading this may be in a position to go overseas on missions for a year, I hope that you all will send me. When I go, I’m praying that the Spirit within me, within all followers of Jesus, would explode throughout the ministries we are partnered with.
I want to be on your team too. How can I get on board?
YES! There are countless positions to play and I’m stoked to share this with you!
Give Prayer
I cannot tell you how much prayers will mean! A few ideas of what will need covered in prayer is my squad/team, people we will meet, preparation, God’s work around the world, reliance on God, willingness to let go of control, etc.
Give Connection
There may be people you know that you think would like to hear about this or would also want to join the family of supporters. If your friends, family, church, people come to mind, I would be so appreciative if you passed along information to them! I’ll speak in front of your church, have coffee with your friends, or simply call or send your people a letter! Some dear people have shared my story with others and that floors me.
Give Encouragement
Like you, I get weary sometimes. I can feel down and sometimes I start to doubt if I should go. When others come in and encourage me that this IS the way I should go and that God is with me for example, that makes my heart full. It keeps me remembering exactly what I should be remembering.
Give Financially
Practically, I cannot be sent without the funds raised. There are several ways you can support me!
Online with Credit/Debit Cards: Click the ‘Donate!’ tab at the top of this page. Can mark one-time, monthly, etc.
Check by Mail: Payable to Adventures in Missions. Write ‘Ashlyn Hermann’ in memo line. Send to P.O. Box 742570 Atlanta, GA 30374-2570. Only one check can go in each envelope!
Dynapay: Donation withdrawn directly from bank account of your choice. This is only possible for monthly givers.
Go to Adventure’s Dynapay web address: https://www.adventures.org/dynapay
Write ‘Ashlyn Hermann’ in person to support box on dynapay form.
Thank you so much, friends.
