To my wonderful friends and ever loving family,
As some of you may already know, I feel that God has called me to participate in a unique opportunity after graduation. I have been accepted and have committed to spending a year overseas with a mission program called the World Race. Adventures in Missions is an established, non-profit ministry organization that has been sending out over 100,000 missionaries into the field since it was founded in 1989. Adventures runs many programs, and the World Race is just one of them! The World Race is an 11-month mission trip where “racers” travel to a different country each month. As stated on their website, “The World Race is a stretching journey to serve ‘the least of these’ while amongst real and raw community. This unique mission trip is a challenging adventure for young adults to abandon worldly possessions and a traditional lifestyle in exchange for an understanding that it’s not about you; it’s about the Kingdom.”
One big part of this trip is how racers pack. I will be packing everything I need for the year in a hiking backpack and small daypack, and I will be living off of only the things that will fit inside (excluding food). In addition, racers are required to pack a small tent and sleeping bag to use for the months when beds are not available. I appreciate this minimalist approach, even though it will be such a growing experience for me!
Since I have applied for Route One, my squad will be launching this upcoming August (2017) and will return next July (2018). While in each of the eleven countries, my team will be partnering with local churches and communities to serve in any areas of need. The spirit of this trip is sharing the love of God and the good news of the Gospel through every avenue available. Route One includes the following countries in order, but is subject to change.
1.El Salvador
2.Guatemala
3.Honduras
4.Nicaragua
5.Cote d’Ivoire
6.Ghana
7.Nepal
8.India
9.Malaysia
10.Indonesia
11.Thailand
To read more about each country where my team will be ministering, I encourage you to follow this link https://www.worldrace.org/?tab=routes&subtab=august-2017-1. Here you’ll find my route clarified with statistics as well as pictures and videos. In the same way, https://www.worldrace.org provides countless resources where you can learn more!
You may be wondering how I learned about his unique opportunity. I actually happened upon the WR website when I was searching for a spring break mission opportunity my freshmen year at Auburn. I was immediately enthralled by the idea and would find myself daydreaming about going. When I was young I would always love attending Covenant’s mission conference. Listening to missionaries share their experiences greatly deepened my heart for missions. Going to Nicaragua on Briarwood’s spring break trip, and traveling to an orphanage in Honduras my freshmen year were two of the best weeks of my life. On each trip I found myself thinking, “I wish I could think about the gospel this much every day of my life”.
As college continued and I found myself in a relationship, thoughts of the WR possibility faded, but it was always in the back of my mind. Junior year rolled around and I was beginning to think about what lay ahead after graduation. Since then, the Lord has truly multiplied my desire to participate in this mission, and I am so excited that it is finally becoming a reality. I am so thankful and excited for this opportunity! God has placed it on my heart to fulfill the Great Commission – to go and make disciples of all nations. I want step into the live that Jesus died for me to live, and I feel that this mission will help me accomplish this goal. I want my words and actions to reflect the heart of our Savior. I desire to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and share the good news with those who have yet to hear it. On the World Race I will get to live this way.
So here’s where you guys come in. There are two pretty hefty goals that I must reach as I prepare mentally and physically for this mission, and your help is essential. The primary goal is to develop a support team – a group of individuals who are dedicated to praying for this next year of my life. If nothing else, I would be so honored if you would partner with me in prayer. In so many of Paul’s letters in the New Testament he calls upon churches to pray for his God-given mission. The power of prayer is astounding, as well as vital to this undertaking. Throughout my research of the World Race I have read countless blogs from previous racers, so I know that this journey WILL BE DIFFICULT. This experience is going to stretch me in every way possible as I travel as a modern day disciple, taking only the belongings I can carry on my back. I will need prayer warriors to fight with me against the devil’s lies when they surely threaten my hope and peace. In the same way, I need you to partner with me in praying for my team, my squad, and ultimately all the individuals that the Lord places in my path for me to love and serve. If you would in fact like to partner with me prayerfully, please send me an email ([email protected]) and I will send you prayer updates over the course of my race.
The second goal as I prepare to launch this August is fundraising. If I’m being real honest, I’ve been procrastinating instead of writing this support letter for over two weeks now. It truly makes me nervous and uncomfortable reaching out for help financially. I know God has placed this desire deep in my heart, but I have struggled with not wanting to raise support. It’s the necessary evil for anyone who wants to commit their life to the work of the Lord, and I respect and can identify with those who have “gone into the ministry” now more than ever. Seth Barnes, the founder of the World Race, shared something about fundraising that stood out to me. He said, “God kind of uses things that move us to a place of dependence so that we’re able to trust Him in new ways.”
I briefly considered staying in Birmingham for a year so that I could get a job and raise all the support on my own. Although it would sure make me feel better if I could be self-sufficient, I know that I would be placing all of my trust in my own ability to provide rather than relying on the Lord as well. The Lord showed me that if I funded myself completely I would be lacking a committed community, as well as possibly taking away an opportunity for someone else to honor God in their giving and investing in the kingdom. I still intend to work this summer to raise a good bit of support, but no longer feel the intense pressure to do this all on my own. I am confident that God will use fundraising as a tool to draw me closer to Himself.
Financial Support Details
Financial support can be given as a one-time gift or as a monthly donation.
There are several ways to donate to my trip:
1. Send a check made out to Adventures in Missions – P.O. Box 742570 Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
a. If sending a check, make sure to include my name in the memo line
2. The quickest and easiest way to donate is online!
a. Click the “Donate!” button on the left column or the orange rectangle at the top of of my blog page
b. Dynapay is a great option as well – *this is an automated, recurring donation*
i. Go to http://www.adventures.org/dynapay to sign up
ii. This option is great for monthly donors because it takes money out automatically when you set a start and end date (monthly donations may begin as soon as possible and go through November 2017 – the final deadline for support).
Note:
• ALL donations are tax-deductible
• Since Adventures in Missions is a non-profit, they must abide by the terms that say donations are non-refundable. This means if I reach my goal or if there is a major life event (thinking health) to where I cannot participate in the race, then all of my donations will still fund this same trip.
Due 5/15/2017 (Fundraising Goal 1) = $5,000 raised
Due 7/21/2017 (Fundraising Goal 2) = $10,000 raised
Due 9/30/2017 (Fundraising Goal 3) = $13,000 raised
Due 11/30/2017 (Fundraising Goal 4) = $17,617 TOTAL support due
If you would like to simply partner with me through prayer and receive updates, shoot me an email ([email protected]) and I will add you to my list! If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to ask. I am so thankful for your consideration, and am grateful that the Lord has placed you in my life.
With love,
Julia
