Family, Friends, Colleagues, and Peers,
I am proud to announce my acceptance to the World Race Global Mission Trip. Following my graduation from Texas A&M University (Whoop!) in December, I will set out for Indonesia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Bosnia, Kosovo, Romania, South Africa, Lesotho and Mozambique. Obviously you may have a few questions like “Why is Coleman doing this?” “How is he going to make a difference?” “Why should I be interested?” Allow me to explain.
From 12 January until 1 November 2018, I will have the opportunity to partner with mission organizations, churches, and non-profits across the world in a variety of ways. Each country has endemic problems that local ministries are using as vectors for delivering the Gospel to local populations. For example, Southeast Asian ministries are heavily involved in rescuing girls from sex-trafficking, while Eastern European countries suffering from poverty and decades of anti-Christian Communist ideological influence are in need of evangelical outreach. Serving for brief periods of time in multiple countries allows us to circumvent the visa process that most long-term missionaries have to go through. Most of the time we will be living out of our backpack (#eaglescout)!
Such a drastic decision deserves an adequate explanation for my loved ones:
Service has always been a huge part of my life goals. Once upon a time, I wanted to serve overseas in the United States military. In high school, I fought with everything I had to get into the Air Force Academy. My heart condition gave the Department of Defense sufficient reason to deny me any chance of following that dream, and I watched as the door closed on my first attempt to pursue service abroad.
In spite of that setback, I found myself determined to serve overseas as a physician. As of now, I’ve been looking at World Medical Mission, Doctors Without Borders, or Global Medical Staffing. Serving in this capacity requires a lifestyle overhaul. Often, I find myself worrying if I have what it takes to fulfill that mission.
Closing in on medical school, it occurred to me that upon entering medical school, I will be tied down to school and residency for approximately 9 years. In 2027, there are myriad ways in which my life could be different. By spending this year challenging my faith, my spirit, and my goals in life, I hope to gain enough experience in the field that I can better understand my abilities abroad before I continue my education and pursuit of becoming a “missionary” doctor. Worst case scenario: I will totally be sharing the Gospel with those who need it or displaying Christ’s love to those who haven’t seen it.
There is absolutely no way that I would even be contemplating this trip without a tremendous amount of prayer, reflection, and good ol’ fashioned cost-benefit analysis. God has been present throughout this entire phase of my life in so many ways that I will write several blog posts to fully cover His not-so-subtle leadership in my life. I like to say that if I avoid this mission trip any further I will probably be swallowed by a whale.
In any event, there will be plenty more opportunities for me to share my journey with those of you who aren’t already bored to death with this letter on my blog!
Now that you’re all caught up on the How/Why part of this letter, I’ll transition into the “Why should I care?” part. If you’ve read this far, it hopefully means that you like me enough to consider partnering with me as I attempt to “run with endurance the race that is set before me.” This can be done through prayer, letters of encouragement, buying a t-shirt, commenting on my blog while I’m homesick in Cambodia or Romania, donating supplies (I’ll be living out of a backpack for 11 months folks, and I might need some shoelaces or fresh mixtapes), or financial contributions. Fun fact: you can do as many of these options as you’d like!
Fundraising:
- Total Fundraising Goal: $17,400.00 It comes out to about $400 a week to pay for all of that travel, food, lodging, and equipment. The secret is eating lots of rice and beans. That’s a pretty good price for supporting your very own missionary! If you give $400, I’ll dedicate one week to you on my blog.
- 100% of donations will go towards supporting my mission trip.
- You can do a monthly thing too if that floats your boat.
- Donations can be made online through my site colemanbeddingfield.theworldrace.org or you can send checks. CLICK THE DONATE BUTTON.
Send Checks to:
Coleman Beddingfield Adventures in Missions
104 Willowbrook Dr. OR P.O. Box 742570
Waxahachie, TX 75165 Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
On a final note, I am very much aware of the risks that I will be taking on this trip. Trust me, I have heard every opinion from every angle. The truth is that no matter how righteous the cause, how honorable the endeavor, or how logical the pursuit, I am terrified. A great deal of courage is required every day to continue down this path, and my sincere hope is that I would not go it alone. My faith is strong, but I need your prayers, and I need your words of encouragement. I need my community. No matter how you choose to be a part of it, please know that I am grateful for each and every one of you awesome people. You’re the wind in my sails, and wherever my life takes me I can only go with you. It takes a village, and this letter is an invitation for you to be a part of mine.
A few required notes on financial contributions:
**Adventures In Missions is a tax-exempt organization under IRS code 501(c)(3) and is a member of the ECFA. (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Due to IRS and ECFA regulations governing the administration of tax deductible donations given in support of a particular trip/program, support contributions given on behalf of an individual will be used to offset the costs of the trip/program you are involved in. All contributions are non-refundable regardless of the participant’s success in completing the program.
**There is a processing fee when you give online, so if you would rather send a check directly to Adventures in Missions or me, feel free to do so. If you make a check payable to Adventures in Missions and send it to me, I can send it to AIM.
**Make checks payable to Adventures in Missions.
**On the memo line write: “The World Race- Coleman Beddingfield”
