Below is a copy of the support letter I sent out to those who I asked to partner with me. I am making it public so that others can know a little more about my story, my trip, and how to partner with me. If you feel lead to give, there is a donate button on this page! Thank you so much for reading:)
Dear Reader,
For the past few years, I’ve been studying at The University of the Cumberlands with a major in Psychology and a minor in Church Music and Worship. I am also a volunteer worship leader at The Creek Church in London, KY where my passions for music and being in the presence of the Lord get to combine. As a student, I have quite a large amount of freedom during my summers. I have used that time to either go on mission trips or work for organizations that spread love, the gospel, and help children. Last summer I worked for Operation UNITE/Camp UNITE as an intern putting together a youth camp for those affected by drugs and other harsh conditions. This summer I had the opportunity to work at WinShape Camps where I was a counselor for high school girls. I had the joy of listening to them, talking with them about life and Jesus, and being a vessel for the Lord to work through. I also spent part of a summer in Uganda and Kenya, missioning, caring for orphans, and building relationships with the people of those countries. With each summer and new position, I’ve found God continuing to show me how much this world needs to know the love of a Savior. Every step has pushed me deeper into the thought process of, “I know what it feels like to not know love. I know it is impossible to live without it. There are people out there in need. I have to do something to help.”
Approaching the unknown territory of what happens after graduation (yikes), I began to wonder where God would call me. I say wonder, but I actually mean stress out. Knowing God was a God of peace, I began to realize none of my options seemed to align with what the Lord had been asking of me. No job, place to live, or next degree felt like what I was being called to. Rather, I constantly felt God asking me tocome away and just be with Him. I knew He would show me if I would just rest, rather than frantically try to figure it out on my own. After a long night, which led me to deciding that what would happen after graduation was in the Lord’s hands, the World Race popped up on my radar. I had been considering taking a few short mission trips before going back for a graduate degree, but this seemed like an even better opportunity. As soon as I saw the option, I felt not only interest and excitement for missions and travel, but peace and a purpose. I investigated for weeks—going back and forth between excitement, wonder, and fear. Then, one Sunday morning, I felt God tell me quite literally to “step out of the boat”. After learning more about the organization “Adventure in Missions” and the mission’s program, I felt that God was calling me to serve with AIM on The World Race.
The World Race is an 11 month Christian mission trip to 11 countries around the world. One of the unique things about the World Race is that it’s not only a mission trip but also a thorough discipleship program designed to launch my generation into our specific kingdom calling. Through the World Race, my team and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the restorative hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations. I know I can’t do all of these things alone. Rather, I believe God will use me as a vessel to speak my story of love and grace. Realizing how much there is in the world that breaks my heart, I found God asking me, a broken person herself, to do something about it. There is no difference made when you just see the hurt but do nothing to help. I am excited to watch God work in large ways and for the opportunity to be a part of that by effecting change along the way. I know He wants to use this year to strengthen my relationship with and reliance on Him. He will use me and my team to relay His love, goodness, and grace to nations outside of our own, and I know I will experience spiritual growth beyond what I can even imagine.
I will face many challenges all throughout the World Race, but as I prepare for my departure, one of my greatest challenges is my financial support. As with most other missions’ organizations, World Race participants are required to fundraise financial support. In order to leave fully funded on January 3rd, I need to raise $18,200. This money will cover all of my field expenses for the 11 months of the trip. As I took this large step of faith in trusting the Lord, I knew I would need to swallow my pride, reach out, and ask people who have supported me throughout my life to help me with this daunting task. I would never be able to do this alone, but I feel God asking me to trust so that He can show off His amazing provision. I would like to ask that you prayerfully consider joining me at a $25, $50, $100 (or other amount) per month donation. While monthly donations are preferable, I understand that some may wish to make a one-time donation and those will be greatly appreciated as well. Any amount helps!
Feel free to reach out to me any time. My email is [email protected]. I strongly encourage you to subscribe to my blog at (nikkimarietta.theworldrace.org) to find out more about me and to follow my journey. This is also the easiest place to donate online. I am asking not just for financial support but for a partnership. That being said, I would love to build a stronger relationship with you as well as ask for your support through prayer. Please feel free to let me know how I can be praying for you too! Thank you for taking the time to support my mission!
Yours in Christ,
Nikki Marietta
Disclosure: 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 the participant is involved in. All contributions are non-refundable regardless of the participant’s success in completing the program.
