Today marks 27 days out. In 27 days I will board a plane to start an 11 month, 47 week, 332 day journey of a lifetime. So in just 27 short and busy days, I will have to be ready to push away life as I know it to follow Christ in a radical way. So I just wanted to give an update on where I am at on preparation, and what I am doing to prepare for January 3, 2019.
As each day passes I try to prepare myself spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I don’t think I will be ready 100% in this area because everyday is and will be different. But I can try. Each day I try to spend more time with God learning, growing, and trusting. It is definitely becoming a struggle each day because of the busy season. I just have to try and stay focused.
My to-do list of things is getting longer with each passing day but I am also able to continually check those things off each day as well. This to-do list consists of things such as purchase a plane ticket to meet up with my squad in Atlanta, Georgia, receive all vaccinations and medicine I will need for traveling across the seas, reorganize or sell my belongings, get my finances in order, and many other things, big and small.
All while doing the things I listed above, I am also trying to finalize my packing list. Did I mention I only get to take two backpacks??
Crazy, I know. It only makes packing 10 times harder! Especially when you pack a tent, sleeping bag, and a pillow. However, it is more manageable than you are probably thinking right now. I have a 65L backpack that is probably the size of most 2-3 year olds and just a normal backpack for the airplane. I can fit all the necessities and then more into my large pack, such as, clothes, shoes, toiletries, and my sleeping equipment. The only requirement is to keep the weight of the pack less than 50 pounds for flying purposes.
The last thing that is my main focus before I leave is fundraising. I do not have to be fully funded before I leave but I did reach my December 21st deadline of $10,000 early, which was a blessing. Hitting that $10,000 mark secured my place to launch in January. As of today I am about 68% funded for next year. The funds that I raise goes towards my transportation between all the different countries, lodging, food, ministry items, and so on.
My next big fundraising push is already up and running. It is called Adopt-A-Box.
Let me explain how this works. There are 100 boxes on the board and you can select one box or multiple boxes. Whatever box you select is the amount that you will donate towards the trip. For example, if you select box #47 you will then donate $47. And for a fun little surprise, I will then enter your name into a bucket for a drawing on December 25th. I will enter your name the amount of times of the number you select. For example, if you picked number #47, I would put your name into the bucket 47 times. Once you select a number I will then color in that box. If you would like to pick a box and donate, just comment at the bottom of the page or just hit the donate tab and I will be able to see the number and color it in for you. Or if you want you can always contact me through facebook.
The reason I decided to do Adopt-A-Box is because if I can get all the squares filled in, I should be about 90% funded, if not more. Plus it is an exciting visual of donating towards the mission trip that I will be going on.
I would like to thank all those who have already supported me or have selected a box already. You are all such a blessing in my heart!!
And just a quick update for those who gave me a check recently, I have mailed the checks and the organization (Adventures in Missions) should receive them within the next 2 weeks.
