Today I turn another year older and I actually know I’m growing wiser, bolder, less fearful and more loving this year. Whoa. Although I’m fighting have a quarter-life-crisis and doing something “un-Alison” like getting a tattoo I’ve enjoyed celebrating my birthday in the wonderful country of South Africa with the greatest team ever and some of our wonderful squad-mates.
Since it's my birthday I want to draw attention to the fact that I’m FULLY FUNDED! Hallelujah. Unfortunately most of my teammates are not. All of them (except Rachel) are still a ways from meeting our next deadline of $11,000 which is due in the support accounts by April 1. If they do not have this money they will be sent home and selfishly I really can’t handle that because I’m attached and these people have spoken so much life into me during the last two months that I seriously need them to continue this journey. I truly believe God's called them to this race and they need to finish it. When I left training camp in October I was doubting my team and why God placed me with them. I thought we were a strange mix, I was intimidated, I wasn't sure what our roles would be or if we would even get along. I'm so thankful that God knows us and knows what we need to grow better than we do. My team has become a safe place for me to be myself and to continue to grow into the woman of God that I am. We are very different and diverse people [and we know it and love it] but we love hard and we want God's best for each other. And it helps that we laugh all the time together… they even let me cry in front of them occasionally. 😉
I am so grateful for the financial and spiritual support I've received from home and I would love for my teammates to also experience this blessing from y'all.
In lieu of my 25th birthday I'd love for you to donate at least $25 to one or each of their accounts! Please pray about who to support and to donate online just click on their blog and click the support me tab on the left side-bar. Shoot me a quick email/facebook/blog comment and let me know if you have donated or if you have any questions so they can keep track of their balances over the next few weeks.
Soft drumroll please…
Presenting The Less Than's
“He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30
(us with our wonderful squad leader Renee!)
Jon Dundore…
needs $2,000 by April 1 [$6,500 to be fully funded]
Our fearless, laid back, loving team leader gently guides us through this journey with wisdom, the right amount of healthy sarcasm and great hair. Jon enjoys playing his guitar, toothpicks, the color red, and sharing his ipod with me. He has an inquisitive spirit and challenges our team to dig deeper into the word. Jon is honest, intentional, encouraging and willingly being shaped into a greater man of God.
Julian Williams
…needs $1,500 by April 1 [$6,000 to be fully funded]
I could only write one word here: JOY. The moment Julian walks into a room he brings positivity and he shines with a joy that can only come from knowing the Lord personally. Julian is a fantastic listener, prayer warrior, and friend. He enjoys movies, catch phrase, Peri-peri sauce, high fives, and long discussions. Julian honors others and shares wisdom with our team on a daily basis. He's a protector and naturally fills a big brother role for our whole team.
January Jessica [IcecreamSUNday] Sun-Kim
…needs $4,000 by April 1 [$8,500 to be fully funded]
Sunny seriously brings sunshine to my life on a daily basis. Her presence simply equals peace and happiness to our team. She cares about others and is pursuing God hardcore with powerful prayers. Her voice is soothing, beautiful, and speaks life into others. January enjoys art [she's legit at it], exploring, creating, new foods, and laughing at me. Sunny is sweet, logical, honest, comforting, and bold at the same time and I tell her all the time that I love her because I really do!
Christina [CiCi] Garcia
…needs $4,000 by April 1 [$8,500 to be fully funded]
My sweet, passionate, loving Christina. This girl cracks me up and surprises me everyday. She loves God's word and is always willing to share encouraging or challenging verses with us. CiCi enjoys cooking for us (okay, maybe we enjoy it more than she does), giggling late at night with or at me, hypothetical feedback sessions and the new Star Trek movie. She loves people hard, has a true heart for missions and has grown so much in her identity as a daughter of God during the last few months. She inspires me to live boldly and dream big dreams.
Rachel [Rae-Rae] Barnette
…has met our next deadline [and is very close to being fully funded. praise!]
I love Rachel like a sister – we've been through a lot together already. She's pursuing God and each of us so hard and has a testimony that still amazes me. Our team jokes about her having a 24/next day relationship with God because anytime she verbalizes that she either doesn't have/want/understand anything God brings her to it and through it the very next day. We joke but it's really inspiring and challenging. Rachel enjoys running, cooking, soy lattes, writing, her early bedtime, and not letting me get by with any negative thinking. She no longer intimidates me with her tattoos and confidence and I am thankful everyday for her smile, listening ear, and passion for life.
Thank you!
www.jondundore.theworldrace.org
www.julianwilliams.theworldrace.org
www.jessicasunkim.theworldrace.org
www.christinagarcia.theworldrace.org
www.rachelbarnette.theworldrace.org
