I currently have over a $1000 in my support account. Thank you to all of those that have invested in me thus far. And I hope you will continue to partner with me in prayer. For those that wisht to partner with me more specifically in prayer, please contact me : )
Dear…
And next year, I hope to have a similar heart. Because as of right now, I believe I will be serving the Lord in Cambodia next December. Yes, a Cambodian Christmas. I will leave the U.S. this coming July for eleven months. And I will travel to eleven countries. It is a missions trip organized by Adventures in Missions (AIM) based out of Georgia, called the World Race. Do not confuse the World Race (WR) with the television show, the Amazing Race. Although it had a race element when it initially started in 2006, the WR is not a race. It is a missions trip that sends out squads of 50 – 60, 20-30 year olds to join in ministry around the world. Each squad is broken up into six to seven person teams that travel to eleven countries in eleven months. In each country, the teams partner with ministries that are already founded and assist in whatever ways the organization needs. Previous squads have helped maintain summer camps and perform simple construction, partnered in door-to-door evangelism, worked with anti-sex trafficking organizations, ministered in hospitals and preached. I do not know if I will be using my nursing skills in a formal setting but hope that the knowledge comes in handy at some point.
I typically will not be certain of what kind of ministry I will be doing until I get into the country and even then, it can change. The beauty, I believe of this design for a missions trip is that it is short term missions for the Racers, staying a short time in each country, but the organizations that we partner with receive somewhat long term help because teams are often traveling to the same areas as AIM sends out an average of twelve new squads each year. As of now, though subject to change, I will be traveling to the following countries: Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.
I first heard about the Race about four years ago, and wrote it off as a cool idea, but not one for me. I had plans in place to get my nursing career going and I also had plans that did not ever include living out of a backpack for a year. But the Lord has been moving in my life and breaking me of so many things and in 2011, He made it clear that this trip is His plan for me. *
You may remember and may have even supported me on a previous mission trip I was able to take to the Republic of Congo in 2010. *+ God used that trip in so many ways in my life, and I know He continues to do so. Like most profound events in life, understanding and lessons continue to grow, for years to come, beyond the event. I expect the Congo trip to continue to shape who I am for years to come. And I am expecting that this trip, too, will shatter my world while enhancing it in so many ways.
I will be changed and know from friends that have already been on it, that it will likely be the best worst year of my life. And I am looking forward to it, mostly with excitement. Some days I dread leaving for such a long time and fear all that I am leaving and everyone that I will miss. But, I believe that this is what God is asking of me, and I look forward to relishing in fond memories of past Christmases while making new ones somewhere in Cambodia.
Know I cannot do this alone. I need you. I need you to partner with me in prayer; heavy, heavy prayer for my team and the other teams, for unity and strength and for the capacity to grow with all that He desires to teach us. Please pray for safety and health. Pray that we seek God in all things first. Pray for finances. Pray for the preparation. Pray for my mom J and so many things. Prayer is what makes this possible. And, I would ask that you would partner with me and pray for this trip. Stop reading; pray now!
I also need to you to partner with me in financial support. The trip is a bundle. One that triggers a laugh from some, and I would have been one of them. But I have heard stories of anonymous donations, of miracle amounts and of the sacrificial giving from children’s piggy banks. God is able, and has no limitations. He is the ultimate provider and in knowing that this is what He is asking of my life, I have no doubt that He will bring in the necessary $15,500 for the trip and then some for the supplies, insurance and vaccines. Every little bit helps. Whether it is a onetime donation, monthly support or a promise of a penny, I can assure it is appreciated. I am including information about how you can send your financial love in this letter, as well as how you can help online. If you would like to help in purchasing gear/necessary supplies, please follow my blog and I will keep you posted.
That brings me to my next subject, some of you may have just rolled your eyes at my mention of a blog. And some of you rightly so, my last trip was only a journal log until very recently when I began organizing my thoughts better and posting them online. :: sweetlybroken03.wordpress.com :: +
This trip will be very different. Adventures in Missions places high value on the importance of sharing our stories while serving overseas, largely because it keeps those at home that are supporting me informed and also because there is power in sharing testimony of all that God is doing in our lives as missionaries. I have a blog and have posted already and will continue to keep you updated. In some months on the field, we will have limited internet access, but I can reassure you that blogs will be waiting for you when I am able to get back online.
You can follow my blog here. A subscription box is found on the left hand side to receive e-mail updates for when I post. :: amandamcconnell.theworldrace.org :: *I share more of my heart and things that God has brought me through and is teaching me, so I would love for you to read them and feel connected with the passion behind this trip.
I would love to talk with you or communicate more with you about this trip and ask that you prayerfully consider supporting me throughout the next year. Please do not hesitate to e-mail, comment on blogs or call.
Thank you so much for your time and I hope and pray that you have a blessed Christmastime.
God Bless,
Amanda
