I hope this letter finds you well, I am writing to update you on my life here in Virginia! I had a fantastic summer working, spending time with friends, and getting more involved in the Rock (Junior High ministry at my church). In July I went to Alaska with my parents, and when I got back I was feeling antsy and unsettled. I wasn’t immediately able to identify what was, so I started praying about the feeling, and through conversations with a good friend, I was led to the World Race.
You are probably wondering, “What is The World Race?” The simple answer is 11 countries in 11 months. It is a mission trip to serve the poor and forgotten of the world while living among real and raw community. I will be leaving July 2014 and returning May 2015, traveling to Swaziland, South Africa, Botswana, Estonia, Latvia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Racers usually work with children, women, widows, trafficking victims, and babies dying of AIDS. We will work alongside men and women who are already serving these communities, teaching adults, playing with children, building homes and facilities, running community health events, feeding orphans, visiting lepers and hospitals, rescuing women and children from prostitution, preventing children from being sold into slavery, encouraging those men and women who do this day in and day out, and, most importantly, witnessing and preaching the saving name of Jesus Christ to those we come in contact with.
For the past nine months, God has been laying missions on my heart. At first, my thoughts were that would be so amazing to go and serve those less fortunate than myself. In April I met a children’s choir from the Philippines who were touring the United States with International Care Ministries. I was able to spend some time with these kids and learn about their lives back home. They had the most beautiful spirits I have ever seen; they had a joy and a happiness that could only come from God. I continued to make excuses to not heed God’s call to missions, saying, “I don’t have time to go because I don’t get enough time off of work,” but I was really just being selfish with my time. After returning from vacation, praying about what I was being called to do, and learning more about the World Race, I knew I couldn’t make excuses anymore.
“butemptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:7-11.
For this reason I go. I go to share the saving grace of Jesus Christ with a lost and broken world.
I am so grateful for this opportunity that God has given me, and I have every confidence that He will provide for my needs! Ultimately, my prayer is that He will do that through you. I am writing to you to ask if you would consider partnering prayerfully and financially with me in my ministry. In order to go on the World Race I must raise $15,500, which covers all of my expenses on the field. In addition to my field expenses, I have medical insurance ($785), as well as the cost of travel to and from training camp and to and from launch. To raise this money I am asking for your help. Would you prayerfully consider financially supporting me – in essence sending me – to the places in the world that seem hopeless?
To make a tax-deductible donation online, you may do so by visiting my blog site (amandapatchin.theworldrace.org). Just click the “Support Me” link in the upper left side of the page and complete your donation as instructed, you can make a recurring monthly or a one-time only donation. If you prefer to support me by contributing to gear or travel to and from launch and training camp, VISA or MasterCard gift cards would be the most beneficial for those expenses.
I want to stay in touch with you before I leave and while I am gone. The first way is by phone, my number is 208.830.6362 and you are more than welcome to call me about anything until I launch in July. You can email me at [email protected]. Lastly, you can keep up with me through my blog, amandapatchin.theworldrace.org. On the left hand side is a subscribe box where you can enter your email and be notified every time I make a new post. I will update you periodically until I launch and as often as possible while in the field. However, due to lack of electricity/internet connection in some countries, posts may be sporadic. Be warned. J
I am so excited to see how God will move in my life and in the lives of others in the coming year. None of this would be possible without you, and I can’t wait to share the stories of lives radically transformed. I want to thank you in advance for your prayers and financial support. May God bless you as you prayerfully consider partnering with me in this ministry.
Joyfully!
