With each day that comes and goes, I feel myself becoming more and more vulnerable and raw. Launch is quickly approaching. To be more exact, it is precisely 49 days, 12 hours, 41 minutes, and 16 seconds until the clock reads “January 13, 2018.” In 7 weeks, the pages of my life are going to be turned, and a new chapter will begin.
Truth be told, I feel like a train wreck. I know that isn’t what most people expect from someone going on a mission trip of this caliber, but its where I’m at right now. The deadlines feel like they are barreling at my face in a dead on sprint, and on paper, finances are saying I won’t be going on this trip. Cue the train wreck I mentioned.
As many great attributes as my character holds, there are plenty of pitfalls too. One of them is my near inability to ask for help. I take pride in being independent, so admitting that I’m incapable of doing something alone makes me feel sick-hence the vulnerable and raw part. In addition to asking God for help, I’m asking you for help too.
There are many things still needed in order to make this mission trip possible for me. Please prayerfully consider which of these ways you will be able to help support me and send me with my team.
- Monthly donations – I am building a team of monthly donors who will commit to giving each month until I am fully funded and who will partner with me in prayer throughout my race.
- One-time donations – These donations, in addition to monthly donations, are tax-deductible and go directly toward the cost of the trip.
- Flight to launch – I am responsible for booking one way travel to launch in Atlanta on January 13. Once we are at launch, all other transportation throughout the duration of the trip is arranged for us.
- Vaccines and medication – Many countries have vaccine requirements for entry and transit. I still need my yellow fever, typhoid, and hepatitis B vaccines, in addition to prescription malaria medication for the field.
- Gear sponsorship – I have already purchased all of my gear for the trip. Since we will essentially be tenting and backpacking for the duration of the year, WalMart brand isn’t adequate. In total, my gear cost about $900. I would love for one or multiple sponsors to help offset the cost so that I can put more of my own finances toward the trip!
- Field expenses – While 99% of expenses are included in the cost of the trip, we are required to have some additional funds to cover necessities like toiletries, additional meal money for travel days (our daily food budget is only $2-$3), and extra money in case of needed medical care. My budget is going to be $50/month on the race to cover these expenses.
- Adventure days – Occasionally, our team will have a day off from ministry and will have the opportunity to explore the area we are serving. While adventure days are NOT the focus of the trip, they are a great way to bond with my ministry team and recharge from the work we will be doing. These days can be as simple as visiting a coffee shop and paying for wifi to Skype home to family or as thrilling as riding in a helicopter to Mount Everest in Nepal. I am choosing to view adventures days as a gift and would love to experience the beauty in the unexpected.
- Flight home after the race – When we arrive back in the states at the completion of the race, I will be returning home to Texas. Because I won’t be earning any income from the trip, I will need a flight home (or a fun, dedicated road trip partner/chauffeur)!
- Blog subscriptions – I will have limited access to wifi and communication with my friends and family at home. My blog is going to be the best way to keep up with my trip. Our leadership team has given us the goal of having 150 blog subscribers by the time we launch. Social media won’t be a reliable way to keep up with me, so I’d love to keep in touch through my blog.
There are countless questions about each of these that I could never cover within a single blog. As you feel led to support me, I would love to connect with you individually and help answer any additional questions or details you are curious about. The best way to reach me is by phone. If you don’t have my phone number, I also check my email regularly. It is [email protected].
In Acts 20:35 Paul reminds the church of the words Jesus spoke, saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” As much as I will be blessed when you support me, I truly believe that it will pale in comparison to the blessings that will be turned back to you. Thank you so much for your support, and know that I am praying for your blessings to come back one hundred fold!
xoxo Amanda
