IF you’re looking for a fundraiser that will give you some insight into a day on the race, this one’s for you!
I’m asking donors to choose sponsor a day on the race. You can chose your birthday, or anniversary, or a day in a country they really had a heart for!
So what happens when you sponsor a day? I hope that you will make sure to pray for me, my team, my squad and our ministry during those days! (And any other day you can as well!) When you sponsor a day on the race by making a $50 donation, you will receive pictures from that day and a blog or letter about what we did that day and what ministry we’re in that week/month.
If you choose to sponsor multiple days ($100+), you will gain access to all photos and non-personal accounts (ie some letters may include private notes to sponsors, and those letters may be edited or not included) of the days that have been sponsored.
I’m still seeking monthly donors and if you choose to become one, I will mail you a postcard or pick up a small token from a country of your choice and you will also get all of the “rewards” listed above.
See the countries and dates below for more specifics on our countries and dates! Contact Me through the blog page, through the comments, by phone/facebook/etc and let me know what day(s) you’d like to sponsor! Then make a tax-deductible donation to my mission trip! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Our country list and corresponding dates:
September: Uganda: Once a kingdom and British protectorate, for most of the later half of the 20th century, Uganda was under military rule, first under Idi Amin, the subject of the film “The Last King of Scotland.” Much of northern Uganda was also troubled by the Lords Resistance Army which heavily recruited child soldiers.
We have our ministry site for Uganda, read all about it here.
October: Rwanda: Many who hear “Rwanda” immediately think, “genocide” – it was 16 years ago when 800,000 people were killed over the course of about three months. According to the U.S. State Department, Rwanda (once colonized by France) has the highest population density in sub-Sahara Africa; and like much of sub-Sahara Africa, this nation also is fighting hard against HIV/Aids. This nation played a part of the genesis of International Justice Mission.
November: Ethiopia: With a deep religious tradition and a population of diverse faith, Ethiopia carries a rich history and was one of the earliest countries to accept Christianity. Located north of Kenya on the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia boasts deserts, mountains, and tropical forests, and is the largest producer of coffee in the world. But as the modern world expands, Ethiopia struggles. Rural villages remain isolated, in many areas without clean water or access to markets. As many people move to the cities hoping for a better life, the country’s stability to provide basic services is strained. Ministry in Ethiopia is as diverse as its people. Your support may help us serve street kids in the city, helping them find shelter, food, and the love of Jesus, or we might preach the gospel and encourage the growing church in rural areas.
December: India: With nearly a sixth of the world’s population within its borders, India is a country bursting with people and culture. Home to a diverse array of beliefs from Hinduism to Islam, to a blend of folk religions and other faiths, it is a country of pluralism with twenty-nine languages spoken by over a million native speakers, multiple religions, cuisine, socio-economic classes, and political parties. India’s struggles with poverty and crimes of human trafficking, forced prostitution, religious persecution, and more. Your sponsorship may bring us to work with local-churches to encourage believers and most likely be challenged by their testimonies. Your gifts will help us to bring hope and truth to those that society deems “untouchable.”
January: Nepal: Home to Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, Nepal literally sits on top of the world. In addition to adventurous experiences we will have here, we may also visit widows and orphans in their times of distress and protect the innocent who are prey to human traffickers.
February: Cambodia: Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. This is one of the countries and issues that brought me to choose this route.
March: Thailand: The kingdom of Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in the region not colonized by Europe. Their 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim, and 0.7% are Christian. Approximately 600,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be forced into prostitution, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Your gifts will help to send us to a place where we can change lives in the city—where we, like Jesus, might befriend prostitutes—or in the countryside where we may serve youth, care for orphans, and encourage a remnant of believers.
April: Malaysia: Your support this month will send us into a world entrenched in Islam. A people within the thriving metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysians still live in ignorance of the Good News of Jesus Christ. As we delve into this culture of works-based religion, strong self-discipline, and uncanny faith, we will have the unique opportunity to deliver hope and point the people to their Redeemer.
May: Guatemala: A country rich in history and natural resources—fertile soil from the volcanoes help yield excellent coffee. Outside of its aesthetic appeal, Guatemala needs God’s touch. Gripped by poverty and bound to a spirit of religion, the people of Guatemala hunger for the kingdom of God to pervade their lives. Your support will help to usher in the kingdom to this land and reach out to the people on the fringes of society.
June: Honduras: “Hondo” comes from the Spanish word for depth and there’s lots of depth to Honduras. It’s home to the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, whose ruins are still standing. Honduras is mostly mountainous and the weather is as tropical as it gets. What really runs deep in Honduras are its needs. Honduras is the third poorest in the region, after Haiti and Nicaragua. Like her neighbors, Honduras has had her fair share of political/military troubles. There’s a need to reach out to the youth, not just to keep them out of trouble (e.g. gangs) but for them to know their worth and that they are loved.
My experiences in Haiti make me excited to return to this area of the world, particularly Honduras which has similar poverty issues to what Haiti faces.
July: Nicaragua: This location is always a World Race favorite. It’s a country full of wonderfully warm and caring people and participants always leave having had a powerful experience. However, hopelessness, addictions, destitution, and poverty still plague the lives of Nicaragua. There are orphans who have grown up without knowing the love of a parent and families who get by each day by scrounging scraps from the city dump where they have made their homes. In Nicaragua, your sponsorship will provide us with the opportunity to bring God’s love through slum ministry, door-to-door outreach, outreach to children, and more.
Please, prayerfully consider partnering with me and supporting the 11 countries we are traveling too.
A huge thanks to everyone who has helped me so far! I really appreciate your encouragement and prayers.
