Dear Friends and Family,
I hope this letter finds you well! I am writing to share some exciting news. This January, I will depart for an 11-month mission trip called The World Race. During these 11 months, I will work with a team of Christians (ages 21-35) to bring the good news of Jesus to 11 different countries. What exactly will we be doing? My squad will serve in partnership with a variety of ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, teach English, aid women and children who have fallen victim to human trafficking, and bring the restorative hope of God’s love to those we meet along the way. Where will we go? Our team will journey to Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, India, Nepal, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.
A few years ago I never would have imagined that my life would move in this direction. The Lord has changed my heart and I am in awe at how He has deepened my desire to know Him and to make Him known. He’s instilled in me a newfound empathy and compassion for His people – an eagerness to live out my faith in a very real, tangible way. Before applying for The World Race, I wrestled with the thought, “Would God ask me to do something so impulsive?” I think He has, and with each passing day I feel more confident that I’m walking in step with His will. I fully trust that He’ll go before me as I embark on this voyage to further His Kingdom. Over the years, the Kingdom of God has brought me redemption, hope, enduring love, inexplicable joy, refuge in adverse circumstances, and so much more. Now it is my turn to share these gifts with the world and I could not be more excited!
I would like to invite you to join me on this incredible adventure. First and foremost, I am seeking prayer support as my team and I prepare for our departure (prayers for wisdom, humility, endurance, patience, and an inexhaustible passion for serving wherever the Lord places us).
Second, to move forward with my mission trip I will need to raise $17,700. This amount will cover my travel, living, and food expenses for the year. Although this is an intimidating figure…. I have faith that God will provide in a big way through the wonderful friends and family He has placed in my life. If you would like to support me financially, you can set up monthly donations OR make a single donation. If just 50 people committed to donating $30 a month for the next 12 months, my mission trip will be fully funded! Please consider giving and know that any amount is immensely appreciated J. All donations are tax-deductible.
There are two methods for donating to my World Race fund:
- Go to my blog website (ashleymcdonald.theworldrace.org), click the orange ”Support Me” button in the top right corner of the page, and follow the instructions to donate. I will post updates about my experiences on this blog before and during the trip if you’d like to follow along!
- Mail a check to the following address (please write my full name, Ashley McDonald, on the memo line and make all checks out to Adventures in Missions):
Adventures in Missions
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
***When mailing a check: If you do not put my name on the memo line the staff will not be able to distinguish where to apply the check. Checks will take roughly two weeks to process.
If you have any questions about The World Race or how I came to the decision to go, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 954-901-1582. Thank you so much for your time! I am humbled by the support I have already received and cannot wait to see what God has in store for the coming year.
With love,
Ashley McDonald
Adventures In Missions is a tax-exempt organization under IRS code 501(c)(3) and is a member of the ECFA. (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Due to IRS and ECFA regulations governing the administration of tax deductible donations given in support of a particular trip/program, support contributions given on behalf of an individual will be used to offset the costs of the trip/program you are involved in. All contributions are non-refundable regardless of the participant’s success in completing the program.
