I have some exciting updates! I was added to my squad’s (big team of about 50ish people with whom I will travel country to country) Facebook page, group chat, and World Race blog. In these forums, I have been able to discuss all kinds of things with my squad. It has been a great “getting to know you” time and I can’t wait to meet them in person.
We have been given our launch date and location! I will leave America from Atlanta, Georgia on August 3. After a day or so of prep time and briefing on where we’re going and what we’ll be doing, we’ll cram into an airplane and travel about 8,400 miles to India!
Right now, my focus is fundraising. It has already been a challenge, because I find it uncomfortable to ask people for financial help. The thing is though, God is the one orchestrating this whole endeavor. He’s holding me in his hands, and is preparing every single detail for me. He goes before me and hems me in from behind. There is nothing that he’s asking of me that he hasn’t already experienced. So when I feel discouraged or overwhelmed, he is my comfort.
My desire during this time is to find people to partner with me. This race isn’t just mine; it’s yours too. When I go to each of the 11 countries, you’ll be there too. The stories of what God is doing in and through me will be your stories. When I hold orphans, and help rescue women and children from human trafficking, it will be because you provided for me to go!
I want to encourage you to join me on this journey. You may not be able to leave your life, your job, or your family, to go tell the Nations about Jesus, but God has given me such a special opportunity to do just that. When I go out into the field, I take you with me!
Guys-I need to raise $17,617 for my World Race trip. That’s a lot of money, and it seems daunting, but we serve a BIG GOD who provides for us!
So I’m going to add in some charts and stuff to help explain why I need to raise so much money.
(the following charts and information are borrowed from another racer‘s blog that I came across)
Training Camp–$352 – (Covers my training before departure. This is a 10 day session in June.)
Field Support–$705 – (Assisting to get us supplies, local contacts, etc.)
WR Development Program–$2,114 (Improvements & Developments)
Administration Fees–$2,995 – (Processing fees and paying the staff who organize travel, meals, missions, etc.)
World Racer–$11,451 (this is used for me!)
So 65% of what I raise is used for me! That money does not go into my pocket. It is used by Adventures in Missions for me. Here’s a breakdown of where that 65% goes.
Travel between continents – $5,153
Food – $1,489
Lodging – $2,176
Transportation – $1,259
Long Distance Travel/Misc. Supplies – $1,374
This amount does not cover the gear I need, the vaccinations/medications required to safely live abroad for a year, nor does it cover spending money for me while I’m overseas. Spending money is used on special trips, replacing clothes, buying food on days off, etc.
The countries I’m going to are subject to change for any reason (usually safety), but here are the ones we’re tentatively going to: India, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia.
Deadlines:
- November 2, 2016 – $150 Deposit
- May 15, 2017 – $5,000 (~28%)
- July 21, 2017 – $10,000 (57%)
- September 30, 2017 – $13,000 (74%)
- November 30, 2017 – $17,617 (fully funded)
HOW TO SUPPORT (Donations to 1) and 2) are tax deductible)
1) Online – Directly to Adventures in Missions account ($17,617 fund):
Give online to me here.
2) send a check to:
Adventures in Missions
P.O. Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
memo line: The World Race, Ashley Guinn
3) Help me get my remaining GEAR:
Check out my registry page H E R E.
4) Donate to medical fund:
If you’d like to help me pay for shots (I need yellow fever, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, Hepatitis A, Meningitis, Flu shot, and boosters for MMR, TDAP, and Hepatitis B) or my malaria medication, please comment on this page!
I know this was so much information. Thank you for taking the time to read through it all, and thank you so much for partnering with me on this journey. Seriously, THANK YOU. This would be impossible without you!
