Below is my support letter, which gives a brief introduction to the World Race and why I feel called to go on this journey. This blog will be a place for me to share with you what God is showing and teaching me throughout the process, as well as keeping you updated on everything. Once on the field, this will my main form of communication with everyone. So, feel free to subscribe, share, comment, etc. Thanks!
As you may know, I have been given an awesome opportunity to go on a mission trip around the world for 11 months. I am prayerfully sending this letter to ask for your support as God is calling me to take a big leap of faith and make a radical change. For the past few years I have been searching for my passion, my reason, my itch for life. I ultimately knew I wanted to serve others and wanted to spread God’s love. I started my journey in San Marcos, Texas where I was planning on furthering my education and becoming a Special Ed teacher. As I was approaching my third year of my teaching degree I felt something missing. Plain and simple, my heart wasn’t on fire to become a teacher. I still knew I wanted to be involved with people. Whether that meant helping, serving, or just being a listening ear. I decided to start Cosmetology that June. While I was in school I was told about the World Race and it stole my heart. I was clouded by the thought that I needed to get a job, start my career and be a big girl instead of following what was laid so heavily on my heart.
I finished school and worked in a salon for about a year and constantly caught myself wishing I would have taken that leap of faith by going on the world race rather then furthering my career, it wasn’t fulfilling or making me happy. That’s when I decided to trust God and go for it.
The World Race is an 11 month Christian mission trip to 11 countries around the world. One of the unique things about the World Race is that it’s not only a mission trip but also an intensive discipleship program designed to launch my generation into our specific kingdom calling. Through the World Race, my team and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the restorative hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations.
This world is filled with those whose needs and problems are far more dire than our own, who constantly face poverty, malnutrition and diseases of the body, as well as those of the soul. The knowledge of this brokenness and need has always weighed heavily on my heart. However, I’ve let a lot of good excuses, believable lies and innumerous distractions turn my eyes from most of it. It is a lot easier to focus on the fact that God can use you exactly where you are at (with your current life and goals intact) than it is to really evaluate if that is how God wants and plans to use you.
I will face many challenges all throughout the World Race, but as I prepare for my departure, one of my greatest challenges is my financial support. Like most other missions organizations, World Race participants are required to fundraise financial support. In order to leave fully funded in September, I need to raise $16,267. This money will cover all of my field expenses for the 11 months of the trip. As I take this large step of faith in trusting the Lord, would you prayerfully consider joining me financially, whether it be a one-time or monthly donation? If you are unable to financially support, please support me with your prayers. Feel free to send a message to me through my blog if you would like to know more or have any questions. (brookerichardson.theworldrace.org) This will also be a way to follow and be a part of my journey.
With Love,
Brooke Richardson
*Adventures In Missions is a tax-exempt organization under IRS code 501©(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
