Good Afternoon all,
My Birthday is coming up, and I was thinking that a birthday fundraiser might be in order. I turn 25 on March 17th and wanted to see if you all could support me as a gift. Donate $25 dollars as my 25th birthday present to help me kick off my fundraising. Below is a portion of my support letter so that you know what you are supporting. I will be sending out the full letters within the week.
(PS. Google says that the World Wide Web is 25 this month too. Happy Birthday to us both!)
Dear Friends, Family, Prayer Warriors, and Supporters:
For a little over a year now, I have been working at Fort Caswell as a teacher for the Environmental Stewardship Program. It has been an amazing experience as a time of growth both personally and in building relationships. However, “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ephesians 3:1)
I have been in prayer for quite some time about my upcoming season. I have been seeking the wisdom of Godly friends around me and have come to accept what we believe to be God’s will for this next season. Come September I will be embarking on an 11 month mission opportunity with Adventures in Missions which will bring me to various countries around the world. I will be working with orphans, victims of human trafficking, and church plants, as well as teaching English, sharing the Good News, doing construction, and leading ministry services. Basically, my team will go wherever God sends us to meet the needs of His people. For more information about Adventures in Missions visit http://www.theworldrace.org/.
I have great expectations of what will occur on the mission field. It says in the word, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12). I fully expect to live out my faith and watch it grow as God is glorified in the field. Freely I have received and freely I will give.
In considering the opportunities with the World Race, I have selected September Route 3 which would take me through Haiti, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. One of the major challenges I will face before embarking on this journey is my financial support. Like all mission opportunities I will have to raise funds to cover all my field expenses (costs of training, travel, lodging, food). In order to be fully funded I will have to raise $15,500 + $754 (Insurance) = $16,254. This is broken down into the following:
$3,500 is due 2 weeks before Training Camp (July 12th – July 19th)
$4,000 more is due 8/18/2014 (which is 2 weeks prior to the trip)
$3,500 more is due 12/1/2014 (which is the end of 3 months on the field)
$5,254 more is due 3/1/2015 (which is the end of 6 months on the field)
Would you prayerfully consider joining me in this journey as a supporter? I could meet my financial goal if 45 people would commit to donating $30 a month for a year starting the month of April. This timeframe could be shortened if I find that I am fully funded before a year is up. If this is not an option, please consider a one-time gift of $100 or whatever you feel led to give.
Enclosed is a response card inviting you to share in this ministry. Please return the response card with your donation using the pre-addressed envelope provided and make your check payable to Adventures in Missions. They will send you a receipt for your donation. If you would prefer to make your donation online, you may do so by visiting my blog site at: http://carolineritchey.theworldrace.org/. Just click the “Support Me” link in the upper left side of the page and complete your donation as instructed. All donations are tax deductible.
Thank you in advance for partnering with me in your prayers and/or finances. I know that God will bless us both through all of this. “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)
Blessings,
Caroline Ritchey
