Dear Friends, Family, and Friends of Family:
I pray this letter finds you well and full of life that stirs you. I have some pretty big things going on these days and I am writing you with the intent to share.
As some of you may know, I rededicated my life to Christ in 2009. In a place of brokenness, failure, frustration, and little hope, I lifted my head, closed my eyes, stretched my arms as high as they could go, poured my heart out with tears streaming down my face and real snot beginning to drip, and completely surrendered every ounce of my being to the Lord for the first time. I said, “Here I am, Father. I’ll do it YOUR way this time. Do with me what you want.” I asked Him to forgive me of all my ugliness and selfishness. I asked Him to cleanse me, take away my shame, and create in me a pure heart. I asked Him to mold me and shape me into the woman HE desires me to be. I took the Bible, opened it up, and threw it on top of my head like a roof, and shouted with gumption, “Help me learn and understand this, Lord! I cried, “Give me purpose! Use me for something good! Lead me and guide me, Father! ” Within the past year, He has given me some major direction.
Beginning January 2013, I’ll serve as a missionary through Adventures in Missions, an interdenominational Christian organization that focuses on raising up disciples of Jesus Christ, in its World Race program http://theworldrace.org. The World Race is an 11-month mission trip to 11 different countries around the world. I will be traveling with a squad of 55-60 people to Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Romania, Ukraine, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia to partner with churches and ministries in local communities and serve in teams of 7-10 carefully chosen individuals.
Through prayer and relationship, we will preach the Gospel, plant and build churches, work in orphanages and hospitals, minister to enslaved women and children, and bring the restoration and hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations.
So, here I am, about to embark on something that excites me and terrifies me, all in the same breath. I feel like everything has led up to this moment.
I am stirred up on the inside. I feel alive. I have direction. I have purpose. I feel hope of an incredible future. I am excited to travel and see distant lands I have daydreamed and wondered about since an adolescent. I am excited for divine appointments, new relationships, and real community. I’m excited to see God move in new ways, mind-blowing and miraculous ways.
Now, change the channel. Turn the page. Lets get real.
Who am I to do something like this? I am a nobody, a little grasshopper in a land full of giants (Numbers 13). Am I qualified? Do I have the education, the resources, the gifts and abilities to do this? Am I some exemplary Christian? Third world countries? Do I even know what that takes? We’re talking lice, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, parasites, bed bugs, weird food, crazy transportation, diarrhea, bucket showers, squatty potties, living out of a backpack, and no alone time, right? Am I nuts? Am I ready to be stripped of nearly all the things that bring me comfort, security, and identity for almost a year and not completely freak out or book the quickest flight home? Shouldn’t I be looking for a husband and settling down like any normal person my age?
I recently learned of a missionary named Gladys Aylward. Unlike many famous Christians in history, she didn’t excel scholastically or set her self apart based on her exhaustive knowledge of the Bible and the classic languages. She was a simple parlor maid with little education, but sure God called her to China. She was actually rejected by the mission boards of her day. She not only made her way to China, she eventually became a citizen of China and known as ‘Ai-weh-deh’ (Virtuous One) by the Chinese. She started an orphanage and led over one hundred of these children by foot on a 27-day, 100-mile journey over dangerous Japanese occupied mountains to safety. She has been written about in Time Magazine and Hollywood even made a movie about her starring Ingrid Bergman. She lived her life before God and for God and is an example of what He can accomplish using the least of us — the little grasshoppers per say; the ones that say, okay, I choose to believe — let it be so, Lord.
I am filled with peace and give thanks, knowing that He will provide support and safety according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus… knowing that He who began a good work will carry it on to completion… knowing that He is good and faithful.
I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity that I have been given, but I cannot get there alone. This is where I need your help. It costs $15,500 to go on this World Race mission trip. While I’ve sold my car, paid for traveler’s insurance, purchased most of my travel gear, covered a round trip flight to GA for training camp, and deposited nearly $4,000 into my World Race account, I still need $11,500 to financially see this to completion. This money covers all of my travel, lodging, and living expenses while in the field for 11 months.
For your reference, I have listed some prayer requests and my fundraising deadlines below. Would you consider partnering with me prayerfully and/or financially?
Prayer Requests:
– God’s protection, spiritual and physical (Psalm 121:1-8)
– A spirit of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)
– Clear proclamation of the Gospel (Colossians 4:3-6)
– Spiritual discernment (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)
– Unity and love among my team “Arise & Go” who I’ll serve with
– Comfort and peace in the times I will miss home and my loved ones
Fundraising Deadlines:
December 1, 2012 – Account total needs to be at $6,500 (only $2,500 more to go!)
April 1, 2013 – Account total needs to be at $11,000
July 1, 2013 – Account total needs to be at $15,500
In faith, I am believing for:
2 – $1000 donations
5 – $500 donations
10 – $250 donations
25 – $100 donations
30 – $50 donations
20 – $25 donations
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Totaling $11,500
For those who feel called to donate monetarily, please make checks payable to Adventures In Missions and mail to: Cassy Horton, 1150 Hwy 71 W, Smithville, TX 78957. Adventures In Missions is a 501 (c) (3), non-profit organization and a long-time member of the ECFA. Your donations are tax-deductible based on the policies and principles at: http://adventures.org/policies.
If you’re not in need of a tax deduction, you can also make checks payable directly to me. I still need to purchase my immunizations, flight to launch in DC, and some remaining travel gear, and the $15,500 does not cover these expenses.
Also, my mother will be making monthly deposits into my World Race account after I launch January 8, 2013. If you would prefer to contribute monthly rather than a one-time donation please inform us of your commitment so AIM has an idea of where I am with my fundraising.
I am so excited to see how God will move in my life and in the lives of others in the coming year. An unworthy sinner, I can only pray that He will use me for His glory in this world. I want to thank you in advance for your support; any and all you sow is deeply appreciated. I will be journaling online 1-2 times a week for the next year. You can read stories from the field, see pictures, watch videos, find out more information, and contact me by visiting my blog site at: http://cassyhorton.theworldrace.org.
In Christ’s Love,
Cassy Horton
Daughter of Ben and Connie Bright, and Steve Horton
Granddaughter of Carolyn Nell Foster Wardle
