“I want to break away from our highly individualistic, Western culture and build relationships with the poor and broken of this world. I want to grow in my relationship with God and within a close-knit community of believers. I want my view of God to be stretched and to be awed by His love and power. I want to see Jesus change lives and be a vessel that brings His light and hope to the world. And I believe this will happen through my experience on the World Race.”
This is what I shared in my support letter before I left for the World Race.
And honestly, Jesus is fulfilling the desires of my heart.
I have a love for people in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala that I never had before. The cultures, the different, simpler ways of life are so beautiful. And seeing the reality of poverty, of abandonment, and of love overcoming painful pasts… does work on my heart. Living with 6 other people in close community is difficult, but it is teaching me more about myself and more of what it looks like to put others before myself.
This month has been the largest culture shock from our Western world, and because of that- I’ve missed home a bit more. My family, my Grand Rapids family, Crossroads Bible Church, the Bitter End coffeehouse… But in those moments, I remind myself that this Race is so worth everything I gave up. There is still so much to learn and so many people that still need the love of Jesus. And I’m so looking forward to it.
That being said, I currently need an additional $200 by April 1, to remain on The World Race.
The beautiful thing is, a few short hours ago, I needed $1192.62 to make the next deadline.
Yes, in a matter of hours, I have been donated/pledged $1008.53.
God is so awesomely faithful.
And today He has revealed to me that He wants me here.
But once this deadline is met, I will need an additional $4500 by July 1 to be fully funded.
It's difficult to support raise on The Race, and therefore I need your help!
Here's how…
a) Share my blog: chelseagottman.theworldrace.org. Ask God to lay people on your heart to share my mission with!
b) Ask God if he is calling you to donate* (for the first or second time).
c) If you're feeling ambitious, hold a fundraiser! It doesn't have to be complicated. A bake-sale, cake-walk, or garage sale. Or sell an old iPod or TV that you could do without.
d) Pray for God's will to be done.
Donations can be made here:
https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=worldrace&desc=For%20Chelsea%20Gottman
Checks take about 2 weeks to process and online donations take about 2 days.
Thank you doesn't begin to cover my gratitude for your love and support.
