And so it begins

**You made it!!**

Welcome one and all to my first ever blog. Alright, so I'll admit, I've never had a blog before, but I'm excited to start writing about this adventure and sharing it with you! This site will be continually updated and posted with my journey the next year and 8 months….

In January, I will leave for a year long mission’s trip with a group of young adults. We will go, serve, love, and share the gospel.

 

…and I cannot WAIT!

Some of you may have heard of World Race. (check out the 'what is world race' tab on the left for more info) This organization joins with Adventures in Missions. Years ago, a giant tug at my heart took place when I overheard a conversation about this journey to 11 different countries in 11 months (#11n11). Although intrigued and excited, I knew it had to wait. I kept tabs on this organization, and last year, I felt that heart string being pulled to go once again. I talked to individuals who had participated in the race, and they encouraged me to pray and to continue looking into this opportunity. In March, I was affirmed that I just need to have faith in my adventurous heart and go for it. I signed up.

When I heard I was on the team, I literally had a mini dance sesh on my kitchen floor. (no music involved of course). To be called to this experience represents a humbling opportunity. I will be traveling too:
 

Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, and India.

Along with God’s calling and His support, I’m asking you to support me and my team in one of three ways–because I cannot do this without YOU!!

Prayer:

I would like to ask first and foremost for prayer. I cannot do this without God and his guidance. I have this strongly supported theory that prayer moves the hands of God. So pray!! It's an opportunity to directly communicate with him and make our requests known. I am asking for you to be my support team and continually pray for my safety, my work, and my teammates. That everything we do would bring glory to His name. Pray for community and an overpouring of love.  I would also like to ask for prayer for God to open the doors financially and fully fund my trip. I want to be a mirror of God’s love, pray for those whom we will meet and bless on this trip.

 

Watch out, mountains will be moved.

Financial Partner:

The toughest part of all this is the financial obstacle. In order to do this and be fully funded, I need $16,500. (that does not include gear, spending, and vaccines).  I like to look at this huge sum of money in a simple way. If 50 people pledge $45 a month for 8 months. I will be fully funded.  Or if every person pledges just a one-time gift, it takes me one step closer to departure. There's no amount too little or too big. I have always hated asking for money, but God slowly has weaned me from this mentality. I have stepped into the realm where I realize that this opportunity allows others to participate in this race.
 

Here is what the money goes to:

65% World Racer (me)

17% Administration Fees

12% World Race Development Program

4% Field Support

2% Training Camp

                            

 

My 65% covers the following:

$4,235 for our intercontinental travel for the year

$460 per month –broken down as

     3.75/day for food

     5.25/day for lodging

     3.00/day for transportation

     3.33/day for long distance travel (buses, trains) and miscellaneous supplies

(thank you Caroline for the graphs!)

How to support me financially:

*Sending a Gift in the Mail (By choosing this method, there are NO FEES deducted from the online support account!)
·         Please make checks payable to Adventures in Missions
·         You must include World Race – Cori Ward on the memo line for me to receive your contribution
·         Please mail all checks to Adventures in Missions, PO Box 534470, Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
·         Please CONTACT ME when you put a check in the mail so that I can keep AIM up to date on my current support total. Sometimes checks can take weeks to process before they actually reflect in my account. Thank you!!
 
*Giving a Gift Online
(This method deducts a fee of 5% of your total gift from my support account)
·         There are simple recurring payment options on my on-line giving page though.
·         To give online please click the Support Me tab under my picture on the left.

Registry:

I have created a registry due to the fact that gear isn't covered in our costs–and guess what?…its expensive 🙂 So, if you choose to support me, via REI style, I would greatly appreciate it!

go to: http://www.rei.com/giftregistry
type in my name (Cori Ward)
Registry Number: GR3327999
 

*If you decide you'd like to purchase something PLEASE click "buy" and report that you purchased the item so it will be marked as fulfilled, and we don't double up. If you need shipping info/address for me, please CONTACT ME. Gift cards are also a great option! (I've got to buy some clothes and such.)

 

Other Funds:

I am responsible for flying myself to TN for training camp during the second weekend in October. I also need to fly to GA to begin the race in January. Other expenses included a gazzilion shots I have to get, and other miscellaneous items. If you'd like to support me this way, possibly in air miles, or even just a check–you can directly send me financial support to

Cori Ward
27217 Cactus Park Road
Cedaredge, CO 81413

 

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I ask that in whatever way you choose to support me that you let me know.

 

I hope that you send me an e-mail, letter, or a phone call so that I may pray for you and be a support

in your life, and so that I may hear the support firsthand from you. I cannot thank you enough for

whatever manner the Lord leads you to support me. Thank you.