Greetings!!
This is an email a sent out recently to a few friends and family last week. I think it paints a decent picture of who I am and why I’m going on the World Race.
“As most of you are aware of by now, I’ve decided to dedicate the next
year of my life to our heavenly father Jesus Christ and participate in
the World Race. The World Race is a mission trip which focuses on
evangelism, ministry, and personal spiritual growth.
www.theworldrace.org With God willing I will leave on October 15th
and return sometime early next September. I have much to do in
preparation, everything from innoculations to buying mosquito netting.
As someone who has never been away from North America, I’m pretty
nervous and and yet excited to see what God has in store.
WHY? – Devotion.
The biggest question I ask myself in preparing to do what I feel God
has led me to do is why go, why now? I’m going on the World Race for
deeply personal reasons. I feel that God has led to me to
the World Race as a continuance in a series of steps that has brought
and will bring me closer to Him. Devotion. This is a word that has
rang hallow for me in the past. I have never been comfortable with
evangelism. I’ve secretly feared sharing my faith and hid it for fear
of ridicule from friends and colleagues. I have spent the majority of
my life in pursuit of wealth and social acknowledgement. If I could
sum up the over riding need in my life, it would be the adoration of
others. Recently I have become more acutely aware of this than ever
and I’ve also realized the ultimate futility of this. I’ve become
aware that the only path which matters, the only direction that leads
to true happiness is the one towards Jesus Christ. I know that some
of you will wonder why I cannot continue on this path in Houston as their
are enumerable opportunities for mission work and service here. The
answer to that is simple, I feel God commanding me to GO. Mark 16:15
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature.”
HOW? – Sacrifice
The second task in this decision to follow God’s command into the
mission of the World Race is create a practical plan for it’s
execution. It will cost more than $13,000 for me to serve in the
World Race. When God asks us to sacrifice he expects our very best
and in return He reveals His Divine Grace. The basis of my financial
plan is basically three parts, and it’s successful completion with
God’s blessing, will constitute the bulk of what I need.
I. I will ask five people to support me by committing to pray for me
daily and to send me $120 a month from September ’08 – September ’09
in financial support.
II. I’m planning a support raising concert for late August at First
Presbyterian Church Houston. Please include this event in your
prayers.
III. I’m dedicating half of my income for the next four months.
Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
WHAT DO I HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH – Selflessness
My deepest desire in participating in the World Race is to return to
you, my family and friends, a better man in Christ. I hope that by
obeying God’s command that I will draw closer to Him. That his love
will radiate through me. That I will have the opportunity to give to
people who desperately need someone to reach out to them. That Christ
will be reflected in me as I walk amoung strangers, in strange lands
and speak to them of our loving Savior. That I’ll take some time away
from my comfortable life to be the hands and feet of Jesus reaching
out and touching those in need. And through helping those in need,
I’ll help myself perfecting my imperfections, pushing the corners of
my comfort zone, and simply obeying the direction of Jesus Christ.
After consideration and prayer I’ve decided to ask each of you, to
pray for me while I’m serving in the World Race. As James tells us
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye
may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much.” Please pray with me for courage to spread the gospel.
For wisdom, to be still and hear the voice and commands of God. For
health, that I will stay healthy and able to serve and help build his
Kingdom. And for love, that I will love those around me with Christ’s
love.”
