Isaiah 6:8
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
"Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"
Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."
Dear family and friends,
I hope this letter finds you well. It is with an eager and joyful heart that I write to you. I am so excited to share with you what God has been doing in my life lately. It has been a little over a year since moving back home to Western MA from the Boston area, and I have considered many things during this year of transition. I didn’t know what course my life would take next but Missions and joining the Peace Corps were at the top of my list. While applying for the Peace Corps, I continued to research potential mission possibilities. There was a whisper, a rumor, a cry in my heart for something more. I thought to myself that there’s gotta be more to life than empty traditions, routines, and working 9-5 everyday to achieve the impossibility of the American dream…. right? The daily hustle and bustle of life was just not cutting it anymore. I came across a mission opportunity called THE WORLD RACE. In that moment I knew God was answering my question and calling me to join. After much prayer, I applied and am thrilled to announce my acceptance to be part of the September 2011 “A” squad! I believe this incredible opportunity will change my life and the lives of others around me all in the Lord’s name.
My parents have always taught and shown me that God comes first in everything and that it is essential to share about God’s Kingdom and Love with other people. Growing up I’ve continually watched my Mom and Dad give back, be compassionate, generous, loving, and caring towards everyone. They never think twice. I have learned an invaluable lesson from my parent’s example and have always had the desire to serve others less privileged than myself and family. Now it’s my turn to give back!
In September I will begin to serve as a missionary through a Christian organization founded in 1989 called Adventures in Missions (AIM), in their WORLD RACE program. The WR is a stretching journey where I’ll be backpacking to 11 different countries for 11 months (Romania, Moldova, Nepal, India, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Thailand, Cambodia, an undetermined Asian country, and Malaysia), where I”ll be spending one month in each country, on a limited budget, to serve while amongst real and raw community. This unique mission/humanitarian trip is a challenging adventure for young adults to abandon worldly possessions and a traditional lifestyle in exchange for an understanding that it's not about you; it’s about the Kingdom! Adventure, ministry, community, and self discovery will propel each squad member forward. Pretty hard to imagine isn’t it?
We will be involved in a variety of missionary work to advance God’s Kingdom around the globe. My team will partner with churches, established ministries, organizations, schools, and more within the local communities. We believe that meeting peoples needs is our calling whether those needs are physical, medical, shelter, clean water, etc.. and will be available to serve whatever the need! It's not just about adventure. It's about pouring love into brokenness, compassion, hope, faith, and embracing community.
Opportunities may include: preaching the Gospel, participating in traditional VBS programs, helping plant/build churches and homes, assisting with the children in orphanages, teaching english, working with at-risk youth, playing games and sports with the youth, ministering to prostitutes in the red light districts, doing preventative outreach and after-care with women and children who are trapped in human sex trafficking, teaching a trade, providing food for the hungry, and… well… A LOT more. My desire is to go with the Father’s love to bring hope and restoration to many tribes and nations.
I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, but I cannot get there alone. I am writing to ask you to consider partnering with me prayerfully and financially as I venture out on this life-changing journey of helping people all around the world. The total cost of travel and living expenses over 11 months is approximately $16,000.00. That is a monthly support around $1,500. If 30 people/groups make a one time donation of $600.00 or pledge $50.00 a month for the 11 months that I will be serving I would have 100 percent of the funds necessary for this trip! If you are unable to donate one of the amounts given, donations of any amount are graciously accepted, and I invite you to share in my journey and in this ministry.
SUPPORT RAISING DEADLINES THAT NEED TO BE MET OR MY RACE WILL END:
~ $3,000 in my account before training camp (7/2/2011) * MET- Thank you for helping me get to camp!!
~ $6,000 in my account before Launch (08/18/2011) * I still need some help reaching my $6000 goal.
~ $10,500 in my account by 12/1/2011 (End of 3 months on the field)
~ $16,000 in my account by 3/1/2012 (End of 6 months on the field)
Adventures In Missions is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Tax deductible Donations can be made in my name. Please make your tax-deductible contribution by:
- Mail: You can make checks out to "Adventures in Missions" and make sure to add my name (Emily Pluciennik) in the memo line and send it to:
Adventures In Missions
P.O. Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
- DynaPay Automatic Payment Plan: AIM is pleased to offer a secure, free, automatic payment service using Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) through DynaPay™. Simply go to www.adventures.org/dynapay & complete the form online to authorize your donations. Your monthly contribution will appear on your bank statement as AIM-GIFT.
- Online: You can support me online using your card. Yes, it does take credit or debit! Just go to my blog emilypluciennik.theworldrace.org and click on the “support me” tab on the upper left side of the page. My name should pop up in the "participants” box, if not make sure to type it in there.
- I am extremely excited for all of the new opportunities, challenges, and adventures that lie ahead. Thank you for being a part of my story, and I hope you will partner with me on this journey, whether it is through monetary support or through prayer. You and I have a chance to be part of something bigger than ourselves. I would love to talk with you more about this upcoming journey and look forward to speaking with you soon!
Joyfully yours,
Emily Pluciennik
P.S. Please visit my blog emilypluciennik.theworldrace.org to hear my stories from the field over the next 11 months. Be sure to sign up to receive my email updates. Put your email address in the 'Subscribe for Blog Updates' on the left and you will be notified when I update my blog.
Thank you for your prayer & financial support. I will not be able to do this without you!
If you’d like more info about Adventures in Missions and The World Race contact me directly through my blog
or go to the below websites:
http://www.adventures.org http://www.theworldrace.org
