So here are some answered questions on all of our minds…..
How can you help to get me there and take the adventure with me??
Prayer
I am about to go through the most challenging year and a half of my 22 year existence. Dramatic statement? Maybe. But seriously all prayers are accepted; for traveling, for patience, for the Spirit to move, for my squad mates (folks I’m adventuring with), for all the people I will meet, for my supporters, for Christ to prevail; the list is almost endless! But I am in love with that fact 
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On the left side of this blog is a link that says Update Alerts. Click, enter and email and get updates straight to your email when I have something to share with you all!
Financially
(all donations are tax-deductible) (the websites are secure as well, so no worries)
This task of reaching those that are lost and searching for Christ around the world is not free (figuratively and literally) I am required to fund this trip and it looks a little something like this:
Transportation (between countries and within them)
+ Meals
+ Lodging
+ International Insurance
+ Training Camp
_______________________
Grand Total – $16,254
Financial Support can look a few different ways!
- Donate through the link at the top of this blog donating online requires a 3% processing fee
- Sending checks directly to Adventures in Missions (the at-large organization here) all checks need to be made payable to Adventures in Missions and in the memo state World Race – Holly Smith. Then they are ready to be sent to: Adventures in Missions P.O. Box 742570, Atlanta, GA 30374-2570. Checks also have the benefit of no processing fee!
- To give a monthly donation online visit www.adventures.org/dynapay with no processing fee either!
I will be leaving the beginning of this September and luckily the total is not due then. Here is how they have spread deadlines out for us:
- $3,500 – Due 7/5/2014 (2 weeks before Training Camp)
- $7,500 – Due 8/18/2014 (2 weeks prior to your trip)
- $11,000 – Due 12/1/2014 (End of 3 months on the field)
- $15,500.00 + $754.35 (*Insurance) = $16,254.35 – Total Due 3/1/2015 (End of 6 months on the field)
These are the best 3 ways to donate at this current moment. I will post other fundraisers or events as soon as they come along to let you all know!
Where am I even going/what am I doing??
Malawi
Known as “the warm heart of Africa,” Malawi is a place you visit to ignite your passion for God’s love. This country has a beautiful landscape and an even more beautiful culture and population. This month, you’ll fall in love with the people of Malawi and bless them with the love of God. Chances are you won’t want to leave.f
Zambia
After years of British colonial rule, Zambia became independent in 1964. Since then, the economy has grown and the official religion has become Christianity, but there are still great needs in Zambia. With the country near the bottom of the United Nations Human Development Index, the Zambian people still suffer from poverty, short life expectancy, malnourishment, lack of clean water, and the AIDS crisis. Zambia needs encouragement from missionaries who can remind them of God’s faithfulness in the face of challenges.
Zimbabwe
Formerly a British colony known as Rhodesia, Zimbabwe boasts intriguing ruins and shares the majestic Victoria Falls with Zambia. According to Amnesty International, the current regime is allowing human rights violations to escalate. Zimbabwe also has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world. The majority of the people identify themselves as Christians but very much need people like you to advance the kingdom with love and hope.
Thailand
According to the CIA, the kingdom of Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in the region not colonized by Europe. Their 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim, and 0.7% are Christian. Approximately 600,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be forced into prostitution, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Change lives in the city-where you, like Jesus, might befriend prostitutes-or in the countryside-where you may serve youth, care for orphans, and encourage a remnant of believers.
Burma
In a struggle for independence, first from Britain, then from its own government, Burmese political groups have fought an ongoing war for over 60 years, full of rebellions and insurgencies. This political unrest has led to nearly 200,000 refugees in Burma, many fleeing to neighboring countries like Thailand. When the cyclone hit in 2008, it not only left $10 billion in damages in its wake, it also resulted in nearly 140,000 people losing their lives. Natural disasters, a sinking economy, and corrupt government have led to despair and poverty for many Burmese people. Bring hope to refugees, the lost, and the broken, in a country fighting to embrace tradition while moving away from the old regime.
Cambodia
Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope you can bring.
Vietnam
After nearly a century of French rule, in the mid-20th century, Vietnam was split into communist (north) and non-communist (south) halves. By 1975, Vietnam was made whole again, but as a communist country. Even with the economic reforms and restoration of diplomatic ties human rights are limited in Vietnam, especially freedom of religion; most of Vietnam is Buddhist, less than 10% is Catholic. Here you’ll be fed with pho, delicious beef noodle soup, and in turn feed believers and pray God’s light and presence everywhere you go.
Romania
The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy community. Though strangers in their homeland and forgotten by society, the gypsies are a strong and vibrant people who embrace the light of Christ in an inspirational way. Here, you will teach English, lead sports camps, live life with the gypsies, and more. It will be an exciting time of learning about a people group you may not have known even existed.
Bulgaria
This southern-central European country is the 16th largest in Europe. Its geography is varied with mountain ranges, plains and a coastline along the Black Sea. Its economy is growing, but among all the European Union members it ranks lowest in terms of income. Organized crime is an issue as is human trafficking. Bulgaria is mainly a source of trafficking in persons yet also, to a lesser extent, a transit point and destination of trafficking. Here, about half the population claims to be orthodox and over 10% are Muslim. You can bring light and hope to this nation caught between “developed” and “developing.”
Turkey
After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, modern Turkey was united in 1923 under Ataturk. Its location at the crossroads between Europe and Asia makes it an influential player in European and Middle Eastern politics and economy. Although there is no official religion, more than 99% of the Turkish people are Muslim. Istanbul has long been the headquarters of the Eastern Orthodox Church, but Christians still make up less than 0.2% of the population. The potential for outreach in this country is enormous. Come bring light to this beautiful nation of people who desperately need to personally experience the love of Jesus.
Albania
Located on the southwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula, with its coast along the Adriatic Sea, Albania is Mother Teresa’s birthplace. Did you know that the apostle Paul had actually been to Albania during his missionary travels (Romans 15:19) Albania declared independence in 1912, but then was occupied by Italy then Germany for a few years, during World War II. Afterwards, Albania was under Soviet rule, which ended in the early 1990s. There were only a dozen or so Christians then; today there are thousands. Most of the population identify themselves as Muslim (70%) while the remainder are Orthodox Christian (20%) and Catholic/Protestant (10%). Your ministry: simply connect with the young people. As you build friendships with students, you’ll get to tell them how Jesus tore the veil — thicker than even the Iron Curtain that divided Europe — that separated man from God.
