In this post I would like to share with you all of the facts for this journey that I am going to go on. Including the places that I will be traveling, financial deadlines, how much everything costs, etc.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
South Africa
While it’s been several decades since apartheid has formally ended, there’s still more healing and reconciliation to take place in South Africa. One of the wealthiest countries on the continent yet much of the population living outside the cities is poor. Like the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, this country struggles with a high rate of AIDS/HIV. Host to the 2010 World Cup and breathtaking natural attractions, it’s also a place full of kingdom potential, waiting to be released — by you.
Swaziland
The Kingdom of Swaziland is one of the last remaining monarchies in Africa. Home to 1.1 million people and breathtaking scenic views, it’s also where the world’s highest HIV/AIDS infection rate lives (26.1% in adults and over 50% of adults in their 20s). It’s estimated that by 2050, Swaziland may cease to exist. Young orphans are scattered throughout this nation in desperate need of attention. For years, Adventures has been committed to seeing these statistics reversed. Here, you’ll most likely find yourself involved in a variety of outreaches, including education, orphan care, care point feedings, and more.
Botswana
Although it’s one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, Botswana has the second highest HIV infection rate, next to Swaziland, its southern neighbor. The land itself struggles with drought and desertification yet boasts the largest elephant population in the world in one of its national parks. The majority of the people identify themselves as Christians but very much need people like you to advance the kingdom with love and in power.
India
With nearly a sixth of the world’s population within its borders, India is a country bursting with people and culture. Home to a diverse array of beliefs from Hinduism to Islam, to a blend of folk religions and other faiths, it is a country of pluralism with twenty-nine languages spoken by over a million native speakers, multiple religions, cuisine, socio-economic classes, and political parties. India’s struggles with poverty and crimes of human trafficking, forced prostitution, religious persecution, and more. You might work with local churches to encourage believers and most likely be challenged by their testimonies. Your presence’ll bring hope and truth to those that society deems “untouchable.”
Nepal
Home to Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, Nepal literally sits on top of the world. In addition to adventurous experiences you will have here, you may also visit widows and orphans in their times of distress and protect the innocent who are prey to human traffickers. This month of your World Race experience will submerge you in a culture that is desperate for an encounter with the living God.
Mongolia
Founded by Genghis Khan in 1206, and under communist rule for most of the 20th Century, Mongolia went through a democratic revolution in 1990 to become a parliamentary republic. Containing the Gobi Desert and very little arable land, Mongolia is the most sparsely populated country in the world. 30% of the population is nomadic. The majority of the Mongolian people are either nonreligious or Tibetan Buddhist, and the nation is in great need of missionaries to encourage the Christian population and help reach out to those still searching.
Host of the 2008 Summer Olympics and home to 1.3 billion people, China’s not just grand in land mass and population. Beside the Han Chinese, there are over fifty minority groups. While China has grown in leaps and bounds industrially, intellectually, and economically, it’s still a politically closed nation. Depending on where you are, you may meet Buddhists, Muslims, and Taoists; there are even churches – government approved and regulated. The underground church is extensive and continues growing, even thriving, amidst persecution. While there, you’ll have to pay homage to the Great Wall, and bring light and hope to a people in darkness and depression. How you’ll do that exactly – you’ll find out once you get there.
- Training Camp–$320 (2%)
- Field Support–$620 (4%)
- WR Development Program–$1,860 (12%)
- Administration Fees–$2,635 (17%)
- World Racer–$10,065 (65%)
*Note: medical insurance isn’t included in these percentages which is $773
65% of the funds are going directly to me to help me live as a missionary overseas. Within the 65% my budget is broken down into this:
- Intercontinental Travel–$4,939.45 (45%)
- Food–$1,256.25 (13%)
- Lodging–$1,758.75 (19%)
- Transportation–$1,005.00 (11%)
- Long Distance Travel & Misc. Supplies–$1,115.55 (12%)
On average, a typical day on the World Race looks like this:
- $3.75 per day for food
- $5.25 per day for lodging
- $3.00 per day for transport
- $3.33 per day for long distance travel (buses, trains) and miscellaneous supplies
I hope this helps you understand where I’m going and what this money is going to exactly. Please prayerfully consider financially supporting me for this amazing journey that God has called me to. You can donate online through my blog in the ‘Support Me!‘ tab in the upper-left hand section or you can send checks to:
Adventures In Missions
P.O. Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374
Please make all checks payable to Adventures In Missions and mention me in the memo line. I really appreciate every prayer and every dollar that you have already helped me with. Thank you so so much! I love you!
P.S. I am going to be posting soon on some of the fundraisers that I am organizing and I would love for you to be a part of! Subscribe to this blog so you don’t miss out on any updates!
