Over the past few years God has been placing on my heart that it’s not about me, it’s about Him. Almost two years ago I asked Him what His plan was for me. That day, I felt Him call me to give Him everything. I panicked. I wasn’t ready to let go of control of my life. I slowly started to realize I was separating myself from God and his plan for my life. I surrendered to Him . Asking Him teach me to live for Him each day not myself. And oh did he deliver! In His gentle way, He slowly has led me back to what He revealed to me that day. And now I am ready! I am excited to tell you all about the passion God has instilled in my heart for missions and the journey He is taking me on.
For the past year mission trips have been in my thoughts and dreams. After researching, talking with my mentor about her time on the mission field and reading about possible trips, I found The World Race Gap Year. It is a time for students right out of high school to experience God and devote their lives to serving His children for nine months before going to college.
In February I applied and I am excited to share with you that I have been accepted to leave in September. This is a 9 month mission trip to 3 different countries in Central America, Southeast Asia and Africa. Our team will live in each country for 3 months, teaming up with a local ministry and serving alongside them. These ministries are anything from orphanages to street evangelism. We will be living out of a backpack and on less than two dollars per day. I know this is my time to step up and put my all into what I really believe in. I believe I was put here to serve others through Jesus’ example and I want to serve alongside of Him in places that I could never experience without Him.
I am going to need to raise $12,487 for this trip by August 28th. That seems like more money than I can imagine, but then I remember, Philippians 2:13 “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”. If you feel like the Lord might be leading you to help support me on this trip there are a couple ways you could do that. You can go to my blog at jamiecarlson.theworldrace.org, at the top of my blog you will see my fundraising status below that you will see “SUPPORT ME!” click on it. That will take you to the online donation page, you will then put in the information from the card that I sent with this letter! This is probably the easiest way to donate. If you do not feel comfortable donating online you can mail a check to:
Adventures in Missions
P.O. Box 742570
Atlanta GA 30374-2570
*Please remember to indicate the purpose of your check to Jamie Carlson and mail the card that I sent you in with this check.
Sincerely ,
Jamie Carlson
