Welcome to my World Race blog! This is the platform where you can see the updates on my fundraising journey before I leave in October 2018. However, when I get out onto the field, I want to share my experiences on my actual blog at jasminejaurigue.com. I want to introduce myself to those who may not know me. First off, thank you for coming onto this website to look more into what it is I am doing.
Here is a link to one of my past blog posts that explains my life story, and how it relates to a tree. It talks about my childhood, my challenges, my college life, my search for God, how I found Jesus, and the trigger chapters of my life that lead to me seeking a purpose-filled life. If you haven’t read it yet, I encourage you to take the time to read that first before reading the rest of this blog post. By doing so, you will have a better understanding of why I have even accepted this newfound challenge of becoming a missionary. Click this link:
http://jasminejaurigue.com/index.php/2017/07/07/humans-are-like-trees-heres-my-tree-life-story/
Thank you for reading that. If you have any questions, please ask away! Below I will share more about how the World Race is the next chapter of my life.
Since graduating from a Psychology and Urban Studies degree in Elmhurst College of 2013, I’ve been working for nonprofits serving others in urban populations of the south side and Cabrini Green area of Chicago. In those areas, I’ve encountered people living in low-income families, single-parent homes, gun violence, bullying, food deserts, poor education and so much more adversities that created a yearning of compassion in my heart. However, I’ve also seen the assets, gifts, beauty and hope each community has to make the difference they want to see in their lives when given direction, resources, knowledge, and love. I’m doing all I can right now as an after-school teacher for my 1st-3rd-grade students at the Christ-centered after-school program. I’ve been with the same kids for the last three years building profound relationships with them and their families. However, with the limited resources provided and the limited time I get with them, I know I can be doing more, not just for them but for all youth of Chicago and urban cities. I feel that God is calling me to look outside of the bubble of Illinois I live in now. I have lived in Illinois my whole life. I have not lived anywhere else, ever. There is brokenness in Chicago, and in order for me to really make a difference and get through the roots of Chicago, I feel called to understand poverty, adversity, war, and brokenness from a global perspective, and not from something I can read in books or online. When I studied abroad in India back in 2013, I felt guilty that I visited that country as a tourist. I was taking in all the sights of landscapes, architecture, rich history, and adventure as I can muster, but I was unable to do anything about the poverty, caste system, and little children begging for money on the streets. I took away what I could from that country to help better me, but I was unable to give anything back in return. I don’t want to just travel the world. I want to be able to go to these countries, support those who live there by doing something about the injustices that exist in their life, in this world and do so by giving back to these communities.
I am at a point in my life where I am figuring out these questions: What is my purpose? Why am I here? I believe in this all-powerful, wonderful God, and if He’s real, then what am I doing for Him? I have been serving in different non-profits throughout Chicagoland, and my experience with them has been challenging, but also has made a profound difference in my life journey making me a better person. However, God has led me to this new challenge: Serve through Adventures of Mission (ADV) on The World Race. The World Race is an 11-month Christian mission trip to 11 countries around the world serving others. I will be going to El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, Cambodia, Vietnam, Albania, Serbia, Romania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. Here is a more descriptive link of why these countries have been chosen. https://www.worldrace.org/?tab=routes&subtab=october-2018-3
Through The World Race, my team of 50, and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to minister to women and children victims trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking. I will also be ministering to child soldiers, orphans, refugees and the outcasts stuck in poverty. I will be partnered with ministries who already have established relationships with these communities, and knows exactly what the community needs and the best ways to support them. The World Race is not only a mission trip, but it’s also an intensive discipleship program designed to equip me to do this work. There are many different ways I will serve these communities. I could be teaching English, lessons of life skills, a new perspective, being the hands and feet of God and build houses, churches, or garden, farm, and build relationships to connect others to the ministries that already exist in these countries so that people can find community and hope. I want to be able to be the extra body that is needed to help these ministries reach their mission and their vision. However, the primary goal I want to do is provide hope, by teaching them about the sacrificial love of Jesus and how their situation does not have to be a forever situation.
Through this opportunity with the World Race, I will no longer just read about the world’s problems and feel powerless to help. I will see poverty, hopelessness, addiction, and destitution firsthand, bring awareness of what’s going on to my home in Chicago and act by being the catalyst that will create change, as well as inform people in Chicago how else they can be part of this mission. To do this though, I am going to need help. By going on this trip, I know that I will be able to give my resources, time, effort, energy in ways that many people in our country can’t. I feel called to not just go to church, but to be the church. I will be leaving my comfort zone of Illinois, leaving behind all my family and friends who have made an enormous impact on my life for 11 months. I know I will be challenged and stretched so thin – in ways I haven’t been before, but I also know that through these experiences, I will be steps closer to understanding who God wants me to be and how He wants to use me under His will. I will be surrounded by His children from all walks of life, backgrounds, and cultures. I will learn so much about the world, that I will be able to use what I learn toward the grander purpose God has for my future, for our country, and for Chicago. I will face many challenges all throughout the World Race, but as I prepare for my departure in October, one of my most significant challenges is my financial support.
Like most other mission organizations, World Race participants are required to fundraise financial support. In order to leave fully funded in October, I need to raise $18,700. This money will cover all of my field expenses for the 11 months of the trip. This includes international and domestic travel, health insurance, food, lodging, and safety. Money also includes going toward helping the people we will be engaging with. I am honestly not excited about asking people I love to donate money. It’s a bit awkward, but these last four years I have always worked in nonprofits who were funded by those who gave. Without donors, we would not have been able to make a difference to the lives of low-income Chicago families and youth, and it was so worth it. Going on the World Race and fundraising is just another way for donors in my life to make a difference in this world.
So here it is my official invitation to ask for our support. As I take this giant step of faith in trusting God, would you be interested in being a part of this mission and make a difference as well? Please consider partnering with me by sending up prayers, telling people you know, and by giving financially. I know everyone is on a different path and budget with finances, so if you feel led to financially support me, you can make a one-time donation or give anywhere from $1 to $10, 30, 50 a month. Any amount counts. I know that sounds cliche, but I think it’s known as a cliche because it actually works!
Also, I know I have a lot of social media friends who have a lot of cool assets, gifts, talents, hookups, careers, and passions that I would love to connect with and ask if we can partner together to help make this mission come to life.
I need help in looking for:
-spaces/venues to host parties
-DJ’s, bands, entertainment, artists
-businesses that will like to donate cool stuff for contests and raffles or anything-restaurants or bars that will like to donate food, drinks, snacks, etc.
Basically, I would love to host a party and invite you all to share what exactly this money is going to and how you can make a difference by donating. Please comment or message me if you have any ideas on how I can fundraise this money. If you know anyone with those needs I listed above to host this party, or if have any fundraising tips, I would love to learn from you as well! 🙂
I will be available to answer any questions you may have through phone, text, face-to-face hang out, email in whichever way you prefer. This next chapter of my life is a huge deal, and it would be an honor for you to partner with me. If you are interested in becoming a supporter, go to my blog at http://jasminejaurigue.theworldrace.org/, click the “donate” button on the right side and follow the giving instructions.
I don’t know where all the funds will come from, but I am willing to rely all of this upon my faith in God. Please keep me in your prayers as I embark on this new journey. May God provide the strength, wisdom and financial support I need to finish the race. Thank you again for stopping by and I pray our God provides all that you may need.
Thank you so much, with love for you always,
Jasmine Jaurigue
“Here am I, send me.” Isaiah 6:8
