it’s time to practice what I preach.

I find myself pretty consistently on the phone talking about money, and tents, and backpacks (oh, my!).

 
As I’ve adopted almost 100 new Racers (and counting) to take under my wing; I’ve found myself repeating over and over again how important the fundraising process is, the truth that God provides, and the reality that it takes intentionality our part to inform our donors of what we need and be clear about when we need it.

 

Here I am being completely clear about what I need:
 
My department was transitioned to salaried pay and invited to enroll in benefits in October. I’m no longer covered by my parents’ insurance, so I enrolled. Then tax changes happened – my net pay decreased due to taxes by 2.65%, and when benefits kicked in, by another $90 per pay period.
 
All things calculated, my net pay decreased by about $200.00/month, and now, instead of having a little wiggle room, I have zero wiggle room – even for an oil change or a trip to the optometrist to maybe (finally) replace the scratched-up emergency glasses I got in Rwanda a year ago.
 

I haven’t asked for help because I hate asking for help. I think a lot of people can relate to that. I need help, though. I think a lot of people can relate to that, too.

 
I’m in a unique line of work for the western world. I raise money for my organization in order to get paid.

We’re taking hope, supplies, free labor, and Jesus to the very most impoverished parts of the world. We’re building ministry bases in Guatemala and (maybe, soon!) Honduras.
 
We’re partnering with ministries building orphanages in Nepal, India, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central America. We’re teaching English, and we’re teaching first-aid and hygiene to communities that literally have never been taught how AIDs is transmitted.
 
We’re partnering local churches with churches all over the globe to foster relationships within the body of Christ.

We aren’t turning foreign cultures into ours; other cultures are not a failed attempt at being our own. We’re just loving them where they are, and helping them where they need help, and we need your continued support in order to continue changing the world – because I promise you, the world is changing.

We're responding first to disasters domestically, too – we were on the Jersey Shore the weekend after Sandy hit, and bringing supplies and relief teams to areas hit by tornados in Northwest Georgia last week just hours after the tornados passed through.
 

 

While, yes, my job is to send missionaries out on the field – that’s just the end goal. I also get 2-9 months with every participant I mobilize to pour directly into them, to call out the truth and beauty inside of them. I get to watch as the Lord faithfully and diligently prepares each of them for the adventures ahead.
 

I am the one who gets to remind them that our Jesus is with us today and has sent us His spirit to dwell in us and work through us. I get to pray for peace and protection, for provision, and for hearts to be changed and matured through the process of preparing for the World Race.

Then, three times per year, I get to meet the precious ones I’ve been praying for and mentoring.

 
In their hugs and through their tears, I get to see the healing and wholeness they’ve already walked into – and glimpse just a fraction of the beauty that lays ahead of them still.

I have so strongly been called to be at Adventures in Missions for this season and for as far as I can see into the future. There is hope needed here, too, and I’m ready to give it. There are ministry needs here that I am ready to meet.

 

I need donors willing to commit $10, $25, or $50 monthly for 2013 in order to be here and do what I know I am supposed to be doing.