So, I’ve done it. I’ve constructed my support letter.
A few pieces of advice for World Racers who haven’t written their letter yet:
– Pray before, during and after you write it.
– Write an outline (it will make the task less intimidating)
– Enjoy the whole process! This support letter is your story! Be bold when sharing it!
– Proofread it three times, then have a family member or a friend proofread it three more times.
– Compose the letter in 2 columns. (It will be easier for your readers to read it.)
Again, enjoy the process, Dad is cheering you on!
Below is my letter. It’s about a page and a half, which left me room to write a personal messages to my recipients.Write what Dad puts in your heart, don’t be afraid!
In Him,
-Kim
April 27, 2013
Dear Family and Friends,
I hope this letter finds you well! I wanted to write to let you know about some new and exciting things that are going on in my life!
MY CHINA LIFE IN (VERY BRIEF) SUMMARY
As you may or may not know, my name is Kim Harris and I’ve been living in China since 2008, not only teaching English but learning a LOT and living the China life! I could write a whole novel about my experiences here, but I’ll just give you the gist of them: From August 2008 – July 2011, I lived in a city called Baoding where I taught English to Chinese college students. Since September 2011, I’ve been living in Beijing, initially teaching English to 3-17 year old children, but now writing a curriculum and teaching 3-6 year old Chinese children at a small company called Grape Garden.
As I’ve been enjoying my time in China, something really, truly amazing happened to me (even more amazing than the Kung Pow Chicken and Spring Rolls!) Since I’ve been in China, I met the Lord Jesus and have embarked on the Incredible Journey with Him. Very recently, He’s opened the door for me to share his Love with others by giving me the opportunity to go on a trip around the world (literally around the world) called the World Race.
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE WORLD RACE?
The World Race is a program sponsored by a non- profit organization called Adventures in Missions (AIM for short.) To be more specific, the World Race is an 11-month Christian mission trip to 11 different countries around the world. Regarding my specific World Race route, I will be going to: Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Swaziland, Mozambique, South Africa, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and the Philippines.
On the World Race, my team and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children who are trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the restoration and hope of God’s Love to many tribes and nations.
HOW I GOT CONNECTED WITH THE WORLD RACE
To briefly summarize, since September 2011, the Lord kept putting people into my life who were involved with the World Race, but it wasn’t until March 2012 in Beijing when I met a World Racer who was on the race that I really felt compelled to take action to apply for a spot on the race.
In October 2012, I applied for a spot on one of the September 2013 routes, and then planned to purposefully delay my launch date until January 2014. In my post-interview phone call, a World Race staff member told me that before I could officially be accepted into the program, it would be a beneficial idea if I took the next couple of months to prayerfully evaluate where I was in my walk with the Lord.
During November and December of 2012 and January 2013, lots of very good changes began to take place in my relationship with the Lord. His Grace and Mercy alone began to soften my hard heart as I began to tell Him what I was really feeling and experiencing, not just the things I thought He wanted to hear. I began to tell Him I wanted to have a more intimate relationship with Him, and that I wanted more opportunities to learn how to be totally and utterly co -dependent on Him. I told Him I didn’t want to hide in security anymore.
In early March 2013 I applied again and by God’s Glorious Grace, on March 22, 2013, I was officially accepted into the World Race program.
HOW CAN YOU HELP ME GO ON THE WORLD RACE ?
With this great opportunity comes many big responsibilities, one of them being fundraising for the trip. I am extremely excited to work towards achieving this very big goal, but I am certain I cannot meet the financial goal by myself. I know I need Jesus and kind, generous, thoughtful people like you to believe in me and support me as I head into this next exciting and exhilarating chapter in my life!
The main purpose of my letter to you is to ask you for your financial support and generosity to help my vision of the specific ministry of sharing God’s love with people all over the world become a reality.
In order to go and complete my trip, I need to raise over $21, 500. To break it down, I need $15,550 in financial support, as well as about $6,020 for additional support and materials. Please see the chart below for more details.
Financial Support
$15,500 in order to go on the World Race, which will cover all of my basic expenses (flights and various fees) while on the field.
TOTAL:$15,500
Additional Support and Materials
– A year’s worth of overseas medical insurance (Price yet to be determined)
– $3, 240 to cover 12 months of my college loans
(about $270 dollars a month)
– a small pocket camera (about $80)
– visa fees (for some, not all countries) (up to $2,200)
– a 70-Liter backpack, tent, a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad (about $500)
TOTAL : over $6,020
Total 21,520
According to AIM, I must raise a certain amount of money raised by a certain date. (See below)
Raise $3,500 by
September 13, 2013
Raise $6,500 by
December 18, 2013
Raise$11,000 by
April 1, 2014
Raise $15,550 by
July 1, 2014
Although these are the deadlines that AIM requires, God has really wanted me to trust Him more and declare in faith that He will Provide all of my materials and support (financial and additional) by January 15, 2014 (my birthday!)
The reason why I want to go on this trip is to share Jesus’ Love to people all around the world, hear their stories, get a first-hand account of how they live, then share their stories with others. Any financial support to help me get one step closer to being fully funded would be greatly appreciated. If you’re not able to support me financially, I do ask that you would please agree with me in declaring that our God is a mighty God who will provide everything I need to be fully funded and equipped before, during, and after the World Race.
If you can and would like to financially partner with me by making a tax deductible donation, your support can be given as a one-time gift or as monthly donation, wherein you choose the amount and beginning and end date. You can donate in one of two ways:
1. Make an Online Donation
Visit my blog site at: kimharris.theworldrace.org
Just click the “Support Me” link in the upper left side of the page and complete your donation as instructed.
2. Donate by Check
(Note: You will need a credit card for this transaction.)Please make checks payable to Adventures In Missions
and return the response
card with your donation to:
Adventures In Missions,
PO Box 534470,
Atlanta, GA,
30353-4470.
I am very, very, very excited to see how God will move in my life and in the lives of all of the people who will be involved in this GINORMOUS adventure! I hope not only to be a blessing to those I serve, but also to you. Again, I would be deeply grateful and honored if you could partner with me in my ministry, for in your support, you will be giving people all over the world the following: the opportunity to learn the Good News of the Gospel, the awareness of the fact that that they are loved by God, and the reminder that they are special, important, and they indeed have a purpose for being on this earth.
Thank you in advance for your thoughts, prayers and financial partnering in this ministry.
In Him,
-Kim Harris
P.S. If you have any further questions, please email me at [email protected] and I’d be happy to answer them!
Thank you so much! You’re a blessing!
