Hey Everyone!!! Sorry this is so late!! Summer has been crazy thus far!! But here is the letter that I am sending out to everyone!! I am in the process of sending them out!! So if you would like a copy, send me your address!! Although I am probably already sending you one!! 🙂 Peace and Love!!!
Dear Family & Friends,
I hope this letters finds you all happy & healthy!! I am writing today with exciting news of my future!
The past few years of my life have been a whirl-wind, as I am sure most of you know. Over the four years of my undergrad career, I "sampled" my fair number of colleges. Last May I graduated from the University of Mary with a degree in Biology. According to the plan I created when I was in high school, my next step should have been graduate school. Life is funny that way though isn't it? How does the famous joke go? If you want to know if God has a sense of humor, simply tell him your plans…. SO TRUE.
The past four years have also been filled with mysterious, exhausting, and seemingly incurable illnesses. Thank you to all those that hung in there, took me to the ER, etc. However, thanks to a handful of amazing doctors (and some radical treatment options) my health is finally in a good place. About time!
At this point in the letter, I am sure you are all waiting anxiously for an explanation of why I felt compelled to write this letter! So, first let me thank you for allowing me to consume a few moments of your precious and fleeting time. Hang in there, exciting news is coming!
Roughly 6 months ago, God re-entered my life….From a Whisper to a Roar. Have you ever felt as though you were missing something, as if there were a giant void in your life? And then tried to fill that void with a million different things? For me it was new schools, new towns, CLOTHES, dying my hair brown (brutal), etc. Let me offer a small bit of advice from someone who learned the hard way, give God a try before you radically decide to dye your hair brown 😉 But in all seriousness, my life has gained so much meaning in the last few months. Everything started when I applied for a summer job at Camp of the Cross here in ND (I am the camp nurse, scary huh?). It has grown into so much more! In October, I will embark on the most terrifying, exciting, awesome journeys of my life.
In October, I will be leaving behind my family, friends, home, and all the comforts of my current life. I will be giving it all up to serve as a missionary through a program called the World Race, which is a branch of Adventures in Missions. The World Race is an 11-month Christian mission trip to 11 different countries around the world. My gypsy soul will finally be satisfied! Through adventure, ministry, community, and self discovery, my teammates and I will serve as God's hands and feet. We will perform many different acts of service including, but not limited too; preaching the Gospel, planting churches, working in orphanages, ministering to women and children trapped in the horrific world of human trafficking, and so much more.
I am so grateful that God has given me this opportunity to not only spread His word and help others to grow in His love, but also allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of what that love truly means. I have every confidence that he will support me, and provide me with everything I need to make this journey possible. The reason I am writing to you, is to invite you to join me on this journey. There are many ways to join in the fun. One way, which I encourage the most, is supporting me through prayer. Many people would love to have this opportunity, but it does not fit into their busy lifestyles. This is where I come in. I would be honored to go out as your representative and bring Christ Jesus to nations around the world. With your prayerful support, I know I will have the strength to succeed.
Other support options include following my blog at lizhipp.theworldrace.org. This blog allows me to connect with you while I am overseas. It allows you to take part in my journey, to see, hear, and feel everything I will. I also encourage sharing this blog with as many people as you wish. The more hearts I can touch, the better!!
And the final option is to support me financially. I must raise $15,000 in order to attend the World Race. This amount covers all of my necessary expenses in the field, including travel expenses after launch, food, etc. I will be paying for any unnecessary expenses such as souvenirs, refills on toiletries, unplanned trips, and things of that nature. Financial support can be given several ways. It can be given as a one-time gift, or as a monthly donation, wherein you choose the amount and the beginning and end date!
With this letter, I have enclosed a response card and pre-addressed envelope. This response card will allow you to pledge prayers and/or financial support! This card allows me to keep track of how much, and what kind of support I am receiving! It also provides AIM with the information necessary to send you a receipt for a financial donation (Tax Deductible). So please fill it out and send it back in!! Prayerful support is enthusiastically encouraged!! If you do feel moved to make a money donation, one can make a check payable to Adventures in Missions, and return it with the enclosed response card, or online by clicking the "Support Me" tab on my blog!
I am filled with excitement, and nervous butterflies, as I prepare for the next year and a half of my life! I am excited to witness God moving in myself, my teammates, those I have yet to encounter, and also through all of you! I hope that through my story, you will be strengthened in your love for Christ, or possibly even give you that extra ounce of encouragement to start on your own path back to God. Thank you all in advance for all your support! God Bless you, and keep you well.
All My Love,
Liz Hipp
Also, I would just like to say thank you for all of your support!! This has been quite the adventure for me thus far, and there is no way I would have made it without all of you!! Still have a long way to go! So stick with me!!!
So far this summer I have been working at Camp of the Cross outside of Garrison, ND! Love it!! Below are some pictures from a week we spent in Carson, ND running a day camp!! BLAST!!
~*~*~ Emilee helping me out with chapel! Cutest little girl ever! ~*~*~
~*~*~ All the kids from Carson Day Camp, and two baby skunks!! They couldn't spray yet so it was okay!! They were actually really cute!! ~*~*~ (the kids too!!)
