No doubt about it, this year is a journey of faith. There is NO WAY I could be doing this alone! For you, my friends and family, this post is a nitty-gritty details post about the most dreaded topic in missions: fundraising. Or “support”. Or whatever you’d like to call it. Any time we start talking about money, things inevitably get awkward- but there are a few things I’d like to share with you about this fundraising journey:
- It’s awkward. Really. For me. For you. Money just makes things a little awkward (or a lot). I honestly wish I didn’t have to be part of this process. But…
- I believe it’s Biblical. Yes, it stretches me outside my comfort zone to ask. Yes, it stretches you outside your comfort zone to listen and say “yes”. But really, I 100% believe fundraising is Biblical and we’re committed to learning how to do this the best way we can.
- We have nothing to hide. This post will outline how you can help and where the money goes. Seriously, I want to be 100% transparent about my fundraising, so if you read this and still have questions, please just ask!! Just send me an email,[email protected], with your questions, and I’ll get right back to you.
And now, for an in-depth look at my World Race Budget. First, I’ll give you a basic bullet-point outline of how much money I need, by when, and then will explain it in more details:
- $5,000 due September 23rd
- $10,00 due December 12th
- 13,000 due February 28th
- $16,617 due April 30th
- $4,000 for additional expenses not covered in World Race trip cost
Part of becoming a missionary on the World Race means that I am responsible to raise funds for the 11 months I’ll be gone. Even though I don’t leave until January 2017, fundraising starts immediately. I must raise $16,617 to go on The World Race. This amount goes to Adventures in Missions (the missions organization World Race is under) and will cover all my necessary expenses (food, travel, lodging) the entire time we are overseas on World Race.
So where, exactly, does that $16,617 go? This chart will show you, and here’s a further explanation:
- 2% ($332) Training Camp
- Cultural training before departure
- 4% ($665) Field Support
- Getting supplies, supporting local contacts, etc
- 12% ($1,994) WR Development Program
- Improvements and development
- 17% ($2,825) Administration Fees
- Processing, paying the staff that literally take care of every detail of our travel, food, lodging ,etc.
- 65% (10,801) World Racer Budget
- See below for further breakdown
And here’s how that big 65% “World Race” budge breaks down:
- $45% ($4,860) Intercontinental travel
- 13% ($1,404) Food
- 19% ($2,052) Lodging
- 11% ($1,188) Transportation
- 12% ($1,296) Long Distance Travel and Misc. Supplies
I also need to raise additional support for other expenses not covered in the $16,617 such as airfare to and from and 10 day training camp, vaccinations, and gear (tent, backpacks, sleeping bag, etc.). I’m estimating I will need around $4,000 to cover these additional costs.
Where I am at now
The most amazing part of all this is that I have only been fundraising for 3 months and I’m already at 20.77% of my overall fundraising goal!! To everyone who has been a part of making this happen- THANK YOU!!! From adopt-a-jars, lemonade stand, tank tops, anonymous donations, the last 3 months have been mind blowing to see how God is providing for me- through you. It’s humbling, but incredible to see the beginnings of what God is doing in me and in you through this journey.
So how do I meet my deadline before December? One of the best ways is through monthly commitments. Whether it’s $2, $10, $20, $50, or $100, monthly commitments make a huge difference in helping me reach my goals. Of course, one-time gifts are always welcomed.
To me, support means more than a quick prayer or a check- it’s far more profound than that. Support represents us locking arms together, sharing the vision God’s put on my heart and the mission He’s put in our hands. God designed us for community, and even when we’re living halfway around the world, we still consider you family. If my story captures your heart in some way I would love for you to join me on this journey. There are several ways you can do that:
- Share. Helping me share my message is one of the most meaningful ways you can show your support. If something I write or video resonates with you, I encourage you to pass it along. Follow my blog and vlog (video blog) and share it with others. Connect with me on social media and help me get the word out about what I’m doing. I would be honored if you would share my story.
- Prayer. I recognize there is no way I can do this alone. I am dependent on God working in me, through me, and around me. This journey will be stretching and challenging in many ways I can’t anticipate, but I know the prayers going before me will make a way. If you want to partner with me in prayer, email me about joining my prayer team.
- Financial. Of course, a large part of my need is, very practically, financial. I would be honored to have you join us on this journey. You can give online by visiting my blog site at maryjanestevens.theworldrace.org. Donations can also be mailed in. And if you’d rather not deal with any of it, you can always just ask me to do it for you (that’s a serious offer!!).
If you need more information about anything I would LOVE to seat down with you and answer any questions you might have.
THANK YOU!!
P.S. the vlog site is not up yet, but there will be another blog post coming soon with more details about it.
Also, thanks to Derek and Sarah Gill – www.derekandsarahgill.com – for helping me with the information
