While looking at support raising options, many people have recommended t-shirts. What most people don’t realize is that the t-shirt (and apparel industry in general) is destroying local economies in some of the regions of the world I will be visiting. If you want to learn more watch The True Cost. So instead of t-shirts, I just received an order of wristbands! Each wristband is a $5 minimum donation and the proceeds will go directly to my fund with Adventures in Mission!
These wrist bands mean a commitment to saying “yes.” Saying yes, is definitive. It’s different than saying “sure,” “yeah,” or “maybe.” Yes, means you are committed. When I committed to the World Race, it was a big yes, and I’m all in. I hope to carry this perspective as a lifestyle rather than just a fad on the race. Saying yes to the World Race means I’ll be saying yes to a variety of challenges and obstacles. I am also hoping my supporters will be saying yes to a variety of things as well.
I have said…
Yes to adventure. Racers live out of a backpack for 11months as we travel the world. If that doesn’t scream adventure, I don’t know what does! Life is anything but ordinary on the race: new foods, new people, new climate, new family, a new reality, new everything. I am committed to this journey and opening my heart to everything it has to offer.
Yes to humility. If you know me, you probably know that I tend to be independent and prefer to do things on my own. The fundraising process is significantly challenging that mindset and showing me that great things don’t just come from just one person. It takes humility to recognize and accept the help of others. I am committed to overcoming these personal barriers and I hope to gain a gentler and humble spirit through this process.
Yes to God’s way. I always have a plan. ALWAYS. I feel so much satisfaction in accomplishing a goal I have set for myself. However, I am committed to letting go of this. While there are many things I hope to do on the race and throughout my life, I am saying yes to where God is leading me.
Yes to being a team member. I will be living in community with my squad, but also with those different societies we will be a part of as we travel. I am committed to seeing my work as something larger than myself and changing my perspective.
Yes to work. Fundraising is hard. It is painstaking and tedious. Negotiating a work/internship schedule and deferring law school has brought additional challenges. I have taken on an incredible amount of work in addition to graduating early, my commitment to my friends, and my residents. I am committed to working through it all.
What can you say YES to?
Say yes to tithing or financially supporting me. Check out some of the other blogs and testimonies of members who are already on the race, God is doing amazing things through this program, but it doesn’t come without finances! In order to meet my goal, I am looking for at least
3 people to say YES to $100/month
7 people to say YES to $50/month
35 people to say YES to $20/month
10 people to say YES to $10/month
To put this into a little perspective, $10 amounts to two tall Frappuccino’s at Starbucks or a burrito with chips and guac at Chipotle. [Donations can be sent by check to adventure in missions or me to be processed into my account. Direct donations can be found under the “donate” tab. Contact me with any questions!]
Say yes to opportunities. God presents opportunities to make a difference every single day. Sometimes we don’t open our eyes to them. You can be committed to looking for these opportunities and taking them.
Say yes to a change in perspective: I have found it can be difficult to focus on exactly what we are here to do: to love God and to love others. You can be committed to breaking down some aspects of your life that are draining or unfulfilling.
Say yes to learning about justice: Many times we think we are helping, but instead we are hurting. How can we solve some of the problems in society that we are called to in the most humanizing way possible? You can be committed to being informed and intentional.
Say yes to adventure. You don’t have to live out of a backpack traveling around the globe for eleven months in order to find adventure. Find a way to explore God’s creation and people in a way that is refreshing, new, and energizing. You can be committed to the life long journey that God provides us.
The “Say YES to adventure” wrist bands are a physical reminder of what it means to say YES, and also a commitment to supporting me prayerfully or financially while I am on the race. Message/e-mail/text/find me if you would like to buy one! I’ll be selling them in Omaha right now, but also in Cedar Rapids when I return over breaks!
