To All My Family and Friends,
About 3 months ago, I attended a women’s conference that would change my life. I met a woman who is a writer and huge inspiration. I bought her books and followed her advice. I began to Read the Bible and Pray. I didn’t realize it at the time, but my Journey had already begun before I got to the conference. Over the past two months I have grown closer to God and renewed my Faith with him by completely giving myself to Him. During this time I felt the need to finally fulfill a calling. I had researched different mission trips and stumbled upon the World Race. It instantly grabbed my attention and then my heart, so I applied…and My Adventure Began!
I will be embarking on a year long mission trip through Adventures in Missions called the World Race; an 11 month long missions trip experience which takes participants to 11 countries on 4 continents. There is a generation of radicals whose heartbeat is to see a changed world. It’s a generation that’s dissatisfied with the status quo and is actively rising to the challenge of seeing the world transformed through tangible expressions of God’s love. World Racers are seeing lives changed in nations all over the world.
I have always wanted to help/serve others, which is why I became a teacher. I knew I was called towards children, teaching in different forms, and now to serve a bigger purpose with the rest of the world. All it took was a decision to step out of my comfort zone and allow myself to be exposed to what God is doing in the world. I have opened my life up to God to be rebuilt and start a new commitment to Him. Through this rebuilding season, I have realized my greater purpose, to serve the Kingdom of God. It is to live as a pilgrim, not as a resident to my society’s kingdom. We belong to a much greater Kingdom than we can imagine. I am following God’s voice and ready to Change…change the world, change others, change myself. I believe my life has led me to this point and prepared me for something greater than the mind can perceive.
What will I be doing? One month I could be in a small village with no electricity or running water, the next month I could be in a major metropolitan city. We will be working with a local contact in each of those countries. We will help out however is needed! Right now teams overseas are helping build fences at orphanages, teaching English in schools, training local pastors, digging wells, volunteering at hospitals – partnering with ministries all over the world.
My route will be traveling to:
Central America-Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras
South America– Bolivia, Chile
Eastern Europe- Serbia, Kosovo, Romania
East Africa– Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7)
Will you join me? I believe that God called me and God will provide. Would you take part in this mission trip by helping fund my finances? Of the whole price of $17,000, it includes food, lodging, air, land, and sea travel, administrative fees, setup, coaching, debrief, and training costs prior to and at the start of the Race. It will also cover medical insurance. This does Not include gear, travel to starting point, travel home or vaccinations.
Ways you can Help…
- Prayer
- The Power of Prayer is greatly underestimated.
- Financial support
- You can make a one-time lump sum payment at any given time.
- You can pledge to make payments monthly.
- Encouragement/Emotional Support
- Read and respond to blogs, pictures, Facebook posts that give words of encouragement and support.
One of the greatest challenges I will face before my departure will be the financial support. Like most mission trips/organizations, World Racers are required to fundraise their own financials. It will take prayer, faith in people, and a creative mind to achieve this financial goal. To leave fully funded, I could get 100 people to donate $175 each as a one time payment, or I could get those 150 people to donate $20-$25 a month for 5 months, I would reach my goal and be fully funded by the December deadline.
Ways you can Give…
- ONLINE @ michellebergeron.theworldrace.org/click “Support Me” tab
- MAIL a check payable to…
Adventures in Missions, PO Box 742570, Atlanta, GA, 30374-2570
*Please be sure to put my name (Michelle Bergeron) in the memo line. Also, please fill out and send the Adventures in Missions slip with your check to ensure there is a record of your donation. All donations are tax deductible.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter! If you have any questions, please contact me at 337-344-0694. Your love, support, and prayers are greatly appreciated and mean so much to me.
God Bless,
Michelle Bergeron
Adventures In Missions is a tax-exempt organization under IRS code 501(c)(3) and is a member of the ECFA. (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Due to IRS and ECFA regulations governing the administration of tax deductible donations given in support of a particular trip/program, support contributions given on behalf of an individual will be used to offset the costs of the trip/program you are involved in. All contributions are non-refundable regardless of the participant’s success in completing the program.
