Below is an exact copy of the support letter that I’ll be sending out to friends, family and colleagues this week. I am posting it so that people didn’t receive one can still read the letter and get a better feel for what I’m doing, where I’m going and why.
Dear {name of amazing friend/family member},
Hi! I hope this letter finds you happy, healthy and prosperous. I’m writing you today to share some BIG NEWS that’s come up in my life recently. But, before I jump into that, I’ll give you a lil’ background info: on a mission trip to Costa Rica in 2012 my life was forever changed. That trip was a defining moment in my life and helped me discern God’s call on my life to serve others, specifically in global missions work. After Costa Rica, I realized the desire in my heart to serve the needy wasn’t on a part-time volunteer basis; it’s the way I want to live my life. And that’s where the BIG NEWS comes in!
I was accepted to the World Race. The World Race is a missions program run by an organization called Adventures In Missions. It’s a mission trip for 21 to 35 year-olds which spans 11 countries in 11 months! So where will I be going and when? Well, In January 2015 I’ll leave to serve in: Dominican Republic, Haiti, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Botswana, Swaziland and South Africa. I’m incredibly excited to be able to use my gifts and talents to teach English to children, feed the hungry, give my testimony to encourage others to have faith in the Gospel, and assist in freeing prostitutes from the bondage of sexual slavery—and those are just a few of the things I’ll be doing on the Race!
Of course, this opportunity of a lifetime doesn’t come without a cost. In order to go on the World Race, I must raise $15,500 (yep, you read that correctly). I will contribute $5,000 myself by moving to a cheaper apartment, working as a Teaching Assistant this summer, and selling clothing and jewelry. But I’ll need YOU to help me raise the remaining $10,500. Please prayerfully consider partnering with me financially to support this ministry. I humbly ask that you’d consider either a monthly gift of $10, a one-time gift of $120, or a gift of whatever size you feel comfortable giving. If you are led to partner with me, you can contribute by:
SUPPORTING
Use the enclosed fundraising card and self-addressed envelope to mail your tax-deductible gift or donate online at my blog: monicapayne.theworldrace.org. If you prefer to give items as opposed to money, please visit myregistry.com and type my name into the search bar. You’ll then find my World Race Wish List where you can donate gear to me that I’ll need for the Race!
PRAYING
Please pray that I’ll be mentally, spiritually, and physically prepared for this trip and that people would be led to support my trip financially. And pray for the folks I’ll be meeting and ministering to in each country as well as the other young missionaries who I’ll be spending each and every day with.
FOLLOWING
With the tap of your finger, you can share my journey with hundreds of people who may be led to support me! Please share my blog address or info about my journey on all social media outlets you use. You can use #MonicaOnTheMove to see photos of my journey on Instagram.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about the World Race or just want to talk in depth about what I’ll be doing, please call me at (513)-289-4328 or email me at [email protected]. I look forward to talking with you! And thank you in advance for helping me let my light shine before others so that they may see my good works and glorify my Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Love,
Monica
