I’m really excited to share with you my new fundraising opportunity where your spare change can change the world. I have 11 mason jars – 1 for each country I’ll visit on the World Race – and each is waiting to be claimed. Here is how you can help:
- Claim your jar (country) by emailing/texting/calling me with which country you’d like to represent.
- Let me know when is the best time for the jar to be delivered to you
- While its in your possession fill it with any spare change, bills, encouraging notes or whatever you like!
- Once it’s full, return it to me and all the money will go directly towards the World Race, and any notes will get placed in a notebook for encouragement while I’m gone.
Here are the countries you can choose from, along with a snippet from the World Race website about the country and some of the ministry we may be doing there!
Lesotho: Lesotho is a landlocked country completely surrounded by South Africa. Its two million people are mostly subsistence farmers. We will partner with local churches to minister to families.
Swaziland: The Kingdom of Swaziland is one of the last remaining monarchies in Africa. Home to 1.1 million people and breathtaking scenic views, it’s also where the world’s highest HIV/AIDS infection rate lives (26.1% in adults and over 50% of adults in their 20s). It’s estimated that by 2050, Swaziland may cease to exist. Young orphans are scattered throughout this nation in desperate need of attention. For years, Adventures has been committed to seeing these statistics reversed. Here, we’ll most likely find ourselves involved in a variety of outreaches, including education, orphan care, care point feedings, and more.
South Africa: While it’s been several decades since apartheid has formally ended, there’s still more healing and reconciliation to take place in South Africa. One of the wealthiest countries on the continent yet much of the population living outside the cities is poor. Like the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, this country struggles with a high rate of AIDS/HIV. Host to the 2010 World Cup and breathtaking natural attractions, it’s also a place full of kingdom potential, waiting to be released.
Vietnam: After nearly a century of French rule, in the mid-20th century, Vietnam was split into communist (north) and non-communist (south) halves. By 1975, Vietnam was made whole again, but as a communist country. Even with the economic reforms and restoration of diplomatic ties human rights are limited in Vietnam, especially freedom of religion; most of Vietnam is Buddhist, less than 10% is Catholic. Here we’ll be fed with pho, delicious beef noodle soup, and in turn feed believers and pray God’s light and presence everywhere we go.
Cambodia: Cambodia houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat, a Hindu temple and monastery built during the Khmer empire in the 12th century. It later became a Buddhist complex a century later, and today, just over 96% of Cambodia is Buddhist. Almost 30 years ago, 1.5 million Cambodians died at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. Today, Cambodia is a source, transit point, and destination of human trafficking. Unfortunately, the government is struggling to stop it. The people of Cambodia are thirsty for the hope Adventures in Missions can bring.
Thailand: The kingdom of Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in the region not colonized by Europe. Their 2000 census showed that 94.6% of the population is Buddhist, 4.6% are Muslim, and 0.7% are Christian. Approximately 600,000 people live with HIV/AIDS in Thailand. With nearly two million people estimated to be forced into prostitution, it has become one of the most popular places for sex tourism. Change lives in the city-where my squad and I, like Jesus, might befriend prostitutes-or in the countryside-where we may serve youth, care for orphans, and encourage a remnant of believers.
Nicaragua: This location is always a World Race favorite. It’s a country full of wonderfully warm and caring people, and participants always leave having had a powerful experience. However, hopelessness, addictions, destitution, and poverty still plague the many lives of Nicaragua. There are orphans who have grown up without knowing the love of a parent and families who get by each day by scrounging scraps from the city dump where they have made their homes. In Nicaragua, we’ll have the opportunity to bring God’s love through slum ministry, door-to-door outreach, outreach to children, and more.
Costa Rica: Costa Rica is a hot spot for surfing and just enjoying “pura vida” – literally, “pure life”, it’s a concept of a “chill,” relaxed, laid back way of life. The beautiful beaches that line both coasts are the perfect setting. Among the Central American countries, Costa Rica (“Rich Coast”) lives up to its name. While the natural beauty attracts lots of tourists, there are still large pockets of poverty and family brokenness. Because of its relative affluence, Costa Rica also draws in immigrants from neighboring countries, like Nicaragua, who don’t fare much better than they did before. You might help feed their physical and spiritual hunger – and discover other creative ways to give new meaning to the concept of “pura vida.”
Jamaica: Jamaica’s lush mountains descend to white, sandy beaches. The smell of coffee and jerk spices drift in the air. But high in the hills, families crowd into ramshackle houses, little more than sheds. Homelessness is rampant, mothers abandon children they can’t feed, and many Jamaican people turn to false gods to answer their desperate pleas for help. From serving in food kitchens to helping with sports ministry or VBS at a school for the blind and hearing impaired to finishing long neglected projects for ministries focused on sharing the gospel, there is a lot my team could do to serve the people of Jamaica. In the true Jamaican way of “No worries, mon,” plans change often, leaving room for God to speak and to lead.
Haiti: Haiti was hit with a life-altering earthquake on January 12, 2010. The nation’s still in shambles, but the church is rising up. Haiti is experiencing a spiritual revival right now like it has never seen before. Communities are turning to pastors for leadership, and the local church is becoming the driving force behind Haiti’s ongoing rebirth. Be part of this key moment in Haiti’s history and the church’s impact on this nation.
Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean with Haiti. Dominican culture is lively, vibrant, and warm, however, the people struggle with hyper-sexualization, alcoholism, and witchcraft. After the earthquake in Haiti, the DR quickly became a refuge for thousands who were displaced. Chances for ministry here are varied and exciting – anything from children’s camps to church planting to construction.
Please reach out with any questions, and thank you for your partnership!
Morgan
