Hey everyone!! I just wanted to thank you for signing up to receive my blogs! Some of you may be receiving this even though you didn’t sign up, I just had your e-mail address, so I added you. If you want to unsubscribe at any time, there is a link to do so! I hope that you chose to keep receiving updates from me though, because as the months go by while I’m in each country… there are going to be plenty of stories, pictures, videos and just blogs about what we are doing over there! You may have some questions like….
Where are you going??
As most of you know, my Squad (U Squad) will be traveling to 11 countries over the course of 11 months. Our updated route (subject to change) is as follows:
Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, India, Nepal, Malaysia, South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland, Romania, and Moldova
We launch January 7, 2011
Who is going with you??
In my squad, there are 44 people, divided into teams of about 6 or 7 (My team is called Blue Sky). Upon arrival to each country, our squad will split up into our teams and go to different parts of the country, staying with locals. We will be living in tents, on cots, extra rooms, churches, and even orphanages! Our food budget is $1.50 a day. In other words, we will be living very minimally and very immersed in the culture. We will carry only 1 backpack for the entire 11 months to live out of!! 
My Team Blue Sky in Atlanta! Praise and Worship with the squad at Training Camp!
What are you doing in each country?
Pretty much whatever the Lord calls us to do! After learning so much at training camp, hearing stories, reading blogs, and just researching, we could be doing anything from building churches to spending time with orphans. Other things will include… working with victims of Human Trafficking, working with prostitutes, street evangelism, preaching sermons at local churches, running vacation bible school, teaching English, and simply spreading the Word of God to nations that are in desperate need of the Truth!! We will be building relationships and gaining trust with the local people so they can see how having a relationship with Jesus brings freedom and hope.
I am so excited, and I can not wait to go into the world and see what the Lord has planned for us!
Is it safe?
Okay… I’m getting a zillion vaccinations next week, but a few racers have come down with Malaria.. and have all recovered. Not to mention my mom is already stock piling vitamins for me!! I am trusting the Lord with this! If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it! Plus, Adventures In Missions is really good about making sure the countries we are in are safe while we are there.. and if not, that’s why our route could change at any minute!
How can I help?
Okay, here is where I need YOU. The total cost of the trip is $14,300 which is pretty amazing considering that pays for all of our travel, food and lodging for the entire 11 months. (Told you we were living minimally)! No fancy hotels, no going out to eat (well maybe sometimes).. . we are going to experience life the people in each country experience it daily. What better way to build relationships and relate to people?
I have been fundraising for about 4 months now and have raised over $3,000 so obviously I have a long way to go before I am fully funded. I only need $5,000 to launch, but that means I still need to raise $9,000 on the field. Who wants to be stuck with that while you’re out trying to share Jesus!!
I’ve done the calculations, spent many hours worrying and many more praying. I have total faith that God will provide me with a means to do this… I’m giving up everything I have here in the states (no really, I sold it all) so He can use me to further the Kingdom!! And I found this really interesting fact….
If just FORTY people sign up to donate $20 Monthly, or a one time donation of $220, MY WHOLE TRIP WILL BE FUNDED!!!! Unbelievable!!! Only 20 bucks a month!! I think I normally spend that much on coffee in a week!! If you feel like this is something you can do, all I ask is that you pray about it. See if this could be something you want to support.
Do the research, I urge you!! Go to the World Race home page (link at top of my page) and read blogs from people who are already on the field. See if letting me represent you to millions of people who need the Lord is something you want to do!! I’ll be updating my blog weekly (depending on which country I’m in) so you can see how your money is being used to build the Kingdom!
Thank you so much for showing an interest in my Mission Trip.. please see the links to the left of my page and read past blog posts (including pics and videos!) There is also a link that says SupportMe that you can click on to give an easy online donation (monthly or one time!)
Oh and one more thing, can you send my blog to 5 people you know who may be interested in what I’m doing? (mom, dad, brother, sister, cousin, church, choir, soccer team, bible study… anyone!!) Help me spread the word! I need as many people praying for me as I can!!
FUNDRAISERS:
Chick-fil-a Fundraiser
Bake Sale!!!
Yard Sale #2 (Yes it rained) 
Yard Sale #1 (it was HUGE!!)
