Hi everyone & welcome to MY BLOG!
Crazy… I never thought I’d be saying that.
For those who don’t know me…
My name is Niki and I’m from New Zealand. I love people, Jesus, travelling and anything adventurous.
I am 23 and come from a family of six. I have my mum, dad, two older sisters and my twin brother.
I moved to Tauranga, New Zealand 8 years ago after growing up and living in China for 14 years. Living in China was an absolutely amazing experience and I will forever be so grateful for the time I had there. I’m sure I’ll talk a little bit about my experience growing up in China in my future blog posts.
Over two years ago I stumbled across The World Race while searching missionary/volunteer opportunities. Over those years, I was frequently reading blogs and looking at videos of current or past World Racers. As soon as I came across it, I realised this was exactly what I was looking for, and everything more! I am confident that I belong on the mission field. I have had a huge desire in my heart for international missions, and I am so excited to finally say YES and GO! I know that The World Race is the next step in my walk with Christ and that I must take a leap of faith, trust Him, and fulfill my purpose to know God and to make Him known.
The World Race is an 11 month Christian mission trip to 11 countries around the world. One of the unique things about the World Race is that it is not only a mission trip, but also an intensive discipleship program designed to launch my generation into our specific kingdom calling. Through the World Race, our team will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages and love on people, minister to women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the restorative hope of God’s love to many tribes and nations. etc.
My route is an expedition trip through 11 countries in 11 months, starting in August 2018. We will be serving throughout the 10/40 window of the most unreached nations in the world. The countries I will be going to are Spain, Morocco, Jordan, Israel, Cyprus, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and China. If safety is an issue these countries could possibly change.
I’m inviting you to be a part of this journey with me. As I prepare to go and during my time on the race I’ll be posting regular blogs and videos so you can all see what I’m doing and what God is doing through our team.
Fortunately, God hasn’t called me to go on this journey alone. He has called YOU to join me!
The most important way you can join this journey of mine is by praying for me, my World Race team and each of the countries we will be living in.
The second way to help is by financially supporting me if you would like to. I will face many challenges throughout this mission trip, but as I prepare for my departure, one of my greatest challenges is my financial support. Like most other missions organisations, World Race participants are required to fundraise financial support. To be honest, fundraising scares me and I do feel uncomfortable asking for money. For so long I was hesitant to apply for the World Race because I did not think I would be able to fundraise. I decided though to not let that hold me back.
In order to be fully funded on 30th October 2018, I need to raise $18,700 USD ($26,828.88 NZD). I will be saving of course towards this myself but help would be appreciated.
Fundraising Goals:
|
Due 18th May 2018 Goal 1 |
Due 20th July 2018 Goal 2 |
Due 30th September 2018 Goal 3 |
30th November 2018 Goal 4 |
|
$5,000 (USD) $7,173 (NZD) |
$10,000 (USD) $14,347 (NZD) |
$13,000 (USD) $18,651 (NZD) |
$18,700 (USD) $26,828.88 (NZD) |
Being an American based mission, it will cost more being a New Zealander.
This money will cover all of my field expenses for the 11 months of the trip. That does not include my return flights between America and New Zealand, a tent, sleeping bag, backpack and all of the other items I will need to live for a year away. I know God will provide all of the funds I need by calling the people in my life to join this mission with me. John 15:7 “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
God has provided me with an opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of people who have never had the opportunity to know Jesus, in a personal and powerful way.
Don’t forget to click the subscribe button to find out more about me and follow my journey. I am very excited to post more blogs and videos prior to launch and during the 11 months on the field.
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this. If you have any questions at all please contact me. I would absolutely love to answer your questions.
With love,
Niki
On a side note, I am from NZ and us kiwis may say some weird stuff so be prepared for…
Follow / Contact me:
My Blog: nikidean.theworldrace.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/niki.dean.9
Instagram: niki.d3
How to donate?
You can either click the donate button at the top of my page (note: this will be in US dollars) or an easier way for Kiwis is to transfer it to my New Zealand account and I can transfer it across.
Account info below:
N S DEAN
03-1549-0611399-000
