I already have a Support and Fundraising Blog but I wanted to include a letter I have written so anyone who I don't get the letter out to (mostly because I might not know your address) can read it… maybe even feel compelled to help!
Dear family and friends,
As some of you may know in December of 2010 I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Sports and Fitness – Human Performance. I have had this plan of continuing my education, finishing up some more prerequisites and applying for graduate school for Physical Therapy. This may still be in my plan but I now “ know oh Lord that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.” Jer. 10:23. In the past year the Lord has taken a hold of my heart and has been transforming my life daily. The Lord has been filling my heart with a necessity and an urgency to Build his Kingdom and share with the world what he has given me, new life in Christ and Christ alone. On October 1st of this year I will be leaving the country on an 11 month, 11 country mission trip.
This mission trip is through a ministry called ‘The World Race’ – which is the journey I will be partaking in. I have never been so driven and confident in anything that I have been lead to do in all of my life. God is taking me on a journey of a lifetime and I am so humbled that he would choose me to bring his word to the world. Throughout this trip I will not only be a witness to those who God is calling me to and those back here, but also transform my heart into the man who God calls me to be. This trip is much bigger then myself doing humanitarian work for those in need, it is about bringing new life, hope and love to many hearts who are in dire need of Christ’s abounding Grace. Matthew 10:8 says “Freely you have been given, so freely give.” – God has filled my life with blessings, my heart now knows that my life has been ordained to live in Christ-likeness, leading me to do his work.
As I stated earlier, I will be traveling to 11 different countries, these being…
Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, one unknown country in Asia( for now), Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Malawi.
Here comes your part, this trip cannot happen without the support of those whom God has put in my life. I ask that you pray and see what God may be calling you to do in support of this trip. By supporting me, YOU are a part of this, helping me be the hands and feet of Christ to every heart he puts in my path. This trip costs around $15,000, this may seem like a large amount but if I got 50 people to donate $25/ month for one year this trip would be fully funded. I know that this can be hard, but remember, 2 Corinthians 9:7 states “for God loves a cheerful giver.” Whether you can give $5 or $5000, you will be making a huge change in many lives. Support comes in many ways, not just financially but through prayer and encouragement. I would ask you to follow me now and throughout my trip at my blog www.ryanbanko.theworldrace.org to see what God is doing in me and through me. I also ask that you pray for me now and throughout this journey, prayer is oh so powerful.
If you feel as though God is calling you to support me financially you can do this by visiting my blog and going to the support tab, here you can give as a one-time gift or recurring. You can also send your tax-deductable contribution to
Adventures In Missions (To: Adventures in Missions , and let me know so I can stay on top of it)
P.O. Box 534470 Memo: The World Race – Ryan Banko
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
You may not be a Christian, maybe not believe in God, but I do hope you believe in me and this journey. I will give it my whole heart and hope you can all be a part of this with me. If you want more information you can check out The World Races main website at www.theworldrace.orgor if you have any questions email me at [email protected] – Thanks again and I am blessed to have all of you in my life
If you want to donate by sending a check in the mail I would ask that you email me and I can send you a copy of the Support Card to include in your envelope!
