Dear Friends and Family,
But I need everyone I know to read this letter.
Hopefully this letter will reach those I haven’t met yet.
Two years ago a friend sent me a quote from an African man in Zimbabwe who was martyred.
Before he died he said, “The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His and I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.”
Those words have shaken me ever since I first read them.
We all desire to be happy, to live our dreams, and to have a full and rich life.
At age 25 I have had a life full of blessings.
I have two of the most wonderful parents who have given me everything they didn’t have.
After earning my degree I have a decent job, a roof over my head, and no complaints.
Many have said that my life is “on track.”
The punch line is I disagree.
What does it mean to step over the line?
Many of you who know me, know my life has been different than some my age.
That was only the beginning!
Something inside of me won’t sit still.
I’m a product of my mother and father.
I’m blessed with my mother’s compassion and my father’s strength.
With that I want to change people’s lives.
I’m willing to go to the places that many fear to go.
I’m willing to crawl in the mud and live as if I came from nothing.
I know how fortunate I am!
I desire to live an uncomfortable life.
A life where I take risks but not to be mistaken with carelessness.
I fully understand what I desire.
I want to be there for the children who don’t have a mother or father.
I have heard the cries of those in need and I will dedicate my life so that they may have what so many others take for granted.
I want to give because so much has been given to me, and because the ability to give is a gift in its self.
My parents worry with love because they know this is the man I am to be.
As my parents have, I have also wondered where this life would take me.
I’ve asked God to take me in whatever direction to fulfill these desires.
Seeking the extraordinary knowing that it may mean giving up the life I know.
Through an amazing friend I stumbled across the opportunity I had been praying for.
A program called The World Race.
I will use this next year to travel around the world to help those in need. I will be a servant and live like those I am serving.
We will travel to nearly 11 countries over the next year.
When we travel, we’ll do so cheaply, and in many places, we’ll stay in tents or wherever people invite us to stay.
As we go, we seek to serve partner ministries that are caring for the poorest of the poor.
This trip will have an orphan focus and we will spend much of our time in Africa among other countries. During this World Race, I will be discipled and trained in various areas of ministry and missions.
Everyday during those 11 months will be spent devoted to those we are serving. Before I go I will abandon all that has made my life comfortable.
This isn’t just another experience; it’s a commitment to those I will serve and to the life I believe I’m called to live.
We will partner with local churches to establish long-term kingdom works that will last long after we leave.
Why is this the most important letter I’ve ever written?
This letter is paramount in this pivotal time in my life.
I pray that my words are refined and sharp enough to portray the true essence and seriousness of all that I speak of.
It’s not easy to ask for financial help, but without your help this may not be possible.
While the cost of an average college might be $2000/month, the World Race costs just half that – $1080/month. My entire one year World Race experience is $13,000.
My team of 40 is beginning to raise the funds now, and will begin the trip on June 1st, 2007.
James 1:27 Says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
What I desire in my life isn’t to be successful, it’s to be free. This is the life I will always lead.
I believe we are all drawn to a purpose in life, and some aren’t easy to follow.
I believe helping those in need has always been my purpose.
I only say this in hopes of communicating the earnestness of my heart.
I thank God for this opportunity that is before me and trust He will meet my needs.
Ultimately, my prayer is that He will do that through you.
I would be honored if you could partner financially and prayerfully with me in this ministry.
I am specifically asking for fifteen people who will commit to pray for me each day until I return.
A number of you may be in a position to financially contribute to my support.
I calculated that if only five people gave $200 each month, seven people gave $170 each month, fifteen gave $79 each month, and twenty gave $60 each month, then I would meet my goal!
Any help no matter the amount is greatly appreciated and needed.
I have enclosed a form that allows donors to donate monthly (If you choose), a response card and pre-addressed envelope, which invites you to share in this experience. Please make checks payable to Adventures in Missions. You may write “appealed by” and my name in the memo section of the check if you wish. Including the enclosed card will provide AIM with all necessary information. In turn, they will send you a receipt. All gifts are tax-deductible. If reading this letter online click on the
support me icon, which is to the left under my picture, it will direct you to a secure page to donate.
You can find more info about Adventures in Missions at
www.adventures.org
and more info about the World Race at
www.theworldrace.org
.
I will be posting a blog on the web throughout my trip and you’ll be able to read about and see photos of our adventure during the trip.
The link to my blog is www.seansmith.theworldrace.org
I’m very excited to have this opportunity.
I hope not only to be a blessing to those I serve, but also to you. I hope you will prayerfully consider being part of this journey with me.
Thank you so much!
In Him,
Sean Smith
June ’07 WR Team Preliminary Itinerary
(it will change)
April 5-15 Gainesville, GA Training Camp
June 5-7 Training in Georgia
June 9 Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa
June 10-25 Training in Swaziland
(talk to us if you are unable to come by 6/10)
6/26-7/31 Swaziland
8/1-9/14 South Africa
9/15-10/31 Botswana/Mozambique/Tanzania
11/1-12/15 Kenya or Uganda
12/16-1/31 Croatia or Ukraine
2/1-3/30 Russia
3/1-4/18 India or China
April 19 USA
