Dear Friends and Family,
Over the last couple years some amazing things have happened in my life. The summer before last (2006), I was able to spend two months of mission work in Kenya, Africa because many of you were willing to serve God’s kingdom by supporting me. This was a first for me and I learned so much about God’s heart for the people of the world, the many creative ways He has created all of His people to be, and that He is tugging at my heart to desire something “more.” Many of you were also able to pray for, encourage, and support me in my most recent trip to Peru. It was an opportunity to further experience missions and the fire God has started in my own heart for people of other cultures. Also over the last 2 years, I have been helping lead the youth of my church. Many of you know my heart for children and youth, and I have so enjoyed sharing with them in their struggles and joys, serving them, and investing my heart in theirs. I have come to love these youth and cherish every moment spent with them.
As you may know, I graduated in May of 2007 and have been seeking God’s direction in this next stage of my life. I know what I love to do and what I am good at, but what is His desire for my life? As I have experienced missions and ministry in the last couple years, he has put within me an unexplainable desire to be different and reach beyond the status quo of my comfortable, safe life and seek to serve Him in the unique. Many of you have known me for a while—you know there is something in me that can’t settle for the ordinary—I want to change the world in my own way. I have prayed God would use me in a way that captures my heart and make a difference in my life; to live a life that is truly extraordinary and to do something that makes me come alive.
I have found a program which does this very thing! It’s called the World Race (through Adventures in Missions, the same organization I went to Kenya with), and I leave October of 2008. The idea is to take a year of your life and to travel around the world to help those in need. I will become a servant and live like those I am serving, becoming immersed in each culture we travel to. I will be on a team of about 30 or so people (aged 21-35) who will travel to 11 countries in 11 months, doing so as cheaply as possible. In many places we will 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 isn’t like any other mission trip; this isn’t just another experience. It’s a commitment to those I will serve and to the life I am being called to live. God has been showing me for a while now that I can only rely on Him to fill me up and meet my needs. This trip will require me to leave the comfortable and familiar behind and look forward to the unknown to depend on Him for shelter, safety, joy, sustenance, and fulfillment.
I am asking for you to become a part of this. This is not about me, but about our partnership as the body of Christ. I would like for a minimum of 15 people to commit to pray for me at least once a week while I’m on this journey; please indicate on the enclosed support card if you are called to do this. Prayer is very important because our success is only found in God. I would also like you to consider supporting me financially in this endeavor. The minimum amount I must raise to go is $13,800, which covers most of my expenses while on the trip; this is just about half of what many other missionaries or support-raised staff must raise to do their work. I will also need to raise money for international insurance, vaccinations, travel to training and the start point, etc. This brings my goal to around $17,000. I figured out that if for 12 months: 6 people give $100/mo, 20 people give $20/mo, and 15 people give $10/mo…I will reach my minimum goal. Again, this is an opportunity for you to partner with me in ministry. There are many ways to give including one-time donations, monthly support, etc.
I have enclosed a response card and pre-addressed envelope, which invites you to share in this ministry; please indicate how you would like to give. Checks should be made 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. Adventures in Missions is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Donors will receive receipts for their gifts with the understanding that the disbursement of those gifts lies completely at the discretion of Adventures in Missions and that the gifts are non-refundable and non-transferable, per IRS regulations. Gifts may be tax deductible; please consult your tax advisor. To learn more about AIM and the World Race, you may visit their website at www.theworldrace.org.
During my trip you will be able to keep up with what is going on in our ministry throughout the world by going to http://sharonprice.theworldrace.org…on this site you can read my biography, check out web-logging (blog) updates/journal entries, read about my team mates, and even click to support me online. Many of you are also gifted with great networks of people; please feel free to share this with them. If there is another way you’re able to give such as connecting me with other people or churches who may want to give, frequent flyer miles, camping supplies, or otherwise please indicate this on the response card and I will be in touch with you.
I am very excited to have this opportunity. I am excited to see how God will use me and what he will teach me through this experience. 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 my ministry. Thank you so much!
Your Partner in His Kingdom,
Sharon Price
