One of the first questions many people ask me is, “What happens if you do not raise enough money?” This question is always tough because it reminds me of a time when I did not get to participate in something that my heart was deeply invested in.
3 years ago, I was given the privilege of being a prayer teamer for Omega Benji. OBenji was one out of many camps for Impact, a Christ-centered summer retreat for incoming freshmen. My job as a prayer teamer was to intentionally pray for the counselors and co-chairs of my camp, specifically the girls. During the retreat, the prayer teamers would be in 24-hour prayer for our camps and the freshmen attending.
The Lord had done amazing work when He put our camp together. There were 16 completely different people in one family. They quickly became my very best friends. I had never seen a group of people bond in the way OBenji did.
A few weeks before we were to leave for the retreat, I found out that I would not be able to attend. My heart was devastated. Not only was I unable to go, but I had to hand over my position to someone I did not know, and whom did not know my camp. I had grown so deeply in love with each person in my camp, and could not imagine “handing over” my girls to a random person. I did not understand why the Lord allowed something like that to happen when my heart had been so invested in it from the beginning.
The reason I am telling you this story is because I have a fear that the Lord will bring me through training camp and then not allow me to experience the actual race with the family I have grown to love and respect. But God has been teaching me a lot about who He is and about His sovereignty.
You see, 3 years ago at Impact, one of the freshmen had experienced something that no one on the Impact staff had experienced…
except the beautiful girl who took my place.
God knew that this precious freshman needed someone to talk to: someone whom could fully understand her struggles and speak life and truth into her. I would not have been able to do that if I was there. None of us would have been able to, so God brought one of His daughters whom He could shine His light through.
Also, I had decided to (rather listened to the commands of my camp) be at the parking lot that they would be arriving in after the retreat. I had arrived 20 minutes early just in case. The moment I pulled into the lot, I could feel the presence of satan. He was waiting: to sink his claws into the fish the moment they walked off the bus. So, in normal prayer-teamer fashion, I began to pray. The parents probably thought I was crazy because I was walking around the parking lot loudly proclaiming victory over satan and casting him out. I fely a physical lifting of his oppression and the Spirit of the Lord descend upon the parking lot.
I was the only staff member who did not go to the actual retreat, therefore only staff member that was in the parking lot before the buses arrived. God knew that. He had chosen His daughter to be there to pray over the parking lot.
Both of these were straight up miracles. There is no denying that the Lord had it planned from the very beginning of time. And there was not a single thing that I missed out on. My camp would call and text me non-stop to inform me of how the Lord has moving and how I could be praying for our family. My roommate had just come home from the delta session, and experienced some intense spiritual warfare with me. It was the first time satan had ever attacked me physically. Every time I began to pray for OBenji, I would get sick. Katie was there to hold my hair as I fiercely fought for my camp, and rejoiced with me in the victory of Jesus.
When I mull over the question, “What happens if you are not fully funded,” I instantly think about OBenji and am reminded of the Lord’s complete and total sovereignty.
I do not know if I will be on this race for 11 months, but I do know that God is purposeful. And LOVING. He has chosen me to experience Him in a radical way through the World Race. Maybe that will end after training camp. Maybe I will go to Australia and then come home, or maybe I will make it to the very last country. Whatever happens, I will always lift my hands in praise because my heart rejoices in the God that I serve. He is not sovereign over this moment alone. He is sovereign over my WHOLE life. He already designed every second: there is not a minute that the Lord is absent from my life, and I intend to show up for the life He has given me. No matter where or what it is. My God is loving and is FOR ME. I choose to walk in His ways. Regardless of how painful or heart breaking it may be at times. There is a purpose, and I am forever grateful for every experience because I come out on the other side more aware of His presence and love for my heart.
Thank you, with all my heart, to those of you who have sacrificially donated to this mission trip. I am unable to fully express to you how thankful and humbled I am by your giving. The Lord has blown me away by His faithfulness and His presence in each of your lives.
Thank you to each of you who are enabling me to go to training camp and be completely transformed by God.
My next deadline is quickly approaching. I must have $6500 in order to launch in September. My goal is to be fully funded by the time I launch, but the Lord is aware of my financial needs and I believe that He is going to provide at the perfect time. I ask that you would each prayerfully consider partnering with me financially. Every dollar helps! The Lord has called all of us to be a part of missions: each in our own way. If you do not feel called to financially give, I ask that you please keep me in your prayers, and I challenge you to seek the Lord in how He is calling you to be a part of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.
May you each experience the radical love of your Savior. May you know His heart and His overwhelming love for you. May you grow deeper in your love for Christ and seek the intimate, passionate relationship He designed for you and Himself before the beginning of time.
You are each a miracle in my life! Bless you!
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One of my World Race brothers, Timothy Larson, posted this I thought it would be helpful for all of you to better understand where the money is going. (Tim has an amazing gift in graphic design. He has created many fliers and layouts for our squad. We are all so blessed by His talents and the servant heart the Lord has grown within him. Thank you, Tim, for all you do!!!) |
In order for me to be able to go on The World Race, I will need to raise $15,500.
Where does the money go?
As a World Racer, the $15,500 is broken down by these categories…
- Training Camp–$320
- Field Support–$620
- WR Development Program–$1,860
- Administration Fees–$2,635
- World Racer–$10,075
As you can see, 65% of the funds that I will be raising go towards my expenses for the 11 months. Again, let me show you through a graph what this will look like.
My budget is broken down into these categories…
- Intercontinental Travel–$4,235.00
- Food–$1,256.25
- Lodging–$1,758.75
- Transportation–$1,005.00
- Long Distance Travel & Misc. Supplies–$1,115.55
DEADLINES: As with most fundraising, there are deadlines that are set up by AIM that I am required to meet. Here they are…
- $3,500 – Due 7/1/2012 (2 weeks before Training Camp) GOAL MET!
- $6,500 – Due 8/18/2012 (2 weeks prior to your trip)
- $11,000 – Due 12/1/2012 (End of 3 months on the field)
- $15,500 – Total Due 3/1/2013 (End of 6 months on the field)
I know that God has called me to go on the World Race and I know that He will provide for all of my needs. Let me introduce you to some truths that God has laid on my heart from His Word.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8
He is sending me to share Him throughout the nations!
"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
God is going to provide for my every need!
God is calling me to go, is He calling you to send me?
If you feel led to support my WR ministry financially (or through a donation) you can click
Support Me!
If you do support me online, there is a 5% credit card processing fee and a 3% bank draft (electronic check) fee, in order to not have that fee you can send a check directly to AIM.
Make check payable to "Adventures in Missions" and have this on the memo line:
"World Race – Stephanie Montes"
Send check to:
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
