Being in my last year of high school, I had many choices to make to get ready for applying to school. I had to decide if I wanted to go to university or college, if I wanted to stay close to home or far away, to leave my friends or make new ones. But the scariest decision I needed to make was deciding what I wanted to do for the rest of my life! This decision was so overwhelming for me. Every time someone asked me where I applied or what I wanted to do for a career my heart started to beat faster, and my palms started to sweat because I had no idea where I wanted to apply or what I wanted to do. Without knowing what I wanted to do I thought about taking a gap year. Although every time I talked to someone else about taking a year off, they didn’t seem as interested in my conversation any more. Since most of my reactions were like this, I started to think it’s not normal to take a year off, no one does that, I should just keep trying to fit in and go to school like everyone else does. Deep down I knew that was not how I wanted to spend the next few years of my life.
Being in my last year of high school, I have loads of homework every night and get stressed out quite frequently because I always have to force myself to do my assignments and study. Occasionally I would hear university or college students saying high school was a breeze, wish I didn’t take it for granted, high school is so easy compared to my university/college program. Hearing these discussions scared me even more!
While completing my school work I have a tendency to allow my mind to wander to such things as, I don’t want to spend thousands of dollars applying to school and going off to university or college next year. I want to travel, I want to know myself and I want to know Our Creator with a greater intimacy.
I prayed about this struggle I had going on for a long time and was answered with The World Race Gap Year. Now I know that I was never suppose to prepare to go off to school just yet. It wasn’t the plan mapped out for me. My plan was to be a part of the race, God was waiting for the perfect time to tell me! I am extremely excited about this volunteer opportunity I have encountered and I can’t wait to see the world. Of course, I still worry about what I’m going to do for the rest of my life. This question haunts me daily as I’m starting to become an adult. But for right now, I leave that worry in Gods hands because who knows, maybe He’ll answer this question for me during my time off from school. All I have to do is pray, be patient and have my ears wide open. In this moment, I’m happy to finally have my prayer answered and to be taking a gap year. I’m so happy that I finally took the courage to listen to what God was putting on my heart and take action.
If you’re unfamiliar with this organization, here’s some information. The World Race is a non-profitable Christian organization that takes large groups of volunteers to third world countries to help make a difference in their communities by helping it develop in any way they need. Through The World Race Gap Year, my team and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and more to bring the promise of hope of our Father’s love to many nations.
Through all of the volunteer work I have participated in I have developed a great enthusiasm for helping others who are unfortunate. With this in mind I have taken action toward my interest in philanthropy and I’m greatly thankful for being accepted into this program. To participate in a mission trip such as this is extremely important to me because I am so grateful to live in Canada, have a roof over my head, a meal every day and to gain an education and I want others to have those experiences as well. I would love to help teach others about the unfailing love Our Heavenly Father offers us.
September 2015 I will begin my Race. I am hoping to spend a total of 9 months in Thailand, South Africa and Nicaragua, and staying in each country for 3 months. If you feel that God is calling you to help the first thing I hope of you is to pray for me. Please pray for me as I prepare for this trip and build a stronger relationship with Christ, pray for my team and the people we will be ministering to. You do not know how much of an encouragement this will be to us, knowing that as we go through this journey that no matter what happens, we will not be alone.
During this time, I will face many challenges but as I prepare for my departure one of my greatest challenges is a financial one. Like most mission organizations, The World Race participants are required to meet a high financial goal. This money will cover all of my field expenses for 9 months. I currently have less than 5 months to raise this full amount with a few major deadlines along the way. My first deadline is May 22nd of $6,000 dollars, my second deadline is July 2nd of $9,000 dollars and I hope to have the full amount raised by August 21st. As I take this large step of faith in trusting The Lord, would you prayerfully consider joining me on my journey to help me accomplish my calling?
In helping others, I am humbly asking you to consider me as a candidate for your financial support. Please keep in mind this is an American organization so your donations will be converted into US dollars and your donation will not be eligible for tax receipts. You can help by sponsoring me with any amount you are comfortable with, by participating in my fundraisers, and praying for me. If you are comfortable with sponsoring me, a cheque made to Tori Camus would be most helpful. Cash is acceptable or clicking the “Support Me!” tab on the left hand side as well. Any contribution will assist in helping me reach my goal. I will be working full time this summer and am currently working part-time at Pranzo Italian Grill to contribute my own money to help make this possible. I will be holding fundraisers; selling customized t-shirts and bracelets, organizing car washes, silent auctions, dinners and more.
If I am unable to reach my goal of $15,700 dollars by August 21st, unfortunately I will not be able to go on this particular mission trip. But I would like to inform you that your money will still be supporting my goal of serving God. With this organization, I am able to transfer my acceptance to a smaller mission for the duration of 1-4 weeks to one selected community such as Haiti, Phillippines or another country that needs restoration. If I am unable to reach my goal, I may decline my acceptance to this year’s Gap Year program and reapply next year to go on a 9 month mission such as the one I present to you today.
If you are interested or have any concerns you can contact me through e-mail at [email protected] or call me at 905-321-5723. Please leave your name and number and I will get back to you as soon as possible to answer any questoins you may have and for a personal thank you.
Yours truly,
Tori Camus
P.S. On the left hand side you will see a link that says, “What Is The World Race?” Feel free to click on that link to know more about the organization.
Lots of Love.
