Posted in General Posts by Matt Delaney on 2/21/2010
Posted below is a copy of my support letter. If you are reading this and feel led to give, please go to the "Support Me" section of my blog to do so. God continues to give me confirmation about going on this trip each time a donation comes in. He is using people like you to reveal His faithfulness and to show me why He is called provider. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me so far!
Dear Family and Friends,
I hope this letter finds you amidst a time of great peace as you begin the new year. I am writing to share with you where I feel God is leading me in the next season of my life. During the last three and a half years at Auburn University I have made an honest, yet broken attempt at being intentional with my time here. Through this effort God has opened doors and orchestrated circumstances allowing me to show the love of Christ through practical ways in Auburn's community. It is these experiences that have transformed my life and are the catalyst for what Christ is calling me to do next.
In May, I will graduate from Auburn University with a degree in psychology. I had always assumed, that like most students in my major, I would immediately attend graduate school. However, after much prayer, I have decided to spend the next year of my life on a mission trip with Adventures In Missions. This is an eleven-month mission trip to eleven different countries including places such as Romania, Uganda, Israel, Egypt, and Thailand. Our ministries will involve, but are not limited to, teaching English, working in orphanages, building churches, administering HIV/AIDS relief, and empowering young women with life skills who were rescued from sexual slavery. I am incredibly excited about this opportunity to take part in just some of the remarkable ways God is at work around the world.
First and foremost, as someone who firmly believes in prayer, I need people who are willing to pray each day for myself, my team, and our ministry. I also need to raise financial support. The basic cost for the trip is $14,300, which includes my international travel, food, and lodging. There are other miscellaneous expenses that need to be met as well such as my domestic travel, vaccinations, international insurance, and equipment. I am looking for people to partner with me and join in on this little piece of God's story around the world.
I have enclosed two pre-addressed envelopes which invite you to share in this ministry. For donations toward my $14,300 goal, please make checks payable to Adventures In Missions. Include the response card which will provide AIM with all the information necessary to send you a receipt for your tax-deductible donation. Please send these checks in the pre-addressed envelope to AIM by April 30, 2010. If you prefer to contribute toward my personal expenses, please make checks payable to Matt Delaney and enclose them in the other pre-addressed envelope. Any way that you are able to contribute will be an incredible blessing.
Will you consider partnering with me both prayerfully and financially? I hope not only to be a blessing to those I serve, but also to you. I would love for you to join me on my journey by visiting my blog at www.mattdelaney.theworldrace.org. Please help me to bring the Gospel to those whose lives can be transformed by the love of Jesus Christ. Thanks!
Posted in General Posts by Matt Delaney on 1/12/2010
In about 5 months I will say goodbye to life as I have known it and embrace a new life of total abandonment. My life will be placed into a backpack, which unfortunately will not fit my family and friends. I will join a group of strangers and embark on an 11 month pilgrimage around the world in search of a deeper relationship with the one who spoke the world into existence. My expectations for this trip are constantly evolving, but as of today these are a few I would like to share:
I expect to be utterly miserable at times.
I expect to see the wretchedness of this world and question why God would ever allow these things to exist.
I expect to be filled with joy as I see God restoring the world around me.
I expect to be forgotten by some and missed by others.
I expect to build incredible relationships with my fellow racers.
I expect to realize how completely selfish I am.
I expect to be broken and repaired over and over again
I expect to see God fail to provide in the ways I feel as though He should.
I expect to see God provide in ways I could not fathom.
I expect to see Heaven meet Earth
I expect to serve and be served
I expect to love and be loved
I expect my faith to be tested, stretched, bent, but not broken.
I expect to develop the most intimate relationship with God that I have ever known.
Posted in General Posts by Matt Delaney on 1/12/2010
A new season of my life begins in June as I join the World Race. This is an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries with the sole purpose of making Jesus famous around the world. In each country we will partner with other ministries and join in on what God is already doing there. Below is our tentative route for the next 11 months and some information about the type of ministry we will be doing. Please begin to pray for me, my team, and those living where we will soon be traveling. Thanks!
Ireland
Ireland boasts a heritage of Christianity through Catholicism. Yet the
lifeless display of faith reveals that this nation is farther from God
than ever. Rampant alcoholism and suicide rates reveal a desperate need
for hope. Through sports, children's outreach, street evangelism, pub
ministry, and the relationships that just happen along the way, the
World Race reintroduces a life-giving faith to this beautiful, historic
culture.
Ukraine
Caught between its past oppression under the USSR communist regime and
the desire to be accepted by Western society, Ukraine is a land of many
ups and downs. Thankfully, there's hope, light, and life spreading like
wildfire throughout this nation. Is it the kingdom of God coming in
power? We think so.
Romania
The northern regions of Romania are home to the gypsy people. Though
strangers in their homeland and forgotten by society, the gypsies are a
strong and vibrant people who embrace the light of Christ in an
inspirational way. Here you'll teach English, lead sports camps, live
life with the gypsies, and more.
Israel
The Holy Land attracts Jews, Arabs and Christians alike to be a part of
a location so rich in our combined religious roots. Serve in this new
World Race location while walking the paths trod by Christ himself.
Egypt
Egypt is a country rich in historical significance. The Egyptian people
are no less rich in their cultural goings-on today. A country shaped by
the past and under religious bondage, the people of Egypt are hungry to
hear of the freedom brought through Christ. While pyramids and palaces
give the land a romanticized veneer, under the surface lie hearts in
need of relationship and hope.
Kenya
Who hasn't heard of Kenya in their lifetime? The Kenyan people are
colorful, musical, artistic and hungry for the love of Christ. The
Masai bush, the Nairobi metropolis, the Kiberra slums...comprise a
country diverse yet unified in history. As a new era dawns in Kenya, so
does the Gospel of truth and faith. By meeting felt needs in the bush
and the city, the World Race produces lasting fruit and lasting
ministries to carry on even after we leave.
Uganda
From the Ugandan islands to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, the African
people of these nations share a common bond. Through the wild lands,
home to Africa's "Big Five" animals coexist people, reached and
unreached with the Gospel of Christ. Through evangelism, church
planting and discipleship, we will be a part of a movement to further
the kingdom of God in this incredible region of the world.
Pioneer Africa
Twice during your World Race experience, your team will take a month to
ATL (ask the Lord) for a new mission field. He may lead you someplace
in the middle of a buzzing city or somewhere that can't even be found
on a map. Either way, it's a time of listening to the Lord's voice and
following him with true abandon. Uncover more of your inheritance...
Thailand
With nearly two million people estimated to be stuck inside of
prostitution in Thailand, it has become one of the most popular places
for sex tourism. Change lives in the city and rock worlds in the
countryside. Thailand's sure to capture your heart.
Cambodia
28 years ago, Cambodia experienced one of the most gruesome genocides
known to man where over one third of the country's population was
slaughtered. Still in recovery from their past, the people of Cambodia
are thirsty for hope.
Pioneer Asia
Ask God where to go and do what He tells you. It'll be one of the most
adventurous and memorable months of ministry that you'll have on the
Race. Back to Thailand or Cambodia, or maybe to Vietnam, China or
Malaysia... God could lead you anywhere to unveil His kingdom. Are you
willing to abandon your last month on the Race to Him?
