100% Funded
Still Needs $0 (of $9000)
My Story
All of my friends knew what they were going to do after high school. They had plans to move off to college or start working a trade. This was far from the case for me. I had no idea what to do with my future. During my entire senior year I searched for something that I wanted to study or something I that felt passionate about. I just wanted to travel the world but I didn't know how. I considered taking a gap year to backpack through Europe or go on a long road trip across the States. I'm sure those would have both been great but I really felt a tug at my heart. God already knew what I'd be doing after graduation. That's when my school's guidance counselor told me about a girl who took a gap year to do missionary work in the Philippines. I don't know why I hadn't thought of using this time for missionary work, but at that moment I knew that's what I'd be doing. That's when I began searching for long-term mission trips. I looked at several different missions organizations and lots of trips. When I found Experience Mission, I really felt called to join one of their Immersion teams. I did some research and EM found that the Immersion program offered many things I was looking for: long-term trips, focus on relationships and personal growth, and most importantly, an opportunity to love and serve the way Jesus did. That’s when I decided to apply for Experience Mission’s six-month Caribbean Immersion. The trip will take me to NYC, Haiti, Jamaica, and Belize.
Lots of people have asked me, “What will you be doing on the trip?†It’s an awesome and important question but it’s one that I don’t have a perfect answer for yet. Immersion is different from the typical mission trip experience so I won’t be building houses and such all the time. During the trip I will focus on creating authentic relationships with my fellow team members and especially with the locals. In each country I will live with a host family. This will allow me to form special bonds with my host-siblings and parents as I get about as close as possible to living as the locals do. In every area I’ll have the opportunity to partner with local churches and work on projects such as teaching English. We won’t know exactly what we’ll be doing in each country until we get there but I’m willing to serve the communities in any way I can. While it will be my goal to serve others, I will have many opportunities to learn and grow from this incredible experience. First, I will experience so much culture in all three countries we serve. I’m excited to try new foods, experience new traditions, and live new lifestyles. I will form friendships that will hopefully last a lifetime. Also, I will face many opportunities that will help me grow closer to God and strengthen my faith. I still don’t know what I want to do after the trip and I hope that during this adventure I will learn what the next chapter of His plan for my life is.
The only thing separating me from this crazy experience is the price tag. Experience Mission is a non-profit organization so they’re able to provide a low cost of $9,000. I will need additional money for immunizations, gear, and transportation to the launch site. In total, I plan to raise $10,000. Once I arrive in Fort Wayne, Indiana for training all costs will be covered. That’s where I need your help. If you can contribute to my cause in any way, I will be so grateful. You can make a one-time or monthly, tax-deductible donation right here on the website (this is what I recommend) or you can mail a check to Experience Mission. If you mail a check, you can make it out to Experience Mission and make sure to write my username, DPYL1001, on the memo line so that the donation goes to me. Even more importantly though, I ask for your support through prayer. You can pray for me as I prepare for this trip—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Even after I leave, please continue to pray for safe travels and for the ministry of my team.
Thank you so much for any form of support you’ve provided. It has been truly encouraging to see so much support for this trip.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or if you’d like to learn more about the Experience Mission programs!
With Love,
Darius Pyle
dariuspyle1@yahoo.com
Adopt-A-Seat
Join me on my journey! Help me fundraise for this trip by claiming 1 or more "seats" below, donating the total amount in the boxes you select. A "full plane" will raise $11,325! Just claim your seat(s) in the plane below and click DONATE.
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6-Month Latin America
Travel to three Latin American countries, build authentic relationships, and partner with local leaders to create sustainable change.
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Who Is Experience Mission?
EXPERIENCE MISSION exists to bring the hope of Jesus through relief and development projects around the world, developing leaders through internships and volunteer mission trip opportunities, and empowering people in underprivileged communities through initiatives like education scholarships and micro-loans.