That reminds me of another story before I left on the Race.
I was sitting with my friend who had been to Peru. In fact she had been all over the world. When I asked her where the “worst” place she had been was she said Peru. She told this horrific story about her and the team she took and how they were in the amazon. They lived in tree houses, they slaughtered their own chickens for meals, it was so humid and I won’t even mention what they did for when they needed to use the restroom. I remember being so scared to go to Peru.
Soon those fears passed away as I experienced more uncomfortable situations. In those situations I understood people more, I grew more as a person and I was drawn closer to God in a way I never thought possible.
Even when I first said “YES” to The World Race the first questions asked by most people were “then what’s next?” I thought to myself, I haven’t even begun this season let alone think of the next. And then here I am. I had taken the year with no expectations, taking every day, that day as Jesus directed it.
During that year working with amazing ministries and having the greatest opportunity to partner with AIM in discipling the teams I was placed on I felt a tug that it wasn’t all over. I knew I wanted to go home and hug my nephews, which were born while I was away but after that I was open to whatever door God was opening.
Then while at a leadership dinner in South Africa, I was sitting next to Hope and chatting about life. As we chatted out of my mouth came the phrase,
“If you ever needed me to lead a trip after June, so I can see my nephews and go to my best friends wedding, I would be really open to it.”
She began to talk about a trip where a leader had just backed out and was looking for someone to fill that role. I knew then and there that this trip was for me and that God was asking me to go outside my comfort zone again and lead an all girls team, but this time an all girl high school team.
So I did it. I said YES to Peru. I said YES to the amazon. I said YES to going against my comfort zone. I said YES to an all girls high school team.
All girl high school team to the amazon’s of Peru, this has to be you God!
This time I will only be gone for a month but I am expecting only one thing that God would show up. I am excited to pour into the girls God has hand picked for this trip and I am excited to equally learn from them.
As I am writing this I am sitting watching the woman’s world cup. Usually I’d rather be watching Rugby but happen to be in San Diego with my brother in laws family and they are avid soccer fans, so I’ll join the fun. As we are watching a NIKE commercial comes on and it states:
Strong alone.
Unstoppable together.
That’s how I have viewed our relationship this past year. I know that God has called me. I know He has equipped me. I am strong because of him- but the thing is when we partner together- WE ARE UNSTOPPABLE. I don’t know what July in Peru brings but I know He has called me. Together we are unstoppable for his kingdom.
Would you join #TEAMASH once again?
Would you PRAY for this journey?
Would you SHARE this journey?
Would you GIVE towards this journey?
I am raising $1,115 towards the cost of leading this trip, which you can give by clicking the support me, button at the top of my blog page.
I am raising $500 for the purchase of my airplane ticket to Atlanta and home from Atlanta (or if anyone has points or something special that could get me there and home.)
I am raising $150 for expenses while in Peru.
For both the purchase of tickets and for personal expenses you can either give to my pay pal or to me personally my email is: [email protected]
We are unstoppable together.
You are loved,
<3
Ash
#TEAMASH
