So you know that saying be careful what you ask for…?
Well that saying just hit me like a ton of bricks. Some of you may know, over the last couple of months God has been working in my heart (God is always working) but I have finally began to tune my ears to His calling. There have been a series of events leading up to making this CRAZY decision! An example of this was making the last minute decision to attend the Passion conference and writing in my journal on January 17, 2015 “I vow to be your servant, Lord” and signing it. Following that conference, another piece to the puzzle was put in place when I started to attend my new church Grace Midtown. The desire to lean on God rather than on my own strength, has grown even more since then. I found myself longing everyday to grow closer to Him. One night at church, I found the courage to walk over to someone from the church to ask for prayer and a prophetic word. This ultimately brought me to tears (the real ugly kind) and most people know I am not a very emotional person. God spoke to my heart and made it clear “Ashley, you are valued, you are a Godly woman.” His words went to the core of me. It resonated in me, that I have looked for so long to find my value in external things whether it was through athletics, relationships, or superficial things but they always fell short, leaving me feeling “not enough” or “not worthy.” But that night, I felt Him wrap his arms around me and I heard him say to me I find my true identity and worth in Him. After that night, God began to point more arrows leading me to making this life changing decision. God opened up the door, giving me the opportunity to go to South Africa and see a part of the world that was indescribable. I fell in love with the people and places. After returning home, I knew I needed to see more of God’s creation and to meet new people and cultures to help me grow. I began applying to any and every internship/job overseas (people know when I get something in my head it consumes me haha.) All of the different opportunities I was applying to excited me but didn’t scare me. The World Race had been something I heard about back in college and I know someone on it now but I kept telling myself “no Ashley that’s too intense, not what you are looking for” so I would bury that thought away. A couple weeks passed and I went to my House church and explained to them my burning desire to help others and the need to grow personally and spiritually. After I discussed this with the group, someone prayed for me. During the prayer all I kept hearing was “Lord, take away her fear, take away her fear and open the doors for her.” That night I didn’t think much of it. But the next morning, I woke up and heard “Ashley, Be Brave.” Next thing I knew, I was on The World Race’s website looking at the different routes. Basically, I had filled out the entire application and interview within two days (usually takes much longer than that.) By the following week, I found out I was ACCEPTED! This is when the panic really set in, that’s when I got scared, but I knew if it didn’t scare me it wasn’t worth it. So everyone, here is my announcement; I will be going on The World Race in September 2015 and return July 2016!
I will need everyone’s support and prayers through this journey. The World Race is an 11 month Christian mission trip to 11 countries around the world. One of the unique things about the World Race is that it’s not only a mission trip but also an intensive discipleship program designed to launch my generation into our specific kingdom calling. Through the World Race, my team and I will serve in partnership with Churches and ministries in local communities to spread God’s love, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the restorative hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and Nations. Here is a short video about it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiYUDhkLpTw&noredirect=1
I would love to talk with everyone in more detail about how I have come to this decision and how God has been working in my heart. You can call or email me! 407-923-3949; [email protected]
The total cost of my trip is $ 16,267.00. Just typing that amount feels like fighting Goliath but I know through God anything is possible and with the love and support of my community I can do this.
Here are the 4 deadlines and goals I will have to meet in order to make this journey possible:
$3,500 – Due 6/12/2015 (Fundraising Goal 1)
$10,000 – Due 8/21/2015 (Fundraising Goal 2)
$13,000 – Due 10/31/2015 (Fundraising Goal 3)
$16,267 – Due 12/31/2015 (Fundraising Goal 4)
If I can get 70 people to commit to $40 a month for six months I will be able to meet my goal! When you look at my blog there is a tab for Support me with different options: one time, monthly, etc.
Also you can send a check to Adventures in Missions? P.O. Box 742570? Atlanta, GA 30374-2570 and on the memo line be sure to write: MillerAshley
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I will continue to keep everyone updated on this journey!
