-204 Days Left-
Welcome back!! If this is your first time visiting my blog, BIENVENIDO! In my previous blog, I Will Go!, I tried sharing how my journey with the World Race began. It has been two months since I officially joined an awesome team of 65 members. God has been teaching me SO much about myself and others throughout this entire process. I thought that my journey towards transformation would begin on October 2, 2016, but boy was I so wrong. God’s agenda of transforming my life through the world race has already begun, and that I am very thankful for. I will admit that it’s a bit scary, uncomfortable and even painful at times, but I know that Jesus is worth that and more.
One of the questions I have been getting a lot lately is, “How’s fundraising going?” I always tend to hesitate because I honestly don’t know what good fundraising looks like. There are moments when I feel like I am not doing so well. That it would be a lot easier if I was a funny extraverted person that everyone knew and had no trouble asking for things. The reality is that isn’t me. Another reality is it’s not about me! When I can finally get over myself and completely trust in the Lord, magic happens! This month I thought it would be good to share how God has used others to teach me about selfless giving. I asked a couple of the people who have supported me to share why they thought the World Race was a good idea and was worth investing in.
Isabelle Escutia
Matthew Bruner
“I chose to support Ashley on her world race trip because I’ve seen how Ashley lives her life for other people. Ashley and I have been friends for many years, and she’s been committed and faithful to serving people, wherever she is. As a college student, she served girls by being friends with them. As an adult, she’s stepped up into a leadership position at our church and pushed our community to engage the school district by becoming reading buddies with local kids, and organizing parent’s night out events. I support Ashley because I’ve seen how she has lived her life so faithfully, and know that the world race will be a continuation of that.”
Moriah Craney
“I’ve known Ashley for about 5 years now. I remember from the very first time I started getting to know her that she always had a heart and a hope for someday being able to travel and do Gods work. She never had a clear cut picture of what that looked like in her life though. So when she first told me she had been accepted to do the World Race, I was instantly filled with so much excitement and joy for her even though I barely knew that much about the organization. Now as she’s slowly preparing for this huge, life changing trip, I’m saddened because she will be gone for almost a year. But at the same time, that joy and excitement is still there because I think we are all finally being able to get a glimpse of how God is wanting to use Ashley’s heart and passion for him and his people to touch many nations through such an impactful opportunity.”
Allyson Bay
“After even a short length of time getting to know Ashley, there is no doubt that she was created for BIG things. Ashley has one of the kindest, most thoughtful and sincere hearts of anyone I have ever known. She is driven by a deep love for the Lord and a passion for loving people well. When Ashley spoke to me about her desire to stretch herself and her faith by serving internationally, I knew she would be a perfect fit for the World Race. I have no doubt that on this trip, Ashley will discover herself in ways she never imagined. Her servant heart will continue to be molded and shaped into something truly significant. Among the nations, she will see who God is and be a witness of His mighty works. She will embody the love of Jesus, and she will return never to be the same. Ashley was created for this adventure, and I know it is but a small part of the great plans God has for her.”
Laura Chalk
“I met Ashley in college and had the honor to lead a small group with her and study the Bible together. From early on in our friendship, I knew Ashley had a heart for international missions and telling the world about Jesus. The World Race is the perfect fit for Ashley because I know that she is following the tug on her heart to “go and make disciples of all nations.”
Glynn & Stacey Lively
“We have seen the amazing transformation in your life and your love for Christ. We wanted to support your vision and your relationship with Jesus, our Rock and Savior. The world needs to see the True Light. We really just wanted to encourage you and your faith to go out in the world and do the great commission and reach the lost. Thanks for being an amazing sister in Christ Jesus.”
April Ashton
“I am choosing to support Ashley in this new adventure because I believe she will really love the people she meets all over the world. I know she has been changed by the love of Jesus and I believe God is going to use her to show His love to others. I am giving to this amazing opportunity because of how much of an impact I’ve seen Ashley make here in the US, and I know that will multiply overseas! This opportunity doesn’t come up very often in life and I wanted to be able to support her in the biggest way I could.”
Lindsey Miller
“I have had the opportunity to get to know Ashley through my job at Buckner. At first I met “volunteer” Ashley: a bright eyed college student with a passion for service and involving her community in God’s work. Then, she joined our team as “Intern” Ashley: a hardworking, driven student who was eager to contribute in any way she could. I now have the privilege to know “friend” and “co-worker” Ashley: a humble encourager and dedicated follower of Christ. When I learned that Ashley was stepping out of her comfort zone to pursue a calling to serve Internationally, I felt an immediate pull to support her. I’ve seen Ashley wrestle with her calling for 2 years and International work has been on her heart the whole time. She is a friend that teaches me about Jesus through simply sharing her own personal walk with the Lord. I have so much confidence in Ashley’s ability to hear God’s whisper of direction in her life, and because of that, I want to support where He is taking her.”
Rachel Walthall
“I chose to support you because I know you’ll be sharing the truth and light of the gospel in more unreached places where they desperately need hope in Christ and I need to be financially humble enough to give open-handedly some of what I was given to go towards something much greater than myself.”
Cody McCarty
“Even the most cynical among us have those select few people we lend our ears to. We know their character and we know their hearts. At any moment they have our attention and our loyalty. For about 3 years Ashley and I were in the same ministry in college and she became one of those people for me. I promise you that I’m not the only person that feels that. It’s difficult not to spend more than a brief moment with Ashley and see her heart. She doesn’t do a good job of being hidden and sheltered like the world around her. She’s open and honest with her feeling and her passions. She’s someone that the Spirit of God resides in. He’s made His home in her and He’s made himself comfortable. This was a very important factor into why I support Ashley. When I donate to Ashley I do it with a knowledge and understanding that it’s the best investment I could have made. This is a young lady that is not cavalier with the decisions she makes in life, especially life altering decisions like this. She has sought advice from the wisest people in her life, prayed earnestly, implored the Spirit to speak to her and listened attentively to the still voice of God. After months of doing that she then came to me telling me about what God said to her and the opportunity that presented itself from that. I asked one question: how can I serve you? She asked me to join her support team and I emphatically joined. I don’t use that term team lightly. Ashley and I are in this together. Our time doesn’t end when I make my donation. It’s my responsibility as a member of this team to encourage her and pray for her. To share what she’s doing with those around me and to seek to serve her in any other ways. In return she’s going to go and work diligently for several months and share the encouraging news with me. This is was something I understand before I ever joined the team. And with someone like Ashley it’s something that I couldn’t wait to be a part of. I encourage others to go to God, ask Him for direction and see how you can serve Ashley. I can’t think of someone more deserving of my investment.”
There was no need for me to an extreme extrovert for God to do his work. God provided me, weaknesses and all, with so much support through all of these people. Without any of their encouragement and help, I honestly would not be able to make through this process. So if you want to know how fundraising is going, it is going great because the Lord is present and working! As of today I am 27% funded. I need to raise $12,375 more dollars in order to meet my goal. If you are looking for a way to invest in something or have a couple of extra dollars to give in a one-time donation, I ask that you please consider giving towards my trip. Trust me – this is really hard for me to do, but like I said before, it is not about me. God used all the people mentioned in this blog to show me that through ministries like the World Race people don’t go as individuals, the person that gets to on the race is representing a team that has invested in God’s vision of making disciples of all nations. If you would like to be a part of my team, please join me through supporting me financially or through prayer. Give $5, $25, $50, or $100. Become a prayer warrior by praying for me, my team, the people in all the countries we will be visiting, and for my family not be worried for my safety. Together we can become the Sotito Dream Team! So, are we a good match? Will you join me in the World Race?
Much Love,
Ashley
Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work. As it is written, “He scatters everywhere and gives to the poor; his righteousness lasts forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the farmer and bread to eat will also supply you with seed and multiply it and enlarge the harvest that results from your righteousness. In every way you will grow richer and become even more generous, and this will cause others to give thanks to God because of us, – 2 Corinthians 9:8-11
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