I can’t believe I have been on the world race for almost six months. As I look back and see the amazing things that God has done, I am most thankful for those who have partnered with me on this journey.
THANK YOU.
THANK YOU for sharing this amazing journey with those around you by telling my stories, sharing my blog posts and wearing #TEAMASH T-Shirts. THANK YOU for Praying. It has been because of your prayers that God has been working in the unseen and we have seen the supernatural because YOU are praying. THANK YOU for giving to THE WORLD RACE. From giving to my supplies, contributing to my WORLD RACE ACCOUNT, giving to my paypal for personal money (www.ashnicolowens.com) or buying a T-shirt it is because of you that I am able to do the things God has called me to do.
Without YOU none of this would be possible.
SO THANK YOU & here is what God has been doing in and through me the last six months or so:
Bolivia:
While in Bolivia I was working with my team at a girls home. This home was meant for rehabilitating girls that had been on the streets and on drugs. We went every day and worked on building relationships with the girls. We organized for them and helped prep meals for Mission Adulam. It was really cold and even snowed in Bolivia. We also cleaned closets like pro’s!
www.missionadulam.org
Peru:
In Peru we worked with a ministry called ‘Savage ministries.’ We worked with a preschool that they have at their church location and partnered with different churches in the area reaching out to the community. My favorite was working at the prison. The first time we went and just prayed for woman who were waiting to see their husbands in jail. I had befriended and prayed for a lady who later gave her life to Jesus. Not only that she prayed for her husband who also gave his heart to Jesus. it was amazing to see God unfold in their lives and the part I was able to play in it. We did VBS galore and loved on community kids.
The woman I prayed for at the prison. She told her husband and he accepted Jesus into his life. Then she felt the call to go to other people at the prison so that they may experience the freedom that she received from HIM.
Pastor Solomon and His precious family.
Joel and Mariah are awesome hosts, they also lead savage ministries in Peru and other locations.
Ecuador:
In Ecuador we worked with a place called camp hope. Camp hope is a daily refuge for kids with special needs who are also orphans. it was amazing to see the love poured out to these kids who had gone through circumstances that were so horrific. We worked in their class rooms and prepping their meals. Then in the evenings we would teach english for free to the community. We connected to a group of high school boys which we would later call our Ecuadorian brothers. They had come from all types of homes but felt loved at the church. Even after we have left they are still connected and now a part of the worship team at the church.
Jefferson loves to dance and melts my heart. He loves Camp Hope.
Our “ECUADORIAN BROTHERS” at English class. WE LOVE THEM & MISS THEM!
We loved teaching the kids every Sunday at church. 🙂
Pastor Efren and his sweet family.
Colombia:
Colombia we worked with an amazing woman named Lucy who has been a beckon in the community for decades. We lived in the church basement and would work with the kids during the day that they called ‘THE OASIS KIDS.’ These kids were kids who had no hope in the community but would come to the church, receive a meal and people who would love them and help them with school. We also were able to do school assemblies daily where we would present the gospel and also characteristics that were biblical.
They are always looking for people to sponsor the kids at Oasis. If they had all the kids in the community sponsored they could have up to 200 kids from the community and really make a difference for Jesus.
www.incalink.org/ministries/oasis/
Lucy (the one awesome lady in the blue power house suit) is the reason Inca link works in Colombia. She is a power house of a woman who has a passion to reach the community and for water reservation.
Japan:
This past month has been different then all the other months. The months before our ministry has been really structured. We had people we were connecting to but most of the connection was structured around set times and places. We connected to people inside of a time frame. While in Japan our ministry has looked different. It has been all about connecting to our ministry hosts and also connecting with people God puts in our path way. Our family is awesome! Our host mom and our host sisters love Jesus. Our host dad is still in the process of having a relationship with Jesus. So it has been awesome to talk to him about Jesus, love on the family and pray for them. We have also been going to the university that is close and trying to build relationships. We have also been just saying “YES” to Jesus everyday and partnering with what He is doing in Japan. The other day we were with our host mom at the mall. We talked to this lady who was super excited to meet us. We had a simple conversation and walked away. Later that day God put the lady back in our paths. We are pursuing a relationship with her and hoping that God opens the door to speak to her about how much God loves here before we go. It’s those types of interactions that make Japan both amazing and difficult. But through it all God has been teaching me about partnering with him daily.
Worked with kids at an apartment complex on Saturdays.
Our Japanese Sisters! WE LOVE THEM!
Hanging out with our Japanese family and teaching them card games.
Now we are in Malaysia and I can’t wait to share more stories with you. I can’t wait to share about the people we meet and what God is up too in their lives.
Sending love from Malaysia,
Ash
#TeamAsh
P.S. There is still time to give towards my WORLD RACE JOURNEY. I am just under $2000 to being fully funded. You can also give to my personal account for the things I need along the way at www.ashnicolowens.com
