If you came up to me when I was 16 years old and asked if I would ever consider going on a overseas mission trip I probably would have laughed! Going overseas is something ‘other people did.’ I loved doing the youth mission trips to Oklahoma or Texas, going to the Denver Rescue Mission and Food Bank of the Rockies and participating in Vacation Bible Schools at our church! But leaving the United States was….yah right!!!
It wasn’t until my sophomore year of college when missions fell into my lap and became my reality and later my passion. I had the opportunity to go to China with seven other people for seven weeks. We meet with college student, live in their lives and saw many come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! I got to see new brothers and sisters take their first steps with Jesus and not be afraid of what others would think or what their government would do to them. I left part of my heart in China and prayed that I would someday have the chance to go back to China or somewhere else.
That was over seven years ago and ever since my life has been a rollercoaster. I have had some really amazing times, made some great memories and meet people that I care and love. I have also hit bottom and I have doubted what I am doing most of the time. The last two years have not been the easiest. I found myself hiding from the world and living a routine that I didn’t really want to be in. I went to work, I come home, I went to church, I slept and eat. Nothing exciting and nothing I know God would want me doing. But I didn’t know how to get out, until one afternoon my roommate told me she was applying for this World Race trip! I thought she was crazy but excited for her. Little did I know, God was saying “don’t laugh too hard Ashley, cuz you ARE going!” The moment I put my YES on the table I felt a peace that I haven’t felt in over two years!
So here I am….just a simple ordinary person who didn’t ever think I was the person who would be going on a mission’s trip. I’m ready to see what God has in store and ready to follow Him. It may not be easy but when did God say it would be!!
