We have recently debriefed in Croatia, traveled back through Greece, across the Agean Sea to Turkey, and visited the ancient sites of Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum. This part of the trip has truly been crazy because of all the route changes that keep happening due to Israel’s war, and generally the expensiveness of Europe. We have slept outside at train stations, begged for free rides and food, and chatted with every travel agent from Athens to Izmir. Getting to Egypt is not an easy task – at least it isn’t a cheap and easy task. As my team pours over the dýfferent options we have for transporting ourselves across the Meditteranean, I have another thing on my mind…whether or not I should go home.
I’m literally on my last dime as they say. My support account only has about $400 left in it. My personal money has become inaccesable in Turkey for some still unknown reason. My team is getting ready to go to Africa and I need to make a decision… should I go with them or should I go home? I have been on this trip all year on faith. When I left West Virginia I certainly was lacking in the funds area. Technically, with the money I left home in my account, I should have only made it through the first two months. God has been truly faithful though, and He has brought in enough money to carry me through China, Thailand, India, Greece, and Bosnia. Now my test of faith has gotten bigger. With no money in the bank – and seemingly no money coming into the bank – What do I do? Logic would tell anybody to go home. Africa is quite a long way from home when you are broke. But I trust God. I trust that there are ways around the logical when He is in the equation. I have prayed and prayed for direction from the Lord because I have to wonder if the reason the money is running out is because God has other plans for me. Still, I have not heard anything. With time running out almost as fast as the money – I have reached a point of desperation. Surely there are things to learn from all this.
So as best as I can figure, this is the plan. I,m going to do all that I can to get more money in for as long as I have left. I will have faith that God can do more than we could ever ask or imagine. This is definetly a faith experiment. (A part of me wants to add here – “do not try this at home.”) As my team waits on a way to Egypt for either these next few days or next few weeks, I’ll wait for God to do something big. If something happens and more money does not come in, I’ll take it as the Lord’s will and go home expecting new and greater things. Because I haven’t heard God say “Ashley, go to Africa on faith,” I am hesitant to do so. I would need to hear from Him before I took that giant step. This is my plea… pray for me. I need your prayers to make it through this faith experiment. I am to much of a logical person for this to be an easy assignment. Pray that I will hear clearly from God and that He will show me new things about Him through all of this. Pray that I would find a new strength and joy in Him that will help me in these tough decisions. Lift me up whenever you think of me.
Lastly – I pray that you will seek God about giving to support me in this World Race. I want to see all the amazing things God is doing in Africa. I want to encourage the believers there. I want to help the hurting and the lonely on that continent. I want to run the good race, and finish strong. But, ultimately, I want what the Lord has for me in my life. I don’t doubt that He will lead me down the right path – even if I don’t know what that is at the moment.
Thanks for hearýng out my plea… my heart to minister to the people in Africa. If you feel led in your prayers for me, please give financially. There is a red link on the left-hand side of this page where you can give. I would truly be grateful, and I would not take the responsibility of using your money for the kingdom lightly. My heart is to be a good steward with all the Lord gives me – time, money, talents… all His blessings. I will keep everyone updated on these developments in this faith experiment. Stay tuned for more – and keep praying.
In Christ – Ashley
