Two weeks ago, I looked at the pictures of my 48 squadmates and was filled with curiosity for their unfamiliar faces. I wondered where they all came from, what they’d walked through, and how they’d come to be on my squad for the World Race.
Two weeks ago I got to meet them all at training camp. They are incredible, funny, wise, beautiful examples of Jesus love. I can’t wait to continue getting to know them and in turn share them with you!
Two weeks ago, I was a different person. Training camp was intense, and deeply challenging. It was also breath-taking, healing, and freeing. I learned so much, walked through God’s redemption for some of the deepest, most injured parts of my heart, and rejoiced at the freedom in Jesus I found. One of my squad coaches (kind of like our WR parents) said training camp is like trying to drink from a fire hose- there is so much taught, so much to take in and process that it’s almost impossible to force your thoughts to make sense. She recommended we focus on one thing, so my one thing for now is story.
Our stories are important. They tell of how we came to know the Lord, where we’ve walked with him, and what we plan to do with what He’s given us. Our stories show vulnerability, reliability, and the sovereignty of God. Our stories invite others to open up and share their stories. Being able to admit that you’re imperfect and in desperate need for God’s grace gives others encouragement to do the same.
My name is Ashley. I was raised in a Christian home and can’t remember a time that I didn’t know Jesus. I walked through normal kid stuff through high school and learned how to communicate with God during that time. It wasn’t until college that I truly started walking with the Lord and relying on him for everything. At the end of college, I walked through a time of darkness I feared I couldn’t escape. God was there, holding me, guiding me, healing me, loving me. My faith grew to be my own and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my days (and all of eternity) loving and chasing after God. I still mess up and fall short of God’s glory, but he is kind and gracious and forgives me.
Two weeks ago, I went to training camp to learn how to be an international missionary. I got to meet my squad, and many mentors who walked with me and taught me what it looks like to live life on mission, and for the glory of God. There were speakers who taught us how to rewind and deal with our junk, take it to God, invite others into our pain, and ultimately find redemption and freedom in community with each other and in intimacy with our Creator.
Through a torrential downpour the first night, living with more spiders than I care to count, battling a mummy sleeping bag night after night, eating crickets and other weird food, hiking giant hills everywhere we went, sweating more than I ever have in the Georgia heat (and I live in Texas for goodness sake), and worshipping with my new family 49 strong, I leapt with arms and legs wide into my journey as a World Racer.
The next 6 weeks will alternately drag and speed on, and then I’ll find myself on a plane headed for India. I am filled with excitement, butterflies, sadness (at leaving my people), and joy for what God has called me into. I can’t wait to share the stories of my new family, and those of the beautiful people we will encounter over the next year. Thank you for being part of this journey! Stay tuned for the stories of my team (group of 6 other girls I’ll be living and serving with for the first few months)! They are wonderful and I can’t wait for you to know and love them too!
