Dear Family and Friends,
I hope this letter finds you well! I wanted to take a little bit of time to update you on what is going on in my life! I have been given the amazing opportunity to participate in The World Race, an organization based out of Adventures in Missions that takes young adults with the heart of sharing Jesus to eleven different countries in eleven months. As of right now my launch date is set for January 2012!
During this journey, I will be serving in the Philippines, China, India, Nepal, Romania, Moldova, Mozambique, Swaziland, South Africa, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Each country brings a new challenge and a new purpose for me as well as the team I will travel with during these months. On the race, my team and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children who are trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, work in medical clinics, and bring the restoration and hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations.
I know that this trip is going to stretch me spiritually, mentally, physically, as well as financially. At the same time I am confident that God will be ever shaping me more and more into His image! It has been so cool to see, already, the ways that God is intricately weaving details together to form this greater picture of His story for my life!
I am extremely excited to follow through with this calling that the Lord has given me, and I know that where God guides, He provides. It would be more than an honor to have you alongside me in this journey! Most importantly, I need prayer: for me, as well as for the rest of my teammates. I know I will need encouragement along the way. It’s been said that months four and five have been known to be tough months, and to know that I have the support of loved ones in prayer will help out tremendously! Also, each member in our squad needs to raise $15,500 to cover all the expenses. If you are willing to partner with me financially on this journey, no contribution is too small. We are looking for individuals or families to commit to donating to our ministry each month that we are gone (if ~50 people contribute $25 per month my expenses will be covered!), as well as one-time donations at any time.
I will post updates of my journey leading up to and throughout the race next yearonline at ryanherald.theworldrace.org. Here I will be posting pictures, stories, and prayer requests. This will also be a place where you can read a little more about each of my teammates. You can even have all of my posts sent directly to your e-mail! This will be a helpful tool for making any financial donations. You can click on the “Support Me” link on the left of the blog to donate. If you would like to send in a check, you can make checks payable to Adventures In Missions and return the response card with your donation to Adventures In Missions, PO Box 534470, Atlanta, GA, 30353-4470 (The response card will provide AIM with the information necessary to send you a receipt for your tax-deductible donation).
I believe that God has huge plans in store for this next year. I can consider it only a blessing to be able to step out of my comfort zone and to show God’s love in such a practical way as this. I am honored to have the privilege of being the ‘hands and feet’ of Christ and pray that you would be blessed in supporting me through this!
Thank you, sincerely, for your support. 🙂
Ryan Ashley
