Our weaknesses, His power

I have recognized that I need to spend these next few months focusing on aspects of Jesus' character. I don't need motivational fluff...I need to be equipped with the knowledge of my powerful Savior. I'm going to use Max Lucado's study, "Experiencing the Heart of Jesus" to guide me.

Satan was having a field day with me this past week, doing his best to scare me with stories of spiritual warfare. I spoke with missionaries to the Philippines last weekend and learned of a demon who was possessing a girl (she did NOT know English). This demon addressed the missionary by name--and in English (yikes). I also spoke with a missionary who had a witch doctor in Africa put a curse on him and his family that they would die in several days. For a few days, I was shaken up by the power that demons have...but then I realized, "Wait a minute. Sure, they have SOME power, but that's not the end of the story. My God has already won this battle--as it clearly states in the Bible. My God is so much MORE powerful than sneaky demons. I'm on His team, and I know that demons shudder at His name...I have nothing to fear." Nevertheless, since demonic activity is so prevalent and so in-your-face in Uganda, it's definitely something I need to take seriously. I need to prayerfully equip myself every day I'm over there.

Knowing that I needed to fill my mind with Truth and reminders of His power displayed in the Bible, I have been so encouraged the last few days. He raised children from the dead. He healed the social outcasts with grotesque sicknesses. He fed thousands with just a few loaves of bread and a few fish. He defied the laws of nature and walked on water.

Let this encourage you....our God is STILL alive and working. These stories are not so we realize what Jesus did. It's to remind us of what He does. We can, with a hopeful heart, realize that even if we feel broken, He is able to heal.

"A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out." -Matt. 12:20 NIV

Do you get that?? He loves you despite your struggles and despite your weaknesses.

You might feel like a bruised reed--once standing upright by the waters, nourished by what it offers. But now you're bent over, feeling weak.

Or perhaps you're feeling like a smoldering wick--once on fire for Him, you had strong faith. But now the flame is close to being snuffed out. You're trying to hold on to what little light you have left.

The world has no place for you. The world says you're not worth it. You're not good enough.

But the arms of Jesus welcome you. He whispers, "You feel bruised and broken. But I love you. You're valuable in My eyes. Stay close to me, and I will use you in mighty ways. Your life still has significant purpose."

I'm weak. But He is powerful. And that is beautiful.

A few details

Things are falling into place....but there are still many details to complete (applying for my Ugandan visa, getting shots, filling out miscellaneous paperwork, and the list goes on.)

On Friday I mailed out prayer cards enclosed in a support letter. They should be arriving in mailboxes within the next few days. If I did not send you one but you wish to have one, please contact me. Your prayers are greatly appreciated--just because I haven't boarded the plane yet does NOT mean I'm not needing prayer!

Last week, I met with my boss (at HOHC) for my 6-month review. We discussed my departure date, and I have requested to leave my job on May 2. I will dearly miss my HOHC family, but I know I need those weeks to focus on Africa, pack, shoot a few weddings, and wrap up any unfinished details before I leave.

I'll be headed to NY (at AIM's headquarters) for orientation June 14 and 15. I'll be leaving the country on June 16, arriving in Africa on June 18.

Destination: Uganda

Time after time, the possible Africa assignments didn't come to fruition.

Time after time, I was disheartened and questioned, "Lord, what is your plan? Why are none of these assignments working out?"

The last two and a half years, as I've been waiting, I've reminded myself over and over that His timing is perfect.

His plan is perfect.

He knows the desires of my heart more than I do!

I never understood why ASHLEY'S plan wasn't working out. [Story of my life! :) ]

Until now--until this past Friday, to be exact.

I received a phone call from AIM, letting me know that "Dwelling Places" has requested that I come to Kampala, Uganda and serve with their ministry for approximately 9 months.

Yes, I did just say Uganda.

While taking care of ten Ugandan orphans (on the choir tour), I developed a curiosity and a passion for the Ugandan people and culture.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that God would place me in their hometown of Kampala!

God's faithfulness absolutely blows me away.

"He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it." -1 Thess 5:24 (ESV)

January 30, 2009 I read this verse in "My Utmost For His Highest,"

and I wrote "Africa...in His timing" in the margin.

Exactly one year later was the weekend that I received the call about Uganda. Incredible.

I will be assisting Dwelling Places with various needs, including public relations and ministering to the kids. [I also want to come up with a creative way to use my photography to reach people THERE and HERE.]

According to their website,

"Dwelling Places...is dedicated to removing children from the streets, rebuilding broken families and restoring broken individuals with the love of Jesus Christ."

[Photo from D.P.'s website]

I am planning to leave for Uganda in early June.

I have four months to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually.

I also need to immediately start raising support. Although that part feels overwhelming, I know He will continue to show me His faithfulness.

If you would like me to send you a support letter in the next few weeks, please contact me with your address.

While I'm gone, I am hoping that God breaks my heart for the things that break His heart. I hope this blog will inform you about the tragic yet hopeful circumstances in Uganda...I can't wait to witness the Lord restoring children in His name.

This blog will be updated semi-regularly before I leave and certainly regularly once I'm in Uganda.

God is God and I am not!

I love the fact that nothing surprises God, but sometimes he'll throw a curveball at us to see how we'll respond--will we trust Him or take things into our own hands? Just a few short days after my last post, I heard from AIM that there are no positions available on the media team. I'll be honest and tell you that I certainly was disappointed to learn that I won't be on the media team. Since November, that's what I had my heart set on. But last week was a reminder that when I start planning my life too much, God has to remind me of a very important fact: God is God and I am not! (Thanks Kate ;) I am naturally a planner, so this uncertainty is a struggle...but the Lord is stretching me which is what I need.

After my initial disappointment about the media team, I was so comforted by the fact that the Lord already has just the right spot and job for me in Africa. He has it under control. I need to let go and just pray during this time when AIM is communicating with people in Africa to find the right assignment for me. (I'd certainly appreciate your prayers as well!) I just want to be a blessing with my photography (and possibly public relations) when I'm in Africa.

My excitement for Africa has only grown...

Africa-bound!

It's official! I have been accepted by AIM as a short-term missionary. I'm so incredibly excited, and I don't even think it has fully sunk in yet.

I am waiting to hear about my assignment, length of stay (hopefully close to a year!), destination, etc. I'll be honest; by nature, I'm a planner. So it's incredibly difficult waiting to find out these details. Yet it's a trust-thing....I know God will not fail me, and He has all of this in His hands. In Acts, He set aside Barnabas and Saul to do His work, and they had to take a step of faith--not knowing where they were going. My friend, Sarah, encouraged me with that passage last week and it was incredibly uplifting. [Acts 12:25; Acts 13: 1-3]

Sometimes this thought pops into my head: "Ashley, what are you getting yourself into? Are you sure you can do this?" I know I can do it, but only because this is where the Lord is leading. I would be foolish to think I can go to Africa and do it on my own. There is no way. I certainly have fears, starting with "What will I eat?" I'm the girl who's not a big fan of dark chicken! :/ I'm sure I'll be eating a lot of chicken over there, probably freshly-prepared chicken if you know what I mean....

Then of course, the diseases in Africa. The water. Random scary animals/critters (bugs and Ashley don't get along well ;) Being without friends or family for a number of months. The list could go on.

But here's why I'm going....
I have one life to live. (Read John Piper's "Don't Waste Your Life, and you will see where I'm coming from." I have this burning passion in my heart to go to Africa and photograph the children, the adults, and the environment. I want to show you all the despair--but more importantly the hope--which Africa holds. I want you to see the eyes of the precious children and deep into their souls; though they have nothing, they have such faith and love. They know nothing differently. So many of them are content and do not have a complaining spirit which I, as a spoiled American, sometimes have. I am longing to worship the Lord in an African church, with people who look and speak differently than myself yet love the same Savior.

Anyway, my point is: I will never have a second chance to re-live this life. Not even a second chance to re-live yesterday. I desire to step out of my comfort zone and use photography (a gift/passion that God has given me) in the beautiful land called Africa.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me, as I begin this journey towards Africa.
Please pray for endurance; I have several more weeks of school and then I will be a college graduate. After that, I can focus on my journey towards Africa. I need prayer to stay close to the Lord and not let "busyness" be an excuse.

Waiting...waiting....

“Perfect. I have some time before class to take a power nap in the library,” I thought as I briskly walked from the dining hall towards the library one afternoon last November in Virginia. Little did I know that I was about to have an incredibly significant conversation.

Let’s just say I did not get a nap that day, but I sure did get an adrenaline rush. As I rounded a corner, I saw a random booth and a big sign that said “Africa.” How could that NOT catch my eye? I’ve been dreaming of spending time in Africa for MONTHS now. I almost kept going past the booth, but something told me to stop. I stopped in my tracks and chatted with Mr. Steve Hill, who told me he was a representative with Africa Inland Mission (AIM) and gave me some materials to look at. As we kept talking, I realized this was a God-thing…no other way to describe it. Mr. Hill and I discovered: his family is living in Lancaster, PA (which is where I’m from.) Not only that, but they were currently living/working at the SAME camp where I worked for a week last summer. Not only THAT, but we discovered his family recently began attending the church where I spent about 11 years of my life.

I literally had to blink back tears, because I could just see God’s hands in this conversation (it’s hard to explain.) I remember Mr. Hill saying, “I don’t know what God is doing! I’m almost afraid to keep talking to you,” as we kept discovering those neat things!

To make a very long story short, I kept in touch with Mr. Hill’s family and spent the afternoon visiting them about 2 months later when I was in PA for Christmas break. We talked about AIM, and I drove away encouraged and even more excited about the possibility of Africa.

Since then, I’ve been emailing Kate, an awesome girl from D.C. She and I are BOTH applying for AIM’s media team. Mr. Hill gave her my email address, and we’ve had fun getting to know each other via email. Last weekend, we were (oddly enough) both in Lancaster so we met in person. We instantly hit it off (we talked non-stop for 3 hours in Panera!) We’re both hoping/praying that we will both end up in Africa together!

There’s just something about AIM’s ministry in Africa that really grabbed my attention and my heart. Their aim is to glorify God….and they send missionaries over there to teach the Africans. That way, when the missionary has to leave, the Africans are equipped to carry on the job (whether it’s a pastor, doctor, etc.) I sent in my 10 page application Feb. 14 and the following week I interviewed with Mr. Hill when he was at LU. Now is the hard part…..waiting. I’ve never been good at waiting : ) I will hopefully find out a “yes” or “no” from AIM in two days. I’m nervous, anxious, and excited all at the same time.
I am positive the Lord is leading me to Africa, but I’m waiting on the exact organization and timing. I’m just so grateful He’s writing the next chapter of my story….