And so the "goodbyes" begin...

I've no doubt said many "goodbyes" in my lifetime, yet I'm still not good at them. It's so difficult to hug close friends and leave them, not knowing when God will bring you together again. But I can trust and pray that it's a "see you later." I spent this past week in VA with wonderful friends from college, as we were in the same city because of Anna's wedding. These girls have shaped me into the person I have become, and they have challenged and encouraged me along the way. Though thousands of miles will separate us, I am thankful for modern-day technology and also am grateful for their prayers!

In 19 days, I'll head to NY for orientation. The goodbye stage is here, which means that reality is hitting. I'm really leaving soon; Africa is no longer a far off dream. This excites me beyond belief, but I will admit to being nervous as well!

I can't thank you all enough for your prayers. I am surprisingly not stressed (in a week or so I might be ;) . God has provided my finances, and in fact, I may even be over my goal! Which means I'd love to stay in Uganda longer than 9 months....we'll see what He wants, though! It obviously depends what funds keep coming in.

If you're like me, you realize that it's easy to pray for this, this, and this without pausing to thank Him for what He HAS already done. That being said, I am excited to report that the car wash fundraiser on May 15 was such a blessing. My family, friends, and old acquaintances pitched in to make it possible, and I am so grateful for their enthusiasm and energy! What a blessing to be interviewed by the local newspaper about my venture to Africa; the article was published two days before the car wash, and that was one way the public heard about it.

This Sunday, I'll be speaking at a small church nearby. I look forward to sharing my heart for Africa with the congregation, but I'm unsure which direction to go. Please pray that God guides me as I prepare, and that he lays just the right words on my heart.

It's becoming more real...

Ummm, where has the last month gone?? I will try my best to update this more faithfully!

There is so much to say, but I won't let myself get completely carried away or this will get really long and you'll stop reading!

In less than 7 weeks, I'll be stepping foot on African soil. That hasn't completely sunk in yet. However, it's becoming more real as I pack up my apartment...This Monday I'm leaving my live-in job at HOHC and will be moving in with my family for a few weeks until I leave the country.

Last night was our last dinner as a HOHC family. They surprised me by cooking one of my favorite meals (complete with my personal invention of Nutella crepes made in a quesadilla maker! :) and presenting me with some really meaningful gifts. The girls (and house mom) made a scrapbook for me, wrote me letters which were tear-jerkers! I'm so proud of our four teen moms for working hard to finish high school and not giving up when the pressure of life seems overwhelming. I will miss everyone dearly.

I'll end with some prayer needs. Thank you for your faithful prayers and for walking this journey with me. I certainly can't do it on my own!

The unknown

The unknown....I've always hated it. During particular seasons of my life, the unknown is quite daunting. This is one of those seasons. Yes, I know I'm hopping on a plane to Africa in a few weeks, but besides the fact that I'll be "doing Public Relations for Dwelling Places," I don't know much beyond that. And it's easy for me to let that cause me to fear and not trust God...

I opened My Utmost for His Highest this week and read one of my favorite pages. (I first heard this when Dr. Kelly shared it in class exactly three years ago. Thanks, Dr. K!) I hope it's encouraging to you as well. And please pray that I can find peace in Him and remember that He is good, and He'll lead me.

"Certainty is the mark of the common-sense life; gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth...We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God...Leave the whole thing to Him, it is gloriously uncertain how He will come in, but He will come. Remain loyal to Him."

-O.Chambers

Deepening my relationship with Christ:

Pray that I can get to know my Savior deeply over the next few weeks. That I will be disciplined to sit down and soak up His word...Satan knows my weaknesses. He knows that "busyness" makes me slack on my Bible time/prayer time. I have a TON of prep to do these next few weeks (paperwork, finding health insurance, shop, pack, more paperwork, fundraising, and the list goes on.) It's easy for me to get caught up in the checklist mentality: "I have to do this, this, and this as I prepare for Africa."

Financial update

This morning I calculated the funds that I have received so far and monthly pledges. I am giddy with excitement, because the Lord has provided approximately $10,190 so far! In the next six weeks, I need to raise $4,000. Thank you to everyone who is supporting me financially or prayerfully. I can't express what it means to me. People ask me, "How long will you be gone?" That's a question only God knows....initially I'm looking at 9 months, but if He wants me to stay longer, I will. This obviously also depends on funds.

If you want to receive email updates and prayer requests, leave your email address or send me a FB message!

Also, feel free to browse my photography on Facebook, and if a print catches your eye, let me know. I am selling my photos and putting the money towards Uganda (you may especially love pictures from my Italy trip). $20 for an 8x10. $25 for a 10x13, etc. Please place your order in the next week or two.

Uganda Prayer letter

Many of you have recently opened your mailbox and found a Uganda prayer letter/prayer card enclosed in a brown, recycled envelope. If you haven't received a prayer card and would like one, please let me know, and I'll send one your way!

I cannot express my appreciation for those of you who are covering me with prayers. I also am overwhelmed by the checks I have received in the mail...thank you to those who have taken a leap of faith and are financially supporting my time in Africa. I will update soon with an exact update regarding the funds I have received/still need to raise.

Here's a digital version of my prayer card and the support letter. Thank you for prayerfully considering supporting me.

Special thanks to my talented friend, Brett, who designed the prayer card. I sent him the picture of Jimmy/Gift/me, the prayer requests, and a photo I took of my dad's vintage globe, and he worked some magic! He's an incredibly gifted photographer and graphic designer.

Dear friend,

For nearly three years, my heart has been burdened for the people of Africa. I knew God wanted me to serve Him there, but the "where, when, and what" were unclear. The waiting process was not easy, but I continually reminded myself that His plan is always perfect.

Through Africa Inland Mission, God has provided an incredible opportunity for me to serve in Kampala, Uganda's capital city. I will be working with an established ministry, Dwelling Places. Rita Nkemba, the founder, describes it as "an organization that takes care of street children, abandoned babies and high-risk slum families." I will be assisting the ministry with their public relations needs and will also work directly with the children.

I am planning to embark on this journey June 2010 and will be in Uganda approximately nine months. I am asking you to consider being part of the support team for this endeavor. Most importantly, I need your prayers--not only while I'm gone but also in the months leading up to my departure. Please pray that God will continue to prepare me spiritually, physically, and emotionally, as He has during the last few years.

I need to raise approximately $14,150 in support. This covers travel and living expenses, as well as language lessons and other miscellaneous needs. If I break this down into daily increments, each day I'm in Uganda will cost approximately $50. Will you consider sponsoring me for a day? Or for whatever amount God may lay on your heart?

I feel strongly that those who support me will not be giving to me, personally, nor will you be giving solely to a missions organization. Rather, you are investing in a greater cause--our Father's kingdom. With your prayer or financial support, you are impacting the lives of beautiful Ugandan children who face unimaginable challenges every day…challenges such as HIV AIDS, war, hunger, lack of clean water, child-headed families, and the list goes on. I am eager to serve with Dwelling Places as they offer hope and restoration to some of the 10,000 street children in Uganda!

Please pray about being part of my financial support base. All donations are tax deductible. There are two ways you can donate:

(1) Online: Go to http://www.aimint.org/usa, hover over the “Support” tab at the top, then choose “Online Giving.” Click on “Give Now.” From the drop-down box, choose “other” and type in my name with "support" after it.

or

2) Send a check via mail: please make out the check to Africa Inland Mission (don’t write my name anywhere on the check). Please send the check directly to me so I may record it.

Donations should come to me by May 1, 2010.

As the pieces fall into place, I am reminded of 1 Thessalonians 5:24, "He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it." I am in awe that God knew the desires of my heart more than I. The kids I cared for in the choir last year “happen” to live in orphanages in Kampala. Little did I know God would place me in their exact city!

I will joyfully be His hands and feet to love and care for the precious children on the streets of Kampala. Thank you for investing in His kingdom!

-Ashley

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...