I am going to Africa and I need YOUR HELP!!!!

Hi Friends and Family,

So as many of you know, I am planning a missions trip to Africa this October!!! This will actually be my first missions trip. :) A couple years ago the Lord opened the doors for me to live in England for a period of 9 months and during that time He gave me such a heart for the Nations! I've always known that I had a traveling bug but as I've gotten older, it's gotten worse!! :) I have been itching for an opportunity to travel. Right now I am an intercessory missionary at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri. God is teaching me how to sit at His feet and just receive. Easier said than done for me!

A couple years ago my dad had the opportunity to travel to Africa and minister with lots of different people groups! He was able to go into orphanages and love on the Fatherless. Speak and pray into leaders lives! And go to prisons and minister to the forgotten! It was a trip that absolutely changed him. As he came back and shared pictures and stories of his trip, it was obvious that Africa had stolen a piece of his heart! It was awesome to see my dad touched by such an experience. He has been praying and looking for opportunities to go back. And this year God opened just that door! He was invited (along with my mom) to go to Malawi and speak at a pastors/leaders conference! This is such an honor and an opportunity that couldn't be passed up! So though the funds weren't all in (and still are not completely in) they both stepped out in faith and said YES!! And I know that God always honors that yes in our hearts. 

As I started hearing about this trip, something got stirred up in my heart! When I think of Africa I think of the children!! The children who are fatherless and sometimes forgotten!! They live a life that I can't even fathom. Being an American, I know that I am incredibly spoiled. My 'bummer' days are because I don't have enough gas money to drive somewhere.. or enough money for this or that! But I have always had a roof over my head, food to eat and friends and family in my life!!! This past year at Ihop, I have been taken to some low and lonely places! But all in all, I need a reality check of still how good I have it.

I am currently singing on a worship team here and every Friday we sing and pray for OJC (orphan justice center) We are interceding on behalf of the fatherless and praying for an adoption movement in the church!! This stirs my heart so much. I have always had a big heart for children!! Hoping that one day I can have a big family of my own and adopt several children! This opportunity to go to Africa with my parents seems like something I just can't pass up!!! God is expanding my heart thru intercession and prayer and now I feel READY to pour that love out onto others!!! I feel God all over this trip and know that for my parents, Nicole (my friend who is also raising support to come) and me.. it will be LIFE CHANGING!!!!

I am asking YOU to please prayerfully consider partnering with me in this missions trip!! I don't have the funds in and of myself to go! I live on support from my partners to be at the house of prayer. So I am not rolling in the dough, so to speak! I am living off of what God gives me on a month to month basis!! This trip is me stepping out in faith. Saying yes to God and his heart for Africa!! Believing that ALL the funds will come in!!!!!

I will use this blog as a journey leading up to the trip! My thoughts, fears, concerns etc... As well as showing the process of raising support. I will post pictures of Africa and share testimonies and stories of what happens!!!!

I truly can't do this without the help of YOU!!!!!!! Please help send me to Africa!!!!!!

Love,

Ashley