Changes!

Dear Prayer Partners, Supporters and Friends,

I want to thank you for consistently praying for me and supporting me over the last four years. I cannot tell you how crucial your love, prayers and support are for me while I am in Liberia!  I really could not serve in Liberia without you!

Over the past four years, God has opened my eyes to so many things about the world around me. I have seen God’s hand of provision and protection on my life, the ministry of Orphan Relief and Rescue, and on the lives of the children that we love and serve. God has taught me so much about Himself, myself and the body of Christ. God continues to work miracles, answer prayers, change lives and make His name known in Liberia. God has been incredibly faithful, and I have never felt His hand more on my life.

Over the past six months or so, I have really been seeking God’s direction for the next step of my journey. The searching, seeking and wrestling has been both beautiful and painful, but God has given me clear direction that it is time for the next step. 

I will be leaving Liberia on June 3rd to come home for the birth of my nephew. When I leave Liberia, my time with Orphan Relief and Rescue will come to a close. The decision was not easy--my heart is still for Liberia and the children here. But, God has been opening my eyes to more needs in Liberia and enlarging my heart to include others. 

I don’t know what the future looks like but I know this: I know that God is in control, and I know that I will be back in Liberia in the future. I need to come home, enjoy my family, rest and recuperate, but then I will really be seeking God’s direction for the future. God has given me ideas and dreams, but I want my dreams to be His dreams. 

I will keep you updated on the dreams that God leads me to, and I look forward to continuing to share my heart for Liberia with you all! There truly aren’t enough words to say an adequate thank you! You have been a part of this journey, every step of the way, with your love, prayers, encouragement and support for me personally, and also for Orphan Relief and Rescue’s ministry. I really could not have done it without you! Please keep in touch--you can always email me, and I will continue to update my blog and share needs and prayer requests. I look forward to sharing the next chapter of my journey with you, and I hope that you will once again join me!

Love in Liberia,

Ashley

P.S. My current prayer requests are:

-I’ve been praying for various “impossibles” over the past few weeks. We have multiple children that are ill, a few of which have quite serious medical problems that cannot easily be treated in Liberia. We have also been dealing with other seemingly impossible situations, but we are trusting in a God who makes all things possible!

-My last few weeks in Liberia--that my time would be used wisely, and that it would just be a sweet time of fellowship, joy, laughter and thanksgiving!

-I have so many mixed emotions, and I know it will only get more emotional as my time comes to a close. God has really been giving me His perfect peace, but I want (and need) His perfect peace to carry me through until the end.

-For perseverance and strength to finish well.

-God’s wisdom, guidance and clarity for the next step.