tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352131178391994282023-11-22T14:40:14.032-05:00Love in LiberiaSharing God's love with the people of LiberiaAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.comBlogger418125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-91509920259270784372015-09-05T18:37:00.001-04:002015-09-05T18:37:18.000-04:00Rhythm<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Our lives are full of rhythm.</b> Whether it’s our routine, or the constant noise that floats past our ears, rhythms are all around us. Right now, I’m listening to the rhythm of the rain. It’s pitter-patter on the tin roof. The dripping onto the chipped cement below. And how the sea breeze blows the steady falling rain in different directions. There is rhythm in the rain. Music is made. The drops tap out a beat and I follow along. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvyJtQ43-PsMrkhP7-WUnOURKq85zj_UVXRdWiAOh4MrIQqr_uC2_y9oV1PgyxowbQ5NeE6PyEPsb7w-IuuX3L3j3HM_mstayicwz7BLLF1PX3fwTfsq7wt6jUhVMCMWNzlBXbCaDjGg/s640/blogger-image--756593122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvyJtQ43-PsMrkhP7-WUnOURKq85zj_UVXRdWiAOh4MrIQqr_uC2_y9oV1PgyxowbQ5NeE6PyEPsb7w-IuuX3L3j3HM_mstayicwz7BLLF1PX3fwTfsq7wt6jUhVMCMWNzlBXbCaDjGg/s200/blogger-image--756593122.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My life-rhythm has been a little off-beat lately. Days haven’t gone according to plan. To-do lists stay full, with nothing getting checked off, while more things are added. I’m doing the delicate, yet often times tough, dance of trying to tie up loose ends and get everything done before I leave Liberia in just a few days. I have to make priorities, and choose to totally disregard things that just aren’t as important.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The last few weeks have been hard. Liberia-hard, yes. But hard in a different way, too. Hard because of unexpected, uninvited roughness. Hard because it’s not easy living life with people—it’s messy. And hard because I’m trying to help, but all that I feel in return is entitlement and ungratefulness. And I have to ask for more grace and patience. And trust that my actions and words will rise above the crud and be remembered. And if not, then I have to accept that too.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<b><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5P-kPD61qqcM6dx-UHzq0sARACPqxSRHZjMZBP-GINz0Kr5cFK6vO8E3twyD1FmlVYozOU1Kxwtb8krz6sfoooPSinqWLGgKYyP5CdEMjWM9fCI46gGhaFqU6pZxlUjkWs41yap5blE/s640/blogger-image--19660867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5P-kPD61qqcM6dx-UHzq0sARACPqxSRHZjMZBP-GINz0Kr5cFK6vO8E3twyD1FmlVYozOU1Kxwtb8krz6sfoooPSinqWLGgKYyP5CdEMjWM9fCI46gGhaFqU6pZxlUjkWs41yap5blE/s400/blogger-image--19660867.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Some days, I long for holy rhythm. </b>It’s hard to explain, but if you’ve experienced it, then you know what I’m talking about. That constant communion and fellowship with the Father. You feel Him and hear Him. He is present and tangible. I know that He is always present, but when the rhythm is interrupted, He can be hard to find. I crave that assurance that only comes from Him—when you know that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be and you’re doing exactly what He’s called you to do. And because of that assurance, you cling tightly to His promises and press on. <b>Holy rhythm is a spiritual thing</b>—your words and actions and reactions and thoughts are the extension of the Holy Spirit. Like sweet smelling incense gently rolling away from your hands, feet and mouth. Your eyes are full of light and your words are like fire—<b>there is power in your belly, if you choose to use it.</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirdyYlddvEvKcVQI1G0PepX0Z6VT30cdQ3W-N0rH6p3HsL0hV8equ0JX-rnXPPcHFjFp5TKFsLgvOh70yns9yBVwfCqF8FkV83U3m02FyA7ECdzjlydHFyL1D_AFwBXJpjJjUlFApzvY/s640/blogger-image-1008722972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirdyYlddvEvKcVQI1G0PepX0Z6VT30cdQ3W-N0rH6p3HsL0hV8equ0JX-rnXPPcHFjFp5TKFsLgvOh70yns9yBVwfCqF8FkV83U3m02FyA7ECdzjlydHFyL1D_AFwBXJpjJjUlFApzvY/s400/blogger-image-1008722972.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’m laying under my fleece blanket inside my mosquito net box. The rain is starting to lull, and I welcome the dark, quiet morning. I think about my rhythms. My rhythm of sliding my feet into flip-flops, rolling up my mosquito net, folding my blanket and drawing the curtain back to welcome the day. The rhythm of opening my top drawer to pull out my Bible, prayer journal, gratitude journal and pens. The rhythm of a day that seems to be full of rain, darkness and cold breezes. The dreaded rhythm of making note of things I’m leaving behind, pulling out the suitcases and dusting the rainy season mold off of things and starting to throw things inside. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And then there will be the frenzy of leaving. Friends stopping by, last minute errands, people wanting you to carry things for them, passing things off to someone else and making sure everything is taken care of before I go. Then there is the long, cold rhythm of flying nearly 8,000 miles. And the tiredness that goes along with that. And then I wake up in a strange land, much different than the world I left behind just a few hours ago. With this rhythm I know exactly how it all goes, and I anticipate the people and things that will greet me on the other side. But there will be a period of adjustment, a stage of culture shock and lots of needed sleep.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgBYvrj-PL2tfafvnk7QQgTw0x21J55KDkZ_4n3_vDeep8jlQaemEmkxVv-hGZitiQZIdSMlZN5oHOIG1BFBb4hhPQS5koo9-fXdkQbMl89eNRvPwnlNJ3pK7-uBGbc58C_cGHqR0OqY/s640/blogger-image--823332756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgBYvrj-PL2tfafvnk7QQgTw0x21J55KDkZ_4n3_vDeep8jlQaemEmkxVv-hGZitiQZIdSMlZN5oHOIG1BFBb4hhPQS5koo9-fXdkQbMl89eNRvPwnlNJ3pK7-uBGbc58C_cGHqR0OqY/s200/blogger-image--823332756.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Do</b> </span><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;">you ever sometimes think that a known, chaotic rhythm is better than the rhythm that is to come?</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Maybe because it’s comfortable or predictable or familiar or convenient? I will say that I am looking forward to the rhythm that is to come, but I also know that there will be highs and lows, peaks and valleys. But there is also the unknown. After my period of adjustment, I’m not really sure what sort of rhythm I will have. But I want it to be a good, healthy, enjoyable and fruitful rhythm. I know there are things that I want to be a a part of my new rhythm—family, healthy food, creativity, quiet time, dreaming, fellowship. </span><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;">And I also want to be sensitive to the Spirit’s rhythm.</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> When I think about it too much, it feels like a tall order, or maybe like there are not enough hours in the day to live full and well. But then I’m reminded that I just need to </span><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;">show up</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> and </span><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;">be present.</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> And </span><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;">enjoy</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> and </span><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;">savor</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">. And </span><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;">extend grace</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> and </span><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;">show love</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">. And stay </span><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;">grounded in the Word</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> and </span><b style="letter-spacing: 0px;">anchored in prayer</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>And to trust. No matter what</b>. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Trust in the beautiful, chaotic rhythm of the Creator. His rhythm is where Life is found, where wounds are healed and where joy is never-ending.</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>I am choosing to rest in this mysterious rhythm today, and I hope you will too.</b></span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-16074584083051853262015-08-13T17:46:00.000-04:002015-08-13T17:50:14.000-04:00First Day at The Green House!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDVFpk6J0MoAhqIk-UwaPaIDkJhzUfWFX0gnHv_ZzAmkrW9Vz84u8QRcZ9ynGfispAIATKPvd9NzYHDqnSk9oyJRjVVUsqkcp7MHMi34ty-MFVDUMPWpTqZqiWgIJwGmkXI2THv4b9vU/s640/blogger-image-1054410506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDVFpk6J0MoAhqIk-UwaPaIDkJhzUfWFX0gnHv_ZzAmkrW9Vz84u8QRcZ9ynGfispAIATKPvd9NzYHDqnSk9oyJRjVVUsqkcp7MHMi34ty-MFVDUMPWpTqZqiWgIJwGmkXI2THv4b9vU/s640/blogger-image-1054410506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82emgjkLIsGxehpcR98y73T7Lka4ICbxZ0aS3zkhYYHIzGhLMXNsO3a_VV0bLO2MeUvtbI7syQT_Vxyux68woHo4UZ2GfvCYxFOQSm3Y9QiYk8EPcVmx_T_X3xR31wOQ8i0G5915ws3Y/s640/blogger-image-702388287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82emgjkLIsGxehpcR98y73T7Lka4ICbxZ0aS3zkhYYHIzGhLMXNsO3a_VV0bLO2MeUvtbI7syQT_Vxyux68woHo4UZ2GfvCYxFOQSm3Y9QiYk8EPcVmx_T_X3xR31wOQ8i0G5915ws3Y/s640/blogger-image-702388287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLD3Gkwj4Yf079v4yrS9gHVCEWzBNSfILk4Wseanl_KaNH289S09cUaykehY-oD0xHMZhzbyihM375q6WWzP2PEi7aAVX0mkuqnJ7S9bd1aBfV_MrYLElMrxcyGQdIjpRYsJbnr_QGvpY/s640/blogger-image-406686296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Yesterday was an incredibly exciting day here in Liberia! After years of praying, dreaming, planning and waiting, the gate was rolled open for children in the community to come inside for drop-in activities! I had no idea what to expect, as it was only advertised by word-of-mouth. And really, there were only two mouths advertising to not very many people. I didn’t really have any expectations—I thought it five kids came then it would be good. I rolled the gate open just after 1pm and sat in the palava hut and waited. After about ten minutes, I made a comment about how it might be a slow afternoon. Just about that time, a group of children holding hands came around the corner. And after another minute or two, another group of children were coming inside. Groups of children just kept coming!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrV9cTBAnYsrk3clm2eQRW5BsfLEde5ACbgrflbg-cmAjd3ZYrbDF5fLQu1lZdxD7NB27B7dSxpCHP94Tab0pdC8e3BA6eEhqOU2yoBNNHuXjYl8HAs13Bxy1-9whXenfP5ncXE6bqZY/s640/blogger-image-1673932438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrV9cTBAnYsrk3clm2eQRW5BsfLEde5ACbgrflbg-cmAjd3ZYrbDF5fLQu1lZdxD7NB27B7dSxpCHP94Tab0pdC8e3BA6eEhqOU2yoBNNHuXjYl8HAs13Bxy1-9whXenfP5ncXE6bqZY/s320/blogger-image-1673932438.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After about 15 minutes, the palava hut was full of children anxiously awaiting the afternoon’s activities. I did a quick headcount and there were 43 children. I welcomed everyone inside and explained to them that we were going to do different activities and have fun. We began by passing out coloring book pages. After coloring, Beneetta read the creation story from The Beginner’s Bible. Beneetta was fantastic and the kids paid careful attention to her every word. She turned a two paragraph Bible story into 30 minutes of fun! After that, we took a vote—dancing or playing games. Dancing won, but once the music started the kids weren’t dancing very much. And then the speaker battery died. So, we moved on to playing parachute games and playing football (soccer). In all, we spent over three hours having fun, and I told the kids that they could come back again on Friday afternoon for other activities.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLD3Gkwj4Yf079v4yrS9gHVCEWzBNSfILk4Wseanl_KaNH289S09cUaykehY-oD0xHMZhzbyihM375q6WWzP2PEi7aAVX0mkuqnJ7S9bd1aBfV_MrYLElMrxcyGQdIjpRYsJbnr_QGvpY/s1600/blogger-image-406686296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLD3Gkwj4Yf079v4yrS9gHVCEWzBNSfILk4Wseanl_KaNH289S09cUaykehY-oD0xHMZhzbyihM375q6WWzP2PEi7aAVX0mkuqnJ7S9bd1aBfV_MrYLElMrxcyGQdIjpRYsJbnr_QGvpY/s320/blogger-image-406686296.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On our evening walk to the beach, me and my young adult team of Liberians debriefed on the afternoon and brainstormed for how we could improve. We all decided that right now, it’s ok to do fun activities while we are getting to know the children. However, once we have a better idea of the needs and abilities, we will probably have groups that break off for tutoring, reading help and other learning experiences. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDVFpk6J0MoAhqIk-UwaPaIDkJhzUfWFX0gnHv_ZzAmkrW9Vz84u8QRcZ9ynGfispAIATKPvd9NzYHDqnSk9oyJRjVVUsqkcp7MHMi34ty-MFVDUMPWpTqZqiWgIJwGmkXI2THv4b9vU/s1600/blogger-image-1054410506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDVFpk6J0MoAhqIk-UwaPaIDkJhzUfWFX0gnHv_ZzAmkrW9Vz84u8QRcZ9ynGfispAIATKPvd9NzYHDqnSk9oyJRjVVUsqkcp7MHMi34ty-MFVDUMPWpTqZqiWgIJwGmkXI2THv4b9vU/s320/blogger-image-1054410506.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I was exhausted last night—I laid in front of the fan and ate cookies slathered in peanut butter and chocolate spread—but I couldn’t help but reflect. Yesterday really was a dream coming true! It was the first of many fun afternoons. Yesterday was a milestone; an accomplishment, an answer to so many prayers and a testimony to our faithful God! Just thinking about the future gets me excited! I can see the yard full of children—laughing and learning. I can see women sharing their hearts with each other around a table in the palava hut. I can see teenagers finding a comfy spot and getting lost in a book. I can see families gathering for a movie night or football tournament. I can see hearts and lives, and in turn, a community, being changed. I can see God moving and working, forgiving and healing. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82emgjkLIsGxehpcR98y73T7Lka4ICbxZ0aS3zkhYYHIzGhLMXNsO3a_VV0bLO2MeUvtbI7syQT_Vxyux68woHo4UZ2GfvCYxFOQSm3Y9QiYk8EPcVmx_T_X3xR31wOQ8i0G5915ws3Y/s1600/blogger-image-702388287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82emgjkLIsGxehpcR98y73T7Lka4ICbxZ0aS3zkhYYHIzGhLMXNsO3a_VV0bLO2MeUvtbI7syQT_Vxyux68woHo4UZ2GfvCYxFOQSm3Y9QiYk8EPcVmx_T_X3xR31wOQ8i0G5915ws3Y/s320/blogger-image-702388287.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your love, support and prayers! You are a part of this story, the dream and answered prayers. You each hold a piece of The Green House. More importantly, because of you, the people of Cooper Beach will experience and know the love of Christ. My continued prayer is that this house will be a light shining in the darkness. The the four walls of the fence would be filled with protection, but also with grace overflowing. I cannot wait to share more with you over the coming weeks, and I hope and pray that you will continue on this journey with me and the people of Cooper Beach!</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-76710872638398223932015-07-19T16:17:00.000-04:002015-07-19T16:17:50.532-04:00My Sunday Morning Margin<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It’s Sunday morning. I stayed in my bed until nearly 10:00! I could hear the bustle on the road of people trying to make their way to church. There’s also the constant buzz of the cricket that’s been hiding out in my closet for the last few days…and I cannot for the life of me find him! The church next door starts, and it’s actually not as annoying as I feared it would be. I finally emerged from my mosquito net box. The breeze has been fairly constant. I wake up almost every night cold. My curtain is blown nearly up to the ceiling by the wind. The sun is shining and I have found my pause.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Typical sounds of Sunday continue. The church just down the road begins. They’re louder than the church just on the other side of my wall. I pull eggs out of the freezer so they can thaw. I want to bake something this morning—a box of Jiffy blueberry mix, or perhaps banana bread. I crawl back into bed and start to read Hebrews 12. I turn on some music, open up my prayer journal and settle in. After adding to my gratitude journal, I look for a banana bread recipe on Pinterest, because it seems as if I’ve left my go-to recipe at home. I have the entire place to myself—a first in over a week! The sky turns gray and a slow rain begins to fall. The cricket hasn’t let up, and the music continues. The <i>ping </i>of the rain hits the zinc roof. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I cherish this time of being alone and finding the pause because it is very rare. I’m also storing up energy and sanity, as I’m set to be the guest speaker at a school’s closing ceremony this afternoon. I’m supposed to speak on “the important of elementary education as a foundation for every child”—or at least that was what the handwritten note that was delivered to me said. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Last night was the first chance I’ve had to walk around the neighborhood. First of all, I was looking forward to getting some alone time, but Momo wasn't having it. He told Abraham to go with me since it was getting late. I asked why I used to be able to walk to the beach every evening by myself, and Momo said “it’s different now.” I think he’s taking his vow to my mom very seriously! There goes a favorite “alone” activity!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My walk was actually strange. My usual route to the beach has been blocked off by a new cement wall and steel gate, so I take a less familiar path. None of the usual children were around. Liberians kept their distance, and mostly just starred. That’s one the weirdest things about being back post-Ebola—people keep their distance. Even more weird is that the Liberian handshake has become extinct. An old acquaintance did find me as I was walking along the beach, and after an awkward moment, we did a half handshake.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When we headed back to the house, we passed an older man walking through the weeds in a red choir robe. I said the usual greeting, “y’ello” and as he passed by, he said, “we thank God for life.” To which I replied, “tha’ true-o.” As soon as we passed on the dirt path, Abraham told me that the man was a pastor. He then began to explain that people go to him for healing, prayer, etc. and he makes them spend money of things—special water, animal sacrifices, or to hear from the Holy Spirit. Abraham told me that he remembers going with his mom to that man’s church (his house). I started to tell Abraham about how that wasn’t a pastor, and that the Holy Spirit is free! I fumbled over my words and tried to explain darkness and true evil. Prayers filled my spirit.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This is the darkness that Liberia holds. Twisted, false, cunning, impostors. It’s the battle. The battle against the unseen. The battle against darkness that is deeply entrenched into an entire culture. It is part of the fabric of this country. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Good news is that Light overcomes darkness. The Good news is that this isn’t a battle that I’m left to fight alone or in my own strength. But the reality is that when you know the Truth, you are a potential weapon. And the darkness hates to be attacked. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I’ve been thinking about how I’ve settled in well to my new home. It’s mostly comfortable. There are still headaches (like the plumber fixing my kitchen sink yesterday, only to wash my hands this morning and now it leaks more than it did before!). I have had good health thus far. I could use a little more rest—a full night’s sleep would be awesome! But I’ve also been thinking about how the enemy is lying in wait. He’s waiting for the <i>real stuff </i> to begin, and that’s when he will make himself known. Instinctually, I want to hunker down. I’m waiting for the first blow to my gut—the one that knocks the wind out of you. But I also find myself gearing up, whispering little prayers throughout the day and writing words of power in my prayer journal in the mornings. I’m clinging to promises and truths. I’m counting mosquito bites and praying against malaria. I’m trying to learn the balance of give and take; creating boundaries and doing things that I know that I need for my own health.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So much of these last three weeks has been different. There is a lot of <i>new, </i>but there is also a lot of familiar. I’m looking forward to this next week—I will be attending trauma counseling training hosted by SIM, and it is specifically geared towards training Liberians to work with people affected by Ebola. It’s based off of the curriculum that I have from the American Bible Society, and the training will also include how to train others.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I most excited about how God continues to connect the dots when it comes to my counseling ministry here in Liberia. I’m praying for divine appointments and connections at the training—with SIM staff, but also with Liberians at the training. He continues to put people in my path with the same passion and vision for spiritual and emotional health in Liberia, and I cannot wait to see what He has in store! I already feel like I will be holding another training workshop for other Western friends who have shown interest in wanting to go through the training. I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have managed to keep my bubble of peace and rest until after 1pm! The rain is still slowing trickling off the roof, but the cricket has stopped! Cool breezes blow through my window and I hear chickens and horns honking. It’s time to eat some cucumber salad, throw on a fancy skirt and hop on a motorbike to go deliver my speech that I’ve thought about for approximately two minutes. It’s the Liberian way!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Thank you all for your prayers! Your prayers have seen me through these first few weeks. It’s been a relatively easy adjustment. I miss my family and the ease and comforts of home. I want the biggest salad ever, and I don’t want anymore bread or noodles. But thankfully I’m not homesick. And God has surrounded me with so many old and new friends! I have Liberian friends showing up at my gate every day asking if there’s anything that they can help me do, and not one has asked for anything in return. It’s really made me feel at home and I offer a bowl of rice or a dollar or two for being down on their hands and knees scrubbing my floor. They decline the money, but will take the rice offer. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I see the future. Despite frustrations and leaky sinks, I can see how this home will be a place of laughter, joy and dreams coming true. I’ve found myself saying it more than once, “inside this fence is about dreams. dreams coming true. whether they’re God’s dreams, my dreams or your own dreams, dreams are going to come true here!” And I believe that!</span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-74301168524060903892015-06-27T10:37:00.000-04:002015-06-27T10:37:34.374-04:00Praying for Freedom!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OyuMT3JoML6DdKY2qRs9-EaweMvY7MK25rPdagZo0mQC7d1D9YNNQo5P8MaCkogz0qe_e1A8tGT_RSgZGF93Hukx5QN0ikaN9D23Z8aUm7lxZR_MLOFBwGTmgmJzUBZ23tApI_SN9rw/s640/blogger-image--2063836287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OyuMT3JoML6DdKY2qRs9-EaweMvY7MK25rPdagZo0mQC7d1D9YNNQo5P8MaCkogz0qe_e1A8tGT_RSgZGF93Hukx5QN0ikaN9D23Z8aUm7lxZR_MLOFBwGTmgmJzUBZ23tApI_SN9rw/s640/blogger-image--2063836287.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I've been reading a book called "The Color of Grace" by Bethany Haley Williams. I'm not very far into it, but I have throughly enjoyed it. I'm enjoying it enough that it's getting precious real estate in my carryon bag to Liberia on Monday! That's saying something!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
When I read the quote above, I thought about myself. I thought about how I don't want to go limping or hobbling back to Liberia, but that I want to go back dancing!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I also immediately thought about the people of Liberia. They really are wounded warriors. They are some of the strongest, most resilient people that I have ever met. As a matter of fact, that's one of the things that draws me to the people of Liberia time and time again. I honestly think that if I had to go through what most Liberians have gone through, well....I would have given up a long time ago! I honestly don't think I would have survived the war, and if I did, I don't know how I would survive the aftermath. Top that with poverty, sickness, corruption and oppression. And then throw in Ebola. I don't think I could do it. I'm amazed at how my Liberian friends press on. And they press on with incredible faith and a hope for things yet to come. Liberians belong on the hero list.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<b>Would you join me in praying for the people of Liberia?</b> That they wouldn't walk around as wounded warriors, but that they would rise above their current circumstance and dance! Dancing and freedom is wonderful, but even more so, I want to see them dancing in the freedom that only comes from Christ! And I feel called to play a tiny role in helping people find that freedom through Biblical counseling. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I will be using the Restoring Your Heart (RYH) curriculum to facilitate RYH groups. These groups will be powerful times to share life and talk about past hurt and trauma. Pray for healing and freedom for the women that will participate in the RYH groups. I will also be using some materials from The American Bible Society (ABS) called "Healing the Wounds of Trauma." This will be used with both adults and children. <b>Would you also pray about what counseling will look like in Liberia?</b> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
During these next 10 weeks, I will be 'testing' both curriculums. I have been translating the RYH curriculum into Liberian English, so I will be sitting down with Liberians to get their feedback on the current draft. This material is much more in-depth, so I will also be figuring out how much of the material Liberians grasp. I will use the ABS books to work with children, and will use the adult book as "lighter material" and then will direct people to RYH groups afterwards. Or at least this is all my initial plan.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<b>So you can also be praying for God's wisdom, guidance and discernment for really planning and implementing the counseling aspect of The Green House.</b> I truly believe in the healing power of both curriculums! RYH helped me in my own journey, and I have supported, watched and facilitated others through their own healing journeys. I believe that things like forgiveness and healing are desperately needed in Liberia, and that by walking others through the process of forgiveness, freedom and dancing will come!</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-77462363712958142502015-06-21T16:10:00.000-04:002015-06-27T10:45:23.969-04:00Liberia Update--Leaving June 29th!<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>It's been a very long time! And things are getting very exciting around here. So I'm breaking the silence. I'm leaving for Liberia one week from tomorrow!!!!! It's been a long time coming. There's so much to say and do and plan for and pray for. But I'll begin with a short update and some prayer requests. Thank you all for being a part of the journey! Greater things have yet to come!</b></span><br />
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
A Long Overdue Update</h3>
Dear Friend,<br />
<br />
It is with gratitude and great excitement that I write you today. After being in the States for 14 months because of the Ebola outbreak, I am finally returning to Liberia! I am leaving for Liberia on Monday, June 29th. I will be in Liberia for 10 weeks, and will return to the States on September 9th.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your continued prayers and support during this difficult time of waiting. God has truly answered our prayers--Liberia is Ebola free!<br />
<br />
I look forward to sharing the next chapter with you. The task feels overwhelming, but I am so excited to get back to Liberia among my neighbors and friends. And I truly believe that God has amazing things in store for the people of Cooper Beach!<br />
<br />
Please connect on social media to stay the most up-to-date while I'm in Liberia. I will be posting photos, prayer requests and giving you glimpses of what life in Liberia is really like.<br />
<div>
<br />
More than anything, I need your prayers! You will find specific prayer requests below. Thank you for your prayers, love, financial support and encouragement!<br />
<br />
<br />
With gratitude,<br />
Ashley<br />
<br />
<h3>
How You Can Pray</h3>
<h2>
Join us in praying for BIG things!</h2>
<ul>
<li>Travel logistics: I'm flying standby to Brussels. My mom (coming with me for one week) is flying standby all the way to Monrovia. Pray for empty seats!- Easy adjustment to all things Liberia--jet lag, heat, rain, water, food, chaos, etc.</li>
<li> Good health: Rainy season means malaria season...and I don't want to go there agin!</li>
<li>Transportation: I will be at the mercy of taxis, motorbikes, friends and the kindness of strangers. This is not ideal, especially during rainy season. Pray for provision for daily needs, but also provision for the long-term need of having my own vehicle.</li>
<li> Leaving: I've been home for more than a year. I've been enjoying my family. I've been comfortable. Now I'm leaving 3 nephews behind. It's going to be harder than usual.</li>
<li>Loneliness: That's my biggest fear...being in Liberia by myself. Pray that God would provide community, friends and people to connect with. I have many Liberian friends, but most of my American friends are no longer in Liberia, or have left for rainy season. Sometimes you just want to speak English and talk about things you miss from home!</li>
<li>Safety and Protection: Physical safety. Protection against the enemy. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-84756568895867041942014-10-11T15:12:00.000-04:002014-10-13T14:56:23.017-04:00Heart in the Hot Zone<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18bur88igQV7ivmxywB4v7eXNcdnT_a0XdvY81CcV9vEytq2GUNdTuZzLAuBLmBDVS_IUz__AcQXHGd0E4JSEhZvleKqWRFSSMuQAA2yq-1jG-Qbl38Gb_Urrr77BJ1WqI40dD_R1P6I/s1600/Pray+for+Liberia-Ebola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18bur88igQV7ivmxywB4v7eXNcdnT_a0XdvY81CcV9vEytq2GUNdTuZzLAuBLmBDVS_IUz__AcQXHGd0E4JSEhZvleKqWRFSSMuQAA2yq-1jG-Qbl38Gb_Urrr77BJ1WqI40dD_R1P6I/s1600/Pray+for+Liberia-Ebola.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I haven’t seen this place in six months. A lot has happened during my silence. I have two new[ish] nephews! <a href="http://www.redmeetsgreen.org/">Red Meets Green</a> is officially a 501(c)3 charity! And there’s an Ebola crisis in West Africa.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have tried too many times to put things into words for you to read, but I have been unsuccessful. That is why I have been quiet. My head, heart and body have felt very heavy over the last few weeks. Don’t get me wrong, there has also been a lot of good mixed in. But lately I’ve found myself in a place where my brain will not turn off, and it is exhausting. Some nights I have just tossed and turned.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Last night I had a dream. In my dream, there was a woman wrapped in a dusty, maroon and beige lappa. Her lips were cracked and dry. Her eyes were empty. Her feet were caked in the red dirt of Mama Liberia. She was laying helpless in the middle of the road, just over the crest of a hill. Upon reaching her, I made note of the evidence of help strewn around her—wrappers of medical supplies, empty water satchels. I couldn’t help but question why so many people had tried to help her, but they tried without ever moving her from out of the middle of the road. Traffic was whizzing by and whoever it was that was with me was standing at the top of the hill trying to send cars around to the sides. I was kneeling down beside her, with little help to offer. I was crying and she was doing her best to let a whimper escape. I looked up at the cars passing by and then I continued my gaze upward to the big, beautiful blue sky. I asked God why. My eyes settled on a group of all-black chickens walking in the tall weeds along the side of the road. I had never seen such a thing—crow-like, evil-looking chickens. And all of a sudden the black chickens flew straight towards my face; turning white once airborne. I woke up from my dream with my body physically trying to dodge the white birds. I laid in bed, thinking and praying for Liberia, until sleep came. [i'm not sure what any of that means...but I can find some metaphors, for sure. maybe those are the kinds of dreams you have when you watch The Good Lie?]</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I feel like my heart is in a tug-of-war. My heart has been divided between Atlanta and Monrovia for the last seven years. It’s nothing new for me. When Ebola really started to spiral out of control, my heart longed for Liberia. It took awhile, but I was finally able to reach a place where I am ok with being here. I know the best thing I can do is pray, and that’s something I can do from this side of the ocean. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The problem is that half of my heart, my family and my other home are an ocean away. The problem is that I begin and end my day by looking at news articles, thinking about and praying for Liberia. The problem is that whenever I see pictures or watch news reels, I am constantly scanning faces and landscapes—looking for people I know and love, and praying that a familiar face won’t appear in a photo of a dead body laying in the street or waiting in agony outside of an ebola treatment center. The problem is that I think about how far Liberia has come since civil war, and how many steps back she’s taking every day. The problem is that many times I feel so helpless and I grieve for the people of Liberia. The problem is that Liberia has been called hell on earth.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I don’t know why Ebola is happening to Liberia. There are days when it seems overwhelming, and it’s more difficult for me to find hope. There is not an easy answer. Things are not in black and white. Economies and healthcare systems are breaking under the insurmountable weight. Mothers and fathers are dying and leaving children behind. Fear has gripped our own country and created ugly hearts. It has become an issue of black and white, wealthy and poor, privileged and not.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Countless times a day, I wonder what in the heck I’m doing, and I try to better understand even a portion of God and His perfect timing. I cannot see His bigger picture, but I am trying my best to trust in the unknown masterpiece. I truly believe that God is in Liberia and that He is moving and working. I know that Ebola in Liberia is God’s story, and that His name will be known throughout the world because of a terribly ugly virus that divides countries, communities and families. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Please, I’m asking you to pray for the people of West Africa. Pray that help would come swiftly and that supplies would be in abundance. Pray for miracles—in ebola treatment centers, in provision and in the lives of those who are living in fear. Pray for those who are grieving and are unable to find a glimmer of hope to cling to. Pray for me and for Red Meets Green and The Green House and the people of Cooper Beach. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I really don’t know where to go from here, and I have no idea when I will be able to return to Liberia. But, I know that there’s a house in Liberia that’s waiting on me, or that could potentially be used by someone who is already on the ground. I know that there is an army of people who love Liberia, and who support the dreams that God has given me. I know that I am supposed to be here, now and for this. I truly believe that God already has, and will continue to, work Ebola for Liberia’s good.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The question is, will you join me? Although so many things seem like big question marks, the truth is that I also believe that when the time comes to safely return to Liberia, I have to be ready. Part of being ready is having enough finances to go back and get The Green House open! Things are going to look a little different than I had originally planned, but that is ok. I know that there will be different needs, and that the people of Cooper Beach are going to need things that God has been putting on my heart over the last few months. I am simply making myself available to return to Liberia with the hope of Christ on the tip of my tongue and an overflow from my heart and hands. I need all of you to join me on the journey!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.redmeetsgreen.org/donate">Please click here to make a tax-deductible donation today!</a></span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-4453171023361500812014-04-13T07:22:00.000-04:002014-04-13T07:31:26.469-04:00Birds, Barbed Wire & God<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I woke up sometime before 6am this morning. It was still dark outside, and it was quiet. I pulled my blanket up over me and tried to go back to sleep. My mind started running away from me, and sleep wouldn’t come. I finally checked my clock at 5:58am. At some point I fell back asleep, and woke up around 7:30am when the fan went off and the singing outside my window began.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This morning, I filled a page of my gratitude journal. It’s easy to do that in Liberia—there is so much to be thankful for. I’ve jotted down hundreds of things in my journal over the past 17 days. I stopped writing this morning at #655.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">#655: beauty in the pain, ugliness, poverty, hardships, darkness, hopelessness…He is here!</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And that’s when it dawned on me.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">That one statement is the essence of Liberia.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">When you look around, if you’re blinded, all that you see is dirt, garbage, heat, poverty, disease, injustice and corruption. Darkness and oppression are heavy, evident and tangible. How can there be any hope in that?</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Somehow, some way—if you’re able—when you can see past those things, God allows you glimpses of Him. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">As my feet walk over a garbage-littered, red dirt road, I am able to see beauty and life. As my eyes survey a tiny community of poor fishermen and their families living in utter poverty and filth, I see simplicity and unbreakable bonds. As I walk through the community, I sense an immense amount of pain, even though women are plaiting hair and laughing and children run up to say hello and shake my hand. As I sit in the yard at a friend’s house—a yard I haven’t stepped foot in since the night her baby died—I talk and laugh with her and her three young sons. Her oldest son Moses writes his name for me in the sand, and I wonder how often she thinks about her fourth son. There is a group of children in the yard next door—a “crazy man” with hundreds of pieces of rope and string draped over his head is interacting with them. He looks like a Raggedy-Anne doll, and he has them all laughing. The children lead him over to the white woman, and he asks what state I’m from. He lights up when I say Georgia, and immediately references Atlanta. He meekly smiles, puts his hands together and tells me that he’s from Maryland Georgia too. He tells me to have a nice day, and continues walking. I wish I had a photo of that man because he was beautiful. I saw Jesus right then and there.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And then I woke up this morning to birds singing loud and beautiful songs while sitting on the barbed wire outside of my window. The sun rises and the heat of the day begins. I breathe in deep when a cool breeze blows through the open window. I am a little sticky, but another cool breeze comes. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">That is Liberia. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Singing amongst the barbed wire; sticky but a cool breeze will always come.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And through it all, God is here.</span></span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-85647906948429196502014-04-10T09:15:00.001-04:002014-04-10T09:15:17.707-04:00Love Blooms<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">There is another story unfolding in Liberia; a story that I can’t not share with you. This is a story about calling and obedience, deep love and sacrifice. It’s about a yellow and burgundy house nestled down a sandy road, surrounded by a tall wall with barbed wire. It’s about a house of love and grace. Laughter arises above the tall walls. Love blooms in the yard and in the living room. Fierce love—the love of a mother, fueled by the love of her Father—is the heartbeat.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">God has given me the privilege to sit back and watch, but also to participate. And the things I have seen and heard and felt are just too beautiful not to share. One thing that has resonated is that God can use <i>anyone </i>to do <i>anything, </i>and when we are obedient, our lives and testimony serve as incense of praise rising to the heavens.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When I was planning my trip back to Liberia, I wasn’t sure where I would be staying. My plan was to email the family I stayed with last year and see if I could crash with them for a few weeks, and then perhaps share the mooching love with someone else. But let’s go back to a few years ago. Somehow, a random pastor [hi Jeff!] in New Jersey came across my blog. His church was doing ministry in Liberia, so I guess that’s how we got linked together. I would get random donations and emails of encouragement from “some pastor in New Jersey”. When I came to Liberia last year, I got an email letting me know that his church in New Jersey has just sent three people to live in Liberia long-term, and that we should get connected. That’s how God connected Sue and I. We were able to meet up a few times during my three week stay, and we talked a lot about our hearts for Liberia. I was excited to meet a new friend who had such a deep love for Liberia and a desire to help the people here. I was even more excited that she didn’t live too far from my new home.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A few months ago, I kept thinking about Sue and praying for her. Finally, I sent her an email to let her know that I had been thinking about her, and asked if there were specific things I could pray for. In her response, she told me that she had been back in the States for months, but was making plans to return to Liberia in January. We continued to exchange emails—catching up and hearing about the new directions God was leading both of us in. Sue was returning to Liberia to open a home for girls…and she was going to be their mother. Once I started to make plans for my own trip, Sue extended a gracious offer to stay with her and her girls in their home. I said yes—I knew I would love spending time with the girls, and I would also enjoy the fellowship with Sue!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I knew it was going to be a fun time when I gave them frisbees, coloring books and jump ropes on my first night here, and we were throwing frisbees and jumping rope in the middle of the living room. So, I have been living in a girls home…and it has been incredible! Right now, there are six beautiful, hilarious girls that call Sue their mom. Sometimes I find myself just sitting back and watching this unique family operate, while other times, I jump right in and join the craziness!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">About four nights into my stay, Sue and I were sitting at the dining table at about 10:30pm. The three younger girls were already in bed, but the three older girl were still awake. We were talking about our days, while helping with homework. I will admit, I was tired and more than ready for bed. One of the girls brought her school uniform out for Sue to mend. She admitted that she didn’t really know what she was doing, but that she would do her best. Princess was protesting that she couldn’t draw for her homework assignment, and Sue immediately said, “I’m not a tailor, and maybe you’re not an artist, but we can both try.” After some creative stitching, another skirt arrived to be taken in. And so Sue picked up her needled and thread and tried again. By this time it was after 11pm…and these girls wake up between 4-5am, depending on their morning chores.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Princess continued to struggle through her assignment to draw and label the parts of a computer, and Sue kept sewing. I finally spoke up and began to tell Sue how she was a great mother, and how she was doing such a good job with the girls. I also told her that I don’t know how she does it—she just keeps giving and loving, even when she’s tired and sweating and perhaps sometimes wondering why she’s even here.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But the love is evident.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">They snuggle up on the couch and sing along to “Annie” and laugh until their bellies ache. Sue wraps her arms around a little one with a tough exterior, but soft interior, and kisses her over and over again until a smile breaks through. They are still trying to figure out exactly how this little family should operate, and there is a steep learning curve, but the home and the hearts are full of love. There are tears and discipline and consequences and broken hearts, and there are also late night or early morning prayers of a mother who loves the children that God has entrusted to her.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Again, I don’t know how she does it.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But it is a beautiful thing to watch.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And it’s humbling and encouraging and challenging. It’s something that I know God is using to stir and stretch my own heart. It’s also a rich opportunity to give and love and learn and grow. And that’s what I want—to be changed from the inside out because I’m alive and present and here.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Would you pray for Sue and the girls? Pray for strength, energy and wisdom for Sue. Pray that her deep love would continue to break down the walls around the hearts of the girls. Pray for unity, cooperation, grace and flexibility for the family. Pray that God would continue to renew Sue’s heart, and that the Holy Spirit would be her help. Pray for the girls—Grace, Beatrice, Naomi, Monica, Princess and Kona—that they would receive the love of Sue, but more importantly, the love of their heavenly Father. Pray that their lives would be radically changed, and that they would become strong, Godly women who will change their country. Pray that praise and prayer would continue to rise from the home. Pray against the work of the enemy—he has no place here! Pray for provision—financially, but also through other resources and opportunities. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">[Update: You can really be lifting Sue up to the throne! She has been struggling with her health over the last few weeks and has decided to get away to a friend’s apartment for the weekend. Pray that the sleep, air-conditioning, rest, uninterrupted time in prayer and modern comforts would restore her]</span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-80653281613392940642014-04-02T18:50:00.001-04:002014-04-02T18:55:17.448-04:00Today's Construction Update<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Things continue to move forward on The Green House! Two nights ago, we had an all-out Liberians thunderstorm. I laid in bed praying at 2am that it would stop, because half of the house didn’t have zinc on it. I was scared to arrive yesterday, as I didn’t want to see the damage. The guys had poked holes in the soggy wood ceiling tiles to let the water drain out into buckets and there were puddles everywhere. The carpenter roofed that half of the house yesterday, just in case there were any more surprise showers. He also completed the clear, plastic zinc that goes above the outdoor kitchen on the back of the house.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfAebtyUzsln0bggJNF4KB3fxlYpL49ed4rYdIK9BLrz1hvJAicevQuwZBIdN4NyTfuux6ImBpqxGjwNFcW7zJdWBc9nULcqykFbZP0nf0n6IRLW46tevRKabL6slSTCwsgKO7-cZNUc/s1600/1975086_10101377264637647_768712622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfAebtyUzsln0bggJNF4KB3fxlYpL49ed4rYdIK9BLrz1hvJAicevQuwZBIdN4NyTfuux6ImBpqxGjwNFcW7zJdWBc9nULcqykFbZP0nf0n6IRLW46tevRKabL6slSTCwsgKO7-cZNUc/s1600/1975086_10101377264637647_768712622_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's progress!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Things on the fence are progressing nicely. All trenches are dug, and they did the foundation and began laying cement block on the front portion. There are about five guys doing all of the work…plus a woman named Remember. When I saw her yesterday, she was drawing water from the well, so I thought that was her job (it’s common for women to draw water for mixing the cement). Then last night, I was informed that she was a mason, and she was laying block. She told me that, “woman can do anything man can do.” All that I could say was, “You go girl!”</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Today, the carpenter is working on the other half of the roof, while the rest of the guys and Remember are working on the fence. Once the carpenter is finished with the roof, he will move on to the roof on the palava hut. The guys will continue to work on the fence until it is complete, which should hopefully be sometime late this week or early next week. Then it will be time to paint the exterior, and move inside to do the paint, floors, window screens, light fixtures, etc.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl3ZxRCzy_nfQOINMGyn-JlRQmDEEyt7Xoy0v3gIogGw1mrGjxJm2Hv1YM0Ij8gn5XkEFGRyXmA6g1odWNUSbgmg1jpw78mJFJvSqxHVRnQdGWupD1JM67pnL8dTzbuz_gBWdZMFko5c/s1600/IMG_2783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl3ZxRCzy_nfQOINMGyn-JlRQmDEEyt7Xoy0v3gIogGw1mrGjxJm2Hv1YM0Ij8gn5XkEFGRyXmA6g1odWNUSbgmg1jpw78mJFJvSqxHVRnQdGWupD1JM67pnL8dTzbuz_gBWdZMFko5c/s1600/IMG_2783.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old zinc in foreground, new zinc in background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Like I mentioned before, a huge blessing is that electricity poles are one block from the house! This means I will be able to have 24/7 electricity, and for a fraction of the price of buying, fueling and maintaining a generator for only very limited electricity. Uncle Sam and I sat down this morning to fill out the application form, so we will see how long it takes for them to get back to me. Apparently, they will come out to do an assessment, I will go buy a breaker, they will install a meter and then poles and wires will be run. This is such a HUGE answer to prayer!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpwaSIhVXLe-3eixA-vNxSus_6aywFhtM6L-jDQ5yW8p5DAV1BzHrnjLTQpmNEHU4bS8kpHpfiNF1fFWoCqPXJvuR5OABYqTMabJxIi-xKtVJsmEiAiRccTJdSrJjWGjIQgREIbDGZBQ/s1600/IMG_2784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpwaSIhVXLe-3eixA-vNxSus_6aywFhtM6L-jDQ5yW8p5DAV1BzHrnjLTQpmNEHU4bS8kpHpfiNF1fFWoCqPXJvuR5OABYqTMabJxIi-xKtVJsmEiAiRccTJdSrJjWGjIQgREIbDGZBQ/s1600/IMG_2784.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trokon laying block.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO33X_T5VubFCvcr8CFwMSFhRvlTBxUkMsJsWU6JGvGGtmyobLDuMfFdpXgG-ORSpY4_UzBUTfgcaALz92BdnwSkGtM7fz8qyYs4AOcYcDhWHRwMTEHbSHKoRYu8MZO1T3F9VVjS6eRBM/s1600/IMG_2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO33X_T5VubFCvcr8CFwMSFhRvlTBxUkMsJsWU6JGvGGtmyobLDuMfFdpXgG-ORSpY4_UzBUTfgcaALz92BdnwSkGtM7fz8qyYs4AOcYcDhWHRwMTEHbSHKoRYu8MZO1T3F9VVjS6eRBM/s1600/IMG_2786.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foundation and casting of steel rods.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I still have to pinch myself when I step back and look at how quickly things are progressing! We are not on African time! The ease and quickness are both an answer many prayers! Working with Uncle Sam has been great, and the construction guys are starting to warm up to me. Whenever I go there now, they each want their photo taken while they’re working. They also think it’s pretty funny when I climb up on the roof in a skirt. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73oNMEEQEO8IJAbMPiit9o0lpb-pAC7RzyMqzmUKRi1RT-hy19YmGbex4dXDk-FlCEmJVW03ogQH0XuEQUZAPy0FfvOgbKu7cZWVJIOAcUM0zx2JMGuw7LRWI-riLl6oPQiome0Qv67E/s1600/IMG_2787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73oNMEEQEO8IJAbMPiit9o0lpb-pAC7RzyMqzmUKRi1RT-hy19YmGbex4dXDk-FlCEmJVW03ogQH0XuEQUZAPy0FfvOgbKu7cZWVJIOAcUM0zx2JMGuw7LRWI-riLl6oPQiome0Qv67E/s1600/IMG_2787.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community children drawing their evening water.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">One thing you can pray about is how to best capture the stories of the people in Cooper Beach. My plan was to walk around the community and talk to people, and then document their stories. Because I have to walk back to where I’m staying before dark, really the only time to do this is in the heat of the day. Thankfully there has been a cool breeze every day, but I don’t want to look like a lobster and be miserable either. I’ve also continued to pray for divine appointments with people in the community, as well as with potential partners or people who can contribute their time or skills at the community center.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-2575501018241074412014-03-31T15:26:00.000-04:002014-03-31T15:26:25.663-04:00Progress!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AKlvKUIR2kn2uS3nYwq_pVZTZh2Y_iZ6celp9wzho52ron6rWg0S1VzQh1NNzd1WmJp-twpDopu7MW_MnCRx3N8ClP0EBpMhHkwiIzZ9f-s_nCW9SPAnQsKsynAy8VB4Ceu4duzux3w/s1600/IMG_2649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AKlvKUIR2kn2uS3nYwq_pVZTZh2Y_iZ6celp9wzho52ron6rWg0S1VzQh1NNzd1WmJp-twpDopu7MW_MnCRx3N8ClP0EBpMhHkwiIzZ9f-s_nCW9SPAnQsKsynAy8VB4Ceu4duzux3w/s1600/IMG_2649.JPG" height="95" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The internet has been down yesterday and today, but I have been so excited to share the progress on The Green House with you! I’m writing this Monday afternoon, however, I’m not sure when I will have internet and be able to post the update.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISpNZLzC_TUG87BAwU5ZAEW3uZEGtfhBM59-QkIU7bYFuRVnTxdayVvAAnl3JRNAk02KrlKkTZzImaN9xYOWxmDf-LxUDbBbCwsM3MaJp7fY9LJclVPgqFGAlQ5RoGMX9f2JYD2qzWn8/s1600/IMG_2661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISpNZLzC_TUG87BAwU5ZAEW3uZEGtfhBM59-QkIU7bYFuRVnTxdayVvAAnl3JRNAk02KrlKkTZzImaN9xYOWxmDf-LxUDbBbCwsM3MaJp7fY9LJclVPgqFGAlQ5RoGMX9f2JYD2qzWn8/s1600/IMG_2661.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; min-height: 15px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It has been a very busy weekend around The Green House! The yard and the house are transforming before my eyes! This weekend, the landlord (Uncle Sam), really rallied his guys to get things moving. He had two dump truck loads of sand, along with one dump truck load of crushed rock, delivered for the foundation for the fence. Building a fence is back-breaking work here in Liberia! They had to cut down all of the bamboo that fenced in the property, dig up the roots and then dig the 3-4 foot deep trenches that will be the foundation for the fence. Uncle Sam also had the cement blocks, steel rod and bundles of zinc delivered.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMySJQAEaeNPkTEWues4ZCJGl5PYwvXkAeokueNlI5vmJ9boMgEp28Nkk1dIi-iW9JHP7do-E2fmzMO08BBPaTAhWhlDrsPoDPQujJaN-fmj-CY_w_0Ok6ExCXQKyNfrmKNDonZSKokM/s1600/IMG_2664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMySJQAEaeNPkTEWues4ZCJGl5PYwvXkAeokueNlI5vmJ9boMgEp28Nkk1dIi-iW9JHP7do-E2fmzMO08BBPaTAhWhlDrsPoDPQujJaN-fmj-CY_w_0Ok6ExCXQKyNfrmKNDonZSKokM/s1600/IMG_2664.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WhJgLBjQQo4gJRTeIZ0gdQrCo0qkwMkmj2DP9zMRm0YDw4HqldgzIKun74Ow_VmTDAj0-fAsPvX6PBURbugPyd9zQCY0B-rQVtp9uJ3U1NQkJ3FxXF2vEecu9Cmy5zHvYRJYNCvsu0c/s1600/IMG_2647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WhJgLBjQQo4gJRTeIZ0gdQrCo0qkwMkmj2DP9zMRm0YDw4HqldgzIKun74Ow_VmTDAj0-fAsPvX6PBURbugPyd9zQCY0B-rQVtp9uJ3U1NQkJ3FxXF2vEecu9Cmy5zHvYRJYNCvsu0c/s1600/IMG_2647.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">On Sunday, the guys dug the trench for the front fence, and they’ve been working hard today on digging the trench on the side of the house. Let me tell you, the sun is hot today…and they’re moving hundreds of pounds of sand one shovel full at a time. The carpenter also came today and has already removed the old zinc off of half of the house. He is fixing beams, setting lines and getting things ready to put the new zinc on over the next few days.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCS9ZheA-ecrK9NE2BSGmnp2DCWzI2KBCon8qxY5Tc2Q_NPpCMGBk4BwNVEanZP0-WI9TXQD4YypECkRKVgsffMu5A-NKRyYb7UaQ2AdVJvt29KykYq-S1rcpCPAkSm7rcVVd12znuOg/s1600/IMG_2662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCS9ZheA-ecrK9NE2BSGmnp2DCWzI2KBCon8qxY5Tc2Q_NPpCMGBk4BwNVEanZP0-WI9TXQD4YypECkRKVgsffMu5A-NKRyYb7UaQ2AdVJvt29KykYq-S1rcpCPAkSm7rcVVd12znuOg/s1600/IMG_2662.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; min-height: 15px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The plan is to work simultaneously on the roof and the fence. After all of the cement dust settles, they will move inside and start the painting, laying tile and all of the other small tasks. The roof should be finished by the end of the week, and the fence will probably take 1-2 weeks. The welder is also working on the steel gate for the fence so that it will be ready to hang once the fence is finished.</span></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; min-height: 15px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpIZicv_LeeBvuua_Y55__RnUhyra3Q433yrV-EqzQaE3IDgWSY_R_GTVW6USRzH0fAEYQxaP9wY5E6dFjzK36mMNssFN0L42_yXwEdTNa8L2-K1NIYPQ6-6uw9-fsJD6MLL-aI74Mz0/s1600/IMG_2670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpIZicv_LeeBvuua_Y55__RnUhyra3Q433yrV-EqzQaE3IDgWSY_R_GTVW6USRzH0fAEYQxaP9wY5E6dFjzK36mMNssFN0L42_yXwEdTNa8L2-K1NIYPQ6-6uw9-fsJD6MLL-aI74Mz0/s1600/IMG_2670.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A very exciting discovery is that LEC (Liberian electricity) has poles along the main highway, so I will be able to have electricity at the house! This is HUGE! I have been debating about what to do for electricity, and this is the best, easiest and most cost efficient option. We haven’t had electricity in this area the entire time I’ve been in Liberia, so the timing is absolutely perfect! Once I have internet again, I will fill out a hook-up request form online and submit it to start the process of getting electricity!</span></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; min-height: 15px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I have been surprised at how fast things are moving—talk about an answer to prayer! All of my dealings with Uncle Sam have been easy, and we’ve sat around the palava hut in the heat of the day just talking. One of my prayers has been that he would really catch the vision and get behind the dream, and I hope that in sharing my story with him, he has been able to see how God has been moving, working, answering prayers and providing to make this a reality.</span></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; min-height: 15px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
<div style="color: #232323; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; min-height: 15px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-50741852252343568182014-03-27T11:57:00.000-04:002014-03-27T11:57:06.965-04:00The Roller-CoasterThe last 48 hours have been a roller-coaster.<br />
<br />
I thought I was going to Liberia on Tuesday, but instead, I took an overnight trip to New York.<br />
<br />
I was mentally and emotionally prepared--my life here was in shutdown mode, and my life in Liberia was booting up. I was ready, excited and was filled with peace.<br />
<br />
After a late night and early morning, I returned back to Atlanta on Wednesday morning. I was reunited with family and friends. I got pizza for lunch--something that I had wanted to eat before I left, but didn't. I spent the afternoon with my sister and mom, helping my sister get her nursery ready. I slept in my own bed last night, with a ceiling fan and fluffy warm covers. I was happy to have an extra day at home.<br />
<br />
Last night, I prayed that when I checked the flights this morning, that it would be very clear whether or not I should try again today or wait until next week. I wanted big, obvious results...which didn't happen. Right now, the computer says I should make it to New York, and then to Accra and Monrovia. The problem is that things can easily and quickly change, and there's no way to know.<br />
<br />
My sister called me, and she pretty much kicked my butt. It wasn't fun. It was emotional. I told her I needed to finish reading my Bible and praying and then I'd make a decision. I read 2 Thessalonians today.<br />
<br />
<i>"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one...And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good...Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way."</i><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>2 Thessalonians 3: 3, 13, 16</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
[well, crap...my first excuse to my sister this morning was that i was exhausted, and the thought of traveling for two days just makes me even more tired.]</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And, let's be honest: I really wanted to be in Liberia for Small Ashley's birthday (which is today). I had promised Momo that I would be there for her birthday. And that's clearly not possible. So then I started thinking that since it's so close to a few things happening here, that I was bummed about missing out on, that it's ok to stick around here until next week. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I think some of the emotions came from realizing that, before it felt like either/or...and today I have realized that it's a neither.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, I'm leaving for Liberia today. I don't know what will happen in New York, but I know that I can't not try. If the numbers were obvious, and trying was foolish, of course I wouldn't do it. But right now, I should make it on all flights. I wish I just knew the outcome, and knew I'd for sure be on my way to Liberia tonight. But the reality is, I don't know what's going to happen. I do know, that I'm going to put one foot in front of the other, and go to the airport at 3:30 for a repeat performance. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I would appreciate your prayers! I'm praying that God wouldn't even let me leave Atlanta if Liberia isn't a possibility today. I'm praying for a seat out of JFK, so that I will wake up in Africa tomorrow. I am continuing to trust in God's good plans and perfect timing. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I will already have a friend waiting for me at the gate in New York...a Liberian who didn't make it on Tuesday either. So, at least if I don't make it, I won't be stuck alone. I will keep you all updated on where today takes me. Love you all!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-1866182828934696962014-03-25T02:06:00.001-04:002014-03-25T02:06:23.883-04:00My Return to Liberia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukK29NIqVDZ4-yDjkn802NNcfNju-J-X6xrUvzYzFemlwpOt0Kj2Bd3cVMnZ9WJ-O4B69_96YTXnFKbdrRUPewxNZStUegIsoGyOF7ZSr9kOQilzpUPSbJwXETK4fc0EEHI7Zyf37-Eg/s1600/IMG_1290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukK29NIqVDZ4-yDjkn802NNcfNju-J-X6xrUvzYzFemlwpOt0Kj2Bd3cVMnZ9WJ-O4B69_96YTXnFKbdrRUPewxNZStUegIsoGyOF7ZSr9kOQilzpUPSbJwXETK4fc0EEHI7Zyf37-Eg/s1600/IMG_1290.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
So here is my usual night-before post. It's 2am, but I've been packed for hours. I spent my day running errands and space-saving and weighing bags over and over again. I had the traditional "Last Supper" with my family and friends. Tonight's menu: homemade meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli, salad and ice cream. All the comforts of home.<br />
<br />
I have said almost all of my goodbyes. Things are getting real.<br />
<br />
But let's be honest....I've felt like I was going to throw up since about 4pm. So many mixed emotions. I have been away from Liberia for almost one full year...the longest amount of time for the last 7 years. But my heart and mind have been so close to Liberia this whole time. I am so ready to be back there--sweating, the ocean breeze, Liberian-English, laughter, my children and my family!<br />
<br />
But this is also the first time that I've left for Liberia and I'm already looking forward to coming home. Strange. This will be a very short trip, compared to my usual 7+ months. I will be in Liberia for 5 weeks. But when I come home, I will become the proud aunt of two more nephews!<br />
<br />
I know things have been quiet around here, but let me just tell you that God has done so much in my heart and life just over the past few weeks! He continues to answer prayers. He continues to provide. He continues to expand my heart. He continues to guide my steps. He is here, He has gone before me, and He will follow behind me.<br />
<br />
God has also done so much healing in my own heart since I was last in Liberia, and I am so excited to go back to Liberia with a new heart and new eyes. A huge part of that healing was me forgiving Liberia. It was a long and painful process, but it brought so much freedom and joy! It was also necessary, in order for me to take the next step of faith, and actually finally agree [aka be obedient] to return to Liberia.<br />
<br />
I can see how God has heard my cries, answered my prayers and filled me with joy. He has torn down walls, given me purpose and made my heart full.<br />
<br />
Tonight, just before my sister said her goodbyes, she asked what she could pray for. I started off by telling her to pray that I wouldn't get Ebola and die. And that there wouldn't be too much drama with my landlord. And then she said, " no seriously..." and I said, "seriously....ok, pray against the enemy. God has been doing so much, that I know he is ready to fight." And it's true...for the past few weeks, I've felt like I need to arrive with my dukes up.<br />
<br />
She then asked if there had been a verse or a theme or anything that I'd been thinking about. And the answer to that is YES! I just keep thinking, "the old has gone and the new has come." I have also been praying, "Jesus, make your joy the anchor of my heart."<br />
<br />
I am so. ready. to get to Liberia. Yes, I'm dreading things--like sweating, stifling heat, landlord and money drama, Liberia drama, etc--but I am also looking forward to sweet reunions, celebrating Small Ashley's first birthday, the laughter of children, watching The Green House transform before my eyes, the ocean=my sanity, prayer walking in Cooper Beach, claiming scripture in my yard and in the house, sharing life with my neighbors, and sharing the stories with all of you!<br />
<br />
You can be praying that I make it on all of my flights tomorrow (I'm flying standby the whole way) and that all of my bags would make it. Pray for divine appointments in airports and on airplanes. Pray for protection, good health (p.s. there is an Ebola outbreak in Guinea on the Liberian border) and rest. Pray that I would be able to collect the photos, videos and interviews that are needed for this next round of fundraising. And most of all, pray that everything would be done for His glory!<br />
<br />
Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and support. I truly could not do any of this without you!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
AshleyAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-32657816135914946392014-02-28T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-28T07:00:03.633-05:00February 28<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqr10cylTu3MWAz8C38BYv3EkAhwS0rmr19e-RtKbPhyphenhyphenzdVJblOJWs1GVTGkM-WagdmPuxevYL9CtHYNgqw-mqznz1RHVUuDcfmA86or-bQT5LOjBQepzzAi7g1YFuPYvscwfZx0NXEo/s1600/28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqr10cylTu3MWAz8C38BYv3EkAhwS0rmr19e-RtKbPhyphenhyphenzdVJblOJWs1GVTGkM-WagdmPuxevYL9CtHYNgqw-mqznz1RHVUuDcfmA86or-bQT5LOjBQepzzAi7g1YFuPYvscwfZx0NXEo/s1600/28.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We did it--today is the last day of February! Thank you for joining us on this prayer journey! We are so grateful for all of our fellow prayer warriors who have spent the past month lifting Liberia and Red Meets Green up to the throne! Today we are praying for the most important thing--that everything that we do would be for His glory and that we would make ourselves available to be used for His purposes!</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">#prayforliberia</span></div>
<br />
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-16230386965136113342014-02-27T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-27T07:00:06.668-05:00February 27<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bLv-hxESyJzDjNr9ojeg35eztfTSs1q-0GRtV88wnrdUg4IHqSpZINEquGMZPYxj-jDeJWqBc29ZtMreZdElkpROYLkfATGUYcDGlkxBA6e4EBTGuMPJulcesKcCmsBNPPhOeMv1MlI/s1600/27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bLv-hxESyJzDjNr9ojeg35eztfTSs1q-0GRtV88wnrdUg4IHqSpZINEquGMZPYxj-jDeJWqBc29ZtMreZdElkpROYLkfATGUYcDGlkxBA6e4EBTGuMPJulcesKcCmsBNPPhOeMv1MlI/s1600/27.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Today’s prayer request is something that’s been heavy on our hearts. Join us in praying against evil in Cooper Beach and Liberia. Everything from secret societies and witch doctors to the effects of the war that people are still dealing with today--Liberia is full of darkness. Praise God that His light has already overcome the darkness! Pray that people would turn to the Light.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">#prayforliberia</span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-13085811502772705842014-02-26T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-26T07:00:08.331-05:00February 26<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lsKde-lENB6TlLGCw-3CqJqTjQCSRqy9b10uh-5RWpxvfRFIEUGc25zfRTYnsGbbjtlsZkBm548gd6mEJWWl5AzNHGN9edRuzq5zIjFKAlJWvAHPPie5_fYa4VOwqf0CAC0ncVeqdCw/s1600/26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lsKde-lENB6TlLGCw-3CqJqTjQCSRqy9b10uh-5RWpxvfRFIEUGc25zfRTYnsGbbjtlsZkBm548gd6mEJWWl5AzNHGN9edRuzq5zIjFKAlJWvAHPPie5_fYa4VOwqf0CAC0ncVeqdCw/s1600/26.JPG" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Join us today in praying for God’s perfect timing. Sometimes it’s difficult to see the big picture, or we find ourselves becoming impatient. Pray for peace and that we would have a total release of our own plans, and trust in His good and perfect ways.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">#prayforliberia</span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-28947052912598684412014-02-25T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-25T07:00:04.151-05:00February 25<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi416uHpu5Rlqvs-pdvkwJcyPMf0WKxbky1vy7vT20f3g3Gmz2i59FOAocJtYL4eAKTujr080uO_QAvuXTPmCwJwhhrXyc1ZVmLylcpVuVptfMCyBkuBU-3AelrLlCd4G4fhKXXLOJQDeU/s1600/25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi416uHpu5Rlqvs-pdvkwJcyPMf0WKxbky1vy7vT20f3g3Gmz2i59FOAocJtYL4eAKTujr080uO_QAvuXTPmCwJwhhrXyc1ZVmLylcpVuVptfMCyBkuBU-3AelrLlCd4G4fhKXXLOJQDeU/s1600/25.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A huge part of our ministry will focus on education. Join us today in praying for the schools, teachers and students in Cooper Beach. Also pray for the educational aspect of The Green House, as this will be our starting point once we are in Liberia full-time.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">#prayforliberia</span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-82894314105822998492014-02-24T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-24T07:00:07.434-05:00February 24<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0DR0Y_4CJJJ6J_A6Emq30X5sf3HFehS1cz1UG6uW4blTEYqWdm8590khTt2ENX1D6ZjNJ5YBozos8yJqFEKONuDaapwAsSE_b1BJkxadDzLjNZgt853Lm7k8VkUeHk4DeMCp9nKkn5U/s1600/24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0DR0Y_4CJJJ6J_A6Emq30X5sf3HFehS1cz1UG6uW4blTEYqWdm8590khTt2ENX1D6ZjNJ5YBozos8yJqFEKONuDaapwAsSE_b1BJkxadDzLjNZgt853Lm7k8VkUeHk4DeMCp9nKkn5U/s1600/24.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Today’s prayer request is huge...something that only God can do! We are praying for freedom and forgiveness for the people of Cooper Beach. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">#prayforliberia</span></span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-78445791878689889592014-02-23T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-23T07:00:07.924-05:00February 23<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbotbNx2wgT9A__ucxfM9iNozXRbow0ADBHO0GpmWQq_HczNRnoXOgvpwe_HRwBX7RlSZXUaIx14Hq1hnC-vmnvEYKtDFAAnHRPTdWjAJRGSGYZ3ckElMqGs5YHbpwhl6wloC6vZTw6W8/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbotbNx2wgT9A__ucxfM9iNozXRbow0ADBHO0GpmWQq_HczNRnoXOgvpwe_HRwBX7RlSZXUaIx14Hq1hnC-vmnvEYKtDFAAnHRPTdWjAJRGSGYZ3ckElMqGs5YHbpwhl6wloC6vZTw6W8/s1600/23.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">God has been ‘connecting the dots’ for us over the past few weeks. A way for us to minister to the people of Cooper Beach is through a wonderful ministry called <a href="http://www.disciplebuilding.org/ministries/restorative-ministry/">Restoring Your Heart (RYH)</a>. Pray for wisdom and direction for how this will work. Pray, even now, for the lives that will be forever changed from participating in a Restoring Your Heart group. You can also pray for Ashley, as she begins the process of being trained to lead a group. RYH is something that God put in our path, and now we really believe that it will be a crucial component of our ministry to the people of Cooper Beach.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">#prayforliberia</span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-23915565768630044272014-02-22T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-22T09:42:28.715-05:00February 22<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3Zs-DstlsV_2JoVRzlq0j-qMB_KvGGn0Fa_-PzQW_xch87jzc4N4VvELort9QjSuhm0XXoUPO0O_yzDU6JQndX3QeElc7leH8IfI6nWIeBY9CQkRVln9jCIEpZQtfAShpp4r-JrIOFk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-17+at+4.05.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3Zs-DstlsV_2JoVRzlq0j-qMB_KvGGn0Fa_-PzQW_xch87jzc4N4VvELort9QjSuhm0XXoUPO0O_yzDU6JQndX3QeElc7leH8IfI6nWIeBY9CQkRVln9jCIEpZQtfAShpp4r-JrIOFk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-17+at+4.05.44+PM.png" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Saturday, February 22: Today’s prayer request goes along with yesterday’s. One of our greatest needs right now is more finances. We reached our goal to pay for the remainder of the rent and for the repairs of The Green House! We now need finances to cover trip costs, and to furnish the house and get necessary supplies for the community center!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pray for creativity and discernment when it comes to planning fundraising opportunities. Pray that people would be led to give. Also say a prayer of thanksgiving for all our faithful donors! Red Meets Green would not be possible without you!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We would love to share about <a href="http://www.redmeetsgreen.org/">Red Meets Green</a>, if you have a group of people who would listen. Just let us know!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
[This is an ariel photo of Cooper Beach. The small red pin just south of Robertsfield Highway is The Green House!]</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
#prayforliberia</div>
</span>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-74260017879591539852014-02-21T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-21T07:00:03.263-05:00February 21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnk2uuLwDzDt57xtovagvn_cVzlAzfup_GXuEDtqN-_AyhaBHMDJyWy_B-3vunzfOi1j7C3VJYKX-C4Z_6VZTMD8v5QKGjgldbB2dR7U2Iht6KTdjWMmgsqCqk49_Lu2gCvXXB6Xy-xKE/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnk2uuLwDzDt57xtovagvn_cVzlAzfup_GXuEDtqN-_AyhaBHMDJyWy_B-3vunzfOi1j7C3VJYKX-C4Z_6VZTMD8v5QKGjgldbB2dR7U2Iht6KTdjWMmgsqCqk49_Lu2gCvXXB6Xy-xKE/s1600/21.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Would you join us today in praying for potential new partnerships? Whether it’s new donors, churches or other organizations working in Liberia, we need to connect with others! Pray for divine appointments and that God would put people in our path who have a heart for Liberia.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">#prayforliberia</span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-40582989416908141552014-02-20T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-20T07:00:01.261-05:00February 20<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Jxert_mCzl9cZlyZRJgB6PcyK0DTIO7ZbwO-dO11iE_PfUzgDxf2Bt26LgKbelU_fsIMUs48gv-4XKGJGA7X9V6xpejfr-GrPoze35qmifTJjzmkc_v5Sk8HnsJMw39Bm89kStcA1U/s1600/20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2Jxert_mCzl9cZlyZRJgB6PcyK0DTIO7ZbwO-dO11iE_PfUzgDxf2Bt26LgKbelU_fsIMUs48gv-4XKGJGA7X9V6xpejfr-GrPoze35qmifTJjzmkc_v5Sk8HnsJMw39Bm89kStcA1U/s1600/20.JPG" height="320" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Join us today in praying for Red Meets Green’s personnel needs. We need people with certain skill sets--administration, graphic design, video/photo, CPA, non-profit lawyer, fundraisers--in the United States. Also pray for our personnel needs in Liberia, and potential employees at the community center.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">#prayforliberia</span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-73182379360316863452014-02-19T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-19T07:00:09.983-05:00February 19<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIXQTX6wzruUvRwwTpue92MPQEXbBOHMPuXnEZl92Ckd73LD3maMaDIYLnEMwVEPU1lmHeaeU_fYazkq5esimSTBSEAujEL4WMJv60T6hbptcDUQkYqHenysOd5uFEz4I0Em2vqvzfmc/s1600/19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIXQTX6wzruUvRwwTpue92MPQEXbBOHMPuXnEZl92Ckd73LD3maMaDIYLnEMwVEPU1lmHeaeU_fYazkq5esimSTBSEAujEL4WMJv60T6hbptcDUQkYqHenysOd5uFEz4I0Em2vqvzfmc/s1600/19.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Getting a non-profit up and running requires a lot of paperwork. Today you can pray for our 501(c)3 paperwork process with the IRS. They are incredibly far behind in assigning tax-exempt status, and we need this before we can begin the paperwork process in Liberia. </span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">#prayforliberia</span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-63009487856177956552014-02-18T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-18T07:00:12.118-05:00February 18<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-zUCfthB-zDdpH9_kLvZihT9ieZJMDNNvDpu5HR0A2oRpBsua3Aulbjoh7C90TDLnre4oOmtT0X_MYWoMXgei27WCw8nBbHFyGsAuzLEdZcLnWxM9WuPu4ho_C-RBG29U-a_OB3uyLM/s1600/18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-zUCfthB-zDdpH9_kLvZihT9ieZJMDNNvDpu5HR0A2oRpBsua3Aulbjoh7C90TDLnre4oOmtT0X_MYWoMXgei27WCw8nBbHFyGsAuzLEdZcLnWxM9WuPu4ho_C-RBG29U-a_OB3uyLM/s1600/18.JPG" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It’s always exciting when people want to travel to Liberia! We have over 10 people who have inquired about coming to Liberia this summer! Pray for the logistics. Pray for clarity for those who are seeking out if this is how they’re supposed to spend their summer. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">#prayforliberia</span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-34467411548057964292014-02-17T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-17T07:00:03.924-05:00February 17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwOjzmbOeQh0ocR26dUTfsfTUSTUasSNXalWLomvdw_bhOx7422QT1WTIgl1T4BsHTTgFcvgtPjRUABXQ59u_HbmC9zQhzZMWKx70ldnwG04Ohh8Ub_9yZVx7YmiDpbUI8XzCUh3yOWs/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwOjzmbOeQh0ocR26dUTfsfTUSTUasSNXalWLomvdw_bhOx7422QT1WTIgl1T4BsHTTgFcvgtPjRUABXQ59u_HbmC9zQhzZMWKx70ldnwG04Ohh8Ub_9yZVx7YmiDpbUI8XzCUh3yOWs/s1600/17.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Join us today in praying for God’s provision for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RedMeetsGreen">Red Meets Green’s ministry</a>. Pray that we would be filled up to overflowing, so that we can overflow into the lives of those we serve in Liberia.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">#prayforliberia</span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35213117839199428.post-85659396537019336772014-02-16T07:00:00.000-05:002014-02-16T07:00:03.309-05:00February 16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwUDkAWNyE_40m6SpNYyeZvjlfShX2rxojx8X5YBxOo_yo445mrlSN12XdyRSIqMEL0e4-UdvNiRvuDkk6VEbU5WpsUjyAPFxYVyL1O9HLN8P-vhtkF13rPFFMeOAqntDYVQuWcSAiu0/s1600/16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwUDkAWNyE_40m6SpNYyeZvjlfShX2rxojx8X5YBxOo_yo445mrlSN12XdyRSIqMEL0e4-UdvNiRvuDkk6VEbU5WpsUjyAPFxYVyL1O9HLN8P-vhtkF13rPFFMeOAqntDYVQuWcSAiu0/s1600/16.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This week, we are going to be praying for things that specifically relate to <a href="http://www.redmeetsgreen.org/">Red Meets Green</a> and our work in Liberia. Today we are praying for wisdom, guidance and clarity, as we plan for the upcoming year. Pray that we would totally surrender our plans to His will.</span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">#prayforliberia</span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093466511021384485noreply@blogger.com0