I'm sitting at Starbucks drinking a salted caramel mocha, reading Philippians and watching the rain trickle down the perfectly large windows. Today is my favorite kind of day and although I have a million things to do, none of them seem quite as important as taking time out of my day to be at peace.
But i'm not quite at peace.
At least, not at peace in the way I thought I would be.
Allow me to explain. If you had asked me a couple of weeks ago I would have told you with overwhelming excitement that after I graduate college in December I will be working as a Social Worker. Although I'm usually the type to be extremely indecisive, this plan sort of fell into my lap and it seemed perfect and beautiful and I had no reason at all to question it.
But who am I trying to kid here...? If you know me at all you know that I am still indecisive and I never make a decision without considering at least 7 other options. So naturally, just as I was starting to feel comfortable with my decision to live and work in Belton for the next few years, God poked a hole in my white picket fence plan. This past week I found out that there are 27 million slaves in the world right now. Did you get that?? 27 MILLION SLAVES. Some of those clothes that you have on, or the coffee you drink, or the porn you watched on your computer that you considered victimless--those things are the products of slaves that work for you.
I spent some time loving on prostitutes in Costa Rica last fall. It was absolutely one of the most impactful things I've ever done. It broke my heart and I cried a lot and I desperately wished I could rescue the women from their belief that this was all there was to life. But I never had any idea that the women I met trapped in the sex slave industry were only a handful of 27 million.
And as unsettling as that fact is and even though I almost wish I didn't know it, as William Wilberforce put it, "You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know."
So there's that. And it's a lot.
But it's not all.
I am very seriously considering and praying about spending the next 1-2 years in the Dominican Republic (or potentially Costa Rica) working with an anti-sex trafficking ministry. I would work with an already established organization that creates opportunities for woman (and by women, I also mean girls. The average age to enter prostitution and sex slavery is 12-13.) to learn a new trade in order to get off the streets. I would also help start a girls ministry that works in the prevention department so that the girls can be introduced to a Jesus who is desperate to fill their lives with his peace and love and will hopefully see themselves as wanted, valuable, and worth dying for.
This is obviously a really really big decision. And as crazy and fun it sounds to move across the world and live in another culture, it's also terrifying and lonely and would most likely be the most difficult time of my life. Yet with all of that said, when I pray about it, I am filled with peace and joy and excitement.
So, to anyone reading this-if anyone is reading this-please pray for wisdom for me. God has given me and incredible opportunity here in Belton as well as an incredible opportunity in the Dominican Republic. And honestly? I feel like he is letting me choose. The location doesn't matter-the goal is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17.
**If I could wish for any natural talent to just appear, I would wish to be a good writer. Unfortunately that's not the case, but I appreciate those of you who still take the time to read my ramblings.
I would love love any wisdom, advice or feedback you have. Email Me or comment below. (:
But i'm not quite at peace.
At least, not at peace in the way I thought I would be.
Allow me to explain. If you had asked me a couple of weeks ago I would have told you with overwhelming excitement that after I graduate college in December I will be working as a Social Worker. Although I'm usually the type to be extremely indecisive, this plan sort of fell into my lap and it seemed perfect and beautiful and I had no reason at all to question it.
But who am I trying to kid here...? If you know me at all you know that I am still indecisive and I never make a decision without considering at least 7 other options. So naturally, just as I was starting to feel comfortable with my decision to live and work in Belton for the next few years, God poked a hole in my white picket fence plan. This past week I found out that there are 27 million slaves in the world right now. Did you get that?? 27 MILLION SLAVES. Some of those clothes that you have on, or the coffee you drink, or the porn you watched on your computer that you considered victimless--those things are the products of slaves that work for you.
I spent some time loving on prostitutes in Costa Rica last fall. It was absolutely one of the most impactful things I've ever done. It broke my heart and I cried a lot and I desperately wished I could rescue the women from their belief that this was all there was to life. But I never had any idea that the women I met trapped in the sex slave industry were only a handful of 27 million.
And as unsettling as that fact is and even though I almost wish I didn't know it, as William Wilberforce put it, "You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know."
So there's that. And it's a lot.
But it's not all.
I am very seriously considering and praying about spending the next 1-2 years in the Dominican Republic (or potentially Costa Rica) working with an anti-sex trafficking ministry. I would work with an already established organization that creates opportunities for woman (and by women, I also mean girls. The average age to enter prostitution and sex slavery is 12-13.) to learn a new trade in order to get off the streets. I would also help start a girls ministry that works in the prevention department so that the girls can be introduced to a Jesus who is desperate to fill their lives with his peace and love and will hopefully see themselves as wanted, valuable, and worth dying for.
This is obviously a really really big decision. And as crazy and fun it sounds to move across the world and live in another culture, it's also terrifying and lonely and would most likely be the most difficult time of my life. Yet with all of that said, when I pray about it, I am filled with peace and joy and excitement.
So, to anyone reading this-if anyone is reading this-please pray for wisdom for me. God has given me and incredible opportunity here in Belton as well as an incredible opportunity in the Dominican Republic. And honestly? I feel like he is letting me choose. The location doesn't matter-the goal is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17.
**If I could wish for any natural talent to just appear, I would wish to be a good writer. Unfortunately that's not the case, but I appreciate those of you who still take the time to read my ramblings.
I would love love any wisdom, advice or feedback you have. Email Me or comment below. (:
If you haven't read a book by Jennie Allan- "ANYTHING" I highly recommend it. I'll be praying for God to give you the wisdom to choose!! Love you!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Clark. - I will definitely look into that book! Thank you so much for your prayers. I cannot wait to see you in a couple of weeks! Love you too. (:
DeleteBonnie C
ReplyDeleteWooowww God is Good
ReplyDeleteAshley,
ReplyDeleteI am excited for you to have this decision to seek out the Lord's will on at such a momentous time of transition in your adult life. While the Lord will direct your paths continually as you seek out his will throughout your future, often the decision to make what is seen as a more drastic change, in moving to another country, is more easily done at this stage in your life. After working for a couple years in Belton or anywhere in Texas it will inevitably be more of a challenge to pick up and move to another country after you are established here. But from the other standpoint, if moving to the DR is not the transition for you after graduation consider the possibility of the Lord testing your willingness to go where He directs you. The upcoming few years will be challenging in deepening your understanding your identity in Christ and in your community. And I promise you will look back in a few years and understand perfectly why you even faced this decision now. As long as you continue to pursue your Creator you will experience such incredible joy in what he has prepared for you.
My heart aches for salvation, healing, restoration and identity for the enslaved of this world. So, from a purely passionate, human perspective I want you to go be active in that process. I prayed for you this morning and will continue to!
Melissa Ford
Melissa,
DeleteThank you so much for much for your words of wisdom. I'm trying to remind myself that I will never have as few responsibilities as I do right now. When I think of it that way I ask myself, why would I NOT go? Thank you for that reminder. I am definitely still praying about it, but I feel my heart being softly tugged in the direction of going. I really appreciate your advice and prayers. (:
Hey Ashley.
ReplyDeleteYou will be in our prayers for wisdom, guidance and confirmation for whatever the Father has planned for you.
Bryan and Beth in Costa Rica
Beth and Bryan,
DeleteYour prayers mean so incredibly much to me! It was such a joy spending time with you and learning from you a little bit about what it looks like to live internationally. I will be visiting Costa Rica in December and hope to be able to see your fam!
Ashley, Just wanted to let you know that I think you are an amazing young lady and you put so much passion in everything you do. I will keep you in my prayers. I will pray for god to send you peace and lead you down the right path. The path he has chosen for you my friend.love you
ReplyDeleteBeate
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you"
John 14:27
Beate,
DeleteYou are such a sweet encouragement to me. For as long as I've known you you've poured joy and support into my life. Thank you for that and for your prayers. I love you too. (: