Two weeks!!!
Two weeks from today the plane will have landed in Bolivia. We would have already taken a bus to the most wonderful place, The Bolivia Life Center. We will be surrounded by some of the most amazing kids who stole my heart in 2008. I simply cannot put into words the excitement I feel right now. Though I’m sure if you have seen the multiple countdowns, pictures, status updates, etc ,you might have a little idea of my excitement level! I have been waiting four long years to go back to see this amazing boys. I have been waiting for the chance to go back and be able to work in the surrounding villages. For years, I have hoped and prayed for the chance to work with CIN again. The verse that I have held close to my heart for years has been, Psalm 37:4, Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. God opened a door this summer when I was only peeking through the window. As part of my Graduate program an internship was required that must include working in another country/culture. I needed to be on the mission field for a month and over the summer complete 300 hours. Since starting this degree in January, I had been praying that God would open a door for me to do this internship. I have been saving my vacation time at work because I knew regardless of the internship or not I wanted to go to Bolivia.
God was working in a big way that I didn’t even see yet. When CIN approved that I could complete my internship with them, the next thing to get approved was the time off. I knew I was asking a lot. Almost five weeks off!? I had all the time to cover it but it was still a lot to ask off at one time. I knew that if God wanted me there it would happen. Mom used to say there were mile markers and that if God wanted you there he would show you the mile markers along the way. During this approval process I looked for them. I had received one when CIN said yes! When my work approved the time off I was in complete shock! This was HAPPENING! It was so surreal for the first few weeks. Planning mode had to go into full swing! There were so many things to consider and plan, funds to raise, family to tell (well mostly just Grandma!), and so much more. The funds had slow started to trickle in from the link I had posted on Facebook. A few t-shirts had sold but I still had about halfway to go to reach my goal. I struggle sometimes to send out support letters. When I post it on Facebook, it’s not really directed at anyone in particular but a support letter is sent to their house. I finally got over myself, listened to what I felt like God was telling me and wrote the letter, poured my heart into it, and sent it to a friend to proofread. That same day, I got a text from a friend asking how much I had needed for my trip. Told them I was halfway there. I only need $1000! They responded with we want to cover that for you! WHAT?! I am very rarely speechless. I just stood in my kitchen looking at my phone and just kept reading and rereading it. I couldn’t believe it. They wanted to pay for the rest of my trip? What an amazing blessing. God was providing in ways I could never imagine, mom would say this is another mile marker. I was talking to a friend yesterday and sharing with him about this trip and how God provided for it. He said, “God’s vision will come with God’s provisions.” God has continued to provide for me with the out of pocket expenses like the Visa needed for Bolivia. God continues to provide for me before I even know I need something!
These next two weeks are going to fly by and I can’t wait! I don’t know how often I will be able to send updates while I’m there but if I can, I will! Please pray that all the small details will continue to fall into place, for God to will work in the lives of the children at the BLC and the surrounding villages and also the teams that spend time at the BLC this summer.
Thank you so much for your love and support!
Love,
Ashlee
