So on and so forth.

Wow.

It's been so long since I have updated this little blog spot! Life since July has been... well life. Ups, downs, change, staying the same. I'm not sure if anyone still reads this, But I will update it anyway.


I am still working at the private school, St. James. I LOVE IT! We are now trying to start building what is called, a natural playground! We want to allow the students to be a part of nature. To take care of it, explore it, learn about it. Some of the features include, rock climbing, camp fires, walking textured paths, creek discovery, and animal care. I hope we get Chickens!! and a goat. Check out this website!! It is amazing. http://naturalplaygrounds.com/
Our school is also growing in size. It's crazy to think of how many lives I get to be a part of every day. Not only do I get to love on these children, but I get to help in shaping their relationship with knowing God and making Him known. wow. I'm blown away.

A chapter in my life has begun. I am now apart of a leadership team for the youth group at St. James. This was out of the blue for me. I had no plans on taking this on in my life. It's scary, and exciting. We get a chance to love, challenge, and encourage a group of students from 6th to 12th grade! So far we have just been getting to know them and planting our vision for this ministry. I am so Blessed to be working with three other people. Whitney, Wesley, and Tim. Having four team members really breaks down the work load and allows everyone to bring their gifts and talents to the table. Keep praying for us as we go on this journey with our students!!!

I also really wanted to share about something that is very close to my heart. Human Trafficking.

There are more slaves today then there has ever been in world History.. AND WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Get involved. find out what's going on in the world. Become a part of the fair trade movement. Research about fair wage. You can make a difference in someones freedom.


Well... I hope you have enjoyed this little update.

Blessings,
ashley

Me and Kayla on the 4th of July!
Wes. This is his normal picture face.
Fireworks!! My Fav Holiday
Can anyone find Sheamis?
He is very happy in His new home.. Thanks Fiona.

Home for a week.

This week has been crazy. I got home and slept from 4pm thur to 4 am on fri. It was so wonderful to drive my car in the early texas morning. Texas mornings are the best, quite, cool breeze, peaceful, and it smells good, fresh, new, invigerating. Forth of July was a Blast. Get it? Blast, Fireworks. My week was spent, reconnecting with friends, unpacking from Romania, transitioning into american life, and preparing to leave again. I leave sunday morning for New Mexico with my Grandparents. I am so thankful to be able to spend good quility time with them.

side note: I miss all the Interns, Romanians, Fiona and Paul, the Briley family, Livada staff, Ophans(Latitsia, katy, mihia, gutza, nickoshore, etc), and the Gypsy's.

Please pray:

That God will provide the 700 dollers I still need for Africa.

Travel Safety

God's direction and leadership

A sensitive heart so I can hear Him.

I love you all.

ashley

My Team!!! Canada!!!
The sweet little boys on my team! C A N A D A!
Starting Camp!! The Summer Olympics
Team China!! Great team Spirit D
Team Games! Don't touch the green line!

Camp Vetca

Today we leave for Camp Vetca! Yesterday was our first day of camp and it was amazing. We got to meet our teams for the week.. Somehow(Fiona) This little Texas Gal got put on Cananda's team! There a moose loose about the house. I will wear the red and white with pride! My kids are wonderful and so loving. I can't wait to get to know them more! Pray that this week would be filled with fun, safety, laughter, love, and friendship. Pray that the interns and volunteers would be able to show God's love in an effective and powerful way! Pray for restful sleep!! We will need it! Talk to you all in 4 days when we get home from Camp Vetca!! Love and and miss you all!

Proof that Grandmothers are the same all over the world.

What was waiting for us when we arrived.
The 10 minutes of the meeting.
The making of the home made french fries.
Salad.. They only put tomatos and cucumbers in it.
How about an egg with that?

Grandmothers.

Grandmothers are the same all over the world....

I've only been to a hand full of countries but in each one the Grandmothers are just alike. Two days ago I went to Anrica's house with Fiona to discuss the camp food. Anrica is our camp cook and an amazing lady to say the least. We arrived at her house greated with Pastries and Drinks. We all sat down and before I knew it she was up again making us a salad. Fiona instisted to her that we were fine and didn't need anything. But of course like ALL Grandmothers she was off to the Kitchen to take care of us. As she was making the salads she said. How about some French fries.. Fiona said please don't go to the trouble.. Typical Grandma response... "Don't worry, watch how fast I can make these.... " Anrica shouts from the kitchen, "how about an egg to go with it?" This lady only sat with us for a good 10 minutes total out of our 2 hour visit. I told her, " You've worked hard all your life, take a seat and rest". She said, "If I rest, I die". She reminds me of my Beautiful Grandma back home. It takes us holding her down to enjoy a meal with us. Always serving, always loving, giving, selfless, taking care of the children, providing, working, Busy hands, in the kitchen, up and down, "How about an egg with that?". I miss my little Grandma, But it's good to know that Grandma's around the world don't mind taking care of me too.

Beautiful flowers.
Some of the girls. Emily and Sarah
Baby Orphanage
This little was given up because she is blind.
Gypsy Family.

Hey Everyone,

Today was our first free day! Amazing! We finished setting up camp yesterday! Tents up, rocks spread out, kitchen and bathrooms cleaned, camp supply organized... I've gotten the chance to befriend two gypsy families. I love it here. Tomorrow our first team of workers come from Texas! It rains a lot here. and I walked up and down the shops looking for an unbrella.. Im still on the search. It's awefully difficult to explain in broken Romanian what I'm looking for, but it always gives the localls something to laugh at later.. I'm mixing english, Romanian, and spanish, jumping up and down, making hand motions and laughing a lot.. What a sight... Crazy Americans. Grandma, You were asking about what the country looks like.. It's so hard to explain because I've never seen anything like it before. Africa looks like tipical africa, villiages, huts, dirt, forest, etc. Asia same thing, chop sticks, temples, lots of smogg. But this place is different then anything I've ever seen. Green hills, european/latin looking homes, western wealth with a mix of gypsy poverty, coffee shops and disco techno music everywhere you go. The language is so difficult for me. I can't speak it and I can't understand it. But I love it. The woman are confident and tall. The men dress very european. The Romanian people have captivating eyes. Green, blue, long lashes. quite and reserved.. Laugh at me every time I walk into a room because I look lost and I'm so forward. I love it. Every door is different. The wood is carved into different shapes. LOTS OF FLOWERS. Everywhere... the only carry flowers downward. Even number of flowers and you are going to a funeral.. Only get odd numbers. Great coffee. Lots of cheese and meat. Cobble stone streets. The air smells smoky and fresh all at the same time. Every night that Romania has a soccer game going on they honk the cars all night long. My fav place is our back porch. I could sit our there for hours and look out the town. I love it.

Thats the best discreption I can give. It's wonderful and I'm so greatful for every minute I'm here. Our Orphans are getting excited about camp next week.

I went to a government run orphanage the other day and my heart just broke.. Dirty living environment. lots of kids. They are unloved and undisciplined. One girl I met is a very angry rebelous girl. She trys to find love any way she can. She has run away many times from the orphanage and has had relations with many men.. Anything to fill the void of having no parents to love her. Rejected by society. When she came back to the orphange the care givers shaved her head as a punishment. then nicked her scalp. While I feel that this punishment is very harsh and over the top, I also feel heartache for the caregivers. Hopeless, unsure of how to handle such a wild and rebelous teenager. Trying to find a way to love her and manage her behaviour.. What can be done? They are the only ones who are willing to take care of these kids.. When I first met this girl she was increadibly rude to me.. she asked me aweful personal questions and called me names... all while holding my hand and hugging me. She has no idea what love looks like. She has no clue what true friendship and family looks like. all I could do was love her back. Show her what the love of God looks like. When she insulted me I came back with a complement. She asked me if I still thought she was beautiful even though she had no hair. She just wanted to know that she was beautiful, loved, wanted. Isn't that what we all want? Pray for these children please! Pray that they would know the love of God. She will be at our camps. Pray that I will get to know her better and love on her some more.

Thats all for now. I miss ya'll. But I'm loving this interesting and beautiful place called Romania.

Blessings,
ashley

Work Week

Hey Everyone,

We have started our work week! It's hot.... and It's beautiful! Today was our second day and we have set up most of the camp. It took about 45 minutes to set up each of the 15 army camp tents. Our group has really worked well together, and as I continue to get to know the interns it makes me more and more excited to be here. It's like one big family loving on some kids. More to come tomorrow.

blessings,

ash

Walking around in Town.
Gypsy Family
Some of the Interns.
Erin, me and Sarah
Waiting around in the airport in Germany.

Grettings from Romania!

I'm just finishing up my 2nd day in the great country of Romania, and it has been amazing so far.. It took us 3 plans, 1 bus, and 24 hours to get here, But we are here. Thank you to everyone who prayed for safe travel and that we got all our bags!

Romania is by far the most interesting place I've ever been. The people are Beautiful! The land is green and lush. The houses look like a mix between Europe and Latin Cultures. There are Gardens EVERYWHERE. I'm living in Transylvania in a town thats name translates into, the land of Flowers(I guess I'm in the right place :). We took a tour of the town today and it was lovely. I'm so interested in the Gypsy culture here. Not only does their festive and colorful outfits set them apart, but also their mystery is captivating. Pray that God would show me how to relate to this people group. Tomorrow we are visiting two of the government run orphanages. Next monday we will start to set up for camp. and the week after that Camp starts!!! Ok, we are having Intern Dinner. Pray that our team would continue to be unified and patient with each other. Love and miss you all.

Blessings,

ashley

Waiting at the Airport with Emily and Jeremy! Side walks in South Carolina.




The girls in downtown SC.

The Beautiful Falls there.

South Carolina!

We finally made it to South Carolina after a 3 hour flight delay! Arrived at host home at 3:30 am. As soon as we pulled into the drive way, we were all off to bed.

This morning(Tuesday) the whole team met together for the first time for breakfest at 8:30 am and started training shortly after. We went over our hand books and schedules. Then the founder of Livada, Bruce, gave us the history of the ministry. Break for lunch. Some lessons in Romanian. We also had the Pastor from Brians church give a talk on "Motivation of service". Why do we serve? What should our attitudes look like? I really enjoyed it. Brought up some good thinking questions. To end we had a time of prayer with the whole team.. All in all I think the team has prayerd together about 10 times, which is great! Please be praying for us too.

After training we went to our host homes. Carlie, Camille, Emily and I stayed with the Lanfear's. They are wonderful and made us the most amazing dinner. After dinner, Joelle,(mama Lanfear) took us to the downtown area of Greenville. It was beautiful and so nice to explore a little part of South Carolina. We had so much fun and I think it brought us all even closer together. Now it is time once again to hit the hay!

We leave tomorrow for Romania!

Please pray for

Travel mercy

Good health while traveling

All our bags would make it to Romania and not get lost

Continued unity and growth for our team.

Thank you for checking up on us.

Sending my love to everyone!

Always,
ashley

Today

Today is the day! I leave in about 4 hours for SC. I needed 300 dollers in 24 hours and guess what? He provided! Now I'm all ready to go! See ya'll in SC!

3 Days

Three more days untill I leave for South Carolina! I had to send my passport away to get my visa for Ghana and was afraid I wouldn't get it back in time to leave for Romania. Through prayer and hard work from some faithful people, it arrived today safe and sound!

Praise God.