From the time I was about 10 my heart has been in Africa.
When I turned 16 the dream that had been in my heart for so long finally came true. I went to Uganda. I spent two weeks falling in love with a country that had been in my heart for what seemed like forever.
I came home from Uganda determined to return. I have never been so at home or in love with a place as I was Uganda. It just felt right. I have spent the last year and a half planning and plotting for my return. After a series of events and prayers, I was unable to return this summer like I had planned. Thankfully, God has other plans.
I am in my senior year of high school. While it is both an exciting and scary time, a lot of decisions have to be made. I have always dreamed of living in Africa. Spending my days with babies in the land that I so dearly love, but sometimes those aren't always realistic dreams.
I love where I live. I love my family and friends. I love that they truly want the best for me. I don't love that this world has standards that we all feel we "must" live up to. I have been told by many that I need to go to college, get a good degree, a good job, a good husband, and make lots of money. Where that is all awesome and very much what is the norm, it's not exactly what's in my heart at this time. So, I turned to the One who has gone before me and knows the plans He has for me...
I spent a lot of time praying and asking God to show me where He wanted me.
He did.
He has been preparing me for this my entire life, and I didn't even know it.
After months of praying, applying, seeking, and waiting…I know.
I finally know where God is leading me for right now.
I'm moving.
Next July I will leave the place I have called home for my entire life across the world to a place that has been in my heart.
I'm moving to Uganda.
(no, not permanently..yet.)
I will get to spend my days loving children. Not just any children, but special needs children. The children that I have been loving and working with since I was in 4th grade. How blessed am I?
These next few months will be filled with a lot of planning, fundraising, and preparing. I cannot begin to describe just how excited I am. I ask for your prayers as I get ready and while I am in Uganda.
I will be posting a "How you can Help" post soon. There are many, many ways :)
It's really happening, y'all…
I am moving to AFRICA. I'm going to be IN Africa. I get to call Africa my Home.
(even if not forever, for awhile)
and I could not be more thankful.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. -Ephesians 3:20
p.s. because i have been asked by quite a few about how to follow me…here ya go!
i would love for you to! feel free to check out;
instagram @ashtonbry [instagram.com/ashtonbry]
follow me on Facebook. {see link in sidebar}
Sunday Snapshot
Sunday, September 29, 2013
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Wow! Congratulations on following His plan and your heart! That take faith and courage! Blessing
ReplyDeleteAlly
Best wishes! Hurray for following your dreams!
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you! I went to South Africa the year after HS. Loved my time there!
ReplyDeletecongrats! I am so excited for you!!! be sure and keep us updated!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Praying for you. How exciting. I just came upon your blog. Oh if you don't know this blog already, you might like it. Emonamission.blogspot.com she is 19 and works with orphans in Uganda. I don't know her and she doesn't know me. Just thought you might enjoy. God bless you for being faithful.
ReplyDeleteErika
Matt 18:19
Wow. Wowie, wow WOW! So excited for you. I'll be praying for sure...both for you in your travels and as you live out His word, but also for your Mama whom I'm sure will miss you more than you can imagine.
ReplyDeleteI'll be following for sure!