HELLO WORLD!
Here’s to my first blog of many more to come! God has been at work in my life, and I am super excited to share with y’all the next journey He has called me to! Before I get to the big news (if you haven’t heard already), I want to update you on what I am currently up to. In November I started working at the hospital here in San Angelo as a Patient Care Technician on the stroke and neuro unit. My days consist of 12.5 hour shifts in which I care for my patients by helping with activities of daily living, monitoring vital signs, responding to requests, and assisting their nurses with specific needs. To say the least, it is an exhausting job, but is so rewarding getting to serve people and see their transformation after a critical injury/sickness. Since full time employment is considered 3 shifts, my time outside of the hospital is spent resting, running errands, going to church, or picking up side jobs like babysitting.
In December I had planned on going back to school, but as the days counted down to hear of my acceptance I actually hoped I would not be accepted. I did not want to have to choose. Soon enough I found out I was in and began to pray, pray, and pray hard. I convinced myself to go back to school because I knew it would please people around me but deep down I knew it was not right. As I spent time in scripture, quiet moments, and seeking wisdom it started to become evident that God was leading me in another direction. I applied for another opportunity, not school, and decided to wait. After all, if I didn’t get accepted then school would be plan B right?? No. Time was ticking and before I heard back from the other opportunity, I had to make a final decision on school because classes were about to start. That’s when I decided to commit. I trusted that school was not the path so I dropped out of the graduate program and kept on praying. Now there was no plan B. After a few more weeks I received the news. I was accepted! So here’s the news… I am going on THE WORLD RACE!
The Amazing Race?? No, no, not that. The World Race. It is an 11 month opportunity for me to be a full time missionary in 6 different countries! How could it get any better?? My heart’s deepest desire is to serve and I love being immersed in other cultures… getting to share Jesus intentionally for a whole year 24/7 with a team of like minded people my age, sounds like Heaven to me! But in all realness, I honestly can’t find good enough words to share my gratitude and excitement for this opportunity. I will be serving in Guatemala, Romania, Albania, Turkey, Jordan, and South Asia. What I will do in each country will vary on the specific needs of the ministry and local church we will be partnering with, but some examples could include: children’s/youth/college ministry, sports ministry, community outreach, service projects, teaching ESL, prison ministry, relational evangelism… the list continues and far exceeds my ideas. All that to say, I will get to see ministry in so many new ways. My prayer is that on this journey the Lord would open my eyes and reveal to me how I can pursue ministry full time in the future.
As you may already know, scripture clearly outlines that we all are called to participate in missions in one of the following ways: pray, give, or go. I am in desperate need of your prayers as I accept the timing of God’s plan and the journey He has prepared for me. Furthermore, if you feel led to give, any amount that the Lord places on your heart would be greatly appreciated in helping me towards my goal of $19,700. Yes, I know what you are already thinking, “that’s a lot of money, Ashley”. I know. It sounds impossible for me too but I have seen God provide again and again and I know He is capable of doing it another time. The cost will be going towards international airfare to six countries, lodging, food, and necessities over eleven months, insurances, and other specific needs. Outside of The World Race cost I will also need to pay for a flight to the training camp in Georgia before The World Race starts, and a flight from the base in Georgia after the race ends, as well as the equipment required for the race. It is going to take a lot of help to get there, but every dollar makes a difference and with your support it can be possible for me to continue in the path God has set for me.
I ask that you pray about giving towards this journey, whether it be a one time donation, or a recurring donation over the next few months, any amount helps. Five dollars, ten dollars, one hundred dollars, whatever you choose to give, it all goes towards that one child, that one widow, that one man, the lives of many on the other side of the world who will have the chance to be healed, to hear and respond to Jesus because of you.
There are many ways you can contribute, one being through the links on my social media. Once you get to my “World Race Donation Page” you can enter your donation in the box as well as how often you want to give that amount. If you would like to make the donation anonymously you can, but I would love to see your name so that I can properly thank you later. You can find me on Facebook or on Instagram @dusek_ashley. If you want to donate cash or by check you can send them directly to my personal mailing address. Lastly, I will be sending out updates before, during, and after my time on The World Race so I encourage you to subscribe and follow my blog to keep up with how God is moving in my life and the life of others that you have contributed to and impacted through prayer and financial support.
In the meantime, I am closing this letter with a huge thank you in advance. I know that none of this would be possible without the help of precious friends and family. Below you will find some pictures and captions of a few of the opportunities and memories the Lord has given me (in no specific order) to grow and serve locally over the past year in San Angelo, Texas. My prayer is that my life would be one that reflects the love of Christ both in San Angelo and all over the world. Thank y’all for encouraging me to be the hands and feet of Jesus, I love y’all big!
With gratitude, commitment, and love,
Ashley Dusek
