What’s up world!
Just wanna give you a little update on how 2023 has been going! As you already know, I have been working in the hospital as a patient care technician and that takes up a majority of my time. However, if you know me well, you know my hearts biggest passion is ministry! Here’s a look into what ministry has looked like in my life these past 3 months!
During January and February most of my time in organized ministry was spent volunteering in kids church on Sunday mornings or Young Adults (YA) on Thursday nights. On most Sundays my role is to help out with the kiddos in any way that the children’s pastors need an extra hand but I have also been privileged to teach once a month and I LOVE it! It is so fun getting to lead these precious children and tell them the good news of Jesus! Some weeks showing up to YA looks like getting off work and immediately arriving at the church with one or two minutes to spare, but other weeks it looks like arriving early for serve team meetings, huddle, and then serving in various positions as our friends show up. I love being a part of Celebration Church Young Adult ministry!
The first weekend of March I got to take a trip to San Antonio and volunteer with Impact Church of Schertz for their DNOW weekend! It was a lot of fun joining The Lift Tour and getting to see hundreds of middle school and high school students hungry for the gospel! It was filled with lots of worship, Bible teaching, fellowship and fun! I was also blessed to spend an extra day off with a family who has poured so much love and Jesus into my life!! It was a great time!
The second week of March I was honored to be one of the seven speakers at YA on Thursday night! As part of Celebration College School of Ministry, we each prepared a 5-7 minute sermon last semester for our homiletics class and a few of us were given the opportunity to share our message with our YA family! This was definitely a step outside my comfort zone but it was so rewarding! I was so proud of myself afterwards! Bumps, bruises, mess ups and all. I was proud. The school of ministry has been such a great way for me to dive deeper into the Bible! Last year the two classes I took at the end of the semester were Acts of the Apostles, and Homiletics. This semester I just finished taking a classes on Faith and Local Church Leadership! After spring break I will jump back in again and take two more classes.
Outside of ministry in my church I have still been pouring into my sweet sponsor child from Kenya, Evelyne! The messages sent through technology are read and responded to the fastest but it still takes weeks for one message to be sent into her village and back to me. Last week I sent my first package to her through the mail so hopefully she will receive a small tangible blessing soon! I learned through this process that there is a lot that goes into international mail, but it makes it all the more exciting! I just love getting to learn all about Evelyne! If you want to sponsor a child overseas, World Vision is a great way to do it.
Other than that the rest of my ministry is very much a lifestyle. I have gotten to pray over a few patients in the hospital and talk about testimonies, church, and other religious conversations with patients. Just yesterday I actually had a patient tell me he was in California during the “hippie movement” (go watch Jesus Revolution in theaters) it was really cool to hear him talk about the revival there! Another patient of mine once told me “if I don’t see you again, I’ll see you in Heaven one day” and it was a very sweet moment to share. It’s hard because my job is very much on the go all day long, so conversations can’t be long, but if I have the opportunity to shine a little bit of Jesus, I will do it!
That about wraps up my time in ministry and what I have been up to these last couple months. I am super excited for what God has planned on The World Race! I am actively posting on social media (Facebook and Instagram) so follow me on those platforms to see how God is working in my life in those specific areas. I am currently 16% funded, with a little over $3,000 raised so far. I have a long ways to go to get to my goal, but I know the Lord will provide! I am currently doing an adopt-a-box fundraiser so if you want to donate in that way feel free to adopt-a-box! Otherwise, you can Venmo me @adusek or donate on my World Race Fundraising Page!
Thanks for all the love and support!
With gratitude, love, and commitment,
Ashley Dusek
