ashleyastin's Xanga

Wake up Church!

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:56:26 GMT

Let me get a little more bold and blunt. I was laying in bed on October 11 after the first outreach. And God began to speak to me. All I could do was laugh, because of the joy that came over me. He reminded me of where he brought me from, and he opened my eyes to take it all in of what he was doing now. I’m going to be honest I get a little sad and sometimes I get a holy anger, because the body of Christ is missing it! They are missing the point. We are called to love, not to sit inside the walls of a building. God isn’t just in “a church building” he is everywhere! He is out in the projects in the eyes of a poverty stricken old lady or a little child who needs some lovin’. And for the most part “the body of Christ” isn’t even looking for Jesus outside of the church or even in a church. They aren’t looking for him at all, because for the most part everything is going well for them. It breaks my heart. We have let the secular society creep into our churches, but not only there- in our hearts! That’s why the “world” is in our churches-because its in our hearts! Where your treasure is- that is where your heart will be also! God I pray that you would make the “Western Church” uncomfortable…shake us out of our complacency. Plow the soil of our hardened selfish hearts. Give us ears to hear your voice Lord. Remove the distractions In Jesus’ Name! I praise you that you are still on the throne- You are still in control no matter how much the “church” prostitutes herself to this world. You are still God! I bless your name! Have mercy on us O Lord. I plead your blood over my sins and the sins of my nation.

Can I testify?

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:48:44 GMT

By the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony:

Lately in my own life God has been doing some awesome things. And its not about me, but I long for others to know this complete Joy and Peace that I’m running with. I want to give it away so someone else can walk in it too. Its like when you go and see a really good movie at the theatre- you start telling people, “ Oh wow, that movie was so good you should really go see it.” That’s what I’m talking about, but even more so. I’m walking in the Overflowing Joy of the Lord! The River of Living Water is bubbling over. I’ve heard people talk about the Joy overflowing and the complete Peace that surpasses all understanding, but it doesn’t make sense until you’ve walked in it! It might just sound like some more “Christian jargon”, but when you really grab hold and start asking the Lord for it…he won’t withhold any good thing from you. Can I just testify that God is faithful? Every time I’ve asked Him for a word- He is Faithful! Every time a scripture doesn’t make sense and I ask Him to reveal it and make it clear to me- He is Faithful! Every time I pray scripture over my life- He is faithful!

For about 2 years now, people have been praying boldness over my life…haha- Well gradually the Lord has given me boldness when I speak about Him. A lady prayed it over me again the other day not even knowing my testimony. God has a sense of humor and he is always faithful to confirm what he has spoken over our lives.

You must Walk as Jesus did!

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:48:05 GMT

Radish Incorporated

The word “Radical” derives from the root word “Radish”. And a Radish is an ordinary vegetable or root. It reminds me that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things! I believe a real love relationship with Jesus Christ causes us to do crazy things for His glory. When we are truly sold out and really hungry for Him to satisfy us instead of the things of this world – he will meet us and fill us with His desires. His heart and His desires are about His Kingdom. When we really love Jesus- its then that we will truly love others. You can’t say that you truly love God and hate your brother…dig into that a little deeper- You can’t say you truly love God and not stop for the hungry, the broken, the child that needs you to pick him up and hold him. In 1John it says that if you claim you belong to Jesus- YOU MUST WALK AS JESUS DID! And how did Jesus walk? He certainly stopped for the the hungry, the sick, the lame, the little children, and even the woman at the well (who by the way- it wasn’t culturally appropriate for him to even talk to). Chew on that for a minute.

So let’s realize that we are ordinary and drop our spiritual haughtiness…maybe even repent. God showed me before I went to Africa that a true revival in the hearts of His people starts with repentance. And really that’s not some new revelation. The bible says it plain and simple in 1chronicles. It just finally clicked with me. And the past two weeks in ministry God has been repeating that scripture: “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray-THEN I will hear them and heal their land!” Whew- Praise Him! God doesn’t listen to the proud…he is looking for some humble people with some contrite hearts.

So back to the meaning of the word Radish as far as outreach ministry goes- a radish is a root so, we are going to get to the root of the sin in people’s lives and pull it out. We are going to let the Holy Spirit clean house and then pour back in the word of God. So pull up the bad roots and get people rooted in the word of God. That is when we will see a complete change in people’s lives.

God is doing a new thing in Cedartown. There has been a shift in the spiritual realm.

Get ready Cedartown!!

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:46:56 GMT

Unity in the Community

The Lord has started a consistent –Spirit led outreach ministry on Turner Street.

The past two Saturday s the real body of Christ has gathered together to love. We have crossed denominational, racial, cultural, and any other barrier to join together and be the hands and feet of Jesus. Each individual having a heart after the Kingdom; we have fed, sang, danced, laughed, and prayed together. We have seen with our eyes a lot of testimonies, but the things that are being accomplished in the spirit realm are great! This past Saturday we didn’t really have a big plan, but we ended up meeting another ministry and were able to partner with them. And now we are going to partner together again on Thanksgiving! I’m so excited to see what the Lord has in store. Cedartown get ready! Jesus is coming!

moving along

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:45:50 GMT

The Outreach ministry is this in the long run:

A homeless ministry set in the old Lyle school building on Jefferson Street. It is so perfect! It has four big rooms, a big yard, a big kitchen, a big dinning room, and a bathroom with some showers. The building itself needs a little work, but God will send the workers. Actually a few have already volunteered! The family that owns the building is going to let us use it a year for free if we fix the wiring in it. The wiring was messed up, because someone has stolen the copper out of it. A man from my church who is an electrician has already looked at it and is willing to help. A family lawyer is working on the legal side of things for only $250.00 out of the $1500.00 total. God is so good and faithful- He has already sent a Bishop who is going to back it 100%. And on Saturday the Lord provided $80.00 in donations with out us asking for it. And as of Tuesday the $250.00 lawyer fee has been met. Praise the Lord! He is my provider! I have complete faith that he will supply the financial support and the workers.

Basically the homeless ministry will be a place where people will be able to stay for a set amount of time and get set on their feet. And during that time we will pray and ask the Lord to remove everything in them that is not of Jesus. Everything that is rooted deep down that has caused them to be in the place that they are in. So removing the bad roots and then getting them rooted in the word of God. During their time at the Radish house they will receive 2 meals a day (breakfast and dinner). During the day they will be expected to work. We want to partner with them to get them on their feet and help them find jobs and teach them job skills. Varying during the week they will have rotating chores to help maintain the building and teach them responsibility for when they are on their feet. So the ministry will not be a crippling hand out – but an encouraging hand up. I’m excited to see it come to pass!

Knitted together

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:33:27 GMT

Since I’ve been home from Africa in May- The Lord has given me an opportunity to learn about leadership and grow in it. He also has given me a vision for outreach ministry in Cedartown, and I have no idea why he is using me, a 21 year old little white girl, but I am honored. I long to see the youth in my church and in my city hungry and completely in love with Jesus Christ! I long to see the body of Christ step up to the plate and be the real Body in ACTION. And there is a remnant that truly honors the Lord and have a heart after his Kingdom. Walking in line/ in tune with the Lord everything is falling into place. Over the past few months God has allowed me to meet real Christians and we are assembling as the hands and feet of Jesus to march together as a mighty moving force to see Jesus’ Name known and glorified in the streets of Cedartown. I’m so excited to see what the Lord is doing. He has placed this burden in many hearts and now he is uniting us. And it’s not a new profound thing- because it’s Kingdom- it’s written in His word! It’s the call. Jesus’ didn’t just save us, but he called us not only to be disciples, but make disciples.

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:35:35 GMT

Newsletter June 26, 2008

Dear family and friends,

Once again thank you for your prayers and support. My time in Swaziland was a very wonderful and fruitful journey. There is so much that will impact me for the rest of my life. Christ revealed and taught me so much about my character and his own. And many relationships were developed that will carry into eternity. So please bear with me- I want to take the time to hare with you what your prayer and financial support impacted.

From January to May my team and I spent our time in Manzini, Swaziland; in a house to accommodate 15 people right outside the city. We lived our lives out along side the Swazi people and learned so much about their gentle culture and Christ’s love. Because we lived so close to the city we would walk 15 minutes to town to use the small taxi vans, so we could travel to our ministry internships. Our internships varied from teaching formal school, working full days on a farm for no earthly pay, pouring into widows and mothers, discipleship at schools, helping out with logistics behind the scenes, and informally teaching small children at care-points.

My sisi (sister) Lindsey and I spent our time informally teaching, sharing, playing and loving the small children at the care-point. Care-points are places in the rural communities that provide food once to twice a day for orphaned and poor children. Everyday women who have volunteered themselves come and spend their time and energy cooking for and loving the children. These women are mothers of many children (some not even their own), grandmothers, widowed, and very poor. They receive no pay, but only earn money from the purses they make (check them out at http://www.timbalicrafts.org).

So our time each day looked like this- We would go and gather the children from their homes, then we would set out straw mats and try to teach them their alphabet, counting, writing their name, shapes, and colors with the resources we had, from crayons and paper to grass and rocks. We would hang out with the women and try our best to serve them in preparation and dishing food. When the school children arrived we would try to get to know them, play, and share bible stories.

A few weeks before we left we were able to get eleven of the children that came consistently into preschool, so they will continue to learn. They were so excited! Like most education in Africa, attending school is not free, so it’s difficult for many children even though they desire to learn. The school fees are not yet paid for and if you would like to sponsor one of our precious children I would be delighted to share with you pictures and give you information. I plan to have a yard sale July 5^th to help raise money for this.

Other ministry we experienced was with our team together on Saturday s doing various projects and one of my favorite places to visit with Lindsey was a homestead in the rural area. We would visit a grandfather we met in the hospital. He was confined to a wheelchair and the bed, because he had kidney/bladder problems and couldn’t walk. He and his family would gather into a small room of their two room house and spend time with us. They were so hungry and open to hear the word of God. They not only listened, but responded with what they got from it. At the end of every visit we prayed over everyone individually that wanted prayer. On the second visit the man told us he was feeling so much better and by the time we had our last visit-he was walking! Praise the Lord!

Ministry ended May 7^th and I arrived home May 21^st. It has been a little hard adjusting back to the busyness of American culture. I am already back in school this summer and working. I will graduate with an associate’s degree this December, and begin working on a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in the spring. The Lord had placed within me a desire to serve him in my church, community, and pouring into teenage girls, and I became a little discouraged because there was no way in my mind to do it all. But the Lord is ALWAYS faithful to accomplish the desires he places within us and now he has opened the door to serve him in those ways through one ministry. Lindsey and I plan to visit Swaziland next summer. Thank you again for all your prayer and support. May the Lord bless you for your faithfulness to his kingdom-His heart.

In His peace,

Ashley Astin

P.S. To check out more about the trip visit: ashleyastin.myadventures.org

And check out my new blog for missions in America with the trip pictures and videos I could not include on the trip blog site. www.xanga.com/ashleyastin

Aastin2@hotmail.com

And if you want to know more about the trip, Africa, or anything I would be thrilled to sit down with you and share pictures and stories.

And God whipsers

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:52:40 GMT

In their busy world

The dream tries to devour me again.

Love draws me

What once mattered much; means nothing

Or does it-screaming in my face!

Abolish this wanting my love.

My freedom-my peace is escaping-

I loathe the dream.

I desire the promise.

Vigorously intruding; I am weak.

The alluring burden transpires valueless-

And God whispers I have so much more.

The buffer

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:10:28 GMT

Paris.

After leaving South Africa a few of my teammates and I spent a few days in Paris, France. It was a great experience of firsts, and it was a really good buffer to help me adjust to going home.

I was my first time to....

stay in a hostel- which was actually really nice... the aloha hostel.

to visit a museum... I went to three! The Orsay, The Louve, and The museum of Modern art.

take metro... which was confusing at times, but really convenient.

Order from an all French menu...very frustrating.

see the effiel tower... it was so awesome at night... it sparkled for ten minutes every hour.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:58:52 GMT

Home again, Home again...

On May 21st I put my feet on good ole Southern soil once again. My parents and brother came and picked me up at the airport. Michelle and I were so excited to be home. We sang African worship songs together one last time (and maybe danced a little). Our families were waiting for us near baggage claim. My family greeted me with hugs and hers greeted her with american flags. On the drive home I was kind of anxious to get there. I had been waiting for that moment for a long time. When we finally got home I went straight to my room to put down my things only to find a puppy on my bed. I was so surprised! I have went on and on since last summer about how much I wanted to get a puppy when I returned home. So now I am a proud owner of a miniture Yorkie. His name is Themba, which means "hope" in Siswati.