Hey friends + fam!
Three weeks at the World Race already? Wow that’s crazy. Time has been flying by here. Which has been incredibly bittersweet as the business of training camp has somewhat ended. All of the 11 month and semester long squads left last Friday and Saturday for the mission field, leaving the three gap year squads here at the base in Gainesville. It’s honestly been pretty quiet, which is nice, but also sad saying goodbye to all of my friends on other squads. We were all able to commission them by praying safety and blessing over the journey Jesus is taking them on! Watching the other squads leave for the airport made me so excited to soon leave with my squad for Guatemala on October 7th!
Let me give you a quick recap from last week! So on Monday, we had another training scenario which was stimulating a busy foreign market! All of the staff and leaders were acting as the local commoners, police, market tenders, beggars, street musicians, and thieves. Our scenario was: we were stopping in a foreign country and only had 15 minutes to find dinner for 6 others on our team. Seems pretty easy! But with all the noise, people everywhere, transferring currency, and figuring out what everyone wanted for dinner, made it pretty difficult! Every moment is also a chance to share the gospel, so we were looking for people in the “market” to connect with and spread the love of Jesus! This scenario was super fun, but also way more challenging than I was expecting!
We had our first day of evangelism last week! My squad went to downtown Gainesville square, and split in teams of two people to go share the gospel! I was paired with my leader, Libby, and we met some really sweet people! This entire experience made my emotions go up and down. Because one minute we’d meet someone who wanted nothing to do with us or Jesus, then the next minute we’d meet someone who just wanted a friend to sit and talk for a while that would genuinely listen. One thing I learned at training camp was sometimes being the hands and feet of Jesus looks like buying someone coffee, or sitting with them on a park bench, or simply giving a smile or compliment as they walk by. One of the many people Libby and I met, was a lady who just wanted a friend. We walked up to her sitting on a park bench, and as soon as we asked “how can we be praying for you” we could tell she was filled with such peace and comfort knowing we genuinely cared for her. She started telling us her story and her dreams, and about her daughters. Listening to her explain her story truly opened my eyes to how many people we see on a daily basis that just need someone to genuinely listen. Libby and I were able to pray over her, tell her how proud Jesus is of her and that He loves her and her daughters. That’s just one of the many people we met during evangelism, and I can’t wait to encounter more of God’s people and hear their testimonies.
Last Saturday, we had a World Race staple activity called “squad wars!” Every squad dressed in their color (K squad is yellow), and we had a series of games like dodgeball, hula hooping, and a dance competition! My squad didn’t win overall, but we did win best squad spirit so that says something about how crazy and energetic we are!
Saturday night we had a revival and baptism night! I was baptized when I was about seven, but I really felt the Lord calling me to get baptized again. Him and I have been through a lot since I was seven, and I’ve grown so much in myself and our relationship. I think I shared a little bit of my growth in my last blog, but being here at the World Race has truly opened my eyes and changed my life. I’ve only been here for three weeks, yet my relationship with Jesus is already so much stronger, and I’m so deeply in love with Him. Getting baptized last Saturday night was so incredibly powerful. As soon as I touched the water I started crying, laughing hysterically, and speaking in tongues. The Lord gave me a vision when I was sitting in the water. I was sitting with Him in a really bright room, yet the room had no lights. Jesus was shining so brightly, and was lighting up all the dark corners in my heart. He said, “Darkness trembles at my name,” and as soon as He spoke I started shaking. All the darkness was trembling out of my body, and I felt so much clarity and direction. I have never been more filled with the Holy Spirit in all my life. The Lord has been calling me deeper, and I’m giving Him my yes. Jesus is teaching me to love Him in the secret place- spending time just Him and I. I’ve never been more in love with Jesus. My squad mentor, Alyssa, prayed over me and baptized me. I SPRUNG out of the water with a joy like no other. The entire night I was jumping, laughing, running around, dancing, hugging EVERYONE, and screaming because WE SERVE THE BEST DAD IN THE WHOLE WORLD. I was filled with so much joy I couldn’t contain myself. Fear of man was completely destroyed. I had so much energy even after the revival that I started running up and down the street! The support I felt from everyone on my squad was incredibly encouraging, and watching a lot of them also get baptized was AMAZING. God is so good. I’m fully on fire!!
Our squad mentor and leaders assigned different roles to some of the people on my squad to help lighten the load of our leaders! The roles consist of:
Logistics: The logistical side of this trip, so getting us through the airport, handling flight information, and making sure everything goes smoothly on travel days.
Treasurer: Responsible for managing all monthly money and budget for the squad.
Hospitality: They make sure we’re respectful to our ministry hosts, keeping our housing location clean and neat, and planning activities together as a squad.
Storyteller: Manages the squad instagram, submits blogs and testimonies to the head social media team, and takes photos for our squad.
Beauty for Ashes: This is a women’s ministry program through World Race for the local women in the countries we go to. They will partner with our ministry hosts to put on retreats and lessons for women in the area.
Worship Coordinator: Plan and host worship nights for the squad, getting together a set list for worship, and reeling the squad back in to alignment with Jesus if we start to drift.
When they were assigning roles, I just knew if I was chosen for a role it would be Storyteller. Hannah (a girl on my squad) and I have already become the squad photographers, I love creating content for my instagram, and I enjoy creative writing that tells a story! In my mind that’s what I told myself. So, the morning comes when they’re assigning roles, and my leader pulls me aside to tell me they’ve chosen me for the role of Worship Coordinator. At first I probably looked at her like she had two heads because I was so confused why this role. I told her I don’t play any instruments, and I’m not the best singer, but she looked at me and said, “that’s not why we chose you for this role.” I respectfully asked her why, and told her I felt unequipped. She explained to me they want me for this role because I have a heart for worship. Since being here at the World Race, I’ve quickly learned that worship looks different in so many ways. It doesn’t matter if you’re the worst singer in the world, or if you play instruments or you don’t, it’s the posture of your heart. Worship is connecting with the heart of the Father. So I prayed about it, and came to God kind of upset and confused. I said “God I wasn’t expecting this!” He CLEARLY spoke, “Ashley if you were expecting everything, why would you need faith? Why would you be so passionate about following me?” This hit deep. It pierced through my heart of pride and the enemy’s lie of me being unequipped. The two other worship coordinators on my squad and I were able to lead worship for all three gap year squads here at training! It was an amazing experience and incredible opportunity! You might be asking, how did she contribute if she’s not musically talented? Well the morning of the day we led worship, they taught me how to beat the drum in a certain rhythm during the songs, and I also led the closing prayer! The Lord is still teaching me a TON about being in this new role, and showing me there’s fruit in abundance of the unexpected.
With training camp officially being over, my squad had this week for worship, sessions, and to catch up on rest before we leave for domestic missions!! This Monday, K-squad is going to the mountains of North Carolina! We will be partnering with a college to do landscaping, working at a boys camp, and working at an orphanage! I’m so excited to finally start putting our training to action, and start ministry! For those of you who don’t know, I live in North Carolina about an hour and a half from where we’re going for domestic missions, so it’s going to be fun for the people on my squad who have never been there!
Some things you can be praying for:
• My squad as we head into our domestic missions in North Carolina!
• Hearts and minds would start to prepare and soften for when my squad starts ministry!
• Health!! A few of us have been feeling a little sick:(
• For our friends on other squads who are already out on the mission field!
• My sweet family and friends back at home:)
FUNDRAISING UPDATE!! The Lord has brought in $14,060!! Leaving me with still $3,440 left! If you would like to partner with me in this journey I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you so much to everyone who has already supported me! I couldn’t do this without any of you!
I love you all so much. Keep shining for Jesus!
Ashley
Here is the link to donate if you feel called! >>>
https://adventuresinmissions.servicereef.com/events/adventures-in-missions-3/2024-world-race-gap-year-24g0901/participants/ashley-johannessen
The blog photo dump! >>>
