http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org Ashley Astin - First Year Missionary en-us Sat, 5 Jul 2008 13:33:28 GMT 30 http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=home1 http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=home1 Home again. The last few days together with my team at Kruger were hard. The enemy really attacked me hard the last night. It was a struggle to just simply rebuke the lies that he was trying to plant. My God is so good though, and a simple prayer of faith put the enemy under my feet. Oh sweet victory in Jesus... praise the Lord! After spending a few days in South Africa we flew out on May 15th. A few of us spent a few days in Paris. It was a good buffer and a neat experience. Michelle and I Mon, 2 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=it-is-finished-for-now http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=it-is-finished-for-now Yesterday was our last day in ministry. It is just so surreal that we aren't going to be going back to the care-point next week. Lindsey and I went early to the care-point so we could spend all day with the kids and gogos. We wrote each gogo a letter and printed off pictures for them. We bought two big boxes of cookies to share with the kids. Before we gave out the cookies we told them all how much we loved them and will miss them. Then we all sang a couple of songs. A few of the old Thu, 8 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=homestead http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=homestead This past Saturday we were able to go to the homestead to visit the grandfather and his family. It was awesome, because a lot of our teammates came with us. We were able to spend some time with the kids. We played a few games and gave them cookies. Marissa, one of our leaders, bought some maize mill and sugar for them. It was so cool, because we usually can't bring a lot of stuff when we take public transportation. We all sat down on mats in their home, and Marcus shared the word with them. An Thu, 8 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=life http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=life Life   Well on this side of the world everything is going good. I think everyone on my team is trying to get mentally prepared to come home. We have only 8 days of ministry left. May 7th is our last day in ministry. Please pray for me and my team as we prepare to come home. Pray for our adjustment and our hearts. From May 9th to the 13th we are going to Kruger National Park in South Africa for debrief. Recently I've been fighting a cold. Someone sick drank out of my nalgene carelessly, Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=more http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=more Hey Everyone! I created a new blog acount today with xanga, because I don't know when my aim blog will be deleted. And I might now blog on this account many more times before I come home. I plan to add all of my pictures and videos when i get home. I have hundreds of photos from my time here in Swaziland that my aim blog won't hold. Because Africa's internet is slow and it cost a lot of money to use the internet I'm not able to do as much as I would like. I know I will be able to do&n Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=a-night-with-the-girls http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=a-night-with-the-girls   The Thursday night sleep over with the little girls from our care-point was so good. We took the children on public with all their little backpacks. So we stuffed in the seats with two girls on each of our laps. They were so excited! Many of our babies have never been to town before. So when we arrived in the Manzini bus rank one little girl gasped in amazement at the hundreds of Kombies. I strapped Sethu on my back like a swazi woman, and all of the Swazi people we passed looked at us r Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=things-wont-be-the-same http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=things-wont-be-the-same     (Just for your entertainment or maybe just mine)   These are just some funny things I can't do when I get home   There will be no picking up every child that crosses my path- Because we all know that mothers in the States freak out when any stranger comes within five feet of their small child.   I can't speak Siswiti to every black child I see- For one the kids won't know what the crap I'm saying and two I will look like the biggest idiot ever.   I w Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=the-bible-is-crazy http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=the-bible-is-crazy Pure and Faultless Religion     Jesus is alive: He is the word As I read the word the Lord is continually showing me that he has called his dearly beloved to extraordinary lives- fully alive. Lately I've been reading about the Israelites journey to the Promised Land and a little in Matthew. The bible is crazy! Have you ever really opened your eyes to see how crazy the bible is? If so you will understand that the Lord of all creation has not called us to comfortable lives. The other Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=s-l-e-e-p-o-v-e-r http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=s-l-e-e-p-o-v-e-r Tomorrow 6 of our little girls from the care-point are coming to spend the night with us. I'm so excited! We plan on pampering them. On our way home we will treat them to KFC ice cream. When we get to the house we will have candy, pictures, and other fun things laid out for them. They are going to have so much fun! We want to let them play in a bubble bath and watch a Disney movie. Hopefully we will get to wash their clothes in our washing machine.  I can't wait to see them and love on them Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=he-is-working-it-out http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=he-is-working-it-out On Thursday April 10 last week we talked to the pre-school that is right beside the care-point, and they agreed to let our kids start school. There was enough space for all 11 of them. Everything worked out so perfectly in less than an hour. Praise the Lord! I walked all of the children to the school and they were sized for uniforms. They were all so excited! The teachers wrote down all of their names and gave us a price. For 11 children it added up to be less than two thousand dollars for u Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=starting-preschool http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=starting-preschool My God has answered my prayer about supporting the children. We want to support the children until they finish high school, and this is a good starting point. So we need your help. Would your prayerfully consider partnering with us in supporting these children in being educated? Unfortunately school is not free like it is in the states, so many children aren't able to attend or finish school. But it is so important, because here in Swaziland there aren't enough jobs for the uneducated. We long t Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=provision http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=provision As our time is coming to a close at the care-point we are looking into ways we can continue to support the children. Since the care-point is sponsored by Children's Hope Chest, an organization partnered with AIM, the care-point and each individual child is suppose to be sponsored by a church in the States. I really like Children's Hope Chest and AIM, because I can see the actual fruit of what they proclaim they are doing. Lindsey, our parents, and I don't want to leave a deficit with the Childre Tue, 8 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=jesus-is-alive-and-he-lives-in-me http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=jesus-is-alive-and-he-lives-in-me The Friday before Easter at our care point we told the story of the resurrection. We explained the importance of Christ's death and resurrection. The children acted it out and they did very well. It was one of the best times we have had with all of the school children. We decided to take our time and it ended up taking over two hours, but the children were so attentive in the hot sun. We explained how Jesus told his disciples that it is better that he leaves, because if he didn't then the Spirit Wed, 2 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=a-week-with-my-mom-and-dad http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=a-week-with-my-mom-and-dad This past week my parents came to Swaziland to visit me. It was so good to have them here with me. I was able to show so much of what I have been telling them about. For so long they have heard about all of the sweet babies and they have seen pictures, but now they have actually seen them, held them, and fallen in love with them as much as I have.   On Tuesday the ladies that cook told us that they weren't going to come the rest of the week, because they would be attending workshops. So Wed, 2 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=lord-use-me http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=lord-use-me The reality of going home in May is hitting me. And all I can think is that four months is not enough. I've already decided that 2 weeks isn't enough, although I believe any missions trip is awesome. I strongly encourage everyone to go out and serve the Lord in another country at least once. I also strongly believe that missions is something you do in your own country as well, not just in another country. I claim the kingdom of God over Cedartown, Georgia. I can't wait to get back, because I wan Wed, 2 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=authority-in-christ http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=authority-in-christ It just seems like this week so much has been revealed about the works of the enemy here in Swaziland. Satan has told the people here so many lies. Praise the Lord that God raises up a standard against it. We proclaim that Swaziland is a kingdom of light. Sunday night a lady was screaming on the road in front of our home. A man was beating her without any regards that we were watching. For many in Swaziland they see that beating your wife comes along with marriage. It is a lie straight from hell Wed, 2 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=a-different-day http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=a-different-day March 17, 2008 On Monday like most, Lindsey and I were making our way to the care point. But on our walk to catch the public kombis we found out that they were on strike for higher wages. So we didn't have a way to the care point. Instead we walked with Elisa to her ministry locations at the market, hope house, and hospital. We walked all over town. After leaving the market this crowd of people come running by us. One woman tripped and fell down losing her shoe. Many of the stre Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=a-fun-day http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=a-fun-day This past Saturday for family ministry our whole team came out to our care point. It was a fun day of games and sweets (candy).  We surprised our Gogos (ladies that cook). They were delighted to have us. Some of the girls gathered the children up to sing silly songs. Others painted faces and gave out sweets. Ben made all of the children balloon animals and hats. The young children enjoyed popping them. We acted out the crucifixion, and then had the funniest relay races ever. In the Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=the-count-down http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=the-count-down The days are getting colder. An each cold day brings me one closer to my parents arriving. On Saturday they will be here! Please continue to pray for them and their travels. They fly out of Atlanta on Thursday March 20. I'm ecstatic! The building project for our care point will be started by the time they arrive. They negotiated the land on Monday. The Lord is working everything out for his glory. And Lindsey's parents are coming as well. Her mom flies out the 26th and her dad a week l Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=new-clothes http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=new-clothes While in South Africa we were able to visit in Atteridgeville. It was a short, but sweet time. The children walked with us to Francina's. Francina and Michael were both home. She shared glasses of coke with all of us and the children like each time before. Francina has such a good heart. We brought each child inside one at a time to give them new clothes. They were so excited. I think we were all just as excited as they were. We longed for the children to have new clothes, because the Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=pure-joy http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=pure-joy March 2nd And it grows sweeterdeeper. Our time at the care-point has been so joyful this week. Each day we drop at the top of the hill to gather our three children( Say-to, nomvuyo, and nogawando). As we walk up the hill to their home they are standing there waiting to greet us with big smiles and shy shrills of joy. Everyday this week, Say-to, the two year old boy greets us with pure laughter. He never has any pants on, and so this naked little baby dances around and laughs as we call out to Sat, 8 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=south-africa-bound http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=south-africa-bound Thurdsay we are going to South Africa for a prayer retreat until Monday. I'm not sure what the prayer retreat will hold... I guess a lot of prayer. I'm sure thats a good assumption. I am really looking forward to seeing the babies in Atteridgeville again. I bought some clothes to give them all. So I am really excited for my time with them. Please keep us in your prayers as a we travel. Wed, 5 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=a-call-to-sinners http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=a-call-to-sinners February 26, 2008     Journal entry February 19, 2008 It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. Matthew 9:12-13   Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 1 Peter 4:1   The "Righteous" don't need a savior- Lord that's why we can't Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=my-god-answers-prayers http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=my-god-answers-prayers My prayer has been answered. My mom and dad are both coming to visit me the last week in March. My mom already has her passport, and my dad sent off for his last week. They are suppose to book their tickets today. Praise the Lord! March 22nd is not far away at all. I am getting super excited for their visit. Thank you for all of your prayers! Please continue to come in agreement with me that the Lord will provide and that they will make it here safely. And that the Lord will prepare their hearts Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=home-visits http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=home-visits The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44   On Wednesday we visited Kakotji again. I absolutely love this man, and his family. We got to meet a few more of his family members. Esther fed us againpop, spinach, and slime. Lindsey and I managed to get down half of the pop. I ended up trying the slime, and then I asked Lindsey in front of the whole family if Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=keeps-gettting-sweeter http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=keeps-gettting-sweeter   Ministry continues to get sweeter by the week. This past week we have a new addition to the ministry at the care-point: Zenele. She is a 23 year old Swazi lady. Zenele is wonderful, and very good at teaching the children. It is a perfect picture of locals impacting their community for Swaziland. We average about six younger children in the morning for the teachings. Each morning we go to the children's homes and gather them up. We have been working on the alphabet, numbers, counting, a Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=kakotji http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=kakotji February 12, 2008   Thursday February 7, we went to visit with Kakotji, a grandfather from a homestead in the rural area an hour away. We met Kakotji and his wife Esther the Saturday before at the hospital in Manzini. He caught my eye because he was sitting in a wheelchair by himself in the corner of the outdoor waiting area. We met with him and found out his situation. There was a security guard and a town official standing nearby who translated for Lindsey and me. We asked how we could Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=praying-on-a-kombie http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=praying-on-a-kombie On Friday we were headed to our care-point and a man walked up to the window of the kombie we were sitting on, which is not unusual at all. Usually the men are really rude and straight forward. They say "I love you" "Marry me" so we just come to expect it. But this man said something different. He walked up and stuck his hand out with a ten cent coin in his hand, and asked for money. Since we aren't allowed to give out money I asked him a question. He proceeded to ask us for a job. We told him t Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=worship http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=worship The ultimate goal of the church is worship. - Piper   My prayer over the past few months is asking the Lord again and again to place within my heart-His heart. His heart. His heart for Swaziland. His heart for the nations. I've been asking not quite knowing the depth and reality of what that truly means. That's why I asked. He began to show me that it doesn't start with the nations. It starts with the greatest commandments. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. Wed, 6 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=carepoint http://ashleyastin.myadventures.org/?filename=carepoint   February 3, 2008 Ministry this past week didn't look like I thought it would. We were totally prepared with lesson plans to start teaching this week. We showed up at the care point Tuesday morning and it was deserted. There weren't any gogos or children. Since it was the first day school for the children who are old enough and can afford it we figured that it had a lot to do with that. We decided to stick around for an hour more to see if anyone would show up. So we prayed a little bi Wed, 6 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT