Dear Friends & Family,

            Hello. I hope this letter finds you living in the joy and peace that comes from our sweet heavenly father. As for me, God has been doing some glorious things in my life. My journey with the lover of my soul grows sweeter everyday. He has definitely carried me securely in his right hand over the past few months and has brought me right in his perfect will. A few months ago I began to pray that the Lord would open doors for an opportunity to serve him on the mission field. The Lord, of course, was faithful, and allowed me to find Adventures in Missions. Adventures in Missions is an interdenominational nonprofit organizations out of

Gainesville,
Ga. I will shout it from the rooftops…his will is definitely pleasing and perfect.

            Since my last mission trip to

South Africa I have been going to school. I am pursuing an early childhood education degree. With the Lord's urging I have made a commitment to enter the mission field again in
Africa. I have recently been accepted in the first year missionary program. I will be traveling to

South Africa to join twelve other individuals my age in the passion to spread the wonderful and freeing love of Jesus. We plan to go from September 20, 2007 to May 15, 2008. I will be taking a school year off to seek the Lord and serve him fully in this call. This passion to serve the Lord on the mission field has been on my heart for two years, and I am overjoyed that I am finally going to walk it out.

            I praise the Lord for the opportunity to share the overflowing love of Jesus in
Africa. We will be working alongside local pastors and missionaries, and more specifically in an area of the Lord's leading. My heart is to work in an orphanage and share the salvation of Jesus. Not only will I be working with Children, but I will also be discipled and trained in various areas of ministry and missions. I am anxious to see others develop a desire to grow in Christ.

            I am standing on his promises to meet my need and provide for the desire he birth within me. My prayer is that he will open the windows of heaven and provide. More importantly I need prayer warriors who are willing to stand in agreement with me for lives to be changed. I am believing for ten people who will commit to praying for me everyday from now until May 15, 2008. Also, I must raise $6,700 to cover my housing, ministry materials, transportation, meals, and discipleship materials. And I also need to raise enough to cover my airline costs for a total of about $9,000. Before I leave September 12 I am suppose to have 60% of $6,700 in my Adventures in Missions account and the rest in pledges. I have prayed that the Lord would move upon hearts to become prayerfully and financially involved in this ministry. I am also praying the Lord will lead 10 people
  to give in pledges of $45 every month until May which will equal 40% of the cost.

I have enclosed a response card and pre-addressed envelope, which invites you to share in this ministry. Please pay close attention to the line asking for pledges, you can decide your start date and end date. If you make a pledge, please fill those dates out. Please make checks payable to Adventures In Missions. The enclosed card MUST be included as that will provide AIM with all necessary information. In turn, they will send you a receipt. They require that I have 60% of my funds in before I leave and the rest of the funds can be in pledges. They will keep track of my pledges by what is indicated on the card. Please note that a one-time gift is also an option.

            As you sow into this ministry whether it be financially or in prayer, the Lord will in turn bless you. You will be sowing into God's kingdom for his glory. He showed me the other day in his word that his sheep will be blessed. Matthew 25:31-46. Who are his sheep? They are those who chose to give to the least of these.

            I will have a blog spot set up online so you can be kept updated on what the Lord is doing in this ministry and my life. Thank you for prayerful consideration of support towards this ministry. I am looking forward to seeing what the Lord will do in other's lives, as well as my own, and also in your own for your generous support. My desire is to go as your representative of Jesus Christ. May God bless each of you and your family.

With joy overflowing,

Ashley Astin

Praise the LORD! Thanks to everyone who has already commited to supporting me.... The Pittman's, The Tillery's, and The Dudley's.. Yall are amazing!