HEADING BACK TO DONDO - April 30, 2009

A big hello to you!!

Wow, it has been a while since I have sent anything out. I have had a wonderful time being back in America. So much has taken place since my arrival, but once again the time has come to head back to Mozambique. I fly out of Seattle on May 13 and will arrive in Dondo, Mozambique on May 15 to glowing faces of joy for my long awaited return.

I spoke with the boys a couple of weeks ago and they are very excited about my return and told me that we have 5 new boys who have been added to our family. I am looking forward to meeting and loving on these 5 new little ones. I know Papa has big plans for them and has given us the privilege to be a part of what He is doing in their lives.

I’m also looking forward to reconnecting with the people in the community which I have connections with. Many changes have taken place in Dondo since I have been in the States so I will be going back to a lot of new things. So much change has taken place at the base that I do not know the fullness of it until I actually get there and sit down with our missionary and Mozambiquen team. Father is good and He knows only good and has only good things in store for His kids.

Before I left Mozambique at the end of November I knew that God had a treasure chest full of treasures that He wanted to give me, but He was waiting for my arrival in America. Since my arrival here I have been so blessed by the many things He has done. His treasures are great. One of those treasures is meeting a man that I truly adore. His name is Samuel. I met Samuel in January when I went to Redding, California to visit Bethel Church (which God had told me to do when I was in Mozambique). As many of you know I have never dated before or allowed anyone to pursue me so this is a very new experience, but I’m convinced that it’s God. Samuel is an amazing person with a heart of pure gold who feels called to missions. There is so much that I can say about him and about our journey, but this is good for now. It has been a very fun few months hanging out with him as he has come to Washington a couple of times and I have gone to Redding, California to visit him. He is originally from Ohio, but is at Bethel church as a Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry 3rd year intern with the evangelism pastor there. This summer Samuel will be going to a remote island in Alaska to work. Our communication is going to be extremely limited during this time because where he is going they don’t have good Internet or cell reception. I don’t like this part as it is going to be difficult not having much communication, but God’s grace is sufficient. After Alaska he is not sure if he will be coming to Mozambique to visit me or if a door will open up for him to get his pilot’s license. Please keep him in your prayers regarding this and the decisions that lay ahead of us both. I have attached two pictures of us both. One is of us on my birthday and the other is us after we went skydiving.

Thank you again for all of your prayers and support. Please keep my family also in prayer as this is a difficult time for us as we spend our last days and hours together until we see each other again.

You are very loved and highly favored!

Because I love Jesus!
Ashlee