Ashley Marie

Lookin for Butterflies

Ashley Marie

My heart will sing NO OTHER NAME....JESUS.... I started this travel blog in the summer (2010) as a way to share some of the things God is doing in my life..... In Matthew 5 Jesus tells us to let our light SHINE for ALL the world to see.... so this is why I blog.... to share what Jesus is doing in my life........

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—SHINE!!!!!!! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." ~Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message)~

Jesus has plans for the trash dump

Africa » Ethiopia » Addis Ababa Region April 7th 2012

Lookin for Butterflies

This morning we visited Korah. Korah is an 80 year old community located in the city trash dump, and is considered the poorest community in Addis Ababa. 130,000 people live in Korah, a majority of them battling HIV or Leporsy, making them "outcasts" and "untouchables." Korah originally formed because the one and only Leporsy Hospital in all of Africa was opened 80 years ago in Addis Ababa. People suffering from leporsy came from all over for treatment. Many of the patients couldn't continue making the journey back and forth so they tried to move to the city close to the hospital, however the Emperor said they were not allowed in the city but they could go live in the city trash dump. So they made the dump their home, and it became home to many generations ... read more

Guest Blogger - Samson

Africa » Ethiopia » Addis Ababa Region April 7th 2012

Lookin for Butterflies

My name is Samson. I am a worship leader at an Ethiopian church and, God willing, will graduate from a Bible college in June in Church leadership. I got married in June and am expecting a baby girl Abigail. I want to serve the Lord by serving people. I am a good friend of Ashley and Megan, Ashley's sister. We met in December 2010 when they came for a mission trip and I am so glad to have met them because they have been such a blessing in my life ever since we met. They are amazing sisters who love the Lord. I have been translating for and serving with teams from the States since 2008. I have seen God working through people from the States and also I have learned a lot from them. Actually, ... read more

#OrphanPrevention

Africa » Ethiopia » Addis Ababa Region April 6th 2012

Lookin for Butterflies

Day 1 in Ethiopia Today we visited Embracing Hope, Strong Hearts, and Onesimus (Forsaken Children). All were excellent organizations, doing really great things. Orphan prevention is the goal of Embracing Hope. I fell in love with this term. Jerry Shannon was a dynamic guy with a golden heart. They offer support for single mothers in order to keep the family together and prevent the mother from having to give the child up. Strong Hearts has several projects, the most interesting was opening the second hospice center ever in the entire country of Ethiopia. Onesimus (The Forsaken Children) worked with street children and trying to integrate them back into family style living and getting them to go back home to their families. We were informed that the are currently 100,000 street children in Addis Ababa alone. #truthgrenade ... read more

Jesus, I want to see....

Africa » Rwanda » Ville de Kigali April 5th 2012

Lookin for Butterflies

"Lord I have seen your goodness and I know the way you are. Give me eyes to see you in the dark." This morning I was meditating on Matthew 20:29-34. Jesus is on his way out of Jericho with a crowd following him. And he is passing by two blind men who are begging him to have mercy on them. Jesus stops and asks them what they want him to do for them. They respond....Lord, we want to see. I often wonder what I would say to Jesus if he asked me what I wanted him to do for me. I honestly don't know how I would answer. However, I am pretty sure my first thought wouldn't be that I want to see. I mean "I can already see....right?" Maybe.......I can literally....but can I REALLy see ... read more

Muraho!

Africa » Rwanda » Ville de Kigali April 4th 2012

Lookin for Butterflies

Rwanda is the most beautiful country I have ever visited. I wish I could upload a picture for you. All I saw out the airplane window was lush green rolling hills with red dirt roads winding around the many green hills. We stepped off the plane into a postcard, and the smell of fresh cut grass filled my nose. It was so peacefully quiet and calm. The county is SO clean. No trash laying around anywhere. The people are gentle, and beautiful. It is extremely overwhelming to think the genocide of 1994 took place here. I am in awe of this country and the beauty that has come from the ashes. I was told Rwanda looks just like Uganda, except for the culture of course. I can now fully understand what Katie Davis is talking about ... read more

Encouraged and Inspired

Africa » Kenya » Nairobi Province April 3rd 2012

Lookin for Butterflies

Last night I had the privilege of spending the night with Kaylie Sauter, a missionary from LifePoint Church who has been living in Nairobi for the last two years. It was AWESOME!!!!! I am totally inspired, strengthened, and encouraged by what God is doing through her, and how willing she is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Kaylie lives in an apartment on the outskirts of the Kibera slum. We laid awake till 2 am just talking about life, the good and the bad, the past and the future, and what Jesus was teaching us through it all. I was soooo excited to use transportation Kenyan style and walk in the footsteps of a missionary. This morning Kaylie and I met with a woman named Ciru who is currently trying to open an orphanage ... read more

Freedom and Holidays

Africa » Ethiopia » Addis Ababa Region April 1st 2012

Lookin for Butterflies

Selam! 13 hours later we arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia!!! We are in the airport waiting for out connecting flight to Nairobi, Kenya. It smells just like I remember :) i am sitting here looking at the mountains in the distance, the sun is bright and burning off the morning fog. What time is it? Haha. Flight was great! Got to watch the African sunrise out the plane window as we were landing. Wow. It didnt even look real. God was flexing for us. :) Was entertained watching all the beautiful children running up and down the isles during flight! Their beautiful honey brown flawless skin, big brown eyes, giggles, and adorable hair styles......I just want to scoop them up and take them home. That sounds creepy. It is so cool how the whole plane looked ... read more

Jambo!!!

Africa » Kenya » Nairobi Province April 1st 2012

Lookin for Butterflies

Jambo! We arrived in Nairobi, Kenya earlier today. There was nobody in the visa line, and our bags all came out together! #winning Today I snuggled a little 7 month old boy named Adiel. I was told they found him buried alive in the dirt. Someone saw the dirt moving and they uncovered him with his umbilical chord still attached. The beautiful people of New Hope Church brought him to the hospital for medical attention, and then into their home to care for him and he is now a healthy, CHuNkY lil man!! As he laid across my lap sleeping I couldn't fathom what this little man had already been through. Jesus has a mighty plan for this little boy. We then walked through one of the slums, with sewage running through the center, and trash ... read more

East Africa Vision Trip 2012

North America » United States » Maryland » Westminster March 30th 2012

East Africa

Lookin for Butterflies

Fifteen months ago I arrived back in the States from my first mission trip. I spent two weeks in the beautiful country of Ethiopia, and fell head over heels in love with the country, culture, and the people. I learned more about Jesus and the brokenness of all of humanity then I ever understood before. You see, it's easy to walk into a culture and see their poverty, but it's a whole different lesson when you recognize and define the poverty in your own life. I am so thankful for the lessons learned, the friends made, and the friends and family who supported me to go. I am forever changed. #growth I stepped off that plane fifteen months ago with a burning desire and passion to one day connect my home church, LifePoint Church, with a ... read more

"Modeled Servanthood"

North America » United States » Maryland February 4th 2011

washing these beautiful women's feet

Lookin for Butterflies

When we were in Ethiopia, one of the most beautiful moments was when the boys on our team....Cole, Andrew, Dave, and Cliff....read John 13: 1-17 (Jesus washes the disciples feet) to the women who had just been rescued from prostitution... and then proceeded to humble themselves and wash the feet of these women.....as Jesus commanded..... I just finished a fantastic book this evening called "He Speaks to Me" by Priscilla Shirer and was totally inspired and moved by her breakdown of verse 4-5..... and I can't help but share the wisdom God blessed me with this evening through the writing of this woman that I respect so much.... "He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began ... read more

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