November 2012

Greetings friends and family!

October was a busy month filled with wonderful times with my family and warm apple cider! My sweet cousin, Laura, got married in Pennsylvania and the whole family was in attendance. It was a great time to get away, take in the beautiful fall colors, and make new friends while enjoying lots of delicious food.

My future teammates in South Sudan, Africa have reported that the construction of the new nutrition clinic is complete! There are an estimated 120,000 refugees in the area who are putting increased stress on essential resources such as food and clean water. November marks the end of this rainy season which has brought a lot flooding and has increased the concern for malaria.

The photo above came from my future teammate, James, and shows Sudanese people crossing the Yabus River holding boxes of Bibles and mosquito nets, which will be used to prevent bites from mosquitoes - the carrier of malaria. Please pray for the SIM team, the locals, and the refugees during these difficult and uncertain times.

I received word that the team is planning for my arrival by January 8, 2013. I am very excited that it is almost here, yet anxious because my funding is not yet enough. Currently, the total raised and pledged is $10,500!! Thank to everyone for your prayers and financial support. My total financial support need for my 12 month commitment is $22,000, so I am almost halfway there! In order to arrive in Africa by early January I need to have all my funds raised or pledged by December 1, 2012.

During these last few days I have been struggling to stay positive and trust completely in God’s perfect timing and I’m learning that this mission trip is not according to my own plan or my timing but His. I am also learning true flexibility and finally understanding that I am not in control of the details in my life. No matter when I leave, whether it is in January or later, I am certain that God has called me to go! By faith I am acting in obedience to His calling to serve those in South Sudan.

If you would like to help me go to Africa,  here are 3 things you can do to partner with me . . .

1 Prayer Support Please pray that I will remember that God’s plans are best, to keep my eyes focused on Christ, and to be patient. I never thought “the before part” of this trip would stretch my faith as much as it has already.

2 Financial Support Total support needed for 1 year is $22,000. To make a donation simply go to SIM’s secure website (www.sim.org/giveusa), click Support a Missionary, and then search my name. You can make a one-time donation or set up a recurring donation. If you prefer to write a check, make checks payable to SIM USA and put “Amy Ashcraft #037758” in the memo line and mail to SIM, PO Box 7900, Charlotte, NC 28241.

3 Encouragement If you’d like to receive my email updates, please message me. Keep me updated on your life and life at home (like the Spurs basketball season).

One person can not do everything, but I know that together we can make a difference! Would you please partner with me on this journey that God has called me to? For any questions about my trip, don’t hesitate to ask!

Blessings,

Amy Ashcraft

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where [or when] he was going.  Hebrews 11:8