RLD: Declaring Hope

                                     

     

Hope is not dead.

I love the moments in life when you so clearly hear the voice of God, it shakes your reality and gives you a glimpse into the depth of His heart and His love. I had a moment like this on outreach while walking in the red light district. The girls were set up in storage buildings or hole in the wall locations, with misleading signs as hair salons or massage parlors. Though this type of prostitution is frowned upon, it is not officially titled as prostitution in this country. Legally, there is no help for these young women to protect them from those who prey on innocent lives. At least, not yet. With prayer and influence, this can be changed, as we have seen it begin to change in Hong Kong. 

While walking, I felt an overwhelming sense of death. It was heavy and depressing. My spirit was saddened to the point of breaking and I asked God, "What is this? What died?" the answer I expected did not come. He did not tell me about a person or a people. Rather, He went to the root of the death. He said, "Ashley, hope died here." 

Hope. Dreams. Love. Everything and anything that gives breath to life. This revelation hit the same as if I had been running full speed and hit a brick wall. Not knowing what to say or how to pray, I asked the Creator what He had to say about this.....what was the truth?

"Hope Is Not Dead."

Did you read that?

HOPE Is Not Dead.

I don't think you are understanding this yet.

HOPE IS NOT DEAD!

There is life and joy and promises and a good God with good plans! There is healing and restoration to family and friends! There is hope! For all people! His desire is this! 

Hope is not dead!

Hope is not dead.

I spent the next hour declaring hope, life, and freedom over a place consumed with darkness, depression, and, yes, death. Partnering with God, we brought light. We pushed back the darkness. 

And you know what?

I believe it made a difference.

Since that time, those four words have not left my mind or my heart. If ever four words could 'preach', these are four words that can preach all by themselves.

Hope is not dead.

These are not just words for the girls who are trapped or the pimps who are deceived. These are words for all people who have ever felt like their hopes have died. Any person who has been abandoned and depressed. The ones who think life is over.

Hope is not dead.

God exists.

He loves YOU.

Peace & Blessings

Ashley

~*~ Leave a Legacy That Will Make a Difference in the World Around You.~*~

BrokenHeart

This week has been intense as well as a blessing. We have been learning so much and received some great revelations about our value as well as how we view the world around us.

Biblical Worldview
This week we studied on viewing the wold through truth. Over the history of the known world, humans have always sought for truth. One of my favorite questions in the bible is when xPilate asks Jesus, "What is truth?" (John 18:38) During the week, we learned about how the world has viewed God and truth thought the centuries and also our own value as children of God. We have been made in God's image (Genesis 1) and therefore have value as His children. No one could ever actually afford to 'buy' one of us because we are the most valuable creation ever created. We are our Father's children. It was an amazing revelation to me that really cut to the core of my own beliefs about myself.

Break Our Hearts
What was unexpected this week was when I prayed that God would break my heart for what breaks His. Our teacher warned us that if we prayed this prayer, it would change us. Our views of the world around us. I prayed and he was right. The next time we did our outreach at Chung King Mansion red light district, my heart broke. I have always had a heart for trafficked victims, but what I felt that night was different. There was a brokeness I could not identify with anything I have ever felt before. Frustration that there is no 'good' answer. A passion so furious to help in anyway possible to help what this world has done to innocent people. When I spoke with my DTS leader, with tears running down my face, unstoppable no matter how hard I tried to keep them in, she asked one simple question as a response: "You asked God to break your heart, didn't you?" Matthew West has a song called, "Do Something" and as much as I can, I must try to do something to make an impact and show these girls the love of their Heavenly Father. There're so many verses about God coming to mend the broken hearts and set the captives free. He chooses to use us, regular people, with a passion from Him to do this. Let's not just waste our time on this earth....

ChineseNewYear!!!
What a great blessing it has been to witness Chinese New Year here in Hong Kong! I have seen some amazing sights, including a Dragon dance in Temple Street Market, Chinese lanterns in the sky, fireworks (EPIC!) and part of the parade by Star Ferry. Chinese New Year is based off of the lunar calendar, hence why the date changes every year. The Chinese Zodiac is very closely intertwined with this holiday, with every year having a symbol of an animal. This is the year of the snake. Ancestor and idol worship in our village has noticeably increased, with extra gifts of oranges and incense presented outside every home and the temples. Excessive amounts of flowers are also present at all temples (we have several within just a few blocks of the base). Red lights gleam from homes and temples, which I will now explain as to why.

Years ago, as the traditional story goes, there was a beast who would raid the villages in China, especially at this time of year. The people came to find out that the beast was afraid of red and loud noises. So every year, at this time, they light up firecrackers (to the excessive amounts. It was deafening new years night, haha) and the temples have red lights, some people also have flashing red lights in their homes. The Chinese also post red banners around the doorways of their houses that have good sayings on them, hoping to scare away the 'beast' and bring good fortune for the coming year. Some people carry mini windmills that signify their wish for a change in this new year. Celebrations are still continuing for another week, with concerts to soon start in our village.

That is all for this week, much love and again, thank you all for your prayer and support! Prayer requests remain the same!

~Ashley

~*~Leave a Legacy that will make a Difference in the World Around You.~*~

Prayer in a HongKong Mall

One of my favorite stories from Hong Kong would have to be when we went to a mall. I cannot even remember the city we were in, only that the display was beautiful and extravagant, and that there was a huge screen that showed us on the lovely display doing dramas and skits and speaking to whoever would listen. There was even a nativity scene in the midst of the celebratory trees and palaces they had put up.

We had a small backstage area that serviced us well. Helping put on clown makeup was a hilarious affair, considering three of us had to fit in a space three feet wide and six feet long at best. The floor was littered with around 18 backpacks, purses and jackets from the team,making the working space considerably smaller! My teammates who were doing the clowning were using the window as a mirror until I stepped back with one I had to help out and start putting on one of their makeup.

At the end of the program, we were to go out two-by-two and talk with people. We ran into our translator and she pointed out a lady who was sitting in the area where our dramas had taken place. She had a small boy with her. We walked up to her and asked if we could speak to her. She did not speak English, so our translator stepped in and helped! We found out that her and her son were Christians and though they had not seen our presentation, were going to stay for the second program. I asked her how she had come to know Jesus, and she told us that she had been saved for only two months! Her son goes to a Christian school, and would bring home activities about Jesus. She herself had attended a Christian school for six years when she was young, but had never done anything with what she knew. When her son brought home the information, she was once again reminded of what she had once known, and she started going to church to learn even more. One day, she finally made the decision to accept the forgiveness and relationship being offered her! The three of us prayed for her and the little boy. We continued to talk and found out that her husband was not a Christian, but instead worshipped his ancestors. This is a common practice in Hong Kong, with incense burning twice a day. We again prayed for her husband and asked the Lord to begin to pour His love out on him and to reveal Himself to her husband. After some good conversation, and some pictures taken together, we had to go and get ready for the next program. In the middle of the first dance, I looked up and noticed a man sit down next to her, and we all realized that this was her husband. He stayed the entire time and was able to hear the gospel message at the end of the program! Prayer answered! Though we did not get to speak with them afterwards, we each knew that it was a step in the right direction. It was a very awesome moment for my ministry partner and I, not to mention it was great to encourage a new believer in the faith and pray for her son as well.

More stories to come, but just thought I would share that one with you!

~*~Leave a Legacy that will Make a Difference in the World Around You.~*~