Women of Faith...

Last Saturday, I had a special opportunity to visit an ALARM micro-finance project in Ngomongo. This is one of the many slums in Nairobi and it is so very hard to put into words the immense and desperate poverty of the area. The wonderful women touched by this project, who call themselves “Women of Faith”, greeted us at the car when we arrived. Each lady paired themselves with one of the visitors as a form of protection as we walked hand in hand through the slum. So, with Lucy’s hand in mine, I experienced this new level of poverty I have never witnessed before.

While walking through the alleys, it was difficult to comprehend how the residents are living with the absolute bare minimum: sewage in the alleys and the smell infiltrating the air, standing water where insects bred and diseases spread, no clean water, very little food and tiny, dilapidated homes. The conditions cannot be described in words. While visiting, we were invited into a home where a mother and 8 children live, cook, eat, sleep, etc. all in a space as big (or as small depending on how you view it) as the size of some of the walk-in closets in the US. They move their one table out of the way at night and lay a mattress on the floor for sleeping. Even though it seemed like very little to us as we took in the surroundings, the better than average condition of her home was revealed on her face. She stood with strength and confidence and a sense of gratitude for what she had acquired. The loan, her new business and the bond her and the other women have created has shined a light into her life. She shared with us that not only is she able to better provide for her family, but she is now able to send her children to school. She was excited to have us visit and the women as a whole were overjoyed and welcomed us to their community.

After visiting one of the woman’s tailoring shop, which is a small wood structure with a metal roof and 2 sowing tables, we walked to their church where we heard several of the women’s testimonies. Hearing firsthand how this small loan has had such a tremendous impact on their lives was uplifting, eye-opening and truly humbling. The group started with 15 women and has increased to 35 women over the past few years. They meet once a week for bible study and fellowship, along with a business meeting to hold one another accountable. They have united as a family and long to see one another succeed, in turn, supporting and encouraging one another through their personal hardships and struggles. They lean on each other and have found a sense of self-worth they did not have prior to starting their business. One lady shared that this was the first time she had ever voted (she is now 46 years old). She had always felt worthless and insignificant, never bothering to get an identification card, but now she is empowered and knows that she is an individual of much importance. She has realized that she does have a voice and deserves the same rights as other individuals. This increased sense of self-worth has been felt among all of the women and has given them the confidence, desire and drive to make a better life for themselves and their families.

I have seen firsthand, how this particular micro-finance project has truly changed the lives and mentality of these special women. During our time in their church, the women did not once complain about their situation nor say anything negative about their living conditions. They were incredibly humble and thankful for the opportunity that they have been provided. Toward the end of the gathering, they did voice their one desire...and that was their need for Bibles. This absolutely took my breath away! I was amazed by their heartfelt desire to learn more of the Lord’s word. Out of all things they need, what they are currently living without and the hardships they encounter on a daily basis, to hear their biggest desire is to have access to God’s word was just incredible. These women hunger to know more about God and have come to realize He does provide. Each time a woman spoke she praised God and gave thanks and praise to the One who is the maker of all! Women of Faith is a perfectly chosen name for these women who day by day are living and growing in their faith. No matter the hardships, they are persevering.

“Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

~ Psalm 62:8

Following His Lead...

The experiences have been numerous and greater than I ever could have fathomed. Even though I am still trying to figure out my place here in Africa, I am at peace with where I am. There is no doubt in my mind that this move was the right step to take. When the times are trying and the uncertainty is so great, there is only one thing to fall back on and that is my faith and belief that I am right where I am suppose to be. Some moments have been tough, but God has a way of stepping in at the right time to provide the comfort and reassurance that He is in control.

My “spur of the moment” adventure to Masai Mara this past weekend really reiterated God’s greatness and the incredible magnitude of His creation. It is difficult to put into words the different landscapes, terrain, wildlife, climates and picturesque settings that combined together create the Mara Valley. I was in complete awe of each view and the enormity of the detail which is truly indescribable. This special place, in the midst of the heart of Kenya, is a vast sanctuary of God’s breathtaking creation. To feel so small in the center of this massive, perfectly orchestrated, serene setting was truly humbling. His greatness is positively overwhelming!

I never imagined I would have an experience like this past weekend. Taking a safari has never been a big desire of mine, especially after being in Africa and experiencing so many other aspects of the continent. Learning the different cultures, being hands-on with the people and various tribes, sharing the word of the gospel just seemed more on the forefront of what was in my mind. After having a difficult day last week, trying to acclimate and adjust to everything in my life being so vastly different, I was presented with an opportunity to visit Masai Mara. Little did I know that this was exactly what I needed to ground me, once again, in God’s greatness. I realized it is not about us and what we do here on Earth, it is about us allowing God to work in and through us for His glory. Sometimes that means being very patient and still, other times that means stepping forward and stepping out sometimes into an unknown space. The most important thing is that we actually surrender ourselves to the will of God and allow Him to take the reins. Then, all we have to do is follow His lead.

“O Lord, you are our Father.

We are the clay, you are the potter;

we are all the work of your hand.”

~ Isaiah 64:8

You Raise Me Up...

The Lord always has a way of speaking to us in the most strange and unexpected ways. In turn, helping us to realize He is always with us during every moment of every day. I would love to share a little gift that happened in the first few moments I was in Nairobi, Kenya, but first let me give a brief rundown of what I have been doing over the past several weeks.

As many of you know, upon arriving in Africa I was a part of two separate mission teams with ALARM and Forest Hill Church. The first week we were in Rwamagana, Rwanda at the IWE School (ALARM's Institute of Women's Excellence) collecting information for the sponsorship program from the students who are mostly orphans of either the genocide or HIV/AIDS. Then, the second week we traveled to Yei, Sudan where we held a 3 day Women's Conference for regional leaders. Both experiences were marked with African women, men and children overjoyed to see and spend time with us, an authentic and endearing greeting in both countries expressed by native singing and dancing that would bring tears to anyone's eyes, and the bonding, building of friendships and memories that will last a lifetime for each of us.

When the Sudan team headed to the airport (without me) after our short stay in Uganda, I was left wondering what I was getting ready to embark on in this unfamiliar land. Little did I know I was heading to another area of Uganda for an intimate 2 day meeting to discuss a ground-breaking, new initiative focused on empowering transformation, peace and unity to specific countries in Central and Eastern Africa. It was incredible to be in the midst of such huge visionaries. The opportunity to be a part of this meeting was an incredible blessing and opened my mind to the enormous magnitude of passion and drive special individuals have for serving here in Africa. The small, yet significant group of individuals I spent time with are a huge, continuous source of inspiration.

After being on the road for a little over 2 weeks and carrying around 3 huge bags of my belongings, I was ready to get to Nairobi and settle in to my new place. I was exhausted yet refreshed and re-energized from the time spent in Uganda. However, little did I know I was getting ready to have a "moment" with the lady at the visa/customs counter. When I walked up to the visa counter I was quizzed on the length of my stay. The visa lady kept saying "oh, it is so long...oh, it is such a long time...oh, too long". Here I was thinking to myself, "alright enough already!" Then, I heard a very quite sound coming from the desk behind her. I looked and noticed her cell phone and asked her if she was playing a song. She reached back, still giving me a stern look and being a little reluctant to release my visa, and brought her phone toward the front of the desk. The song sounded familiar and I asked her if it was playing You Raise Me Up. At that moment, she turned the volume up, nodded her head and started singing, then I joined her and started singing also. I was in complete awe because this had been such a special song to me over the past few weeks filling me with strength and security in the Lord. I would listen to it each night before going to bed in both Rwanda and Sudan. I told her it was my favorite song and she said it was her favorite song also. I started crying (while singing) and she did also! We were both singing, crying and laughing, and singing and crying while smiling from ear to ear. Then, she looked me in the eyes and said, "I will never forget you", and I said the same back meaning ever word I spoke.

I walked away from the customs counter knowing that God had sent me this special moment, this incredible blessing, to reassure me that I am right where I am suppose to be and that I just need to continue to walk in faith. God was saying, "Welcome, you are going to be okay, I am with you."

Taking these steps into the unknown (especially not knowing what the big picture looks like) has been very challenging, but these extra-special, God moments help keep me moving forward. The biggest challenge is taking the steps when we do not know where or what we are stepping into, however, that is when the biggest blessings and most special and wonderful moments are revealed. They come when we are least expecting them, which makes them all the more special!

"You raise me up to more than I can be..."

Letting go of our blankets...

This is something special I read the other evening and it has stayed on my heart to share...

"As a generation, we have been taught to hold on to our blankets - to take charge of our lives and secure our future even at the expense of those around us. But we fail to realize that the security of our future rests not in our blankets, but in Jesus sitting next to us. When we choose to give instead of keep, we discover a little taste of heaven on earth. When we choose to let go of what little we have and surrender it to God, then we receive the bounty of His kingdom."

~ Eric and Leslie Ludy

Just the beginning...

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope each and every one of you are doing terrific and ready for the summer. The past few years have brought much change to many people and I would love to share with you the change that has been happening in my life. I will say, when I started real estate close to 10 years ago, I never thought I would be making a move like this 10 years later...

As many of you know, God has been moving, shaping, redirecting and changing the course of my life in a fairly large way. During this special time, He has brought me to a place where I am excited and enthusiastic to follow His lead, guidance and direction. I have felt in my heart for several years that the course of my life was shifting and I was being called to serve the Lord overseas. Once I felt enough strength in the Lord to fully surrender and follow, He has shown me that He will open the doors if we are open, ourselves, to walk through them.

By God’s grace, I have been offered an opportunity to work with ALARM, a wonderful African-based, Christian organization in Nairobi, Kenya. ALARM (African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries) was founded by Celestin Musekura about 6 months after the Rwandan Genocide. Celestin, along with the organization, have found a special place in my heart and I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve with them in Central and Eastern Africa. This is where I feel God is calling me to be and through the doors opening, in faith alone I feel compelled to walk forward.

At points, this has been a difficult decision and transition to say the least. However, the support and encouragement from friends and family has been a blessing. I would love to ask for your continued support through prayer. I do feel God’s provisions are greater than we can ever imagine and He will protect and provide in amazing ways. Having a large group of prayer warriors here in the States will be one of His gifts through you!

In addition, I am in need of financial support for all of my expenses while I am abroad. My timeframe as of now, is to leave with a mission team from Forest Hill on July 4th. After serving in Rwanda and Sudan over a 2 week time period, I will continue on to Nairobi where I will work and be based. My initial stay will be roughly 4 months, then I will return for the holidays and plan to head back for an indefinite period of time at the beginning of the new year. This is in God’s hands, so I am open to change, timing and location. The job opportunity is large, which leaves an ample amount of room for God to determine where and how He wants to use me. This is incredibly exciting and the learning curve is going to be immense. I am ecstatic to get my feet on African soil and see what lies ahead. If you feel called to provide financially, I would greatly appreciate your commitment to help. Please make all donations payable to Forest Hill Church (memo line: Ashley Hackney - ALARM). The address is 7224 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210, or I would be happy to swing by and deliver the contribution by hand.

I look forward to hopefully seeing most of you before I leave. For the ones I am not able to visit, please know I would love to hear what is going on in your life. With only a few weeks left in town, I hope to see as many of you as possible!

Much love and Many blessings,

Ashley Hackney

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” ~ Ephesians 2:10