Falling into Fall

The fall season at the beach is a lot different than what up north

experiences. It's usually summer, like 90 degrees until October.

The palm trees don't change color and the desire to wear flannel,

boots, and scarves is pretty much not there unless you like to be

wrapped up in the humidity. But pumpkin spice lattes, apple crisp

candles, and the thought of it being fall somewhere is always nice.

Florida's fall is the one thing I do not like. I really enjoy the

leaves changing and hearing the cheers from the football stadium.

But I haven't had one of those in four years which is a long time.

It's my favorite time of year, well that and it being the season of

my birthday. October the best month of the year. This year is my

23rd birthday. Age twenty-three has no songs written, no special

adult thing happens or anything cool like that. But for me I think

it's a pretty special one. I think this next year of life is going to be

full of promise and blessing. The Lord has spoken of greatness

coming and I'm so ready to step into that. I know He gives good

gifts and His is the one I am waiting expectantly for.

So as I wait on the Lord, I want to share some more things that

are going on. September 27th started the kick off for our

Discipleship school (DTS) and the last three months of our first

School of Biblical Studies (SBS). The DTS has already seen some

amazing things happen. Students have been pouring out their

hearts, staff have been listening and encouraging more hearts

with stories of God in the nations and they seem eager to go into

the nations.

During the fall DTS my friend Kathleen and I have the privilege

of leading a time called "Focus on the Nations". During this time

we take an hour and a half of worship, prayer, and intercession.

The point of this time is to introduce students into the Fathers

heart for unreached nations, for people who have never heard the

Gospel. We make it fun and interactive so people are engaged and

willing to invest in hearing from the Lord. Our hope by the end of

the school is to have students see what the Father is doing in the

nations and at least one person has heard His call to inspire,

equipped, or GO! I am personally looking forward to what the Lord

will speak to each person this fall.

You all make such a difference in the lives of others by supporting me

to invest back into others. I've walked along side many people who've

heard the call to go and I've been an encouragement to their life in

carrying the Gospel to where it isn't. You don't get to see all that your

support does so I wanted to share a story of that fruit. A few years

ago I picked up a girl from Wisconsin at the airport that was coming

to do the School of frontier missions. I'd never met her but the

second we said hello I knew she was going to be a friend for life. She

had so much joy and love for people all around her.

Over the course of the next few months I watched as God put a

North African country on her heart. At the same time He was

speaking to me to go with her to visit different teams she could join.

So that February we both traveled into a foreign country with no idea

what to expect. We stayed for two weeks and after much prayer and

discussion she knew what team to join. For her that time was to

search for a home and mine was to support her in that.

A few months later we had decided what she should do and she

packed up her life and left for at least two years. Since then she has

learned Arabic, shared the Gospel through henna and has started

many studies with women who are seeking for more than what Islam

was giving them. She is an incredible women of faith and obedience

and I'm so glad God placed her in Jacksonville. She's been a part of

the workers that I take care of & what a joy it is.

That's the kind of fruit that you are giving into. It leads to changing

lives. And that's what God is leading me to. His kind and gentle love

impacts nations. It impacts people who change the world. Thanks for

your love.

Love you like crazy,

~Ansley~

Adventure Awaits...

I've made it home where the sun shines bright and palm trees mark the way to the beach. Big changes have occurred since I was last here. So let's sit back and talk about life.
First, my apartment has been amazing. It's been wonderful to have a full house were in the old place we only had a small hotel room. I share a room with one of my five roommates. Our neighborhood is in the navy base district so they are many opportunities for friendships. Second, our base is still in the process of moving into an office space. We found a building but have been waiting on legal paper work to process through before we move in. Please join us in praying for the building process.
The structure of the base has changed a little bit too. Leadership "circles" have been put in place in the different departments (frontiers, accounting, personal, and registration) instead of in the past having our base leaders head of everything.
Now that I've been back in Jacksonville for over a month I've reconnected with friends and watched the Discipleship school (DTS) that went on outreach to India return and graduate. Some students will be returning to continue schooling in YWAM. It's always encouraging to hear their stories and watch them fall in love with different nations and people. It's why I do what I do.
On a similar note, my school planning is going slow. With this being my first school as the leader I pray a lot about how the Lord wants this school to look. Each school is different based on the students who come and where they are called to. In this upcoming school there are Muslim and Buddhist focuses.
All the students come with the intention of moving overseas long term, but sometimes like this last year some students have joined me in member care. And the last two years I've come to see the importance of member care (M.C.). I have many friends who have had the intention of living overseas who have come home earlier than planned because of a number of things that they didn't expect. The one thing I have seen most of is the lack of intimacy with the Lord. People become so consumed with the work they are doing that they forget to continue in their own relationship with the Father. In many cases workers get burnt out and overwhelmed and feel trapped so the only solution in their mind is to come home, back to normal life. That's where I step in. With our long term workers I counsel, encourage, and guide them to spend one on one with with God. It's so important as a believer to stay in constant relationship with God, no matter where or who you are. Too many of my friends have been hurt and discouraged and that's where I know the Lord is asking me to lead people and call out truth and speak wisdom so that they can continue ministering where they are. Some days are easier than others but I believe that this is the time for me to stay and invest in people in Jacksonville and M.C. I know that one day I will be where my heart longs to be among the unreached people's. For now though I wait on the Lord and what He has here for me.
Love you all like crazy,
Ansley

YWAM Jax is Moving!!!

Well, that escalated quickly. Actually, it did. This has just happened within the last two weeks and I have a lot to be doing to prepare. So before I go any further let's sit down and talk about the summer.

Being home this summer has been fulfilling, with all kinds of emotions. Some of those most rewarding moments have been spent with friends and family and I've been able to make some new, deep relationships with people. Opportunities like leading high schoolers at camp, baptizing a wonderful young lady, working with a few VBS's and being able to watch children discover the power of the Gospel, sharing food with many different people, and seeing God moving and working in my own community. These experiences have been building more faith and joy in me while also sharing in beautiful memories with beautiful people.

Among other things that have happened, I've seen my cousin get married to a beautiful bride, lived with my best friend, got my nose pierced, ran on the track, and have seen very dear people pass away.

So let's jump right into that new news. YWAM JAX is moving. This has been in the works for while because rent has been a huge surprise. The last couple of weeks we've had to make a decision to move and by faith God has provided us with an incredible place that is bigger and a lot cheaper. There come a lot of changes within these next weeks. First being an address change. My new address is 1015 Atlantic Blvd. #303 Atlantic Beach Florida 32233. This way if you feel like sending a letter and/or supporting in our mission please send anything there. Though we have the new building it is not like what we are used to. The office space is a few miles down the road from the apartments we are renting. The old had offices, housing, cafe, and classroom on the same property. It's a big change.

So, here comes the fun part. I am needing more people to help me continue in Jacksonville. Moving into a bigger apartment costs money along with furniture, and other house hold items. What I'm asking is if you have anything you would like to get rid of, donate, etc. then please let me know. It would be much appreciated.

I am so glad I've been able to be enjoy Indiana and have some rest but my heart will forever be at home in Jacksonville. So as these next days unfold I will soak up each moment, no matter how small and remember forever this summer. Thank you so much to each of you who have made it worthwhile. I love you all like crazy,

 

~Ansley~