Celebrate!
In July, we marked the first anniversary of our current assignment. It's incredible to think about how quickly time has passed - in some ways, it feels like we just arrived, while in others, it seems like this has always been our reality. We are deeply thankful to all our partners who have steadfastly supported us on this incredible journey with God. Thank you!
Current daily life updates
The kids started a new school year, we now have a 5th, 3rd, and kindergardener. *cue tears They were over the moon with excitement for school to start. My mom came to visit for about a week. She was here for the first day of school it was so special for us and the kids.
I know we're not as cute as the kids above but Brandon and I have also had some shifting currently take place within our roles here at the World Headquaters. Brandon is now in a manajorial position over seeing several of our Finance team members. I am now apart of the Administartion department and partime helping our MPD (ministry partner and developlment) Director with whatever she needs. So we are settling in and really enjoying these new positions, with that we have more responsibility.
Our new roles: What is the function of the Finance and Admin Department?
At the heart of Overland Missions, there are dedicated individuals working tirelessly on the front lines, with boots on the ground. Our Sector missionaries, expedition leaders, Kids on Fire, chaplaincy, Ops teams, Sustain and Water Projects team. These team members bring hope to the lost and forgotten people groups around the world.
Impact of Brandon's role:
But behind every project there's an unseen force driving our mission forward - our finance team. We ensure that every dollar donated is allocated effectively and transparently. Our goal is to maximize the impact of every contribution.
We meticulously manage budgets, process donations, and strategize financial plans, ensuring our field teams have the resources they need.
We're not just handling numbers; we're ensuring sustainability. By maintaining this standard, we guarantee that our missionaries can remain on the field.
The finance team’s efforts translate directly into tangible outcomes - clean water, people healed, lives changed, but most importantly salvations.
How Ashly's role is involved:
The Administration role is crucial for the smooth and effective functioning of our organization. It involves managing daily administrative tasks such as communication with our missionaries worldwide, organizing staff travel, and handling financial and personal inquiries. The Admin team serves as the primary contact for internal and external communication, ensuring that it is done effortlessly and with excellence.
It's my joy to be involved in organizing and coordinating our annual Overland Missions conference. Last year, I was part of the hospitality team, looking after our guest ministers and pastors. I anticipate that this year will be even better!
We are in need of Financial Partners
We are in need of financial partners. In recent months, some partners have had to stop their monthly support, which is a normal part of the journey. We not only lack sufficient funding but also need to increase our budget to sustain our family and the minsitry that we are doing here. Would you kindly consider making an annual, monthly, or a special donation to help us achieve these goals? Either Brandon or I will be reaching out to many of you to inquire about any potential new contacts who might be interested in learning about our vison and joining us in this kingdom work.
As of right now we are below our current budget: $937.90 in monthly partners contributions.
We have recently met with our Director of Operations and CFO and are also having to raise our budget for additional monthly support of $2500. This is due to unforeseen living costs here in Central Florida and with what our role requires - the recent housing costs in our area have skyrocketed. We have been extremly blessed to rent from friends who charge us way below market value; however, the timeline of that blessing is coming to an end.
These increases do not include our ministry funds that we will raise next year before we travel again next summer. These are just the immediate needs as of now for our day-to-day living expenses. Click the button below to check out our donate link.
Our time in Zambia and Zimbabwe
This summer we traveled overseas for 4 weeks. We all had an exceptional time. We loved getting to be with the greater team, forge new friendships, and grow in ministering cross-culturally. We had several opportunities to serve and minister.
Chief Makuni’s Ceremony
Our team had the highest honor of serving the chiefs, cheiftiness, kings and queens and Zambia’s president during Chief Makuni’s ceremony. Overland has had a long standing relationship with Makuni’s chiefdom for the last 20 plus years. It is a true testimony of what it means to be faithful to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. The favor that Overland has with the traditional leaders around the continent of Africa is astounding and a true privileged to be a part of. The Gospel is reaching the unreachable through these lifelong relationships.
Women’s Ministry in Zimbabwe
This was my personal most cherished time while over seas. These women marked my life with the passion, dedication, and hunger for the word of God. We worshipped, shared in the Word of God, and prayed together. It seems simple, but the way the Holy Spirit fills this little hunt is pure revival.
At the end of our time together, we asked them to share anything the Lord had done on their behalf over the course of the week. With praise on their lips and joy bursting from their hearts, they shared that they (everyone in their village) had all received milly meal, cabbage, other veg and cooking essentials. The beauty of this testimony is that they have been in a severe drought, so the crops have not been producing in the area. The week prior, one of our ministers had felt the Lord say that something significant would happen, that there would be a great turn around. And that is exactly what happened, in one week’s time.
Water Projects
From Brandon: What a beautiful opportunity to serve others. I had the privilege tobe apart of a well repair. The performance of this specific well was extremely poor. Despite its intended purpose of supplying clean drinking water to a nearby school and a village of 100 people, the hand pump would took more than an hour to fill a 5-gallon bucket.
We were able to gather the men of the village to teach them how to repair and maintain the hand pump. All the pipes inside and the hand pump were replaced, resolving the issue of taking an hour to fill a 5-gallon bucket to just about 5 minutes. After the repair we gathered the school children and the men and were able to teach them about the Living Water, Jesus!
Songwriting
We got to sneak away to write in the bush, right off the Zambezi River. It was more like a little slice of paradise. It was 4 days of no cell service, Gods magnificent creation and friends coming together to do what we love, magnify the Lord.
Prayer requests:
Recently, I (Ashly) have been warring against an autoimmune diagnosis. I’ve been seeing a wonderful (but expensive) specialist and following a very strict diet to try and combat the damage naturally, along with taking a lot of vitamins and medication. I’ve seen some improvement over the last 6 months but not where I’d hope to be. I’d love prayers for continual progress and complete and total healing.
We are also actively looking to find a more permanent housing solution, as we mentioned above. We have been searching for somewhere in a decent neighborhood that we can afford. Again, the housing market here is insanely expensive, which we didn’t fully expect when relocating. Prayers that we would find somewhere in the next 3 months.
As missionaries, we live a pretty transient life, even though we are in the US. It still has its challenges for our kids. They are finding a rhythm here, with the new school year kicking off and making new friends. However, they still struggle with longing for friends and family back in Texas. So prayers for them as they continue to navigate our life here.
Prayers for our family as a whole and on our marriage are always felt and appreciated.
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