http://ashley.theworldrace.org The World Race - Ashley Musick en-us Sat, 5 Jul 2008 11:45:39 GMT 30 http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-world-race-2006-video-recap http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-world-race-2006-video-recap This is the video I made to recap my year on the World Race.  Enjoy folks.  Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=on-the-edge http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=on-the-edge So we are finished.  The first world race is officially over.  We have crossed the actual finish line.  We have even said some of our dreaded goodbyes.  The last few weeks have been a time of debrief and fellowship with the family I've traveled the entire world alongside.  So many tears, so many laug hs, and so many prayers together, and in 24 hours I'll leave most of it behind - the remnants of it etched on my heart and in my memories.  Over the past Sun, 19 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=living-with-hiv http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=living-with-hiv Sorry the blogs have been few and far between over the time in South Africa.  We have been cramming so much into our last weeks of ministry.  Over the past couple of weeks we have been working with "Beat the Drum."  We are showing a hollywood-made movie about AIDS in schools and then spending the week talking about it in the context of the students' community. Last week we talked to 8th graders.  I think it was beneficial for them to hear and see the repercussions of a Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=safari-time http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=safari-time I'm down in Jeffery's Bay South Africa, in the Eastern Cape.  You'll have to find that on the map.  It's just west of Port Elizabeth were we raced to yesterday.   We rented a Ford Focus and drove it 10 and a half hours down through the country and got to the peir last night at 6:30.  It was a wonderful time and the last race of the year.  We await the final results.  We just went on a safari and it was spectacular.  We went to Pilanesburg Nati Fri, 6 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-lost-are-found http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-lost-are-found We've been working hard in Kibera the past few weeks, and the fruit of it is all is amazing.  God continues to break into the hearts of the people we meet in our door-to-door evangelism, our outreaches, and people we randomly meet on the street.  Last Saturday we had our first open-air outreach.  We preformed a couple of dramas, shared some testimonies, and Gary presented the Gospel.  The location was quite strategic.  One of our pastors had recently started a Sun, 17 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=how-are-you http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=how-are-you "How are you?  How are you?  How are you?"  That is the chant of the African children that we hear anytime we walk down the streets here in Kibera, the biggest slums in all of Africa.  They practically sing it in unison, skipping down the muddy, trash-filled streets.  These kids are precious.   Their big beautiful eyes stare up to you, dirty hands extended, waiting for you to greet them.  This place, though full of love...even the love of Jesus Chri Fri, 8 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-river-of-life http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=a-river-of-life Egypt's theme song:  "I've got a River of life flowing out of me.  Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see.  Opens prison door sets the captives free.  I've got a river of life flowing out of me." These past few weeks we have been in the middle of Egypt, along the banks of the Nile and the desert.  That river is truly the life source of the country.  I've read all about it in my history books, but it is something completely different to see Fri, 1 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=faith-that-can-move-mountains http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=faith-that-can-move-mountains Well I think I have made a crazy decision.  The other night after I posted my last blog, we had a worship service at the campground.  I was still pretty stressed out trying to decide to go home or go on faith to Africa.  In the worship time, I finally connected with God.  Through all the songs, the prayers, and time alone with God in those moments, I decided to go on faith to Africa.  It is definetly a scary thought, but I want God to be enough for me in any situation an Sat, 12 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=should-i-stay-or-should-i-go http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=should-i-stay-or-should-i-go We have recently debriefed in Croatia, traveled back through Greece, across the Agean Sea to Turkey, and visited the ancient sites of Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum.  This part of the trip has truly been crazy because of all the route changes that keep happening due to Israel's war, and generally the expensiveness of Europe.  We have slept outside at train stations, begged for free rides and food, and chatted with every travel agent from Athens to Izmir.  Getting to Egypt is not an Thu, 10 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=suffering-from-a-brokenheart http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=suffering-from-a-brokenheart After two weeks of summer camp in Croatia, the red team has returned to Mostar, Bosnia.  We were working with Misssions without Borders, trying to help with their annual summer camps for young kids in Bosnia.  Every year they take two bus loads of kids to an island, Obonjan Island, which when translated means "Young Island."  There is plenty of swimming, dancing, running, and fun.  For many of these kids, it's the one chance during the year to get three square meal Sun, 16 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=halfway-there-a-world-race-summary http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=halfway-there-a-world-race-summary Now that we are in Bosnia, finished with the month of June, we are over halfway home.  Half of the World Race is behind me.  Each day I get closer to finishing this race, and the words of Paul in Philippians echo in my mind.  I want to run the good race.  I want to finish strong.  So this is my attempt to summarize what this trip has meant to me so far, what God has done along the way, and that He has much more planned along the way.   While God has provided mi Fri, 30 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=Riveted http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=Riveted I'm in a place where the cross is a symbol of hatred, where a river divides the city, where a bridge that was destroyed in a war of hated fell to the ground, and now where it stands again, a symbol of hope.  Hope is something that everybody on the streets of Mostar Bosnia need.  They need the hope that comes from Jesus, the hope that life can continue to get better, and the hope that their lives are worth something no matter their background, religion, or ethnicity.  That's Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=gods-power-for-yesterday-is-gods-power-for-today http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=gods-power-for-yesterday-is-gods-power-for-today At the beginning of this trip, Tauna, Casey, and I set out to travel to all the places in Greece that Paul visited.  We wanted to follow his steps, his journey.  We wanted to experience the Greece that he would have experienced, at least to the best of our ability.  And I'd like to say that we've accomplished that task.  From Athens, to Thessaloniki, to Appolonia, to Amphipolis, to Kavala, to Phillipi, to Berea, and finally to Corinth... the trails has been walked (or Sat, 10 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=quick-update-on-my-whereabouts http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=quick-update-on-my-whereabouts Sadly, the internet cafe's here in Greece are extremely expensive in many places.   This won't give you the details you've been craving about Phillipi, Berea, or Corinth, but it is to let you know that I'm safe and sound.  We finished driving all over Greece, and praise the Lord, we made it back to downtown Athens with the rental car this morning.  It is no longer my responisbility!  Tonight, Casey and I are headed to the island of Crete via a ferry we hope not only Mon, 5 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=not-your-normal-sunday http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=not-your-normal-sunday This morning I woke up in a 2nd floor hotel room in the middle of Thessaloniki, Greece.  There was a cool breeze flowing in the open doors of the balcony, and the light was shining in on my bed.  This was no normal Sunday.  I got up quickly and got ready to leave the town of Thessaloniki and get ready for church.  We had made a new friend in the hotel desk clerk, George, and he was going to take us to church.  This morning I was going to a Greek Orthodox servi Sun, 28 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=because-i-wasnt-the-first-to-carry-the-gospel-around-the-world http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=because-i-wasnt-the-first-to-carry-the-gospel-around-the-world What am I doing now that I'm not in India loving on some of the cutest little kids in the world?  That wasn't the easiest decision to make, I'll tell you that much.  But God has truly provided an awesome experience and journey ahead of me in these next few weeks. After 4 years of Bible College, hours spent pouring over books and maps, and even a specialized class in the life and Epistles of Paul, I find myself retracing his steps in Greece!  The Apostle Paul, one Fri, 26 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=jesus-loves-the-little-children http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=jesus-loves-the-little-children Can i just tell you that it's so weird to be back in India, and it's not even been a year since I left.  Too bad that didn't happen after my New Zealand trip.  I still want to go back there pretty bad.  After a great debrief of our ministry and time in Thailand we raced to Malaysia.  We had three days there to chill out before our flight left so we visited the aquarium, a waterpark in preparation for India's heat, and went to the movies.  It was also time to st Sat, 6 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=im-not-gilligan-but-ive-got-an-island http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=im-not-gilligan-but-ive-got-an-island Paradise... can it really be found?  I THINK SO!  It's totally in Thailand and it's probably going to be some little island.  This part of the World Race led us to a small island off the coast of Thailand for a few days of mininstry.  We arrived via boat from the mainland.  It pulled up close to the long peir, weighed down with our luggage and 27 missionaries!  It was quite the race across the sea because off in the distance behind us, monsoon rain clouds were Tue, 11 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=bug-eatin-temple-climbin-and-elephant-ridin http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=bug-eatin-temple-climbin-and-elephant-ridin The race from Trang to Phuket was more than a normal race from point A to point B.  There were tasks... and they weren't easy.  Some of the tasks were fun, others will be unforgetable.  I can't believe I did this stuff.  Here is the story. Gary, Katherine, Sarah, and I were prepared for the race as best as we could be.  We had heard there would be some physical tasks invovled with the race leg, and as we are the "nerd" team, that frightened us a little.  Praise G Tue, 11 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=bangkok-thailand-relaxation-finally http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=bangkok-thailand-relaxation-finally WOW!  What a trip.  From our city in Tibet last week (I can't even remember what day we left) until last night, we've been traveling.  We traveled all the way across China, down to Macau, and flew to Thailand.  We arrived safely last night and struggled to get a hotel late in the night at a place where we had no contact.  After some dealing and bargaining, we finally got what we needed and got in taxi's to cross town.  We arrived at the hotel and it looked nice, but Mon, 3 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-tibetan-toliet http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=my-tibetan-toliet We have been traveling for the past few days now... and there is still more to do.  China is a big country, but I have to believe that after all these bus rides, I've seen most of it!  The 1st bus ride was only about 8 hours, but the amount of room on that bus was slim.  Though there were two seats, they were big enough for only the smallest of Chinese people.  So when Gary and I tried to fit, tight wasn't really the word to describe.  I don't think the bus was pu Sat, 25 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=our-stay-in-the-forbidden-city http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=our-stay-in-the-forbidden-city We arrived at our team's destination this week.  Talk about a crazy trip.  Our host gave us the name of the city, put us on a bus, and sent us on our way.  With the phrasebook in hand we were expected to get off the bus at the right time, find a hotel, procure our accomidations, and begin the work here in the city.  Hahahaha, what a funny thing to do! Gary and I ran around our city trying to find a hotel.  We would point to sentences in our phrasebook, use hand motion Sat, 18 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=walking-in-a-winter-wonderland http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=walking-in-a-winter-wonderland We are deep in China somewhere after a very very long trip.  The trip to Hong Kong was long, but then add a 36 hr train ride, some taxi rides, and a bus ride, and you'll be about where we are... in the middle of nowhere!  It's snowing here and I'm concerned about my feet falling off, but for the most part, this has been an incredible journey.   For the Americans, this is the first big culture shock.  It's crazy to imagine that it wasn't so long ago I was still in Gautema Tue, 14 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=safe-on-the-other-side-of-the-world http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=safe-on-the-other-side-of-the-world I'm sitting at a hostel here in Hong Kong trying to figure out the keyboard.  All the Chineses characters are on the keys as well as the English letters.  It looks so crowded and cool.  Last night, 7:00 PM Thursday here and like 4:00 AM or something California time, we arrived at the Hong Kong airport.  It was very different from my first entry into Asia.  The airport was very nice and English was everywhere, but you still could tell things were about to be really differ Thu, 9 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=los-angeles-and-hong-kong http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=los-angeles-and-hong-kong So we've been having an amazing time in LA this past week.  First of all, we won.  Then we got to do tons of fun things like eat American food, meet Bob Barker, ride Space Mountain, and view the real red carpet outside of the oscars.  There are some great stories in all of that, but because of the lack of computers here at the Dream Center, I will save the stories for sometime this week from Hong Kong.  Pray for us as we travel out tomorrow.  It will be a long flight, an Wed, 8 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=video-report-church-planting-in-mexico http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=video-report-church-planting-in-mexico Church Planting in Mexico    ^ Click the play button above to start Fri, 24 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=our-last-few-days-in-guatemala http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=our-last-few-days-in-guatemala On Sunday, the girls of our team, along with Kathy, attempted to give the Pastors wife a day off.  That didnt work so well.  The problem isnt that we couldnt cook been and cheese burritos, or make doughnuts... the problem was that we werent sure how to do that the Guatemalan way.  Cooking here is a very exhausting task.  We made the flour tortillas from scratch, and you had to wait to the last minute to buy the cheese.  The fridge is non-existent and the s Thu, 23 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=i-wanna-be-in-the-light http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=i-wanna-be-in-the-light We had our outreach service on Saturday night on the basketball court in San Pablo.  When we arrived Pastor Antonio was already helping get the sound system ready.  I knew when I saw the speakers that this night we be nothing less than loud and powerfull.  The speakers were huge and totally ready to blast out the sounds of our worship, our drama, our testimonies, and the message of our Lord.  We set up chairs for the people to sit in, and there were also plenty of seats Mon, 20 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=cry-out-to-jesus http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=cry-out-to-jesus Im loving the ministry here in Guatemala.  I love getting the opportunity to preach to the church in San Pablo and to share the Word of God with them.  Many of them dont have Bibles, so its a real blessing and responsibility.  The other day we visited a Womens shelter in San Juan.  There were so many women and children there, and my heart broke for them.  Their stories and their way of life are all so harsh.  We sang songs, played games with them, and I got to sha Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=in-the-shade-of-a-volcano http://ashley.theworldrace.org/?filename=in-the-shade-of-a-volcano The past week in San Paublo has been a great week of ministry.   People have been coming back to the Lord an He is definetly moving in the lives of the people here.  I was able to preach last night again and that is always fun.  I spoke on the importance of being a living sacrifice and giving our time over to the Lord.  It was a great time of celebration as many of the men who had been visiting this week, accepted Christ and joined the church.  We know th Mon, 13 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT