Hi there.  Sasha Fierce speaking.  So today was the first day of class, but honestly, all I can think about is what happened this morning.  Having nothing to do due to a bit of unorthodox organization issues, a group of us prayed over what God wanted us to do before heading out into town.  The group felt led to go to love on some of the gypsy community and give them food and water.  The trip itself didn’t last long, but its effects on me have.  As we were walking away God laid a massive humbleness on my heart.  I couldn’t think straight, so instead, I bawled (quietly of course, since I never cry…).  It just really bothers me how these people have nothing and are hated for things beyond their control, yet in our ignorance we complain daily about being hungry when there are kitchens full of food in our air-conditioned homes. 

I’ve always known there are people in the world who live with next to nothing.  But seeing it is different.  It broke my heart to see people, people like you and me, living and being judged in such a way.  But I didn’t feel sadness or pity for them while we were actually there.  Those feelings came when we walked away.  All I could do the whole time we were there was smile.  I felt a joyful hope and love for these people, and it gave me such joy, I can’t begin to explain why.  Before we left, the oldest woman there smiled and spoke to us (mind you, I had no idea what she was saying) and I could tell she was thanking us.  But was extremely interesting to me was she thanked us, looked up and gestured to the sky, and thanked us again.  I know God was there with us, and in that moment I knew that he would stay with them as we left.  All I know is I cannot wait to go back and do what I feel I was born to do.  Love people.  And in that, God blesses me beyond explanation.  For we cannot love like God without knowing how God loves us.  

-Ashlee