Fire of Poverty

Getting used to horrible norms is like letting the fire spread.
Currently, my cousin Frida is traveling all over the world learning about different economies and poverty.  Currently, she is visiting Uganda and her heart just broke when she saw beautiful children living in the streets because there is more safety on the streets than at home.

For someone that comes from a 1st world country, we don't see poverty too often.  But when we do, we debate whether it's worth giving them money because we're afraid they'll waste the money on booze or drugs.  Or we look down on them and refuse to help or find understanding of their situation.  But when we go to a different country, specifically a 3rd world country, our hearts literally break and we try to figure out a way to help them.

Traveling is important because it opens our eyes to the realities that we don't realize exist in our own hometowns.
Poverty is everywhere! Brokenness exists everywhere! And if we take a blind eye to it, we're spreading the fire of poverty even more.
In Ecuador, I see poverty every single day. When I walk to the grocery store, there's a group of guys washing windows or doing some kind of circus act during a stoplight.  Across the street from where I live, there is a family that goes through the trash and collects recyclables because that's their job or only source of income. When I'm at KFC, a little kid will come up to me to ask for money.
It's uncomfortable sometimes because I know it's possible their parents are sending them on the streets to beg for money and that they would have to give what they make to them.  Parents will force their child to quit school so that they can beg on the streets for money. A lot of kids here leave their home because of the conditions they face in their own home.  So their home becomes the street; they learn a lifestyle of how to beg, steal and sleep. But sometimes that lifestyle exists within their families too.

But change can happen and it does when we stop letting the fire spread and start spreading more of Jesus. 
Casa Gabriel is a ministry that I have the amazing opportunity to work with. It is a discipleship ministry and home for boys that grew up in the streets of Ecuador.  They have found Jesus Christ and believe and that they have a God who is King of this city! Though there are horrible realities, they know that God still reigns.  I have seen these boys grow over the last couple of years. They come with different pasts and baggage but Casa Gabriel is a place that they can feel safe to unpack it.  They are instilled with new and holistic values instead of the threatening values of their past. They are more than just their past, they are my friends and my teammates.

Spreading Jesus isn't about giving money or "converting" them, it's just about loving your neighbor. 
These boys are living examples of what happens when Jesus is spread instead of fire.

Rest Taken Seriously

Rest is something, we as North Americans don't take seriously- or at least in my Minnesotan/northern culture, we don't.  Work, obligations, expectations go in front of everything.  But where's the line when it becomes an idol?  That's where rest comes into play.  

We need to take care of ourselves even if it means not meeting an expectation of someone or something.  We are always going to be demanded for this, that, and the other thing.  There has to be a line drawn!  We can't listen to our inner-being when we are constantly doing one thing after another. We can't listen to what God is trying to tell us when our thoughts are somewhere else.  When Jesus called us,  he called us to be all in or not at all.  He said to "take up your cross and follow me." He didn't call us to be half hearted or only when we feel like it. If we want answers, if we want direction, we have to be all in. But with that, comes rest. God didn't create the Sabbath for nothing. He wants to be with us all the time!! 
Repetition is something that flows throughout the Bible that symbolizes extreme importance.  Recently, I experienced three times where, Emmanuel (God with us) was talked about, Ishmael (God hears), and Lazarus was talked about(God is my help). (Look up those stories if you aren't familiar.)
God sees us, hears us, and helps us...He is always with us and offers us rest.  In the story of Jesus resurrecting Lazarus, "Jesus wept;" he felt the pain of Lazarus' sisters but also, he felt the pain and heartache of what would happen after he brought Lazarus back to life.  This was a climactic point in the history of Jesus because this event brought great attention to officials in that his actions would eventually determine that Jesus would soon be put to death.  Yet, Jesus loves us so much that he sacrificed himself everyday for us and ultimately through death on the cross.  Each of these stories that I read and learned about along with the sweet taste of nature brought rest to my soul. 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" ( Matthew 11:28). 
We all experience rest in different ways, but listen to yourself, take care of yourself and let God take care of your soul.  

Missionary...what even is that??

So what's up with being a missionary?  Why do people have to leave to another country to convert people to Christianity?  Conversion, what a loaded word that has many meanings.  For me, I think people should be in their own community, love their family, and be who God made you to be.  But wait, I'm what they call a missionary, how could I believe all of that?


Okay there's 6.5 billion people on this earth, what do you think God thinks of all of us? GO!

That we're messed up would be my answer.  But what do you think God wants to do with us messed up people?  Muslims, Jews, Christians, "nothings."

I think God would want to help them not be so messed up. You might say God would want to convert all 6.5 billion people, not to a religion, but to Himself!  But how could he do that?  He would need a converter.  If I had a friend that lived in Europe and she bought an appliance in the U.S., she would need something to change the current from 110 to 220 volts.  A converter or
transformer!

So what is God's converter or transformer look like that will bring all 6.5 billion people back to Himself?  It's JESUS!  He is the converter!

Missionary, Christianity, conversion, evangelism are all words that aren't directly linked to the gospel.  These are loaded words that from all over the world mean different things.  But Jesus, his life, his actions, the way he loves is the true gospel and the true converter or transformer.  If I were a Christian trying to convert a Muslim, I would fail miserably because in their culture, conversion would mean leaving their culture, their family, and community!

So where do I come in?  My heart is to be a part of transforming lives through the power of God. It's about loving people like Jesus does, serving to be a Jesus follower.

 International Teams work to see the invisible and bring light to their lives.  Seeing people as Jesus does and responding to them and their community is our goal. I will be able to document snapshots of lives that have been transformed by the power of God in Ecuador.  We all have a call to be somewhere, to do something, to bless someone. The power of Jesus' life and death come from His existence and He is the exact representation of His Father.

  What can you do? 
          

I am two-thirds to my goal! By financially partnering with me, you will get to be apart of transforming lives. Please join with me on this journey; your support and prayers will be part of the building blocks to changing lives and communities. A one-time gift or even a small monthly gift will help so much.
                                
You can donate online at www.iteams.us/give (specify for Ashley Arneson), or you can write a check to International Teams (411 West River Road Elgin IL 60123, specify Ashley Arneson).

Thank you so much for your prayers and support!

If you would like to receive monthly newsletters or have any questions, please message me! 

Coming soon...Ecuador

                  

For the people who haven't followed my blog or don't know me very well or have always followed my blog, this is for you! 

I started doing short-term mission work in Ecuador 5 years ago; from mission trips to internships, my passion for the people and the mission to transform lives by the power of God grew more and more.   

I think story has a way of captivating our hearts more than anything, and visual storytelling has become a unique yet enticing medium.  This October, I will be going back to Ecuador working with International Teams-Youth World doing video production and communication work for all 8 ministries!  

Last August filming a music video for Education Equals Hope

International Teams work to see the invisible and bring light to their lives.  Seeing people as Jesus does and responding to them and their community is our goal.  I plan to produce videos ranging from promotional, donation, to informative videos that will not only reach the people of Ecuador but also people from the U.S.  I will be able to document snapshots of lives that have been transformed by the power of God in Ecuador.


I would love to Connect with you!!! You guys are a huge part of how I serve and lead in Ecuador, and this has been my outlet to share with you my experiences.  So I want to offer you the opportunity to be apart of this journey in transforming lives.  We all have a call in life and some of us are called to go oversees, and some are called to send.  Please consider financially partnering with me, it is only with your help that this mission can be made possible.  A one-time gift or even a small monthly donation will help so much. 

If you would like to learn more, please feel free to email me.  Like I said, I want to connect with you.  

Con muchas bendiciónes,

Ashley Arneson
ashley.arneson@iteams.org (to receive monthly updates, please email me)

You can donate online at www.iteams.us/give (specify for Ashley Arneson), or you can write a check to International Teams (write check to International Teams, specify Ashley Arneson).  Thank you so much for your prayers and support! 

Where's Home....Cultural Reflection

I am here in the U.S.  but I don't fit in...I feel like I fit in more in Ecuador even though every time I walked on a bus, I was the only blonde one and everyone stared at me.  Things that I do aren't "normal" here in the U.S....so where do I belong?  I am used to living life one way, but my home in the U.S. lives another.  So where is home?  Some of you may relate, but others may have no idea what I'm talking about, but that's okay!! It's what people with cross cultural experiences face and it's important to know!

Something I want to talk about that I face and really everyone faces.

Grace. Vulnerability.  Forgiveness.  Understanding.  Love

  

Words that describe what needs to be done, but so much of built up hurt, anguish, hatred, and misunderstanding blocks this from happening.  It's when 2 people with different cultures try to understand one another but because of cultural differences, history, and current situations, we fail to understand and maybe even relate to one another so we completely disregard the person or the culture.

If we fail to relate and truly understand that person, what is the point of even trying to maintain the relationship with that person?  

I think society today is filled with people that have intentionally or unintentionally ignored people because they have had some instance where they have not truly understood someone because of their culture.  Their experience from that one person gives them the perspective of how everyone is within that culture.  But this is wrong, everyone is different and no culture is right or wrong.  We are prideful of our culture and where we come from.  Sure, we should be proud of where we come from, but that doesn't mean we should view our culture and "our" people as better than or the best.  I've found a few key things that we can do about this. 

1. Offer Grace- we have to understand that people can't truly understand everything because it's not their culture.

2. Be vulnerable-  level with the person and apologize if you've offended.

3. Forgive

4. Understand- Don't be afraid to try.  Differences can scare us away, but if we let it, we are robbing ourselves from the goodness of God's beauty.  

5. Love- "Love does no harm to its neighbor.  Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10).

God made us each different for a reason.  It's beautiful when differences come together in unity because despite of their differences, they love each other anyway.  Though it may be frustrating, we should not give up; God calls us to love one another and reconcile any disputes.  

Through the cross, Christ reconciled us all to one another (Ephesians 2:14-15).

Amazing Grace

The month of December has been so busy and just flew by!

Last Sunday, I was at a Haitian church.  The pastor was speaking Spanish and another was translating in creole.  English was even thrown in the sermon once in awhile.  But what really hit me was before the service, lunch time.  Myself, my boyfriend and 2 friends had lunch with the worship leader's family from a church we played at in the morning.  We went to a Haitian restaurant.  We were speaking Spanish, English and learning Creole.  We were communing together despite our language or culture.  
It is so sweet how a body of believers can truly come together in that way.
Our world stereotypes cultures when we've never even gotten to know each other.  For the people that live in the U.S. specifically, we are a diverse nation, all of us were immigrants at one point in our family's history.  There is no right or wrong culture, but there is a true and right God that we have the opportunity to be in relation with.  When we have prejudice over one culture, we strip away the beauty of who God created us to be.  God made each and everyone of us differently for a reason.  That doesn't mean we sink into the cultural norms of society.  Maybe experiencing a different culture can open one's eyes to the beauty of God's highest prized possession.

With that in mind, in the beginning of December, I spent a whole week doing the music for a large group of volunteers in Quito and from the U.S. to help out at in the dumps of Quito.  And at the end of the week, we hosted Extreme Response's annual Zambiza Christmas party for people that live there.  I was able to do the videography while Juan Miguel did the photography.  It was an extremely humbling experience and opened my eyes to the extremely harsh conditions these people live in. But in the midst of those difficult conditions, we have Amazing Grace! We have an Unfailing Love.  And though circumstances can shut our eyes from seeing the goodness of His grace, our eyes can be opened because of what he did for us and because we have this hope of glory.

This is everyone before they would go out to Zambiza.

Capturing some interviews.

After the Zambiza Christmas party, Mision Compartida was next!  Mision Compartida is hcjb's share-a-thon that hosted thousands of people.  Juan Miguel and I covered most of the videos over the 3 day event.  It's incredible to witness God's providence and the faithfulness of his people during that time.  We had a group of students come to give their money that they had been raising all school year together!!  

So I am coming back to Minnesota on Saturday.  Please pray for my safety and my transitioning back to U.S. culture. 

So much has happened in my last month in Ecuador, so stay posted because I will be posting more in the next few days! 

Give Thanks.

Pray Requests/Upcoming Events

• A large group from the states has come to host a huge Christmas party for over 2,500 people in literally the dumps (Zambiza).  I am apart of the worship team at church and have been doing that every morning for the past week!  This weekend is the party; I will be helping out all day Saturday.  
• Please pray that hearts are changed and refilled by the Holy Spirit.  
• Pray for the people from the states that this experience will empower them to be used by God not only in Ecuador but home too. 
•  This time of year is known as a time for giving.  Juan Miguel, a previous graduate of Youth World's discipleship ministry for street kids, Casa Gabriel is now pursuing music production in college.  If you don't know his story, please ask!  But last year, he was at Woodbury Lutheran Church interning with the worship team.  He is leading worship at an english speaking church in Ecuador and is leading worship with the team from the states right now.  Here is a message from Juan Miguel in WLC's December newsletter.
• http://ae89cb3a56bf8da38343-ff524d189e40c4908dde705e3b34a0d1.r9.cf2.rackcdn.com/uploaded/d/0e4711603_1449084747_december-2015-newsletter.pdf
• Please consider supporting him through Education=Hope, a ministry for kids living in desperate and difficult situations.  https://educationequalshope.giv.sh/3ec1
• Please pray for family and friends, as a tragedy happened this week when a teenage son of one of the missionary families took his own life.
• Next week is HCJB misión compartida (share-a-thon).  Over 4,000 people will be coming in and out of HCJB.  It will be 3 days, 7am-7pm, and I am the only videographer.  
• Please pray for strength, energy, and a filled Spirit.

In this world, giving thanks seems to be the last thing on our minds.  This is an article I wrote for Control Z that I want to share with you (the english is at the bottom) .  

The official link to it: http://controlz.fm/dar-gracias/ 

Dar Gracias

Es la época del año de celebración. ¿Qué estás celebrando? Año Nuevo. El nacimiento de Jesús. La familia. La amistad. Un nuevo comienzo. La comunidad.

A veces nos quedamos atascados en un patrón: nos despertamos, comemos, vamos al trabajo/escuela, comemos, dormimos, repetimos todo otra vez. Y en este patrón se nos olvida ser agradecidos. Debemos estar agradecidos todos los días. Agradecidos por una familia que puede proveer. Agradecidos por tener una esposa fiel y amorosa. Agradecidos por una ciudad que pueda ofrecer un puesto de trabajo. Agradecido por la oportunidad de aprender en la escuela. Hay tanto por lo que podemos estar agradecidos, pero todo esto es apacado por lo negativo. Los medios de comunicación están llenos de negatividad a diario. Pero nosotros no tenemos que pensar de esa manera. 73 veces la Biblia habla de dar gracias.

 “El Señor es mis fuerza y mi escudo; mi corazón en él confía; de él recibo ayuda. Mi corazón salta de alegría, y con cánticos le daré gracias” (Salmos 28:7) (NVI).

“Den gracias a Dios en toda situación, porque esta es su voluntad para ustedes en Cristo Jesús” (1 Tesalonicenses 5:18) (NVI).

Independientemente de dónde has estado o lo que has hecho, el amor de Dios es eterno. Nada puede cambiar el amor que Dios tiene por ti. Así que da gracias en toda circunstancia. Dar gracias demuestra una actitud humilde, un corazón agradecido y produce un espíritu alegre y esperanzador. Tal vez no proveemos materialmente, exitosamente, físicamente o financieramente, pero eso no significa que no somos aceptados, amados y bendecidos en su familia por siempre. Estés donde estés, atrapado en un patrón, o en una alta montaña o un valle, toma un momento y da gracias porque en ese momento, Jesús está más cerca que nunca.

Spending Thanksgiving with other missionaries! 

Juan Miguel and I spent Thanksgiving with missionaries
from my apartment and with the director of Casa Gabriel/his
American parents, the Douces.

Give Thanks

It’s the time of year for celebration.  What are you celebrating?  New Years.  The birth of Jesus.  Quito.  Family.  Friendship.  A New Start.  Togetherness.  

But we get stuck in a pattern sometimes: we wake up, eat, go to work/school, eat, sleep, repeat.  And in this pattern, we forget to be thankful.  Thankfulness is not a once in a while thing; we should be thankful everyday.  Thankful for a family that can provide.  Thankful for a faithful and loving spouse.  Thankful for a city that provides a job.  Thankful for the opportunity to learn in school.  There is so much we can be thankful for but we rely on the negative.  The media is filled with negativity everyday.  But we don’t have to think that way.  73 times the Bible talks about giving thanks.  

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him” (Psalm 28:7).

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  

Regardless of where you’ve been, what you’ve done, what's going on this world, His love endures forever.  Nothing can change the love that God has for you.  So give thanks in all circumstances.  Giving thanks demonstrates a humble attitude, a grateful heart and produces a joyful and hopeful spirit.  Maybe we’re not provided materially, successfully, physically or financially, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t accepted, loved, and blessed into His family forever.  Wherever you are, stuck in a pattern, or on a high mountain or a low valley, take a moment and give thanks because in that moment, the closeness of Jesus is closer than ever.