so long, farewell... but can i have your prayers?

my dear friends & family in Christ Jesus,

I would like to petition you for prayer for me for the next nine weeks. Beginning May 30th, I will be a counselor at an international Christian sports camp called the Vineyard. The camp hosts over 300 people including staff & campers. What makes it unique is that over half of the staff & campers come from many nations all over the world. The souls that set foot on the property located in the North Carolina mountains come from many backgrounds, races, cultures and spiritual environments, many of these being incredibly dark and lost without the Savior.

My prayer is to see our God Almighty move in an incredible way through me and through others as we spend time serving our Lord and others. I want, as Paul says in Ephesians 6:19-20, for whenever I open my mouth, words to be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

I ask that you would pray for our director, Dean Barley, our staff and our campers. Please Pray for safety throughout all of the fun, crazy and highly physical sports & activities that happen each day . Pray for the softening & turning of hearts so that God's Spirit can transforms lives. Pray that the Holy Spirit would be able to flow freely and that His Word would pierce each heart and speak to all who hear. Pray against Satan's attacks and evil plans and the spiritual warfare that clouds our vision and focus on Christ. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Eph. 6:12. Lastly, pray that at least one soul may come to know our Savior in an intimate, saving & transforming relationship.

I know our God can do the impossible - He's already told us that. Now, I live to see the impossible happen. God will do magnificent and miraculous things at this camp. Pray that I will be humbled, filled with compassion, overflowing with love, led by the Holy Spirit and act in the confidence which is Christ Jesus.

"Though I am free & belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible things I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."

- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Thank you so very much for your prayers - they are coveted so much!
In all my prayers for all of you, I will always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel. Can't wait to see all of you and tell you of the mighty things our God has done! I love you all so very much!

my love to you in Christ Jesus,
Ashleigh Lin Grant

The Vineyard Camp: About Us

once upon a time

let me share with you something that i learned recently. here it comes:

everyone has a story.

that's right, everyone has their own story. and everyday, each person writes another line, another page and another chapter of their story.

now, why in the world is this important, especially as christians? here's my application. but, give me just a minute to put it into perspective.

on april 24th, i got into a serious car accident. by the grace and mercy of God, i walked out with bruised knees and a sore back. the other gentleman came out with a cut on his arm and a bit sore too. to be quite frank, the officers were surprised that one of us wasn't dead, or at least seriously injured. so, as the next few days progressed, i almost expected everyone i ran into to understand that i had been in a traumatic event. but, of course, they didn't know.

this got me to thinking. how many people are walking around me everyday going through unspeakable things. from divorces and family losses to job issues and money problems. the list is endless, especially for non-believers. but yet we get consumed with our lives - with our walks - and we forget.

we forget that people are out there struggling just as much if not more than us. we forget that the reason that a person cuts us off in traffic is because they just got a call that a loved one has been rushed to the hospital. we forget that the harsh words of a stranger are fueled by years weathering rough abuse and alcoholism. and most importantly, we forget to act in the love and grace of Christ Jesus that is more than abundant for each person we come in contact with each day.

so i encourage you - remember that people can be going through the unthinkable. so be the one person in their day that show love and is true and genuine. this world has enough fake and self-absorbed people. look through your Father's eyes and see His children in their entirety.

and remember too, their story is perfect according to the Author of everyone's story. and He knows the end. and He knows the role He wants you to play in their story, and what role they will play in yours. don't miss the chance to change someone's story for the better... it could be the difference between them seeing happily ever after or missing it completely.

"My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. greater love has no one than this, that he lay his life down for his friends." - john 15:13-14

"i have become all things to all people so that by all possible means i might save some." - 1 corinthians 9:22

my love to you in Christ Jesus,

ashleigh