It has been WAY too long since I've sent an update and I have no good excuse. Scheduling time on the calendar as part of my work week to be a better communicator with you all is on my 2026 priority list. It's amazing how time just zooms by and the things I hope to do just don't get done unless they find a spot on the calendar. My apologies for not getting these updates on the schedule before now.
Here's a recap of the last few months...
Family update first:
After getting into school rhythm with the exchange student (from Turkey) who we had living with us, we started to notice that there were some abnormal behaviors occurring. We were in communication with the program coordinator and she continued to encourage us that it was likely just a language barrier/culture shock. However, the behaviors got worse and by mid-September it became clear that something else was going on and that our busy household with a special needs kiddo in it might not be the best home for Zulal. The organization made arrangements for her to transition to a family with no other kids in the home, with retirement age parents, so she would have more undivided attention. Within days of the move, Zulal's mental health deteriorated even further and she ended up being hospitalized in Iowa City. We later discovered that she had an underlying condition that was not disclosed on her application and the stress from international travel and getting a viral illness shortly after starting school triggered this neurological condition that caused the erratic behavior and decline in her health. Thankfully she is safely back home in Turkey and her health has been restored.
It's always interesting to see (after the fact) what God is up to with things as He works all things together for good. At the same time Zulal transitioned from our house, we got a call from DHS asking if we would consider taking a placement of a girl who had stayed with us January through March. Our hearts were prepared to say yes if we ever got that call and if we had capacity. We were able to say yes and the extra kiddo moved in this past October. We knew that she had a sister who was placed elsewhere who she had been separated from for a while, and God began to stir our hearts to say yes if the teen sister was ever in need of a new placement. That ended up happening on December 8. The sister happens to have a baby who is placed with another family. Around Christmas God began to stir our hearts again. I will admit I was not excited about the stirring. My flesh cried out "no babies, God." "I said no babies." And yet, here we are with a 10-month old coming for visits every weekend. Please keep our family in your prayers as we discern what exactly God is asking of us. This was definitely not in my plans for my life/our family, but more than anything we want to be obedient even if that means 20+ loads of laundry per week and baby toys all over the floor. When the washing machine broke a couple weeks ago after it was stuffed too full by a kiddo, I just had to laugh. Sanctify me, Lord, is my daily prayer. Thankful that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. (By the way, let me know if there is anywhere to buy a reliable washing machine for cheap!)
Work update:
August through December I completed Internship 1 for my counseling degree and I just started Internship 2 on January 12th. I'm still going to jail every Monday (never thought I'd love going to jail every week), and still mentoring at drug court on Tuesdays. With my internship I am seeing patients at Prairie Ridge Wednesday through Friday, and I've continued one-on-one discipleship on Saturdays and Sundays. I am amazed at how God continues to provide all I need. He is truly my daily bread. Fall semester I learned this concept of daily manna in an intimate way like never before. Each morning when I woke up, I had to focus only on the needs for that single day, and God faithfully provided what was needed for that one day. Nothing more. Nothing less. The one constant in this work that God has called me to is His faithful care and provision for me. I feel like I can't stop talking about the goodness of God.
Something else VERY exciting happened in the last few months. A piece of the mission's long-term vision is coming to fruition. A few months back, a local church approached me and offered to purchase a house that I would be able to use for a women's sober living/recovery home (Rachel's Place). The timing could not have been more perfect. The house closing took place right before Thanksgiving and the church that owns the house approved some updates that got completed in December. Again, despite the busyness of the holidays, and finals, and kids' activities, and work, God provided enough time to get the house cleaned (with a sweet small group of individuals who showed up to scrub and serve over the holiday week). Then all the donated items I've collected the last two years were able to be moved out of my garage (HALLELUJAH and thanks to Mike, Derek, and the men's sober living residents who helped). The house got put together (thank you Lauryn) in a blizzard for the dedication/ribbon cutting (that got rescheduled due to the blizzard) on January 4th. Amazingly, every donated item found a place in the house--just like it was meant to be there. And the house looks amazing! Just like home. The dedication night was such a special evening and there was such a sweet presence of the holy spirit there. People from at least 6 local churches showed up to see the house and pray over the space. It was extra special to have Rachel's parents there to cut the ribbon and share a few words. Although Rachel is not physically on this earth anymore, her life will continue to minister to other woman struggling with addiction through Rachel's Place. All things working together for good.
We have sent out 8 applications for women interested in living at the house and have begun interviews. Trusting God to bring the right women in the right timing (but I must admit I'm anxious to get women in the house). God knows though and I'm going to choose to trust because He knows what He's doing
Entering into 2026, I'm realizing I still have a little bit of work to do on the partnership/support-raising side of things if I'm going to do this full time in the way I feel called to. As many of you know, asking for help is not my strong suit. That being said, if there's anyone else who you think might like to be invited into partnership with the mission, please let me know. I'd love to connect with anyone who feels led to partner in this work, either as a mentor/volunteer or financially.
And finally, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for your faithfulness in supporting the mission. I continue to be humbled and honored to get to partner with you in this work. As I write this I'm praying a blessing over each of you, a blessing aligned with Ephesians 3:20.
All glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. May it be so in each of our lives this year.
Love your sister in Christ,
Ashley
Here's a recap of the last few months...
Family update first:
After getting into school rhythm with the exchange student (from Turkey) who we had living with us, we started to notice that there were some abnormal behaviors occurring. We were in communication with the program coordinator and she continued to encourage us that it was likely just a language barrier/culture shock. However, the behaviors got worse and by mid-September it became clear that something else was going on and that our busy household with a special needs kiddo in it might not be the best home for Zulal. The organization made arrangements for her to transition to a family with no other kids in the home, with retirement age parents, so she would have more undivided attention. Within days of the move, Zulal's mental health deteriorated even further and she ended up being hospitalized in Iowa City. We later discovered that she had an underlying condition that was not disclosed on her application and the stress from international travel and getting a viral illness shortly after starting school triggered this neurological condition that caused the erratic behavior and decline in her health. Thankfully she is safely back home in Turkey and her health has been restored.
It's always interesting to see (after the fact) what God is up to with things as He works all things together for good. At the same time Zulal transitioned from our house, we got a call from DHS asking if we would consider taking a placement of a girl who had stayed with us January through March. Our hearts were prepared to say yes if we ever got that call and if we had capacity. We were able to say yes and the extra kiddo moved in this past October. We knew that she had a sister who was placed elsewhere who she had been separated from for a while, and God began to stir our hearts to say yes if the teen sister was ever in need of a new placement. That ended up happening on December 8. The sister happens to have a baby who is placed with another family. Around Christmas God began to stir our hearts again. I will admit I was not excited about the stirring. My flesh cried out "no babies, God." "I said no babies." And yet, here we are with a 10-month old coming for visits every weekend. Please keep our family in your prayers as we discern what exactly God is asking of us. This was definitely not in my plans for my life/our family, but more than anything we want to be obedient even if that means 20+ loads of laundry per week and baby toys all over the floor. When the washing machine broke a couple weeks ago after it was stuffed too full by a kiddo, I just had to laugh. Sanctify me, Lord, is my daily prayer. Thankful that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. (By the way, let me know if there is anywhere to buy a reliable washing machine for cheap!)
Work update:
August through December I completed Internship 1 for my counseling degree and I just started Internship 2 on January 12th. I'm still going to jail every Monday (never thought I'd love going to jail every week), and still mentoring at drug court on Tuesdays. With my internship I am seeing patients at Prairie Ridge Wednesday through Friday, and I've continued one-on-one discipleship on Saturdays and Sundays. I am amazed at how God continues to provide all I need. He is truly my daily bread. Fall semester I learned this concept of daily manna in an intimate way like never before. Each morning when I woke up, I had to focus only on the needs for that single day, and God faithfully provided what was needed for that one day. Nothing more. Nothing less. The one constant in this work that God has called me to is His faithful care and provision for me. I feel like I can't stop talking about the goodness of God.
Something else VERY exciting happened in the last few months. A piece of the mission's long-term vision is coming to fruition. A few months back, a local church approached me and offered to purchase a house that I would be able to use for a women's sober living/recovery home (Rachel's Place). The timing could not have been more perfect. The house closing took place right before Thanksgiving and the church that owns the house approved some updates that got completed in December. Again, despite the busyness of the holidays, and finals, and kids' activities, and work, God provided enough time to get the house cleaned (with a sweet small group of individuals who showed up to scrub and serve over the holiday week). Then all the donated items I've collected the last two years were able to be moved out of my garage (HALLELUJAH and thanks to Mike, Derek, and the men's sober living residents who helped). The house got put together (thank you Lauryn) in a blizzard for the dedication/ribbon cutting (that got rescheduled due to the blizzard) on January 4th. Amazingly, every donated item found a place in the house--just like it was meant to be there. And the house looks amazing! Just like home. The dedication night was such a special evening and there was such a sweet presence of the holy spirit there. People from at least 6 local churches showed up to see the house and pray over the space. It was extra special to have Rachel's parents there to cut the ribbon and share a few words. Although Rachel is not physically on this earth anymore, her life will continue to minister to other woman struggling with addiction through Rachel's Place. All things working together for good.
We have sent out 8 applications for women interested in living at the house and have begun interviews. Trusting God to bring the right women in the right timing (but I must admit I'm anxious to get women in the house). God knows though and I'm going to choose to trust because He knows what He's doing
Entering into 2026, I'm realizing I still have a little bit of work to do on the partnership/support-raising side of things if I'm going to do this full time in the way I feel called to. As many of you know, asking for help is not my strong suit. That being said, if there's anyone else who you think might like to be invited into partnership with the mission, please let me know. I'd love to connect with anyone who feels led to partner in this work, either as a mentor/volunteer or financially.
And finally, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for your faithfulness in supporting the mission. I continue to be humbled and honored to get to partner with you in this work. As I write this I'm praying a blessing over each of you, a blessing aligned with Ephesians 3:20.
All glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. May it be so in each of our lives this year.
Love your sister in Christ,
Ashley
1 Comment
God Bless You, Ashley! You are amazing! Loved reading your update! Yes, God is Good! You have done wonderful things with God’s help and prayer! I will definitely pray for all that you are doing and I will pray for someone to come forward to help you in any capacity! Stay strong and know you are making a huge positive impact on so many needy people!
nYour friend in Christ, Polly Suntken (we are snowbirds in Florida this winter)