Goodbye World Race

5/22/25

I hold back tears as I sit, waiting to board my flight back home— filled with gratitude for these past nine months of my life. I’m thankful for everything I got to see, everyone I had the privilege to meet, and all the ways God moved. Every story, salvation, prayer, healing, and moment in between—I’m so thankful. I’ve seen and learned so much this year. He gets all the glory!

Gap K, my second family—I am so, so thankful for you. My love for each of you runs deeper than I ever thought possible. The things we’ve walked through together and the moments we’ve shared will stay with me forever. Our squad was marked by joy—joy that could only come from the Lord. I never stopped laughing with you all.

To my Doves—serving alongside each and every one of you these past nine months has been the biggest blessing. You guys are my best friends, and I’m so incredibly thankful for you. From sharing a room and giggling all night, to laughing until we literally peed on the floor, to bonding with ministry hosts and praying over countless people—I will miss you all so, so much. I’ve seen the Lord move powerfully through our team and through each of us individually. I pray I always live in remembrance of all He has done. I love you all. ❤️

Goodbye World Race

Goodbye tents flapping in the wind.

Goodbye worship under stars and tin roofs.

Goodbye walking up to strangers with a little fear, more fear of God.

Goodbye uncontrollable laughter in the back of a van.

Goodbye pet chickens who thought they were squad members.

Goodbye tears cried during team time.

Goodbye sleeping on tile, concrete, dirt, and anywhere in between.

Goodbye sharing rooms with my amazing team.

Goodbye dancing during the long, sweaty days.

Goodbye movie nights with terrible Wi-Fi but the best company.

Goodbye mug cakes made with different ingredients each time.

Goodbye talent shows that made us cry with laughter.

Goodbye debriefs where we spent most of the time at the pool.

Goodbye sweating through every piece of clothing in Africa.

Goodbye safaris that made us feel like kids again.

Goodbye penguins waddling on beaches we didn’t know existed.

Goodbye blind eyes that suddenly saw.

Goodbye comas that ended when prayer began.

Goodbye salvations that made every “yes” worth it.

Goodbye McDonald’s booths filled with ministry hosts, fries, and laughter.

Goodbye prayer houses filled with incense and surrender.

Goodbye tiny classrooms where we taught English and love.

Goodbye days without service but full of presence.

Goodbye euchre games that had too much trash talk.

Goodbye making dinner for 34 with the Doves.

Goodbye teachings that shifted how we see God and ourselves.

Goodbye prayers that changed the room.

Goodbye hikes that left us breathless in more ways than one.

Goodbye Cape Town views and winding roads.

Goodbye Lake Atitlán with the volcanoes and cliff jumps.

Goodbye volcanoes we never thought we’d get to the top of.

Goodbye sweaty runs and group Pilates in the view of everyone.

Goodbye shared closets and worn clothes.

Goodbye backpacks that carried more stories than stuff.

Goodbye airport floors where we found rest.

Goodbye sketchy vans that somehow always got us there.

Goodbye crammed chicken buses with music blasting.

Goodbye tattoos that tell more than ink ever should.

Goodbye kids in the town square who ran straight into our arms.

Goodbye squad church where the Holy Spirit surprised us again.

Goodbye crying as we were split into new groups, going new places.

Goodbye joyful reunions that made the waiting worth it.

Goodbye long road trips with broken AC and very little leg room.

Goodbye to all the borders we crossed.

Goodbye gospel shared on sidewalks, in fields, at bus stops.

Goodbye standing on stages not to perform, but to worship.

Goodbye braais and sweet smoke in the air.

Goodbye painted crafts, games, and chaos at VBS.

Goodbye dance parties in Swazi.

Goodbye to everything familiar,

and everything that will never be again.

Goodbye to a year that changed everything.

Goodbye, World Race.

Thank YOU

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me this year in any way. Thank you for reaching out, praying for me, giving financially, and even just reading my blogs. I’ve been home for two weeks now, and it’s been so encouraging to hear how my blogs impacted you. Thank you, Jesus, that You moved through them! He is so good and worthy of all the praise.

A new season is blooming!

Being home feels so weird—but also like I never left. My family welcomed me back in the best way possible (see photo!). It’s been so sweet getting to see everyone again.

During my first week home, I heard the Lord say, “A new season is blooming.” I’m entering it full of surrender and excitement. It will look different from this past year, and I know I’ll miss it—and the people in it—but I also know He has something so good for me in this next chapter.

I want to live the rest of my life the way I lived this year: fully surrendered and obedient to say yes when He calls. So here I am, Lord—ready to love Your people, right here where You’ve placed me. There’s no other place I’d rather be!

 

AHH this is so weird. I’m writing the last sentence of my last blog from my World Race Gap Year.

OK, GOODBYE!!!

With love (for the last time),

—Ashlyn