Greetings from Bangladesh!

Beloved Friends and Family,

We have arrived safely in Bangladesh and have now settled into our first ministry site in Barisal. On behalf of the team, I apologize for minimal contact upon arrival in Bangladesh. It has been more difficult to find internet, and as we begin work in the village, and move on to the Rishilpi organizaiton, communication will be limited for the next three weeks.

After a very early flight from Kolkata to Dhaka, Bangladesh, we arrived to the open arms of Russel's family. For two days, we were able to rest, do a little necessary shopping, and fellowship with the Anwar family. They have been so gracious in welcoming us and organizing all of the logistics of the trip, and it is evident that their hearts ache for the people of Bangladesh! We are so privileged and excited to be a part of the work that they do here year-round. The spiritual and cultural climate is different in Bangladesh, as a majority of the population are Muslim rather than Hindu. Since arriving in Barisal (a six-hour drive from Dhaka city), we have visited the village where we will help build ten houses for cyclone Sidr victims, the Oxford Mission, the Baptist Church of Barisal (founded by William Carey's grandson), and fellowshipped and rested as a team. In addition, we have been privileged to have our director of the Office of World Missions from APU, Chiraphone, and a graduate student from the office, Erin, stay and minister with us. They have been incredible support and encouragement thus far, and we look forward to the next week with them!

This evening, we will be briefed on the logistics of the house building in the village of Gowripur by the project coordinator, and we will begin work on the houses tomorrow! The village is absolutely beautiful--the people, the colors, the vegetation, everything--but it is clear that Sidr devasted many families in the area. Yesterday we learned that this village has had no aid at all since the cyclone hit in November 2007. With great thanksgiving, we will help construct ten houses for those who need shelter the most and are incapable of building on their own. The people that we will help include a family whose husband has gastric cancer, one that does not have food unless the husband is able to work, and a single woman who was left by her fiance. In addition to constructing these houses, we are excited to see how the Father wants to move through us specifically in their lives, through encouragement, deliverance, and healing!

After our time in Gowripur, we will move on to the Rishipli organization (they have a website--just search for Rishilpi and Bangladesh in Google and then click on the "translate webpage" into English) for about two weeks. While we do not know exactly what that ministry will consist of, we hope to join with the missionaries there in any ways needed. They provide handicraft and leather-working for abandoned women and disabled men, schools for surrounding villages, a clinic, and other projects on a needed basis. Again, we are excited to see how the Father wishes to use us at Rishilpi! After that, it is on to debrief and most likely a bit more internet communication.

Although we may not be able to update you as often as in Kolkata, please keep us in prayer by listening to the Spirit's leading. I am often overwhelmed by the Body, which spans across oceans and continents, and trust that the Father will let you know how to be specifically praying for us. Right now, please pray for continued favor with our hosts, drivers, and the people of Gowripur village, along with our team seeking the Father's leading first in all that we do--in our actions, words, thoughts, and prayers. We appreciate your support very much and would certainly not be able to be ambassadors of God's hope and peace for the cyclone affected people of Bangladesh if it were not for the all of you on the homefront. Please know that you are all greatly missed and loved. Blessings until we speak again!

With great joy and thanksgiving,
Ashley