Finding Joseph

ashley schroederfinding joseph

Ashley Schroeder is an enthusiastic motivational speaker, author and advocate for abused and abandoned children for Holt International, a Christian organization dedicated to finding families for the world’s orphaned and abandoned children. She raises awareness to help children through sponsorships that provide a healthy and loving environment, proper nutrition, education and medical care.

IN 2006, WHILE DRIVING, I WASSINGING MY LITTLE HEART OUTTO GOD WHILE LISTENING TO CRYSTAL LEWIS ON THE RADIO.

Suddenly, in the middle of singing, I heard in my spirit, “His name is Joseph.” I have many talents, but singing while driving and then suddenly hearing a boy’s name that I have never thought of before is not natural.

I knew it was the Holy Spirit. I turned off my radio and asked, “Who is Joseph, God?” Then I heard in my spirit, “His name is Joseph, and you will be a catalyst for him as I have great plans for Joseph. He comes from an unfortunate situation, but I am going to use you to help him.

Even though God gave him a nickname. “He was named Joseph at birth. I said to God, “OK, but how can I be a catalyst for someone I don’t even know? I am still a mom of two young daughters. How is this going to happen?”

Then I heard in my spirit, “Stay close to Pastor Deborah Kaplan. She will help you on this path.” I immediately picked up my cell phone to call Pastor Deborah, and I told her what the Lord said to me.

The next week we meet for coffee, and she started mentoring me. She gave me the opportunity to speak in front of the church. I started attending seminary classes. My confidence started to climb, and soon God opened doors to speak at conferences and concerts and on the radio.

I ran downstairs to the display tables and the search for Joseph was on.

In 2014 I attended a Winter Jam concert in Tampa. New Song’s Russ Lee gave an appeal to sponsor a child with Holt International. My heart was pounding with enthusiasm. I knew in my heart this was a turning point and the start of finding Joseph. I asked God, “Do you want me to sponsor a child, Lord?” I felt that the answer was yes.

I ran downstairs to the display tables and the search for Joseph was on. I had everyone looking

through all the picture cards for a Joseph but none were found. So I inquired of the Lord again. “Do you still want me to sponsor a child?” The answer came, “Yes but for now I want you to sponsor a different child.” I picked a picture card with the sweetest little boy with the biggest eyes named Samuel from Ethiopia.

A few months later, I was asked to speak at a conference; the discussion was to have a very large attendance. I asked my friend Debbie Yoerg, Founder of Crowns for Christ Ministries, about how to have Holt sponsor a table at the event. In Debbie’s encouraging fashion, she said, “Why don’t you do the appeal for Holt?”

Of course, this scared my pants off. The plan was the have thousands of people, not just a few hundred like I had spoken in front of before. Plus, I didn’t even know who to talk to about what God had put on my heart, but I knew if God’s hand was in it, I had His favor and that I would be victorious.

Later, I called Holt International and they referred me to Kris Thompson. When we spoke, we became instant friends. I told her everything the Lord had said to me about Joseph. I was already a little nervous, and then Kris asked a question that stopped me in my tracks, “What is the largest crowd of people you have spoken in front of?” With a big gulp, I said with confidence, “Oh, around 500 people.”

She asked, “Well, do you have any videos of you speaking that I can see?” Quickly I recalled that a few months prior, Crowns for Christ had recorded me speaking at a conference. I sent Kris the video and I heard nothing back for months.

I was at a women’s prayer meeting, and my friend Bonita said, “I have a word from the Lord for you. I see children all around you, and God’s going to use you for great things.” I said, “Well, I appreciate the word, but I have tried that path and nothing has happened.”

Bonita looked at me sternly, “I don’t know about that, but this is what I hear for you.” Pastor Deborah chimed in, “Didn’t God say that you would work with children one day?”

About an hour later, I got in my car to leave, but first I checked my email. To my surprise, Kris Thompson had reached out to me! “Ashley, we have watched the video of you speaking and we

love you! We have never done this before, but we would like to sign an artist agreement with you to represent Holt International at the conferences that you are asked to speak at.”

My jaw probably hit the floor at that moment. God was fulfilling His promise to me in a big way. Since then, my speaking engagements increased, and I went to Haiti in June of 2017 to spend time with the children there.

Today, I sponsoring a boy named Joseph from the Philippines. This may not be the exact Joseph that God spoke to me about, but the Holt kids are all my Josephs. Every time I speak on behalf of Holt, I think of Joseph.

My jaw probably hit the floor at that moment. God was fulfilling His promise to me in a big way.

I am honored to have this opportunity to be used by God to represent Holt children in need. I know that I will find Joseph in God’s timing. It is interesting that God prearranged Joseph to have a nickname so I will know him when I meet him.

So my search for finding Joseph is still on. Until then, I can’t wait to see what God has planned next; my heart is full of God’s love for these children. I encourage you to sponsor a child with Holt International. When looking through the profile pictures, ask God which one He wants to use you for as a catalyst for change in a child’s life. God has great plans for that child, but He needs you to accomplish the goal.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40, NIV).

Find out more about Ashley’s book and her work with Holt International

visitwww.PapaGodandAshley.com