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In the past week I have missed Africa. I’ve missed it so much.

But today I didn’t just miss it. Today my heart was broken all over again for these people. I can’t say exactly what brought it on. I just know that my thoughts and prayers were with them and the weight of their need fell on me yet again.

I can’t forget.

Sweet little faces, their little hands in mine, their big eyes looking up, all smiles. I can’t imagine what it’s like to live as they live. I complain about such insignificant things. And yet they find a way to be joyful. Their laughter is beautiful because it transcends their circumstances. It rises up from poverty and need and speaks their heart. They are children. They love to run around and play games just like any other child. They are forced to grow up so quickly and yet their innocence is written all over them. They are the most loving, appreciative children I have ever encountered. The smallest acts and gifts mean so much to them. (Matthew 19:14)

And then there are the women in Nazaret. The women who had been so used and disrespected in the past, and yet still found a way to open up to us. They glorified God for His faithfulness and chose not to dwell on the pain of their past, except to testify of God’s awesome salvation. Their mourning has turned to dancing (Psalm 30:11-12). Their need is still great, but their joy in the Lord is greater (Isaiah 61:10).

And the street boys. The boys who go without so much- shelter, food, money, education, even family. The boys who depend on one another and do whatever it takes to get by. These boys broke our hearts. Not only for the needs they have, but because they are truly boys. They are children. And instead of reaching out to them, their society looks down on them and avoids them. They need love. I am so thankful to people like Derebe who see these boys and see their need – both physical and spiritual. I pray that they would seek the Lord who loves them and take refuge in Him (Psalm 72:4, Isaiah 41:17).

I pray that we (the team) would find ways to serve these people while we’re here in America. If nothing changes after this trip, that would surely be a tragedy. May the Lord guide us in our giving and our prayers, that His will would be done and He would truly be glorified. I am so thankful for the things He has shown me and the people He has brought into my life. May I continue to learn from the beautiful people of Ethiopia. May He continue to break my heart for the things that break His.

“The morning began with a few women sharing their testimony. I so admire their transparency and their courage. Some of their stories- no, all of them- broke my heart, but the Lord has done an amazing work… Our God is truly mighty to save. He’s bigger and greater than we can even imagine…” (July 1, 2009 from Nazret)

“Wenchi Lake is absolutely breathtaking. We got on horseback and started down the mountainside. I don’t know that my words can ever fully do this experience justice. I saw cliffs and mountains and waterfalls. Huts with fences made of sticks where little village children stood in the doorway and waved, smiling and saying ‘Hullo!’ It was a scene from National Geographic and yet I was in the midst of it. On a horse.” (July 3, 2009 from Ambo)

“Tadi told us that many of them had spent their childhood wishing just to be a tree in America. He wondered aloud what it would take to make them want to be a kid in their own country rather than a tree elsewhere… I’m not sure I’ve ever felt as broken for this place as I did when he was speaking…” (July 4, 2009 from Ambo)

“These kids are so quick to love and it’s really a beautiful thing to witness. They give so much and I hope we are able to give even a percentage of that back to them.” (July 5, 2009 from Ambo)

“It is my prayer that this trip truly changes me. I don’t want to be the same Brittany I was when I left New York. I want to be better, wiser and most of all, closer to Jesus. And closer to being the person He calls me to be.” (July 6, 2009 from Ambo)

“I want to find a way to be that person Jesus wants me to be in a place that makes it so easy to be comfortable in the world… I want to listen for His voice and go the direction He calls me to go and not be afraid of it.” (July 10, 2009 from New York)

An update is overdue at this point. As many of you know, I returned to the U.S. on Thursday, July 9. I am still processing all of my experiences and am sure I will continue to do so in the days, weeks, months and years to come. I am hoping to have a full-length blog post sometime in the very near future, and perhaps include some excerpts from the journal I kept during the trip.

Looking forward to sharing Africa with all of you. Words, however, will never do it justice.

Have I mentioned how awesome God is? Through your donations (and ultimately, God’s provision) all funds necessary for me to make this trip have been raised.

“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
Luke 18:27

Another conference call last night to discuss some ministry plans and catch up with the team. We have a lot of great stuff planned, and I may need your help with a few things, friends! I’ll update soon with a list of supplies we’re going to need, and if there’s anything you’re willing and able to contribute, we would be so appreciative!

I’m going to be assisting in planning some music activities and also Bible study/devotions in the morning at a home for former prostitutes. Please, if you have any insight or ideas to offer for these, feel free to post a comment or email me. I want to give these women and children our very best, and God’s very best. If there’s any verses of scripture you think would speak to the women especially, please share them with me. Ashlee mentioned on the call last night verses that show them how much God loves them, and I’m feeling the burden to share verses about the new life they have in Christ, and how He makes ALL THINGS new. If you have anything that relates to this, or something else God puts on your heart, please share!

God bless, friends!

and read this.

It’s moving, convicting, and so very true.

Dear friends and family,

 

As many, if not all, of you know, I will be traveling to Ethiopia this summer on a two-week missions trip.  The trip is less than two months away, and with each day comes more excitement about how God is going to use me and my team.

 

Originally our trip was supposed to take us to the capital city of Addis Abbaba.  Since that time, however, our itinerary has changed.  We will now be staying in the village of Ambo, which is approximately two hours west of the capital.

 

Mocha Club, alongside Compassion International, recently built a school in the village that serves about 250 students.  Much of our time in Ambo will be spent in the school – teaching, assisting, and helping to facilitate after-school programs and Vacation Bible School.  I am so excited to serve these children and to be able to show them the love of Christ.

 

We will also have the opportunity to serve the street boys of Ambo.  These children have no family and no home and essentially take care of one another.  While we still don’t have details, we will be ministering to these children in some way as well.

 

This is such an awesome opportunity to just love these kids.  It is my prayer that they would be able to see even a glimpse of the love that Jesus has for them, and that they would hold onto that.  I pray that seeds would be planted and decisions made to follow Jesus, and that those who are following Christ would draw nearer to Him.

 

On the other hand, these children have so much to teach me and my team.  They know what it’s like to have nothing.  Of course, when I say “nothing”, I mean possessions- “things”.  We can learn so much about them through their joy; through the smiles on their faces.  Amidst their struggles to eat, drink and provide themselves with what we in America consider basic necessities, they have joy.  Their joy is not based upon their possessions, but rather their hope.  They have a perspective so different from ours because the things that often distract us from our amazing, loving, and all-powerful Lord have been stripped away.  They know what it is to rely on God for all of their needs, just as He wishes for us to do.

 

As our departure date approaches, I ask that you would continue to lift our team up in prayer.  Pray for our individual relationships with the Lord and that we would rely on Him for all of our needs on this trip and beyond, that we would come together as a team and work for the glory of our Lord, that we would have safe travels to and from Ethiopia and that we all would come up with the necessary funds.  Also, please be praying for the organization, Mocha Club, as well as the projects they continue to work on.  Please continue to pray for the people in Ethiopia that their physical and spiritual needs would be met, and that they would “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).

 

Lastly, I am still in the process of raising the last $600 out of $3,100.  I am confident that the Lord will provide, and if any of you feel led to give, you can find the necessary instructions under the “How Can I Help?” tab.  Please do not feel any obligation, but know that any amount, no matter how big or small, is so very much appreciated.  I can’t express my gratitude to all of you who have given donations, offered encouragement, and faithfully prayed for this trip!

Thank you all for your continued support.

 

Many blessings,

Brittany

I always have such a great time on the conference calls with my team!  What a fun group of people they are.  I can’t wait to share in this amazing experience with them.