“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32 (KJV)
“God has been so gracious to us by giving us a beautiful place to live in a 77-acre coffee plantation.
One day, Caleb, our 8-year-old son, and three of his friends went exploring through the coffee plants. When they were ready to come home, they were not sure which way to go. They decided to go up one of the hills, but they still could not see the house. Then Caleb had the idea of climbing trees in order to see farther. After climbing several trees along the way, he yelled out to his friends, “I see the cross!”
In hopes of having a good harvest each year, our landlord had constructed a large white cross on one of the hills near our house because he believes that Mary, Jesus, and God would bless his efforts. So when Caleb saw the cross, he knew which direction to head. When he retold the story, he commented that when he was up in the tree and saw the cross, he knew that he was home.
What is the compass you use to guide you and your loved ones? What is your home? Are you sure that the path you are on today will lead you to the eternal home with God?
Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” Caleb saw the cross, and it represented home, safety, and the right to say, “I once was lost, but now I’m found.”
-Jeff and Karen, Middle America and the Caribbean
Father, I praise you that you sent your Son to die on the cross for my sins. Thank you that He rose again. Thank you that as a result, anyone who believes in Him can have eternal life! May I never stray from the cross. May I abide in you. Amen.
Someone once asked me “What would you say to the 40/40’s who are preparing to come?” I thought long and hard, I came up with some encouraging things to tell them, I thought of a LOT of things I would tell them to bring, but, there was something weighing very heavy on my heart. It was as if God Himself was telling me to tell them the truth! So this is what I would tell them and anyone who is preparing to become a missionary.
This will be the hardest thing you have ever done in your life. You will question your call and God more times than you would care to count. You will experience things in your own life that you NEVER dreamed of experiencing. Some of those things will be GREAT and will change your life forever….in a good way. And then other things will be horrible and change your life, but maybe not in such a good way. I cling to the promise that God will use EVERYTHING for HIS good, because without this promise my life is a lost cause.
You will make friends that will last a lifetime. It’s a “Live together or die alone” kind of thing. Your cluster support family, partner and fellow 40/40’s are your family. Learn to trust and love them because they are all you’ve got in the hard times! This is what I would tell you, if you asked me about my life as a missionary. This is the truth of my life, and I’m committed to it!
My sister Angela sent me a song that touched my heart and has since been an anchor in my life. It’s called “The Words I Would Say”. These words have kept me going when I was ready to give up: “Be strong in the Lord, And NEVER give up hope, you’re gonna do GREAT things, I already know. God’s got His hand on you, So, don’t live life in fear, Forgive and Forget, BUT DON’T FORGET WHY YOU’RE HERE, take your time and Pray, these are the words I would say.”
“What is the compass you use to guide you and your loved ones?” mine is the cross. I will walk in the shadow of the cross that way people will see Jesus first, and then me!
With all my love, Brittany
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Funnies!
Something that started early on with our group was the saying “You know you’re in Peru when…..” well, once we moved to the jungle we changed it to “You know you’re in the jungle when……” I decided that my blogs have been really serious lately so it’s time for some funnies!
“You know you’re in the Jungle when…..
“You know you’re in the Jungle when…..
You don’t leave the house without putting bug spray and deodorant on.
You have completely forgotten what a “hot” shower feels like.
You don’t remember a time when you weren’t sweating.
It’s the end of January/beginning of February and you are getting hit with water balloons.
More often than not your shower partner is a green tree frog.
You gladly welcome the company of the geckos’ on the ceiling because they will eat the spiders living in the corners.
You think it’s strange to ride in a car (There are about 38,000 motorcycles and motto-taxies here; and not too many cars).
Your iPod becomes your best friend because at night it drounds out the sound of the rat running in the attic.
You NEVER throw away your receipts because you might need some toilet paper later.
It’s not strange to see a monkey sitting in the waiting room at the Dentist office. And no the monkey was not waiting to see the Dentist, he was just a pet.
You are happy to be sleeping on the top bunk because you know that the mice and rats can’t get in your bed. True story, one girl woke up to find a mouse in her bed with her. Also one of our guys moved his mattress to the floor because the bed frame is too short for him. Well, one night he woke up because a rat had crawled into his mouth. He has since moved his mattress up on benches.
Your skin is poke a dotted with mosquito bites.
Your clothes are wet…………and it’s not from water.
Your diet is chicken, rice and potatoes.
That itch on your leg might be an ant, mosquito or sweat….and the funny thing is you don’t care anymore.
WARNING Food sealed in packages is not safe from the rats!
A gourmet meal is Kraft Mac and Cheese….Mmmmm it’s never tasted so good!
When you can NEVER throw your toilet paper in the toilet!
Your 16 month olds’ (NOT mine, our cluster support families) favorite pet is not the puppy but a HUGE ugly beetle!
When it rains you don’t want you use a rain coat or umbrella because the rain feels so good!
Seeing little boys peeing in the street is just a part of your everyday scenery.
You know it’s a "cold" day when you only take one shower and notice that the water is cold!
You can relate to a pregnant woman because you have cravings ALL THE TIME!!!
I hope you have gotten a good laugh and maybe a little insight about our lives here in the jungle. Feel free to live a commit or ask questions, I would be happy to answer you!
Mom asked me the other day how I’m doing considering my last blog. She also said many of you had also inquired about how I’m doing these days. I will say what I’ve said many times, we have our days, sometimes good and other times not so good. We have had lots of……for lack of a better word I will call it drama; these last 2 weeks. I’m sorry but I can’t tell you all that’s going on, all I can say is that we continue to need your prayers. I want to thank each of you for caring and loving me! It means the world to me.
Love always, Brittany
An Answer to Prayer!
I have wonderful news; a couple weeks ago Katie went to Lima to get a second opinion. The Doctor said that it is not t tumor; it is a cyst that has filled with liquid. She will more than likely not have to have surgery. Praise the Lord, for He has indeed answered our prayers! Thank you so much for all your prayers for Katie and her family!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Please Pray for Katie
Dear Friends and Family,
I’m writing this blog to ask you to pray from a very special young lady, her name is Katie. Katie is from California and will be staying here in Iquitos for the next year and 8 month (but who’s counting, right?). Katie is just a few months younger than I, and this is one of the many reasons we have become great friends.
About a week ago Katie started having lots of pain in her leg; she finally agreed to go to the doctor this week. The doctor gave her some pain meds and did a blood test. Katie decided to go back a few days later because her leg was still hurting, this time the doctor did a sonogram. The sonogram showed a small tumor on the inside of her right leg, just behind her knee. The doctor said she needs to have surgery as soon as possible.
Katie and her family are trying to decided when and where she will have the surgery. Yesterday all the 40/40’s had a day of prayer and fasting. In your times of prayer and solitude would you please say a little prayer for Katie and her family, pray that God will give them wisdom and guidance. Pray that God would give them His everlasting peace.
With much love and thanks, Brittany
I’m writing this blog to ask you to pray from a very special young lady, her name is Katie. Katie is from California and will be staying here in Iquitos for the next year and 8 month (but who’s counting, right?). Katie is just a few months younger than I, and this is one of the many reasons we have become great friends.
About a week ago Katie started having lots of pain in her leg; she finally agreed to go to the doctor this week. The doctor gave her some pain meds and did a blood test. Katie decided to go back a few days later because her leg was still hurting, this time the doctor did a sonogram. The sonogram showed a small tumor on the inside of her right leg, just behind her knee. The doctor said she needs to have surgery as soon as possible.
Katie and her family are trying to decided when and where she will have the surgery. Yesterday all the 40/40’s had a day of prayer and fasting. In your times of prayer and solitude would you please say a little prayer for Katie and her family, pray that God will give them wisdom and guidance. Pray that God would give them His everlasting peace.
With much love and thanks, Brittany
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The Truth!
Greetings from the Amazon jungle!
I'm sorry it has been a while since I posted anything new. I've gone back and forth on if I should write this blog or not and finally I decided it is necessary. In cross-cultural training they advised us to write blogs or emails as often as possible, but to be very careful about what we were writing. In other words, they said it's not the greatest idea to write when you are having a bad day.
I've done my best to be truthful and at the same time be careful in want I have written. It's time for me to be really honest with all of you.
My time here in Peru has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Really, it's only been since we got here to Iquitos, our time in Arequipa was great....well minus the whole car wreck :(.
Let me tell you a little about cultural shock. Cultural shock is horrible, there aren't really any words to describe it, just personal experiences. A friend once said Regin Spektor's song "Eat" best describes it when she says "It's like forgetting the words to your favorite song, you can't believe it, you were always singing along, it was so easy and the words so sweet, you can't remember, you try to feel the beat". We all have a favorite song, yes? And when we hear the first note to that song, we are already singing and maybe even dancing around. Thank about if you heard that song and you knew it was your favorite song but no words were coming to mind and worse it's like the whole song has been muted. You are no longer dancing around, you are standing in udder dismay, shock and ultimately, pain.
A while back I wrote my Mom and expressed to her how I felt that I had lost myself. I no longer knew how to be me in English or Spanish. I felt as though I had been completely removed from my body, placed on the outside and forced to watch this person try to live her life. I could no longer express my thoughts or feelings.......because I no longer had any.
As if that was not enough, we all know that Satan loves to attack when we are weakest. I have always know and believed that, "...our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil.." I have struggled with issues of and from my past, things I thought I had dealt with and given to God. I have struggled with things that I never would have dreamed would be issues in my life. Two 40/40's and two families have gone home since I arrived here almost 6 months ago. This is not a little short term missions trip, this is the real deal people. Satan is doing EVERYTHING he can to make this organization fail.
I'm asking each of you to dig a little deeper and pray a little harder. Cry out to God, plead with him for our protection, that He would give us the strength to fight the enemy. I know that I have a family at home praying for me because if I didn't I would not still be here. We are doing our very best and fighting with all we've got but, we are growing weary. 2 Corinthians 4:1 and 4:16 says " Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart." "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."
We need you to come alongside us, pick us up when we have fallen, encourage us when we are ready to give up, and most of all love us and remind us of why we are here . YOU our supporters, our friends and our families are part of the reason we are here. God choose each of you to be apart of this ministry through your prayers and through your giving. Isaiah 41:9 says " I took you from the ends of the earth, from it's farthest corners I called you. I said 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you." This verse has brought me great encouragement, knowing that this is from God, this was and is not a Brittany thing. Remember you too have been choose!
A heartfelt thank you to each and everyone of you who are fighting with us! Thank you for your love and prayers! I close this blog with a very humble and GRATEFUL heart! With Love, Brittany
I'm sorry it has been a while since I posted anything new. I've gone back and forth on if I should write this blog or not and finally I decided it is necessary. In cross-cultural training they advised us to write blogs or emails as often as possible, but to be very careful about what we were writing. In other words, they said it's not the greatest idea to write when you are having a bad day.
I've done my best to be truthful and at the same time be careful in want I have written. It's time for me to be really honest with all of you.
My time here in Peru has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Really, it's only been since we got here to Iquitos, our time in Arequipa was great....well minus the whole car wreck :(.
Let me tell you a little about cultural shock. Cultural shock is horrible, there aren't really any words to describe it, just personal experiences. A friend once said Regin Spektor's song "Eat" best describes it when she says "It's like forgetting the words to your favorite song, you can't believe it, you were always singing along, it was so easy and the words so sweet, you can't remember, you try to feel the beat". We all have a favorite song, yes? And when we hear the first note to that song, we are already singing and maybe even dancing around. Thank about if you heard that song and you knew it was your favorite song but no words were coming to mind and worse it's like the whole song has been muted. You are no longer dancing around, you are standing in udder dismay, shock and ultimately, pain.
A while back I wrote my Mom and expressed to her how I felt that I had lost myself. I no longer knew how to be me in English or Spanish. I felt as though I had been completely removed from my body, placed on the outside and forced to watch this person try to live her life. I could no longer express my thoughts or feelings.......because I no longer had any.
As if that was not enough, we all know that Satan loves to attack when we are weakest. I have always know and believed that, "...our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil.." I have struggled with issues of and from my past, things I thought I had dealt with and given to God. I have struggled with things that I never would have dreamed would be issues in my life. Two 40/40's and two families have gone home since I arrived here almost 6 months ago. This is not a little short term missions trip, this is the real deal people. Satan is doing EVERYTHING he can to make this organization fail.
I'm asking each of you to dig a little deeper and pray a little harder. Cry out to God, plead with him for our protection, that He would give us the strength to fight the enemy. I know that I have a family at home praying for me because if I didn't I would not still be here. We are doing our very best and fighting with all we've got but, we are growing weary. 2 Corinthians 4:1 and 4:16 says " Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart." "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."
We need you to come alongside us, pick us up when we have fallen, encourage us when we are ready to give up, and most of all love us and remind us of why we are here . YOU our supporters, our friends and our families are part of the reason we are here. God choose each of you to be apart of this ministry through your prayers and through your giving. Isaiah 41:9 says " I took you from the ends of the earth, from it's farthest corners I called you. I said 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you." This verse has brought me great encouragement, knowing that this is from God, this was and is not a Brittany thing. Remember you too have been choose!
A heartfelt thank you to each and everyone of you who are fighting with us! Thank you for your love and prayers! I close this blog with a very humble and GRATEFUL heart! With Love, Brittany
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Lima get away!
Last week the North Americans got to go to Lima for a few days. In Oct. we started our residency process and now it was time to return to finish and pick up our residency cards. At first we were just going to fly in sign some papers and then fly right back. But we found out that we would need more time in the residency office than we had organically thought. This now meant that we were going to be staying the night.
The N.A. boys flew out early Monday morning and us girls flew out Monday night.As soon as we had our bags we headed straight for the food court for some McDonald's,Papa John's, Dunken Donuts, and Starbucks. We all got something different that way we could all have a little bit of EVERYTHING!!!! The night only got better.We arrived at our hotel were we found big beds (well, bigger than what we have on the compound)......without mosquito nets, a bathroom with HOT water, a TV, and FREE internet. You can laugh all you want but when you have lived in the jungle for 7 weeks you long for a cup of GOOD cup of drip coffee (all we have here is instant) and a big fat juicy cheese burger. You forget what a HOT shower feels like and that you CAN go to bed without sweating.
Tuesday morning Laura, Melissa, and I got up at 7:30 because we no longer know how to sleep in :(. Okay I got up at 7:30, but I think they woke up even earlier.Anyway, we had an "American" breakfast of bead with butter and jelly, eggs, O.J. and coffee. What a GREAT way to start off the day!We didn't have to be at the residency office till Wednesday morning so we had the whole day to ourselves. Laura and Melissa wanted to see the Catacombs, I had seen them when we were here in 2004 but agreed it would be nice to go back and see them again. I couldn't believe I was back standing in the Plaza de Armas of Lima,when I was there in '04' I didn't think that I would ever return. Little did I know that not only would I return to Peru but I would also become a resident and live in Peru for two years. I was reminded of the verse "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. ~Isaiah 55:8~
I'm happy to say that the bones were the same and had not moved since I was there in '04'. :). After we walked through the church and saw the bones and skulls we decided to get a bite to eat before heading to the beach. We found a little pizza place where we could get a slice of pizza and a soda for S/. 2.50 ($0.88), it wasn't pizza hut, but it was pretty good. On our way to catch a taxi we found an ice cream place that had dipped cones. Mmm, strawberry ice cream covered with rich chocolate, are you getting hungry yet? We pretty much ate our way through the city on Tuesday, and didn't feel bad about it because we knew we were heading back to the jungle soon. We finally made it the the beach about 3:30 pm. We weren't actually on the beach, we were above it at a park with a VERY big statue of two lovers. Of course you can guess what kind of park this was ;).
We decided to end the night by heading to the mall where there was a Chili's. I had a buffalo chicken sandwich with ranch and french fries. SO YUMMY! We made it back to the hotel around 9pm, just in time for me to Skype with family before calling it a night.
Wednesday morning we had to leave the hotel by 7:30 am in order to be at the residency office by 8 am. All 5 of us girls were done and had our ID cards by 10:30 am.Laura, Melissa and I went back to the hotel packed up our stuff and left it in the office of the hotel. This way we could check out and not have to carry our bags around all afternoon. Our flight didn't leave till 5;30, this meant we had enough time to go back to the mall eat a cheese burger, and have some time to drink a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
When it came time to board the plane none of us wanted to go, our time in Lima had been so good and so needed. But it was time to go "home". I'm trying to remember that for now, my home is Iquitos and that I have work to do here!
God bless you all!!!
The N.A. boys flew out early Monday morning and us girls flew out Monday night.As soon as we had our bags we headed straight for the food court for some McDonald's,Papa John's, Dunken Donuts, and Starbucks. We all got something different that way we could all have a little bit of EVERYTHING!!!! The night only got better.We arrived at our hotel were we found big beds (well, bigger than what we have on the compound)......without mosquito nets, a bathroom with HOT water, a TV, and FREE internet. You can laugh all you want but when you have lived in the jungle for 7 weeks you long for a cup of GOOD cup of drip coffee (all we have here is instant) and a big fat juicy cheese burger. You forget what a HOT shower feels like and that you CAN go to bed without sweating.
Tuesday morning Laura, Melissa, and I got up at 7:30 because we no longer know how to sleep in :(. Okay I got up at 7:30, but I think they woke up even earlier.Anyway, we had an "American" breakfast of bead with butter and jelly, eggs, O.J. and coffee. What a GREAT way to start off the day!We didn't have to be at the residency office till Wednesday morning so we had the whole day to ourselves. Laura and Melissa wanted to see the Catacombs, I had seen them when we were here in 2004 but agreed it would be nice to go back and see them again. I couldn't believe I was back standing in the Plaza de Armas of Lima,when I was there in '04' I didn't think that I would ever return. Little did I know that not only would I return to Peru but I would also become a resident and live in Peru for two years. I was reminded of the verse "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. ~Isaiah 55:8~
I'm happy to say that the bones were the same and had not moved since I was there in '04'. :). After we walked through the church and saw the bones and skulls we decided to get a bite to eat before heading to the beach. We found a little pizza place where we could get a slice of pizza and a soda for S/. 2.50 ($0.88), it wasn't pizza hut, but it was pretty good. On our way to catch a taxi we found an ice cream place that had dipped cones. Mmm, strawberry ice cream covered with rich chocolate, are you getting hungry yet? We pretty much ate our way through the city on Tuesday, and didn't feel bad about it because we knew we were heading back to the jungle soon. We finally made it the the beach about 3:30 pm. We weren't actually on the beach, we were above it at a park with a VERY big statue of two lovers. Of course you can guess what kind of park this was ;).
We decided to end the night by heading to the mall where there was a Chili's. I had a buffalo chicken sandwich with ranch and french fries. SO YUMMY! We made it back to the hotel around 9pm, just in time for me to Skype with family before calling it a night.
Wednesday morning we had to leave the hotel by 7:30 am in order to be at the residency office by 8 am. All 5 of us girls were done and had our ID cards by 10:30 am.Laura, Melissa and I went back to the hotel packed up our stuff and left it in the office of the hotel. This way we could check out and not have to carry our bags around all afternoon. Our flight didn't leave till 5;30, this meant we had enough time to go back to the mall eat a cheese burger, and have some time to drink a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
When it came time to board the plane none of us wanted to go, our time in Lima had been so good and so needed. But it was time to go "home". I'm trying to remember that for now, my home is Iquitos and that I have work to do here!
God bless you all!!!
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Grand Adventure!
"Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house that You have brought me this far?" 2 Samuel 7:18
One evening the pastor asked us to think about what God had done for us this past year. I thought of many ways I had seen God's faithfulness, but the one that stood out most was being here. It's truly a dream come true, while yes, there have been times I have hated it here and wanted to go home, God has continued to be faithful and meet my needs. One of those needs being, friends. My two best friends here are Melissa and Laura. If you had told me when we all first met in L.A. that these two weman would be who I turned to most I would have laughed at you. We are all so different, but there is one BIG thing we have in common our relationship with Christ. I'm so thankful for Melissa and Laura, I know it would be so much harder if they weren't here.
My devotion for thursday was titled "The Grand Adventure" This young girl talked about how she was on a 16-mile hike in Hungary and she was surrounded by people she had only met days ago. She said who God was able to give her a peace just by looking up at the vastness of the sky. Then what she said next really hint home. "With my face toward the sky, I was struck with the absurdity of the situation. A recent college graduate leaving her family and everything she's ever known to move across the ocean would be considered unusual by most. But, then again, there is nothing usual about following Christ. However, saying yes to Him is the best decision we can make. With Christ, we can look at the sky from whatever country we currently call home and know that He painted it for us." I couldn't have said it better myself. In the words of this young missionary " I simply trust Christ and follow Him. He is the one who fulfills dreams and gives hope for a new year of serving Him."
So here is to a new year with Christ and being on the GREATEST adventure of my life.....so far that is! Happy New Year everyone!
One evening the pastor asked us to think about what God had done for us this past year. I thought of many ways I had seen God's faithfulness, but the one that stood out most was being here. It's truly a dream come true, while yes, there have been times I have hated it here and wanted to go home, God has continued to be faithful and meet my needs. One of those needs being, friends. My two best friends here are Melissa and Laura. If you had told me when we all first met in L.A. that these two weman would be who I turned to most I would have laughed at you. We are all so different, but there is one BIG thing we have in common our relationship with Christ. I'm so thankful for Melissa and Laura, I know it would be so much harder if they weren't here.
My devotion for thursday was titled "The Grand Adventure" This young girl talked about how she was on a 16-mile hike in Hungary and she was surrounded by people she had only met days ago. She said who God was able to give her a peace just by looking up at the vastness of the sky. Then what she said next really hint home. "With my face toward the sky, I was struck with the absurdity of the situation. A recent college graduate leaving her family and everything she's ever known to move across the ocean would be considered unusual by most. But, then again, there is nothing usual about following Christ. However, saying yes to Him is the best decision we can make. With Christ, we can look at the sky from whatever country we currently call home and know that He painted it for us." I couldn't have said it better myself. In the words of this young missionary " I simply trust Christ and follow Him. He is the one who fulfills dreams and gives hope for a new year of serving Him."
So here is to a new year with Christ and being on the GREATEST adventure of my life.....so far that is! Happy New Year everyone!
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