I can’t believe my first two months here in Portugal are almost over! It’s been an eventful time. My team and I have been settling into life here, and trying to learn how to interact in this new culture. Things like grocery shopping, taking transit, and talking to people have suddenly become both exciting and challenging. In many ways, we feel like five year olds. We don’t speak the language, and there are many, many basic things that we simply don’t know how to do. It’s a challenge that I love, and we are learning more and more each day.
Here are a few highlights of this last month:
- We helped out with preparing food and serving at a youth banquet.
- We have helped with a clothing bazaar.
- We have served on the worship team.
- We have been helping friends of ours with their kids as they prepare to leave on their furlough.
- We celebrated American Thanksgiving with the long-term team here.
- We have been studying Portuguese.
We hosted a Christmas card making class for some of the women from the church, and we will be helping with the Christmas theatre (backstage - our Portuguese isn’t that good!) and choir, decorating the church, and exploring different ideas for community outreach this season. One thing that I am really looking forward to is beginning discipleship with the youth in this next month. I’m excited to come alongside them and here about what God is doing in there lives, what he is teaching them and how he is speaking to them, and encourage them in their walk with God.
A few prayer requests for the upcoming season: Praise God that we are here, and that we’re learning and growing each and every day! Pray for us as we study the language, that God would give us understanding, and that we would be diligent in our studies and work hard. Pray that God would show us how to best reach out to the community around us this Christmas season, and that God would soften people’s hearts towards him.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Religion Says Do, Jesus Says Done.
I hear the statement quite frequently, “oh, I’m not religious.” This is usually given in response to my explanation of who I am, why I’m in Portugal, etc. I’m not religious either; I have a relationship. The thing about religion is, it’s all about us trying to get to God. The thing about relationship is, it’s all about God reaching down to us. As a team we’re studying Hebrews, and we recently read through the book together. There’s a passage from Hebrews 10 that really shows this concept of religion vs. relationship.
“The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming - not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.” (vs.1) We can’t be good enough. We can’t follow the rules - as imperfect humans, no matter how hard we try, it never works. And we can’t “do” anything to make up for the things we do wrong. We can’t do good things to try and make up for the bad things.
“Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.”(vs.2-3) Doing things, making sacrifices to God, making deals with God, doesn’t work. If it did, we could do one really good thing, and then we wouldn’t feel guilty for our mistakes. But trying to do things, to in a sense “buy” our way out, only reminds us of how broken and flawed we really are.
“It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (vs.4) It is impossible for us to do or give anything that could be enough to make us right before God.
“Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.” (vs.11) How many people are caught in the lie of trying to be a good enough person, thinking that will make up for all the things we do wrong?
In the Old Testament, priests would make sacrifices to make up for the sins of the people. Today, we often try to do good things to make up for our sins. And yet, this passage says that that’s not good enough. It’s never been good enough, and it never will be good enough. You see, religion is all about us trying to get to God. It’s about trying to do something that will somehow make us better, and make us able go to heaven after we die, or rest in a state of peace. But the thing is, that doesn’t work. No matter what we do, we can’t do enough to make ourselves right with God. Give me a list of rules and, let’s be honest, odds are I’m not going to be able to keep all of them. Religion is about keeping all the rules, and trying to make up for it, to punish yourself or do something good in exchange, when you don't. That's not possible. That’s where the relationship comes in.
“But when this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time once sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”(vs.12-14) Jesus did it. He made the one sacrifice. I love the expression “Religion says do, Jesus says done.” Jesus made the one sacrifice and he said “it is finished.” (John 19:30) It’s not about religion - we’re not trying to reach up to God. He already reached down to us.
“The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming - not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.” (vs.1) We can’t be good enough. We can’t follow the rules - as imperfect humans, no matter how hard we try, it never works. And we can’t “do” anything to make up for the things we do wrong. We can’t do good things to try and make up for the bad things.
“Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.”(vs.2-3) Doing things, making sacrifices to God, making deals with God, doesn’t work. If it did, we could do one really good thing, and then we wouldn’t feel guilty for our mistakes. But trying to do things, to in a sense “buy” our way out, only reminds us of how broken and flawed we really are.
“It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (vs.4) It is impossible for us to do or give anything that could be enough to make us right before God.
“Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.” (vs.11) How many people are caught in the lie of trying to be a good enough person, thinking that will make up for all the things we do wrong?
In the Old Testament, priests would make sacrifices to make up for the sins of the people. Today, we often try to do good things to make up for our sins. And yet, this passage says that that’s not good enough. It’s never been good enough, and it never will be good enough. You see, religion is all about us trying to get to God. It’s about trying to do something that will somehow make us better, and make us able go to heaven after we die, or rest in a state of peace. But the thing is, that doesn’t work. No matter what we do, we can’t do enough to make ourselves right with God. Give me a list of rules and, let’s be honest, odds are I’m not going to be able to keep all of them. Religion is about keeping all the rules, and trying to make up for it, to punish yourself or do something good in exchange, when you don't. That's not possible. That’s where the relationship comes in.
“But when this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time once sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”(vs.12-14) Jesus did it. He made the one sacrifice. I love the expression “Religion says do, Jesus says done.” Jesus made the one sacrifice and he said “it is finished.” (John 19:30) It’s not about religion - we’re not trying to reach up to God. He already reached down to us.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Don't Forget to Laugh
Well today marks the one week milestone of my time here in Portugal. Thus far, I can safely say, I am loving it! Getting to know Otto and Marjorie (the missionaries we will be working with) has been wonderful, and it’s been great to start getting to know people in the different churches here. I’ve been constantly encouraged by the little coincidences God has put in my path simply to encourage me and remind me that he will use who I am and the things I’m passionate about in this upcoming season.
Being a new culture has involved many wonderful little surprises. For example, when I logged on to write this blog post, I suddenly exclaimed “Oh my word! My blog is in Portuguese!” Not the actual blog posts, obviously, but all the little login buttons are no longer in English. The trial and error process that followed of attempting to figure out what was what very much resembles the rest of stepping into another culture. In so many ways, I feel like I am five years old again. I don’t know how things work, I can’t always communicate effectively, and I have a constant stream of questions running through my mind. Over the past week my team and I have been making our way through the murky waters of jetlag, braving the dangerous new world of the subway, and struggling to communicate using only the words “thank you” (obrigada) and “no problem” (no fashmal). It has been crazy and wonderful all at the same time. One of my favourite moments was on the train when someone got off after staring at us, and I turned to our language teacher and asked “are we that obviously different?” I immediately noticed the young man beside her start smirking. As our conversation continued, the smirk turned to a “look-away-and-chuckle-quietly,” to an outright chuckle, to just plain laughing at us. Before I knew it, we were all laughing at ourselves together. This is probably one of the most valuable tools we have as we try to figure out a new culture: laugh at yourself, and don’t take yourself too seriously! Remember that other people aren’t laughing at you, they’re laughing with you - just make sure you don’t forget to laugh!
We are learning about the Portuguese culture and history, which fascinates me. I love studying history, so I have felt completely in my element. We have been able to begin meeting people from a few of the different churches, and start to build relationships with the youth here. I’m looking forward to getting to know people on a deeper level over the course of the next seven and a half months.
I love new cultures. There is something about going grocery shopping, figuring out public transit, and trying to speak a new language that excites me to no end. I am excited for this upcoming season. It is going to hard and it is going to be challenging, probably more so than anything else I have experienced up to this point, but it will also be good. I eagerly anticipate what God is going to do in and through me.
Prayer Requests:
- For the ability to learn the language quickly and effectively - this will be critical for the majority of relationships we will have.
- That God will set up divine appointments for me to meet and connect with people, and that I will be mindful of those opportunities.
- That God would give me his eyes to see the people around me.
- For diligence as I continue to do school work while I’m here.
And I would also love to hear from you! Please email me anytime and let me know what’s going on in your life, and how I can be praying for you. My email is brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com. Talk to you soon!
Being a new culture has involved many wonderful little surprises. For example, when I logged on to write this blog post, I suddenly exclaimed “Oh my word! My blog is in Portuguese!” Not the actual blog posts, obviously, but all the little login buttons are no longer in English. The trial and error process that followed of attempting to figure out what was what very much resembles the rest of stepping into another culture. In so many ways, I feel like I am five years old again. I don’t know how things work, I can’t always communicate effectively, and I have a constant stream of questions running through my mind. Over the past week my team and I have been making our way through the murky waters of jetlag, braving the dangerous new world of the subway, and struggling to communicate using only the words “thank you” (obrigada) and “no problem” (no fashmal). It has been crazy and wonderful all at the same time. One of my favourite moments was on the train when someone got off after staring at us, and I turned to our language teacher and asked “are we that obviously different?” I immediately noticed the young man beside her start smirking. As our conversation continued, the smirk turned to a “look-away-and-chuckle-quietly,” to an outright chuckle, to just plain laughing at us. Before I knew it, we were all laughing at ourselves together. This is probably one of the most valuable tools we have as we try to figure out a new culture: laugh at yourself, and don’t take yourself too seriously! Remember that other people aren’t laughing at you, they’re laughing with you - just make sure you don’t forget to laugh!
We are learning about the Portuguese culture and history, which fascinates me. I love studying history, so I have felt completely in my element. We have been able to begin meeting people from a few of the different churches, and start to build relationships with the youth here. I’m looking forward to getting to know people on a deeper level over the course of the next seven and a half months.
I love new cultures. There is something about going grocery shopping, figuring out public transit, and trying to speak a new language that excites me to no end. I am excited for this upcoming season. It is going to hard and it is going to be challenging, probably more so than anything else I have experienced up to this point, but it will also be good. I eagerly anticipate what God is going to do in and through me.
Prayer Requests:
- For the ability to learn the language quickly and effectively - this will be critical for the majority of relationships we will have.
- That God will set up divine appointments for me to meet and connect with people, and that I will be mindful of those opportunities.
- That God would give me his eyes to see the people around me.
- For diligence as I continue to do school work while I’m here.
And I would also love to hear from you! Please email me anytime and let me know what’s going on in your life, and how I can be praying for you. My email is brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com. Talk to you soon!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
And Away We Go . . .
This will be somewhat of a mini-post, as I am leaving tomorrow and I still need to pack. The general message of the moment is . . . I'm leaving for Portugal tomorrow! Please pray for my team and I, for God's continued guidence, for his favor on us as we travel, and for us as we adjust to the new culture. We are all so excited, and eagerly anticipating what God is going to do!
One thing God has been putting on my heart is intentionality. I want to live my life in Portugal very intentionally - where I get my coffee, my groceries, I want to be intentional about the people I interact with. I want to get to know people not only inside the church, but outside the church as well. Pray that God would put people in my life that I can be intentional with.
Time for me to hit the packing!
One thing God has been putting on my heart is intentionality. I want to live my life in Portugal very intentionally - where I get my coffee, my groceries, I want to be intentional about the people I interact with. I want to get to know people not only inside the church, but outside the church as well. Pray that God would put people in my life that I can be intentional with.
Time for me to hit the packing!
Monday, October 29, 2012
What now? Part 2: The Gospel and Discipleship
I want to continue off my last post and talk about the gospel and discipleship. The gospel is something that affects not only our salvation, but every part of our lives. We had a speaker named Tim Klassen a few weeks back who talked about this. He challenged us to ask ourselves, what are the implications of this gospel on my life? This is the “What now” part of the question. If we’ve gotten through the why and the how, the question that remains is what now? What do we do with this good news once we’ve received it?
Tim said one thing that really stood out to me. He said “I’m not trying to live a legalistic life, I’m just trying to live out this life Christ has already given me.” This really struck me. The battle’s already been won. What Christ did on the cross is enough. It is finished. He has already paid the price to give me new life - all I have to do is accept it and live it out.
So what does that mean, to live out this life that Christ has already given me? That’s where discipleship comes in. Discipleship is the process of being taught and guided by mature Christians, to make you a more Christ-like follower of Jesus. There are two scripture passages that have helped me to understand the process of discipleship. The first is Luke 6:48: “he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock...” This is the first part of gospel-centred discipleship. The cross, who Christ is, needs to be the foundation at the core of everything we do. You have to be intentional about the foundation you lay. The foundation needs to be deep. God’s promises, his truth, and his commandments need to be so deeply rooted in your heart that they are a strong foundation in trial and temptation. And here’s the important part: it doesn’t matter how great your foundation is, unless it’s rock, it will not stand. If will build our lives on anything other than Jesus Christ, we will not stand. Pressures, trials, and temptations will come, and if we are not firmly rooted in Christ, we will not stand.
The second passage is Ezra 7:10: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” There is a pattern here of study, do, and teach. Ezra studied the Law of the Lord, then he did it, and then he taught it. This is very much like the pattern of discipleship; with other believers we study the word, we do it, and then we teach it. We can’t teach before we study. This is where community, where other believers come in. One thing we are told frequently on TREK is that wherever you are in your walk with Jesus, you need to be discipled by godly Christians who are more mature, or have more experience than you, you need to have people who are in the same place as you spiritually, who you encourage and who encourage you, and you need to have people who you are discipling, and teaching to be more like Jesus.
The gospel, the saving message of Jesus Christ, needs to permeate every aspect of our lives. It’s all about him. In our living, in our dying, everything needs to reflect him. His love, his grace, his mercy, his faithfulness. As I prepare to leave for Portugal next Wednesday, this message is close to my heart. Pray for opportunities for us to disciple others, for us to come alongside the Portuguese church and encourage and spur them on in their walk with God. I look forward to sharing Christ, and to hear, see, and experience what God is doing in the church there. We will be having a commissioning service on Thursday, November 1st at 7:00pm in the Columbia Bible College Chapel. If you are in the area, I would love for you to come, hear a little more from us, meet my team, and be a part of sending us off!
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for focus in these final days of training.
- Pray for safety as we travel November 7th.
- Pray for openness in the nation of Portugal, and that God would be preparing and working in the hearts of the people we will encounter.
- Please pray for God to continue to provide me with financial support. I currently have approximately $7400 still to raise.*
- Once again, for God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to support me financially, you can donate online at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/cdn/C7739 for Canadian donations or at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/us/C7739 for US donations (select Brittany Reddicopp under "participants", or in person to me or directly to the MB Mission offices. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com if I can help you with any more information.
Tim said one thing that really stood out to me. He said “I’m not trying to live a legalistic life, I’m just trying to live out this life Christ has already given me.” This really struck me. The battle’s already been won. What Christ did on the cross is enough. It is finished. He has already paid the price to give me new life - all I have to do is accept it and live it out.
So what does that mean, to live out this life that Christ has already given me? That’s where discipleship comes in. Discipleship is the process of being taught and guided by mature Christians, to make you a more Christ-like follower of Jesus. There are two scripture passages that have helped me to understand the process of discipleship. The first is Luke 6:48: “he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock...” This is the first part of gospel-centred discipleship. The cross, who Christ is, needs to be the foundation at the core of everything we do. You have to be intentional about the foundation you lay. The foundation needs to be deep. God’s promises, his truth, and his commandments need to be so deeply rooted in your heart that they are a strong foundation in trial and temptation. And here’s the important part: it doesn’t matter how great your foundation is, unless it’s rock, it will not stand. If will build our lives on anything other than Jesus Christ, we will not stand. Pressures, trials, and temptations will come, and if we are not firmly rooted in Christ, we will not stand.
The second passage is Ezra 7:10: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” There is a pattern here of study, do, and teach. Ezra studied the Law of the Lord, then he did it, and then he taught it. This is very much like the pattern of discipleship; with other believers we study the word, we do it, and then we teach it. We can’t teach before we study. This is where community, where other believers come in. One thing we are told frequently on TREK is that wherever you are in your walk with Jesus, you need to be discipled by godly Christians who are more mature, or have more experience than you, you need to have people who are in the same place as you spiritually, who you encourage and who encourage you, and you need to have people who you are discipling, and teaching to be more like Jesus.
The gospel, the saving message of Jesus Christ, needs to permeate every aspect of our lives. It’s all about him. In our living, in our dying, everything needs to reflect him. His love, his grace, his mercy, his faithfulness. As I prepare to leave for Portugal next Wednesday, this message is close to my heart. Pray for opportunities for us to disciple others, for us to come alongside the Portuguese church and encourage and spur them on in their walk with God. I look forward to sharing Christ, and to hear, see, and experience what God is doing in the church there. We will be having a commissioning service on Thursday, November 1st at 7:00pm in the Columbia Bible College Chapel. If you are in the area, I would love for you to come, hear a little more from us, meet my team, and be a part of sending us off!
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for focus in these final days of training.
- Pray for safety as we travel November 7th.
- Pray for openness in the nation of Portugal, and that God would be preparing and working in the hearts of the people we will encounter.
- Please pray for God to continue to provide me with financial support. I currently have approximately $7400 still to raise.*
- Once again, for God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to support me financially, you can donate online at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/cdn/C7739 for Canadian donations or at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/us/C7739 for US donations (select Brittany Reddicopp under "participants", or in person to me or directly to the MB Mission offices. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com if I can help you with any more information.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Why, How, and What Now?
I have a message. It’s not my message - it’s way bigger than that. It’s a message that changes lives. It’s a message that changed the world. We all need something, and someone came and provided it. We all need saving. A Saviour came. But why? How? And since he came, what now?
Why?
Why do we need salvation? Why do we need God? Why do we need Jesus? Why does any of this matter?
God created people to be in relationship and in community with him. But because we have sinned, because we have rebelled against God, we cannot be together with him. God by his nature is holy, just, and good - and because of that we, in our sin, cannot be with him. But God loved us so much, that he wanted to make a way for us to be with him.
How?
So if our sin, our rebellion, separates us from God, how does he make a way for us to be with him?
Jesus. That’s what it all comes down to - it’s all about Jesus. God sent his only Son, Jesus - who was completely sinless, to earth, to share with the world the good news that we can be saved, and to die for us, paying the price for our sins that we deserved to pay. He came to pay our debt, and to tell the world the good news that He made a way that we can be saved.
But it didn’t stop at death. God raised Jesus from the dead three days later and because of that not only are our sins forgiven but we can have new life, and no longer have to be separated from God. Jesus took our place, and because of that we can spend eternity together with God. That’s the how. That’s the good news. That’s the gospel.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:16-21
What now?
So what now? How do we respond to this message? What do we do with this news?
Romans 10:9 says that “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” And in vs.13 “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ ” Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Anyone who calls on Jesus, who acknowledges him as Lord, will be saved. Believe that in your heart. Confess it with your mouth - say it loud! If you want to respond to this message and accept Jesus, you can pray something like this:
I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and now declare that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. I accept him and submit to him as Lord of my life. Lord Jesus, I ask you to come and fill me with your presence and empower me with your Holy Spirit. Lord, please forgive me for all the things I have said, done or believed that are wrong in your eyes and that has kept me from knowing your love and truth. Thank you for dying to save me, and thank you for being Lord of my life. Search my heart and teach me to live according to your truth. I love you and I worship you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Here’s what I want you to know:
- Jesus loves you.
- Salvation comes through Christ alone.
- What Jesus did on the cross is enough. There is nothing the cross can’t cover.
This is the message that I want to live to share. This is why I’m spending a year of my life in this program called TREK. This is why the world can have any hope at all. This message is what it all comes down to. It’s not my message, it’s Jesus’ message - but if, for my fleeting lifetime, I can be a part of sharing it, that’s all that really matters. You’ve heard the why and the how, so I challenge you, what now?
Why?
Why do we need salvation? Why do we need God? Why do we need Jesus? Why does any of this matter?
God created people to be in relationship and in community with him. But because we have sinned, because we have rebelled against God, we cannot be together with him. God by his nature is holy, just, and good - and because of that we, in our sin, cannot be with him. But God loved us so much, that he wanted to make a way for us to be with him.
How?
So if our sin, our rebellion, separates us from God, how does he make a way for us to be with him?
Jesus. That’s what it all comes down to - it’s all about Jesus. God sent his only Son, Jesus - who was completely sinless, to earth, to share with the world the good news that we can be saved, and to die for us, paying the price for our sins that we deserved to pay. He came to pay our debt, and to tell the world the good news that He made a way that we can be saved.
But it didn’t stop at death. God raised Jesus from the dead three days later and because of that not only are our sins forgiven but we can have new life, and no longer have to be separated from God. Jesus took our place, and because of that we can spend eternity together with God. That’s the how. That’s the good news. That’s the gospel.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:16-21
What now?
So what now? How do we respond to this message? What do we do with this news?
Romans 10:9 says that “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” And in vs.13 “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ ” Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Anyone who calls on Jesus, who acknowledges him as Lord, will be saved. Believe that in your heart. Confess it with your mouth - say it loud! If you want to respond to this message and accept Jesus, you can pray something like this:
I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and now declare that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. I accept him and submit to him as Lord of my life. Lord Jesus, I ask you to come and fill me with your presence and empower me with your Holy Spirit. Lord, please forgive me for all the things I have said, done or believed that are wrong in your eyes and that has kept me from knowing your love and truth. Thank you for dying to save me, and thank you for being Lord of my life. Search my heart and teach me to live according to your truth. I love you and I worship you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Here’s what I want you to know:
- Jesus loves you.
- Salvation comes through Christ alone.
- What Jesus did on the cross is enough. There is nothing the cross can’t cover.
This is the message that I want to live to share. This is why I’m spending a year of my life in this program called TREK. This is why the world can have any hope at all. This message is what it all comes down to. It’s not my message, it’s Jesus’ message - but if, for my fleeting lifetime, I can be a part of sharing it, that’s all that really matters. You’ve heard the why and the how, so I challenge you, what now?
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
3 Weeks Left
It feels like time absolutely flies by during training! It’s hard to believe that we’re already in week six, with only three weeks left until we fly out for Portugal. Our team will be leaving for Portugal on November 7th, where we will connect with missionaries Otto and Marjorie Ekk. I’m so excited to get going, but I’m also really enjoying and learning so much in this stage of training.
Last week our topic for sessions was evangelism. We had three different speakers: Paul Chamberlain, Sam Dick, and Phil Harris, who all brought unique and different approaches to evangelism. This is a topic that God has really been pressing on my heart lately, so I went into the week very excited and with high expectations. I was not disappointed. I loved the different approaches and insights that each speaker brought. Paul Chamberlain taught us a very apologetic focused form of evangelism. We discussed answers to common questions people have, authority of scripture, authenticity of the canon, and all sorts of fun, academic, intellectual aspects of sharing the gospel. I absolutely loved it - I love engaging my mind in that way, and I felt like my brain received and adequate work out. Sam took us through different values of evangelism, and Phil Harris took a more decision/commitment based approach. Each varied greatly, but together I think they all complement each other.
As the date of our departure draws closer and closer, I grow in both anticipation and nervousness. I’m so excited to see what God has in store for me in these next months, and the things he wants to do through me. I can’t wait to see him at work in another country. Please continue praying for my team and I, that God would be preparing our hearts for the plans he has for us. In order for me to leave in three weeks with my team, I still need to raise $7,700. Please pray that God would provide for me, and also thank him for all the ways he has already provided for me. God is so good, and he is faithful. Right now, I am asking God for 85 people to commit to $10 a month for the next nine months.
Other Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for me in these final weeks of training, that I would be able to balance my time well, as I often feel pulled in many directions, and struggle to maintain all of my responsibilities.
- Pray for openness in the nation of Portugal, and that God would be preparing and working in the hearts of the people we will encounter.
- Pray for Otto and Marjorie Ekk, and Joe and Paula Arrais, who we will be working with. Thank God for the way they have served him faithfully, and pray that he will continue to walk with and direct them.
- Please pray for the development of a strong prayer team. This is such a crucial part of ministry! If you wish to be a part of this team please let me know, I would be thrilled!*
- Please pray for God to provide me with full financial support. I currently have approximately $7700 still to raise.**
- Once again, for God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
**If you would like to support me financially, you can donate online at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/cdn/C7739 for Canadian donations or at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/us/C7739 for US donations (select Brittany Reddicopp under "participants", or in person to me or directly to the MB Mission offices. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com if I can help you with any more information.
Last week our topic for sessions was evangelism. We had three different speakers: Paul Chamberlain, Sam Dick, and Phil Harris, who all brought unique and different approaches to evangelism. This is a topic that God has really been pressing on my heart lately, so I went into the week very excited and with high expectations. I was not disappointed. I loved the different approaches and insights that each speaker brought. Paul Chamberlain taught us a very apologetic focused form of evangelism. We discussed answers to common questions people have, authority of scripture, authenticity of the canon, and all sorts of fun, academic, intellectual aspects of sharing the gospel. I absolutely loved it - I love engaging my mind in that way, and I felt like my brain received and adequate work out. Sam took us through different values of evangelism, and Phil Harris took a more decision/commitment based approach. Each varied greatly, but together I think they all complement each other.
As the date of our departure draws closer and closer, I grow in both anticipation and nervousness. I’m so excited to see what God has in store for me in these next months, and the things he wants to do through me. I can’t wait to see him at work in another country. Please continue praying for my team and I, that God would be preparing our hearts for the plans he has for us. In order for me to leave in three weeks with my team, I still need to raise $7,700. Please pray that God would provide for me, and also thank him for all the ways he has already provided for me. God is so good, and he is faithful. Right now, I am asking God for 85 people to commit to $10 a month for the next nine months.
Other Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for me in these final weeks of training, that I would be able to balance my time well, as I often feel pulled in many directions, and struggle to maintain all of my responsibilities.
- Pray for openness in the nation of Portugal, and that God would be preparing and working in the hearts of the people we will encounter.
- Pray for Otto and Marjorie Ekk, and Joe and Paula Arrais, who we will be working with. Thank God for the way they have served him faithfully, and pray that he will continue to walk with and direct them.
- Please pray for the development of a strong prayer team. This is such a crucial part of ministry! If you wish to be a part of this team please let me know, I would be thrilled!*
- Please pray for God to provide me with full financial support. I currently have approximately $7700 still to raise.**
- Once again, for God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
**If you would like to support me financially, you can donate online at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/cdn/C7739 for Canadian donations or at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/us/C7739 for US donations (select Brittany Reddicopp under "participants", or in person to me or directly to the MB Mission offices. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com if I can help you with any more information.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
The First Three Weeks
I'm sorry it has been so long since my last blog post! Here is an update on the first three weeks of TREK:
Week 1: Orientation Week
This week involved a lot of getting to know each other and getting to know MB Mission. We had sessions on Journaling, Finances, Risk Taking Obedience, Effective Communication, and an MB Mission Orientation, we had work duties, free time, and on Saturday we went into Vancouver together for the day. It was a great week, and we really had the chance to begin to bond and begin to get to know each other. The highlight for me was definitely the session on Risk Taking Obedience. There are 16 Trekkers and 3 Global Servants (the Global Servants to training and debreif with us, but will go on assignment either alone or in a pair to a pre-determined location) - 8 boys and 11 girls. The interns, who are working with Luke Haidle this year to run the TREK program are Sarah, Leah, and Mark.
Week 2: Hearing God's Voice
Week two was themed on hearing God's voice. We has sessions about the different ways we hear God's voice, which cumulated in a 48-hour silent retreat. This was a great time for me of being able to simply be still in the Lord and listen for his voice. I never ceases to amaze me how much God desires to speak with us, and how he meets with us when we slow down enough to listen.
Week 3: Personal Holiness
This last week, we had sessions on Monday and Tuesday with Pastor David Manuel on Personal Holiness. He spoke on a lot of things, but there were a few main points that really stood out to me. There is no holiness without obedience. This struck me, and really reminded me that following God’s call to be holy as he is holy is not a matter of personal effort or piety, but rather of obedience to his Word and to his calling on our life. We Wednesday to Friday we had sessions on Spiritual Gifts and Relinquishing Your Rights, we watched a movie called “The Bema,” and helped set up and attended Pastor David Manuel’s Praise Raiser Banquet.
Oh and of course, there was one other small thing this week: TEAMS WERE ANNOUNCED!!!!! I will be going to Portugal on a team of 6 - 4 girls (Joanna, Rebecca, Roxy, and myself) and 2 guys (Kenny and Justin). We are all so excited, and already bonding and working well together as a team. We will be working with MB Missionaries Otto and Marjorie Ekk, as well as Portuguese leaders Joe and Paula Arrais. We’ve already had the opportunity to meet Joe and Paula (they are here in Canada for about four months receiving training), and are so excited to get to know them further and work alongside them. I’m so excited about my team and location, and I think it’s going to be a great 10 months!
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for the continued development and bonding of my team. Pray that we would discover our gifts and how they work together, and that as one we would present a powerful example of Christ’s love and grace.
- Pray for openness in the nation of Portugal, and that God would be preparing and working in the hearts of the people we will encounter.
- Pray for Otto and Marjorie Ekk, and Joe and Paula Arrais, who we will be working with. Thank God for the way they have served him faithfully, and pray that he will continue to walk with and direct them.
- Please pray for the development of a strong prayer team. This is such a crucial part of ministry! If you wish to be a part of this team please let me know, I would be thrilled!*
- Please pray for God to provide me with full financial support. I currently have approximately $7700 still to raise.**
- Once again, for God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
**If you would like to support me financially, you can donate online at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/cdn/C7739 for Canadian donations or at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/us/C7739 for US donations (select Brittany Reddicopp under "participants", or in person to me or directly to the MB Mission offices. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com if I can help you with any more information.
Week 1: Orientation Week
This week involved a lot of getting to know each other and getting to know MB Mission. We had sessions on Journaling, Finances, Risk Taking Obedience, Effective Communication, and an MB Mission Orientation, we had work duties, free time, and on Saturday we went into Vancouver together for the day. It was a great week, and we really had the chance to begin to bond and begin to get to know each other. The highlight for me was definitely the session on Risk Taking Obedience. There are 16 Trekkers and 3 Global Servants (the Global Servants to training and debreif with us, but will go on assignment either alone or in a pair to a pre-determined location) - 8 boys and 11 girls. The interns, who are working with Luke Haidle this year to run the TREK program are Sarah, Leah, and Mark.
Week 2: Hearing God's Voice
Week two was themed on hearing God's voice. We has sessions about the different ways we hear God's voice, which cumulated in a 48-hour silent retreat. This was a great time for me of being able to simply be still in the Lord and listen for his voice. I never ceases to amaze me how much God desires to speak with us, and how he meets with us when we slow down enough to listen.
Week 3: Personal Holiness
This last week, we had sessions on Monday and Tuesday with Pastor David Manuel on Personal Holiness. He spoke on a lot of things, but there were a few main points that really stood out to me. There is no holiness without obedience. This struck me, and really reminded me that following God’s call to be holy as he is holy is not a matter of personal effort or piety, but rather of obedience to his Word and to his calling on our life. We Wednesday to Friday we had sessions on Spiritual Gifts and Relinquishing Your Rights, we watched a movie called “The Bema,” and helped set up and attended Pastor David Manuel’s Praise Raiser Banquet.
Oh and of course, there was one other small thing this week: TEAMS WERE ANNOUNCED!!!!! I will be going to Portugal on a team of 6 - 4 girls (Joanna, Rebecca, Roxy, and myself) and 2 guys (Kenny and Justin). We are all so excited, and already bonding and working well together as a team. We will be working with MB Missionaries Otto and Marjorie Ekk, as well as Portuguese leaders Joe and Paula Arrais. We’ve already had the opportunity to meet Joe and Paula (they are here in Canada for about four months receiving training), and are so excited to get to know them further and work alongside them. I’m so excited about my team and location, and I think it’s going to be a great 10 months!
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for the continued development and bonding of my team. Pray that we would discover our gifts and how they work together, and that as one we would present a powerful example of Christ’s love and grace.
- Pray for openness in the nation of Portugal, and that God would be preparing and working in the hearts of the people we will encounter.
- Pray for Otto and Marjorie Ekk, and Joe and Paula Arrais, who we will be working with. Thank God for the way they have served him faithfully, and pray that he will continue to walk with and direct them.
- Please pray for the development of a strong prayer team. This is such a crucial part of ministry! If you wish to be a part of this team please let me know, I would be thrilled!*
- Please pray for God to provide me with full financial support. I currently have approximately $7700 still to raise.**
- Once again, for God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
**If you would like to support me financially, you can donate online at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/cdn/C7739 for Canadian donations or at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/us/C7739 for US donations (select Brittany Reddicopp under "participants", or in person to me or directly to the MB Mission offices. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com if I can help you with any more information.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Today!
Well, it’s finally here. Today is the day that my TREK adventure begins! I have been staring at my computer screen, trying to think of something clever to say, but nothing really comes to mind. I'm excited and scared and utterly overwhelmed. So I’d like to just share a few verses with you that speak to me particularly on this day:
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” ~Deuteronomy 31:8
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” ~Deuteronomy 33:27
“I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” ~Psalm 16:8
“Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:23-27
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.” ~John 15:1-17
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” ~Deuteronomy 31:8
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” ~Deuteronomy 33:27
“I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” ~Psalm 16:8
“Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:23-27
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.” ~John 15:1-17
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Prayer
It is now just under two weeks until I leave for TREK. I am so, so excited as it draws near. I've been reviewing my internship syllabus for the year, getting to know the people I will be serving alongside for the next ten months (facebook can be a wonderful tool!), and just generally trying not to go crazy waiting.
I have recently been reading a book by Eric and Leslie Ludy entitled Wrestling Prayer. I read the book about a year and a half ago, and as I've been preparing for TREK I've been re-reading it. The beginning chapters have thus far been about dying to self, rejecting the flesh, and battling in prayer - persistently, praying without ceasing. Prayer is one of the spiritual disciplines I wish to deepen in my life over the course of TREK. When I was on SOAR, one of our sessions was on fighting the giants in our lives. These two topics have become intrinsically connected in my spiritual life - in prayer we not only worship and draw closer to God, we also fight back against that which seeks to destroy us and stand firm the ground God has given us. I have been challenged to pray more, and to pray harder - to grapple and wrestle in prayer as Jacob did with the angel - refusing to let go until the angel blessed him. Along with this has been the challenge to faith - that God will do what he says he will.
I want to invite you to support me financially and in prayer over these next months. As a part of my TREK experience, I am required to fundraise the cost of my program. The total cost is $11,850 and so far God has provided me with $1421.42. This means I still have $10,428.58 to raise, or $1042.86 a month. This amount needs to be fundraised before I can leave for assignment, but it is my goal to be fully funded before the program begins, enabling me to focus more fully and without distraction on my training. Please prayerfully consider whether you would partner with me in this season of ministry, and what God is doing around the world. $10,428.58 may seem like an insurmountable amount of money, so let’s put it into perspective: if 105 people donated a onetime gift of $100, I would be done. If 50 people pledged $20 a month, or 100 people pledged $10 per month, I would be done. Every gift that God sends is important and so, so appreciated. Whether is $20 or $2000, God uses each and every gift. If you feel led to support me, any amount is meaningful and important. We serve a big God, and nothing is impossible with him!
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for the development of a strong prayer team. This is such a crucial part of ministry! If you wish to be a part of this team please let me know, I would be thrilled!*
- Please pray for God to provide full financial support for me by the beginning of training.**
- Once again, for God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
**If you would like to support me financially, you can donate online at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/cdn/C7739 for Canadian donations or at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/us/C7739 for US donations (select Brittany Reddicopp under "participants", or in person to me or directly to the MB Mission offices. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com if I can help you with any more information.
I have recently been reading a book by Eric and Leslie Ludy entitled Wrestling Prayer. I read the book about a year and a half ago, and as I've been preparing for TREK I've been re-reading it. The beginning chapters have thus far been about dying to self, rejecting the flesh, and battling in prayer - persistently, praying without ceasing. Prayer is one of the spiritual disciplines I wish to deepen in my life over the course of TREK. When I was on SOAR, one of our sessions was on fighting the giants in our lives. These two topics have become intrinsically connected in my spiritual life - in prayer we not only worship and draw closer to God, we also fight back against that which seeks to destroy us and stand firm the ground God has given us. I have been challenged to pray more, and to pray harder - to grapple and wrestle in prayer as Jacob did with the angel - refusing to let go until the angel blessed him. Along with this has been the challenge to faith - that God will do what he says he will.
I want to invite you to support me financially and in prayer over these next months. As a part of my TREK experience, I am required to fundraise the cost of my program. The total cost is $11,850 and so far God has provided me with $1421.42. This means I still have $10,428.58 to raise, or $1042.86 a month. This amount needs to be fundraised before I can leave for assignment, but it is my goal to be fully funded before the program begins, enabling me to focus more fully and without distraction on my training. Please prayerfully consider whether you would partner with me in this season of ministry, and what God is doing around the world. $10,428.58 may seem like an insurmountable amount of money, so let’s put it into perspective: if 105 people donated a onetime gift of $100, I would be done. If 50 people pledged $20 a month, or 100 people pledged $10 per month, I would be done. Every gift that God sends is important and so, so appreciated. Whether is $20 or $2000, God uses each and every gift. If you feel led to support me, any amount is meaningful and important. We serve a big God, and nothing is impossible with him!
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for the development of a strong prayer team. This is such a crucial part of ministry! If you wish to be a part of this team please let me know, I would be thrilled!*
- Please pray for God to provide full financial support for me by the beginning of training.**
- Once again, for God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
**If you would like to support me financially, you can donate online at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/cdn/C7739 for Canadian donations or at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/us/C7739 for US donations (select Brittany Reddicopp under "participants", or in person to me or directly to the MB Mission offices. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com if I can help you with any more information.
Monday, August 13, 2012
SOAR Vancouver
Yesterday I arrived home after spending ten days on a short term mission’s trip called SOAR Vancouver with MB Mission. Thank you so much to everyone who was praying for me during this time, it was an incredible opportunity. I was the assistant team leader on a team of 9, and we worked alongside Vancouver Chinese MB Church. I arrived on Thursday with a few other staff and volunteers to set up at Richmond Bethel MB Church, where we were staying, and Friday evening the participants arrived. Saturday – Monday were spent in a focused training time, with great worship and amazing sessions from speakers like Luke Haidle, Sam Dick, John Best, and Randy Friesen. These are all speakers I had when I was on TREK, and who I look forward to hearing from again in the fall. I was very blessed to be able to learn from them. Tuesday – Friday was spent on assignment, where we partnered with Vancouver Chinese MB Church in their day camps, and heard from different Vancouver church planters in the evening. We had about twenty kids each day, ranging in age from 5 – 12. We spent time sharing why we loved Jesus with them, leading worship and games, and helping with crafts and other activities. It was a great experience to serve in such a missional way in our own city. Saturday was a day of debriefing, and Sunday we attended church at our host site.
It was a powerful experience for me to be on a mission’s trip so close to home. It was definitely a lot different than any of the mission’s trips I have been on before, and I was really blessed by seeing God move. One day at our day camp, we were having a water fight, but I had to sit out because I had cut my knee quite badly the day before. There was one other young boy who had to sit out as well, and so we went and hung out at the playground. God really opened a door, and he ended up sharing with me a lot of really difficult things he was going through with his family, mainly surrounding his Dad’s death earlier this year. It was hard to hear, but it was really a chance to connect with him and show Christ’s love to him on a deeper level. This in and of itself was a great opportunity from God, but it became even more powerful when, after sharing about it with my team, my team leader later shared with us how she, after the first day of assignment, had felt God place it strongly on her heart to pray for this boy. So without knowing anything about his situation, she began praying for him daily.
So often we can only see a small piece of what God is doing. We only see the things that are right in front of us – and it takes faith to trust that God is working behind the scenes to do things we aren’t aware of. It was so encouraging to me to be able to see a bit of the bigger picture. At the time, all I knew was that God was opening a door for me to talk with this boy, but really, he had been preparing for it through a teammate of mine long before we even began our conversation. I was reminded that God is always at work, and he is doing so much that I can’t see. In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul talks about how one believer plants the seed, another waters it and it is God who makes all things grow. I definitely saw that this week, as God worked through both my teammate and I to really reach out to this boy.
On a different note, it is now less than a month until I begin TREK, and I am getting more and more excited. Being at SOAR really put me back in the “mission’s” frame of mind, and gave me a taste of what is to come. I am so excited to spend two months in training, learning from such gifted, godly leaders. Two weeks into training I will find out my assignment location, where I will spend 7.5 months. This will be by far the longest mission’s trip I have done, a thought which brings both excitement and nervousness! Over the course of SOAR, I spent some time thinking and praying about this upcoming season, and what God would want me to accomplish. I have three different goals for this season: one practical goal, one personal goal, and one ministry goal.
Practical Goal: My practical goal is that I want to gain a greater understanding of how to do ministry, and to become better prepared for long-term missions.
Personal Goal: My personal goal is that I want to gain a deeper level of solidarity in my faith and in my calling. A few months ago, I met a couple preparing to begin their ten year church planting term with MB Mission, and there was something about them that just stood out to me. I didn’t know what it was and I couldn’t pinpoint it but I knew I needed it. During SOAR I met another man also preparing to begin his ten year church planting term with MB Mission and I got to same sense. After praying about it, I can only describe it as solidarity: a deep sense of maturity and confidence in faith and in calling. That is something I want to develop on a deeper level in my life.
Ministry Goal: This is still something I need to spend more time praying about and will shape more as I find out what my ministry assignment will be, but I do know that I want to bless and encourage whatever missionaries I work with, and the local church in whatever country I am placed in. I pray that God will give me opportunities directly from him, and that I will truly be able to be a part of building his kingdom.
As a part of my TREK experience, I am required to fundraise the cost of my program. The total cost is $11,850 and so far God has provided me with $421.42. This means I still have $11,428.58 to raise. This amount needs to be fundraised before I can leave for assignment, but it is my goal to be fully funded before the program begins, enabling me to focus more fully and without distraction on my training. Please prayerfully consider whether you would partner with me in this season of ministry, and what God is doing around the world. $11,428.58 may seem like an insurmountable amount of money, so let’s put it into perspective: if 115 people donated a onetime gift of $100, I would be done. If 50 people pledged $24 a month, or 100 people pledged $12 per month, I would be done. God is a big God, and nothing is impossible with him!
Well this has been a very long blog post, so congratulations if you are still reading! Here are a few prayer items to finish off:
- Thank you for praying for my schooling! I am now done all my course work for the summer, and look forward to this next month of no academic work, before starting in the fall. I feel that I finished well, and am grateful for all your prayer and for the endurance God gave me.
- Please pray for the development of a strong prayer team. This is such a crucial part of ministry! If you wish to be a part of this team please let me know, I would be thrilled!*
- Please pray for God to provide full financial support for me by the beginning of training.
- Once again, for God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries. I have been so blessed by this organization, and I am so thankful for the great work they are doing.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
*If you would like to support me financially, you can donate online at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/cdn/C7739 for Canadian donations or at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/us/C7739 for US donations (select Brittany Reddicopp under "participants", or in person to me or directly to the MB Mission offices. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com if I can help you with any more information.
It was a powerful experience for me to be on a mission’s trip so close to home. It was definitely a lot different than any of the mission’s trips I have been on before, and I was really blessed by seeing God move. One day at our day camp, we were having a water fight, but I had to sit out because I had cut my knee quite badly the day before. There was one other young boy who had to sit out as well, and so we went and hung out at the playground. God really opened a door, and he ended up sharing with me a lot of really difficult things he was going through with his family, mainly surrounding his Dad’s death earlier this year. It was hard to hear, but it was really a chance to connect with him and show Christ’s love to him on a deeper level. This in and of itself was a great opportunity from God, but it became even more powerful when, after sharing about it with my team, my team leader later shared with us how she, after the first day of assignment, had felt God place it strongly on her heart to pray for this boy. So without knowing anything about his situation, she began praying for him daily.
So often we can only see a small piece of what God is doing. We only see the things that are right in front of us – and it takes faith to trust that God is working behind the scenes to do things we aren’t aware of. It was so encouraging to me to be able to see a bit of the bigger picture. At the time, all I knew was that God was opening a door for me to talk with this boy, but really, he had been preparing for it through a teammate of mine long before we even began our conversation. I was reminded that God is always at work, and he is doing so much that I can’t see. In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul talks about how one believer plants the seed, another waters it and it is God who makes all things grow. I definitely saw that this week, as God worked through both my teammate and I to really reach out to this boy.
On a different note, it is now less than a month until I begin TREK, and I am getting more and more excited. Being at SOAR really put me back in the “mission’s” frame of mind, and gave me a taste of what is to come. I am so excited to spend two months in training, learning from such gifted, godly leaders. Two weeks into training I will find out my assignment location, where I will spend 7.5 months. This will be by far the longest mission’s trip I have done, a thought which brings both excitement and nervousness! Over the course of SOAR, I spent some time thinking and praying about this upcoming season, and what God would want me to accomplish. I have three different goals for this season: one practical goal, one personal goal, and one ministry goal.
Practical Goal: My practical goal is that I want to gain a greater understanding of how to do ministry, and to become better prepared for long-term missions.
Personal Goal: My personal goal is that I want to gain a deeper level of solidarity in my faith and in my calling. A few months ago, I met a couple preparing to begin their ten year church planting term with MB Mission, and there was something about them that just stood out to me. I didn’t know what it was and I couldn’t pinpoint it but I knew I needed it. During SOAR I met another man also preparing to begin his ten year church planting term with MB Mission and I got to same sense. After praying about it, I can only describe it as solidarity: a deep sense of maturity and confidence in faith and in calling. That is something I want to develop on a deeper level in my life.
Ministry Goal: This is still something I need to spend more time praying about and will shape more as I find out what my ministry assignment will be, but I do know that I want to bless and encourage whatever missionaries I work with, and the local church in whatever country I am placed in. I pray that God will give me opportunities directly from him, and that I will truly be able to be a part of building his kingdom.
As a part of my TREK experience, I am required to fundraise the cost of my program. The total cost is $11,850 and so far God has provided me with $421.42. This means I still have $11,428.58 to raise. This amount needs to be fundraised before I can leave for assignment, but it is my goal to be fully funded before the program begins, enabling me to focus more fully and without distraction on my training. Please prayerfully consider whether you would partner with me in this season of ministry, and what God is doing around the world. $11,428.58 may seem like an insurmountable amount of money, so let’s put it into perspective: if 115 people donated a onetime gift of $100, I would be done. If 50 people pledged $24 a month, or 100 people pledged $12 per month, I would be done. God is a big God, and nothing is impossible with him!
Well this has been a very long blog post, so congratulations if you are still reading! Here are a few prayer items to finish off:
- Thank you for praying for my schooling! I am now done all my course work for the summer, and look forward to this next month of no academic work, before starting in the fall. I feel that I finished well, and am grateful for all your prayer and for the endurance God gave me.
- Please pray for the development of a strong prayer team. This is such a crucial part of ministry! If you wish to be a part of this team please let me know, I would be thrilled!*
- Please pray for God to provide full financial support for me by the beginning of training.
- Once again, for God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries. I have been so blessed by this organization, and I am so thankful for the great work they are doing.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
*If you would like to support me financially, you can donate online at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/cdn/C7739 for Canadian donations or at https://secure.mbmission.org/donate/us/C7739 for US donations (select Brittany Reddicopp under "participants", or in person to me or directly to the MB Mission offices. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com if I can help you with any more information.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Faithfulness
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:25-33
I am continually amazed by God’s constant promises throughout the scriptures. From the Israelites to the early church, God has always provided for his children. I’ve seen this in my own life countless times, and yet it is still something I can struggle with. In the moment, it can be easy to lose sight of what God has done for you in the past. In the Old Testament, the Israelites would build alters and standing stones and monuments to remind them of things that God has done for them. The first time I did TREK, this is something one of our speakers taught us about. He encouraged us to make markers, or reminders of some sort, in our own lives to remind us of the things God has done for us. This is what I have tried to do. In moments of fear and uncertainty, I look back on all the ways he has been faithful to me before.
As I prepare to embark on this new season of TREK, there are a lot of uncertainties. I don’t know where I’ll be going, or who my team will be. I don’t know who I’ll be working with, or the kind of culture I will find myself engaging in. And yet I am reminded of God’s faithfulness to me before. He put me on an amazing team, with wonderful people I came to absolutely adore. He sent me to a country and a church I grew to love deeply. I know that his faithfulness is unending, and I look forward to what he has for me in this next season. God is so good, and I can’t wait to see how he is going to move.
On a different note, in two weeks I will be volunteering with MB Mission on a short 10 day urban mission’s program in downtown Vancouver. I’m really looking forward to being able to practically serve in such a focused way in my own country. If you would like to know more about the program, you can find more information on the MB Mission website here:
http://www.mbmission.org/soar/vancouver/overview/
Prayer Requests:
- That God would give me the motivation I need to complete my semester of school over these next two weeks.
- For full financial support before the beginning of training, and for the establishment of a committed prayer team (if you wish to support me in one of these ways, please see below for further details).
- For God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
*As a TREK participant, I am responsible to raise $11,850 dollars in total, or $1,185 per month. This includes flights to and from my assignment and the cost of living during training and assignment (food, housing, basic toiletries, etc.). Please consider supporting me with a monthly pledge, or with a special one-time gift. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com for more information.
I am continually amazed by God’s constant promises throughout the scriptures. From the Israelites to the early church, God has always provided for his children. I’ve seen this in my own life countless times, and yet it is still something I can struggle with. In the moment, it can be easy to lose sight of what God has done for you in the past. In the Old Testament, the Israelites would build alters and standing stones and monuments to remind them of things that God has done for them. The first time I did TREK, this is something one of our speakers taught us about. He encouraged us to make markers, or reminders of some sort, in our own lives to remind us of the things God has done for us. This is what I have tried to do. In moments of fear and uncertainty, I look back on all the ways he has been faithful to me before.
As I prepare to embark on this new season of TREK, there are a lot of uncertainties. I don’t know where I’ll be going, or who my team will be. I don’t know who I’ll be working with, or the kind of culture I will find myself engaging in. And yet I am reminded of God’s faithfulness to me before. He put me on an amazing team, with wonderful people I came to absolutely adore. He sent me to a country and a church I grew to love deeply. I know that his faithfulness is unending, and I look forward to what he has for me in this next season. God is so good, and I can’t wait to see how he is going to move.
On a different note, in two weeks I will be volunteering with MB Mission on a short 10 day urban mission’s program in downtown Vancouver. I’m really looking forward to being able to practically serve in such a focused way in my own country. If you would like to know more about the program, you can find more information on the MB Mission website here:
http://www.mbmission.org/soar/vancouver/overview/
Prayer Requests:
- That God would give me the motivation I need to complete my semester of school over these next two weeks.
- For full financial support before the beginning of training, and for the establishment of a committed prayer team (if you wish to support me in one of these ways, please see below for further details).
- For God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
*As a TREK participant, I am responsible to raise $11,850 dollars in total, or $1,185 per month. This includes flights to and from my assignment and the cost of living during training and assignment (food, housing, basic toiletries, etc.). Please consider supporting me with a monthly pledge, or with a special one-time gift. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com for more information.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Busy, busy, busy . . .
There are moments when starting TREK in two and a half months seems like an eternity away. There are other times when it seems like it’s coming faster than I can handle. In these next two and a half months before TREK I will be: starting a new job, completing four online courses, doing my grade 9 RCM piano examination, participating in a short urban mission’s trip to downtown Vancouver, going on a road trip with my family, and getting out to the woods for hiking and camping every chance I get. At some point I should probably start my internship reading as well. I would be lying if I didn’t say there are moments when I feel completely overwhelmed.
In 1 Kings 19:11-12, Elijah is fleeing Queen Jezebel when the Lord speaks to him in the wilderness.
“. . . And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.”
In seasons of business, I am reminded that God often speaks in the quiet of a low whisper. It is so easy to become caught up in looking for God in the big things in life – in the wind, and the earthquake, and the fire. But the Lord was not in the wind. He was not in the earthquake. And he was not in the fire. The voice of the Lord came in the sound of a gentle whisper.
I am both encouraged and challenged by this passage. God is present. He speaks. But I also need to quiet my heart and listen to him.
Prayer Requests:
- That I would be still before God, and listen quietly for his voice.
- That God would give me the motivation I need to complete everything I need to this summer.
- That God would prepare my heart for this upcoming TREK season – that he would give me the attitude of a humble learner and that I would be ready to receive what he has for me.
- For full financial support before the beginning of training, and for the establishment of a committed prayer team (if you wish to support me in one of these ways, please see below for further details).
- For God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
*As a TREK participant, I am responsible to raise $11,850 dollars in total, or $1,185 per month. This includes flights to and from my assignment and the cost of living during training and assignment (food, housing, basic toiletries, etc.). Please consider supporting me with a monthly pledge, or with a special one-time gift. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com for more information.
In 1 Kings 19:11-12, Elijah is fleeing Queen Jezebel when the Lord speaks to him in the wilderness.
“. . . And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.”
In seasons of business, I am reminded that God often speaks in the quiet of a low whisper. It is so easy to become caught up in looking for God in the big things in life – in the wind, and the earthquake, and the fire. But the Lord was not in the wind. He was not in the earthquake. And he was not in the fire. The voice of the Lord came in the sound of a gentle whisper.
I am both encouraged and challenged by this passage. God is present. He speaks. But I also need to quiet my heart and listen to him.
Prayer Requests:
- That I would be still before God, and listen quietly for his voice.
- That God would give me the motivation I need to complete everything I need to this summer.
- That God would prepare my heart for this upcoming TREK season – that he would give me the attitude of a humble learner and that I would be ready to receive what he has for me.
- For full financial support before the beginning of training, and for the establishment of a committed prayer team (if you wish to support me in one of these ways, please see below for further details).
- For God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
*As a TREK participant, I am responsible to raise $11,850 dollars in total, or $1,185 per month. This includes flights to and from my assignment and the cost of living during training and assignment (food, housing, basic toiletries, etc.). Please consider supporting me with a monthly pledge, or with a special one-time gift. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com for more information.
Friday, June 1, 2012
A Strong Refuge
"The Lord is good,
a strong refuge when trouble comes.
He is close to those who trust in him."
Nahum 1:7
It was after this verse that I titled my blog. It is a powerful reminder to me of who I serve, and where my strength lies. As I reflect on my previous TREK experience and prepare for the next one, there are things I look back on that I plan to do exactly the same, and there are things I would like to do differently. In this past year I’ve learned, grown, and matured. I want to take the things I have learned and really seek to apply them in this next stage of my life. But whatever goals I may set for myself, whatever I succeed in and whatever I fail in, I know that at the core of everything is the Lord. He is good. He is my strong refuge. I seek my refuge in him and him alone, and I choose daily to trust in him.
Prayer Requests:
- That God would help me to be diligent in my studies in the next two months.
- That God would prepare my heart – that he would give me the attitude of a humble learner and that I would be ready to receive what he has for me.
- For full financial support before the beginning of training, and for the establishment of a committed prayer team (if you wish to support me in one of these ways, please see below for further details).
- For God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
*As a TREK participant, I am responsible to raise $11,850 dollars in total, or $1,185 per month. This includes flights to and from my assignment and the cost of living during training and assignment (food, housing, basic toiletries, etc.). Please consider supporting me with a monthly pledge, or with a special one-time gift. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com for more information.
a strong refuge when trouble comes.
He is close to those who trust in him."
Nahum 1:7
It was after this verse that I titled my blog. It is a powerful reminder to me of who I serve, and where my strength lies. As I reflect on my previous TREK experience and prepare for the next one, there are things I look back on that I plan to do exactly the same, and there are things I would like to do differently. In this past year I’ve learned, grown, and matured. I want to take the things I have learned and really seek to apply them in this next stage of my life. But whatever goals I may set for myself, whatever I succeed in and whatever I fail in, I know that at the core of everything is the Lord. He is good. He is my strong refuge. I seek my refuge in him and him alone, and I choose daily to trust in him.
Prayer Requests:
- That God would help me to be diligent in my studies in the next two months.
- That God would prepare my heart – that he would give me the attitude of a humble learner and that I would be ready to receive what he has for me.
- For full financial support before the beginning of training, and for the establishment of a committed prayer team (if you wish to support me in one of these ways, please see below for further details).
- For God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
*As a TREK participant, I am responsible to raise $11,850 dollars in total, or $1,185 per month. This includes flights to and from my assignment and the cost of living during training and assignment (food, housing, basic toiletries, etc.). Please consider supporting me with a monthly pledge, or with a special one-time gift. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com for more information.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
TREK: Take 2!
One year ago today, I was on a plane flying home from the Philippines. So many thoughts and emotions were running through my mind: excitement to see my family, but mainly sadness – sadness over leaving a church and family I grew to love. As I reflect on that plane ride, and all the things I was feeling, I feel some of that sadness again – missing my team, missing the church and the people I love. But more than that, I am astounded by the greatness of God’s plan – so much more than I could have imagined a year ago. Sitting on that plane, crying and exhausted, I would never imagined that exactly one year later I would sit and write these words: I’M GOING ON TREK!!!!
To say that I am a little excited would be the understatement of the century. It would be like saying the Eiffel Tower is a little tall, or that the Titanic hit a small piece of ice. God’s faithfulness is amazing – his plans are more wonderful than I could have imagined. Over the past year, I have completed my first two years worth of courses at Columbia Bible College in my Intercultural Studies program. The third year of this program, which I will begin in the fall, is a year of internship. The purpose in this is to give students a practical experience of everything they have been learning – a chance to practically apply all the things we have studied. For this internship, I will be doing ten month TREK.
I deeply resonate with the words of Hudson Taylor: “The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.” I am once again preparing to embark on a new season of ministry. There are new excitements, and new fears, but I look forward to once again stepping into God’s calling. TREK begins September 9, 2012 and concludes June 29, 2013. In these next months, I will be challenged and stretched beyond anything I have yet experienced. I look forward to the things that God will teach me, to the new burdens he is waiting to place on my heart.
~ Brittany
Prayer Requests:
- That God would prepare my heart – that he would give me the attitude of a humble learner and that I would be ready to receive what he has for me.
- For full financial support before the beginning of training, and for the establishment of a committed prayer team (if you wish to support me in one of these ways, please see below for further details).
- For God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
*As a TREK participant, I am responsible to raise $11,850 dollars in total, or $1,185 per month. This includes flights to and from my assignment and the cost of living during training and assignment (food, housing, basic toiletries, etc.). Please consider supporting me with a monthly pledge, or with a special one-time gift. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com for more information.
To say that I am a little excited would be the understatement of the century. It would be like saying the Eiffel Tower is a little tall, or that the Titanic hit a small piece of ice. God’s faithfulness is amazing – his plans are more wonderful than I could have imagined. Over the past year, I have completed my first two years worth of courses at Columbia Bible College in my Intercultural Studies program. The third year of this program, which I will begin in the fall, is a year of internship. The purpose in this is to give students a practical experience of everything they have been learning – a chance to practically apply all the things we have studied. For this internship, I will be doing ten month TREK.
I deeply resonate with the words of Hudson Taylor: “The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.” I am once again preparing to embark on a new season of ministry. There are new excitements, and new fears, but I look forward to once again stepping into God’s calling. TREK begins September 9, 2012 and concludes June 29, 2013. In these next months, I will be challenged and stretched beyond anything I have yet experienced. I look forward to the things that God will teach me, to the new burdens he is waiting to place on my heart.
~ Brittany
Prayer Requests:
- That God would prepare my heart – that he would give me the attitude of a humble learner and that I would be ready to receive what he has for me.
- For full financial support before the beginning of training, and for the establishment of a committed prayer team (if you wish to support me in one of these ways, please see below for further details).
- For God’s continued blessing on MB Mission, and thanks for the work he is already doing through that organization and all their long and short term missionaries.
*If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com, and I will send you information and a commitment form, as well as regular updates and prayer requests.
*As a TREK participant, I am responsible to raise $11,850 dollars in total, or $1,185 per month. This includes flights to and from my assignment and the cost of living during training and assignment (food, housing, basic toiletries, etc.). Please consider supporting me with a monthly pledge, or with a special one-time gift. Please contact me via phone at 604-226-4083 or email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com for more information.
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