A Scattering of Random Reflections . . .

Well today it has been exactly three months since we left for Portugal. So much has happened in the past three months. As such, I have a series of reflections in no particular order and with no particular topic:

1. As a part of my Bible College work, I have been studying the difference between task-focused cultures/people and relationship-focused cultures/people. Simply, one focuses of the relationship above the task - task will stop or slow down in order to make time for conversation, connection and relationship. The other focuses on the task - conversations, connections and relationships will be put on hold until the task is completed, and will be continued after. I have realized that I definitely fall on the task-based end of that spectrum. When there is a job to do, I like to get it done. I like for meetings to run smoothly, decisions to be made quickly, and small talk to happen after the things that need to be done are done. I have been challenged, working in a largely relationship-based culture, to put down my need for efficiency and simply engage in whatever or whoever is right in front of me, and worry about the next thing when I get there.

2. How far do you go into a culture, before you pull out? This is the question that has been on my mind as Carnival approaches. Carnival is a holiday the originates in Catholicism, and is based on the idea of having a night of complete freedom, before the forty day fast from meat (known as Lent) begins. What I have found interesting is the representation of freedom - drunkenness and ultimately, a free pass for the night to do anything and everything you want, to satisfy every desire before abstaining for forty days. I find it interesting that people turn for freedom to the things that will ultimately enslave them and take away their freedom. This has lead me to the question of do I, or do I not, engage in Carnival in some form? The fact that there are a lot of dangerous, not to mention morally wrong, things that happen at Carnival is unquestionable. But where is the line between what is culture, what is a party, what is a holiday, and what is simply wrong? Where do we drawn the line between what is cultural and what is right or wrong? How much do we, as Christians, engage in the world, before we have to pull back and remain set-apart?

3. Jesus + anything is not the gospel. As we have studies Hebrews as a team, and I have studies Galatians personally, the theme of what is the gospel has come up over and over again. As I listened to a sermon series on Galatians, the point that the Pastor pounded over and over and over again was that Jesus plus anything is NOT the gospel. Jesus plus works is not the gospel. Jesus plus tithing is not the gospel. Jesus plus missionary service is not the gospel. Jesus plus penance is not the gospel. The gospel (or good news) is that Jesus alone saves, and there is nothing we can do to add to that. All my good deeds and efforts are worthless for salvation. Christ alone saves, and the minute we try to add anything to that, we are no longer preaching the gospel.

4. Language studies are both extremely wonderful and enormously frustrating. It is so exciting to be able to communicate more and more in another language, but there are also moments when I want to bang my head against the desk and hurl my notes across the room (the first has happened, the second has not (yet)). I have been studying Portuguese, and will be beginning to study Russian tonight. MB Mission works with five churches here in Portugal - two Portuguese, two Russian, and one African. As we have worked together on different projects with different people and different missionaries from all over North America, South America, Europe, and Africa, the many, many different languages being used at the same time is incredible. It is both beautiful and overwhelming to be surrounded by. My hope is to be conversational in Portuguese and basic in Russian by the time I leave Portugal. Speaking of which . . . I should probably go study!

Prayer Requests:

- Please pray for the English classes we have been hosting. Pray that God would continue to bring people from the community in, and that we would have the opportunity to be a light, a witness, and an encouragement to those who do not yet know Jesus. Pray that they would see something different about us and the church, and that they would come to know Jesus Christ as Savoir.
- Pray for our work with the youth, that we would be an encouragement to them, and that they would continue to grow in their walk with God and in their involvement in the church. Pray that God would raise them up as strong leaders.
- Please pray that God would provide the remainder of my financial support needed. I still need to raise approximately $3500.*
- Please pray that God would continue to teach and encourage me as I work here in Portugal, and that he would direct my steps.

**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 directly to the MB Mission offices. Please contact me via email at brittany.reddicopp@gmail.com if I can help you with any more information.