Outreach Phase (2 1/2 months)

I have arrived home from YWAM and it was an amazing experience. I am so thankful for this opportunity I had to do this program. It definitely influenced my life and God has been so evident in so many ways during the past 6 months. The most significant thing I learned is the power of prayer. God works through prayer and can answer prayers that his children prays. One thing that occurred during outreach was I was healed from Lactose intolerance (can't have dairy). Another team we met in another place had a chance to share testimonies and one of the girls had been healed, so she decided to ask if anyone had allergies. I raised my hand and she told me to pray only if I believed I could be healed. To that day I can have dairy and I am so happy. God works in these ways, and I am a living testimony of the power of healing from God.

The ministry was amazing where I went. I got to make friends with university students, build relationship and share the gospel! This was something that got me out of my comfort zone but was well worth it! God also taught me to depend on him for words. Often I would pray to God to give me the right words if the students had questions, and God always provided the right words to say. I really enjoyed spending time with friends and sharing my testimony of how God was working and continues to work in my life.

I want to thank all those that were praying for me on my journey because it was life changing for me! I will use what I have learned for the rest of my life!

New Beginnings

Hello all
It has been a while since I have blogged. Last week I had the oportunity to learn about finding my identity in God.  I also learned about the authority we have as Christians because we sit at the right hand of God when he died. I am also learning the importance of prayer and what it can do. It has so much power, to change people and the world!

This past week has been about cutting the roots of sin/anything that holds us back from experiencing a relationship with God. It has been an awesome week, getting rid of burdens. I am learning to find my identity in God and filling up with God more.

Today (March 4th, 2011) I got baptized in the ocean, for cleansing and to declare that I want Jesus to be Lord of my life. It was a reminder of God being everything in my life.

I am going on outreach in 3 weeks, so I would appreciate prayer for the people. I also would appreciate prayer to be filled up with God, in order to minister to the people
Thanks :).

Another Week

Two weeks have gone by since I last posted my blog. I have been very busy for sure, so I finally got some time to sit and tell you about my weeks. Last week I had the privilege of learning about the overview of the Old Testament, which went through the covenants God made with his people. These had significance to the covenant he made in the New testament by dying on the cross ( Curse that a seed (Jesus) would come through a woman, Abraham's covenant, sacrificing a lamb-blemish free -for sin (Jesus took the place-sinless and blemish free) / David's descendants leading to Jesus)
I always wondered why the people  of God (Israelite's) were always punished for their sin, but I now realize that God did care for them and always sent word (through prophets) to tell them they were on the wrong track. They got lots of chances to repent  before the wrath of God. I learned more about the wrath of God from Tom. He gave a picture of God holding a wine cup and it being filled up with the sins of the people. God would fill it up slowly as the people sinned, and if they kept sinning it would keep filling up. God would usually send a prophet to tell them to repent and turn from their ways, and if they did not, God would send another nation to exile them. Then this would make the people sorry and they would repent and ask God to get them out of the mess. God the loving father would help them because he loves his people and wants them to be with him. Tom said when Jesus died on the cross the cup overflowed with the sin of the world (everyone) and it overflowed on Jesus. Jesus took everyone's sin upon himself and now we can live without wrath. We can just come to God in repentance for sin and God will wipe away the sin. What an amazing gift from Jesus!

This week Maria came to speak about the Holy Spirit. What an amazing week. I have learned a lot about the Holy spirit through going through the scriptures. I have also felt the amazing power of the Holy spirit speaking through tongues. Last night I got baptized in the holy Spirit by Maria and I slowly fell to the ground (somebody held me while it happened) and just lay there feeling renewed (before this I repented of sins, so it felt like renewal from Jesus). I had never felt this before, and it is hard to explain, but it was amazing.

God is working in my life and I am experiencing more of him each day. Thank you all for prayers!

A week Full of God's Goodness

Life has become a little more busier with homework and a full week, so far, so I finally get to some blogging. I have had an amazing week, with lectures and outreach preperation with my group. I am so glad I am here and thankful for everyone who is praying for me at this time! Thanks so much! There has been 2 amazing speackers this week, who have challenged me to a different way of Life. I have learned that it is not about striving for God's love, he loves me in my brokeness, and wants me to repent and surrender any baggage and he will take care of it. I have also learned to just rest in him completely and listen to his voice. I not only want to learn but. put what I am learning into practice, because I truly want to grow closer and have intimacy with creater of the universe  God is so amazing and there is nothing that can stop me from telling others of his love! I want to experience RAW God (not go through motions, but focus on relationship). Andy Bird was the speaker and he had an amazing way with telling the gospel and speaking. Andy  prayed specifically for me that Satan had tried to rob my innocence (like a child does not realize what is wrong in life, and live with no worries). He prayed that I would have restoration of child like innocence. Andy prayed that he pictured me being with Jesus feet on feet, hands on hands and Jesus was leading me through life. He also prayed that simple Joy and Laughter would fill my heart again, and that Jesus was pleased with me.
This made me tear up and just realize how much my Father in Heaven wanted me to experience more of his love, joy and presence. From this day on I make a declaration, that I surrender my heart and life into the hands of God. He is the one I adore and praise, and I want to live for him for the rest of my life. Amen
Love your dear friend Brittany

Another day in Maui

Hello everyone again,
I have been enjoying exploring God's creation. Yesterday I got to go to Polo beach on the other side of the Island and it was very sunny. I got a chance to go in the ocean and experience the huge waves. I went into the waves, and got pulled in one wave and that was a little scary for me. I know now not to fight (try to go straight up) the wave and just go with the motion. Today I got up at 4:30am to go see the sunset at a moutaina and then we did a hike that was 6 hours going all the way up to 10,000 feet. It was a spectactular view that was worth the hike. I could see clouds and large expanse of the volcanoe ruins. I stood in wonder of God's beautiful creation. It is astonishing to see his work each day!

Hello Everyone

The start of my adventure has begun. I have arrived safely in Maui and have got settled into my new home for 3 months. I had a chance to go to a beach here and it was beautiful, the sand is so soft and the ocean is blue. The waves are so huge and I learned it is not such a good idea to get caught in them because of the rip tides. I just got back from a 3 day adventure including 2 pairs of clothes, a bible, a sleeping bag and a hat. My whole group went on a camping trip and did team building games (mud games, being tied to another person, scavenger hunt). The food was Mr. noodles and oatmeal, which I did get sick of having eventually, but when I was hungry I didn't really care what it was I ate it. I got the chance to try passion fruit, which was amazing. Then our group was told that we were going to go to another location for 3 more days. The group was taken on a hike to see caves and then we went back to the vans. As soon as we got back to the vans, the leaders suprised us by telling us we were going to go to a church for dinner and we could stay there. I was so overjoyed as my clothes were getting pretty filthy and I was hoping for some protein. Then I was greeted by all the staff and noticed tables set for us, and the smell of food made me feel so grateful. We all had dinner and were informed that Exodus was done and everyone was pretty happy. I was so delighted to have a meal and took every bite with special appreciation. Then we had a message about Jesus and how he went through times like this and came to the earth having nothing. The message was about Jesus' love and how he washed his disciples feet and how he has love and compassion for all his children. A wonderful staff member washed my feet and gave me a precious card with shells on it, telling me she had a vision that I would journey (on the beach) with the Lord and pick up treasures from him as I go (shells). She said Jesus treasures me and I am precious to him. It was an amazing experience so far. I am looking forward to growing in my relationship and being changed by God during this experience.