Can't Alleviate Poverty Without the Local Church

 

About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live in absolute poverty today and almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day.  With few resources to meet their basic needs, youth who are in poverty are trying to make ends meet in order to survive.  This is a deadly disease and is a widespread pandemic.  And believe it or not, income differentials are widening, which means the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer.

Poverty is persistent, deadly and breeds hopelessness.  But the local church is even more persistent breaking down the walls of impoverished people.  I am thankful to be a part of an organization that is working to meet the holistic needs of the local youth!  In Southeast Asia, global youth workers are creating an entrepreneurship school.  In Zambia, youth now have access to sustainable jobs and better farming techniques through youth worker training.  In Malawi, youth are given HIV education in secondary schools, and the youth workers are empowering the youth through Farming God’s Way techniques to raise sustainable crops for their families.  Holistic youth ministry instills hope into communities.

When I look at the church in Acts, I see a church that was all about the holistic needs of those around them:

• devoted to teaching (intellectual),
• fellowship (social),
• the breaking of bread (physical),
• and to prayer (spiritual).

All the believers were together and had everything in common; they sold their possessions and goods, and gave to anyone as he had need.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47).  When we love Jesus, we show him this love by feeding his lambs and to taking care of his sheep (John 21:15-17).

By creating sustainable jobs to provide income for local youth, introducing basic farming techniques  to increase crop production, and training global youth workers to help meet the needs of the youth in the community, we see life transformation.  YouthHOPE believes that the youth of the world are ready for ministry now!!!  Jesus invested his ministry into 12 youth who would go out and become the church that we read of in Acts.  Do you believe in investing in the power of transforming the lives of youth???  Poverty will not be eradicated without divine intervention by Christ and his bride the church.

Not only does YouthHOPE believe in the potential of youth, we also believe it is our job to partner with the youth in the community and meet the needs of those in which they serve. The youth of this world are the future, and we believe that Christ can empower change through them.  The Church can meet the holistic needs of their community by investing in their youth.  The Church is God’s way of alleviating poverty. 

Check out more blogs at YouthHOPE by clicking here!

Every Blessing You Pour out I'll Turn Back to Praise!

This verse kept playing through my head as I ran back from the pier yesterday.... every blessing you pour out I'll turn back to PRAISE!! The song talks about blessing the name of the Lord, regardless of the circumstance that we face.  We are to bless the name of the Lord through every walk of life... when God gives and when He takes away.  He is our good, all-knowing Father, who wants to give us every blessing imaginable and unimaginable.

In fact, the blessing of his comfort in the midst of my mother's death was the only thing that kept my fragile heart together.  People said I was strong, however I beg to differ.  I felt as if I was drowning in quick sand and all I had left was to hold tight to the truths of God's word.  I learned the truth of what it means in Matthew 5 when Jesus says, "Blessed are those who morn for they will be comforted."  In that time it was as if God was saying, "Britney, your blessed when you have nothing left to turn to but me and the love I freely give, only then can you truly understand the extent of my love."

Here are a few chances that God has given me since my move to Fort Myers to love those people who truly need to experience that extent of God's love!! I am so humbled (and happy) that God has given me the chance to be the person to do that for Him!  I have two stories that stick out in my mind for they were specific answers to prayer and they both happened at the pier!!

PRAYER NUMBER ONE:  That God would use volleyball as a way to reach out to those of the community.  

On a run 2 weeks ago, I saw people playing volleyball at a court near the pier.  As I ran by, I could see that they were short one person.  I WANTED TO PLAY, but I was nervous to go and ask (which is unlike me).  A burning desire came upon me and I could feel God saying, "here is your opportunity, which way are you going to run?... away from my outstretched arms or into them?  I want you to go have fun." I ran to the volleyball court... and I had fun!!

I started to build relationships with a couple of girls on the court, and when we were done playing, the guys came over and asked if I would like to play the next week... They asked me where I was from, and I was the first person they had ever met from Nebraska :)  I had the opportunity to share what I was doing there, and they listened as I told them about Jesus.  Then one of the guys, Damon said, "Well, you just got done playing volleyball with a group of recovering drug addicts, I hope that doesn't bother you." My heart was overjoyed... this is it God!!  You specifically answered my prayer....  THANK YOU.  "That doesn't bother me at all," I told Damon, "I had so much fun with you today, and I would love to come back next week."

And I did. The next week I went back and built even stronger relationships.  They are my "volleyball friends", and I desire them to know Jesus so badly.  They are searching, I can see it, they are earnestly seeking.  Now when I run by the volleyball court each day, I pray for them and for God's angels to protect them and that God's Spirit would open their hearts to the Gospel. 

Where Karen and I had lunch.

PRAYER NUMBER TWO: That God would give me someone to share Christ to whom I had never met before.

This year was also the first Thanksgiving that I spend away from family.    As I walked down the pier one day I saw a lady feeding the birds, gazing out over the water.  I knew she was the one.  I went over and introduced myself to her and she told me her name was Karen.  We spent the next hour just talking, she told me a little about her life, that she had no family here in town.  She had a rough past, a mom who really was absent most of her life, and a horrible first marriage.  She was living on the streets now, and was not allowed to see her adult children until she had her life but back together.   

Karen's story broke my heart, she was carrying so much guilt from her past, I could relate to that. I knew that Christ's freedom was what helped me move forward, and I was shown Christ through people who reached out and loved me.  I wanted to reach out to her in the way people had reached out to me.  "Would you like to have a Thanksgiving lunch together?" I asked.  

The next day I packed a bag full of turkey and mashed potatoes, and walked down to the pier to meet Karen.  We had a wonderful lunch together by the water, sharing in fellowship and laughter.  I had the opportunity to ask her about Jesus and she asked me about him too.  Before I left I asked to pray with Karen, and we gave each other a big hug!  She was what I was thankful for on Thanksgiving, another divine appointment.  I hope I see her again soon.  

All of my life, in every season, you are still God and I have a reason to sing...  I have a reason to praise!!!!  When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord."  Through the last year, my life has been a roller coaster, but the one thing that has remained steadfast and true are the promises that God has made in his Word... therefore-  I know how to be brought low, and how to abound.  In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  (Philippians 4:12-13)

You are a Part of Our Team

As we grow we don’t change, we actually become more of who we are meant to be. 

Instead of a performance based society, what would it look like for all of us to live in the free flowing rhythm of grace? I challenge you to stop letting others define who you should be. Stop getting lost in trying to be the perfect resume and start living in our strengths as a part of the body, a part of the team!  Here is my first blog on YouthHOPE's webpage!  Check it out!  Follow the link below!

http://www.youthhope.com/2011/11/you-are-a-part-of-our-team/

Blessed Assurance

I cannot say enough about how divine this trip has been. Traveling across 11 states, talking to passionate college students and seeing my teammates from Cambodia has been a graceful act of God. This is a very exciting time for YouthHOPE and the NMSI team.  God is sending people to the harvest field.  

The past month I have been reading through Jeremiah, a prophet of the Old Testament who was called to be God’s voice of truth to the tribes of Israel in his early twenties.  I continue to relate with Jeremiah, and how inadequate he felt every second of his ministry.  However, time and time again, God uses Jeremiah to reach his people, regardless of how insufficient he felt.  

A few days ago I read a verse that seemed to pop out of the page at me…

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” – Jeremiah 29:7

City after city and town after town… traveling far from home... Katie and I have had so many opportunities to do just this… “to seek the welfare of the city” and “to pray to the Lord on its behalf.” Last week as I sat in church, the minister talked about how we are exiles and sojourners in a foreign land.  WE ARE PART OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.  Through Christ we are called to live a life how he did.  We are sent by God to be in this world but not of it!!

Though we may not all be called "somewhere," I can guarantee you that each one of us is sent by Jesus to make disciples of all nations.  I am not just called to serve, I am called to be a servant of the King of Kings.  Knowing that I am sent by the Master keeps me always on my knees praying to him, asking him to do his will in my life. Part of being a servant is to seek the welfare of those around you.  In talking with college students, I have the incredible task of plugging them into the desires that he Lord has placed on their heart, seeking the Lord's welfare for them.  Incredible!


Be a sent people, a people of the kingdom of light!  This the a blessed assurance!! 

8 states (2,173 miles)

8 states down and 3 to go.  I can hardly believe that Katie and I are in the home stretch of our adventure across the western half of the United States.  We have been to 10 different colleges and have 3 more to go.  

God continues to bring me to my knees again and again in response to the ways he has provided workers for the harvest field.  Last week we were in Upland, Indiana at Taylor University.  We spent the whole week investing in college students, encouraging them to pursue the desires of their hearts.  Katie and I stayed in the dorms with a group of amazing girls. So, needless to say, there were some late nights full of great conversations and moments of great discipleship.  Those nights were followed by early mornings with many cups of coffee.  I learned so much through the gracious and loving hearts of these awesome college girls.  

That weekend we drove to Cincinnati to see our friends who went with Katie to Africa this summer.  We stayed with our friend Laney for the next 4 days.  We had the opportunity to see the ministries our friend Drew was involved in and celebrate answered prayers with both of them.  It was great to look back at the summer and see how God was molding and changing our lives since then.  Such an unexpected blessing that God put in our path.  :)

Yesterday we left at 6:30 a.m. and drove to Kentucky Christian University (KCU).  As soon as we got there my front passenger side tire blew!!!!  It was such an incredible blessing that we were in a safe location to come have a tow truck pick up my car and tow my car "Bonnie" to the local tire shop.  God turned what could have been a bad situation into good.  I road in the cab with the tow truck driver and we had a great conversation about God and missions.   The tire company gave us a great deal on the tire, and told us that it was there way of "helping us out in God's mission" and I was back to KCU by 11:00 a.m.! Needless to say, we had one of the best recruiting days we have had so far.  It reminded me of what I had just read in Jeremiah:

The Lord will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his heart. In the latter says you will understand it clearly. (Jeremiah 23:20)

Now we are at Johnson University in Knoxville, TN.  We talked in a class this morning and have 3 classes tomorrow set aside for us to speak in.  

God has been teaching me a lot lately about the importance of discipleship and the value of good friendship.  I hope to have time later this week to write a blog on exactly what he has been teaching me through his word.  Love you all so very much!!! Katie and I are so thankful for your support and prayers.

Rules of the Road- 4 states (1,061 miles)

It has been a week full of surprises, capped off with deep dish Chicago style pizza!  After the first week of travel, here are a few “rules of the road” that Katie and I have learned.

We started off at 8:30 p.m. in Lincoln, NE and drove all the way to Saint Louis, a 7 hour drive!!  Due to construction and a flooded bridge, we got to our first destination around 4:15 a.m.  We lugged our suit cases down the side walk, up the stairs and to the front door only to find out that the door was locked!!  I am so thankful for my teammate Katie, for we just laughed and drove to Denny’s.  There spent the next 4 hours chatting, talking to the waitress, and we even met a Korean War vet.  So needless to say we started the week off with a slumber party at Denny’s.  First rule of the road, “be willing to be flexible, your plans might not be the best plans.”

That night we had the chance to be a part of a bible study with youth of East Saint Louis.   We worked alongside a friend of mine, Pastor Randy.  I met Pastor Randy two years ago on a mission trip to Saint Louis, and after two years, God gave me the opportunity to work alongside him again.  Katie and I couldn’t think of a better way to kick start our three and a half weeks of recruiting for youth missions, than to actually take part of a local youth mission.  Katie and I each had the chance to be youth group leaders for around thirty inner city youth.  Isn’t it amazing that while we were on our way to get college students plugged in with global youth ministry, Katie and I had the chance to do exactly what we love to do… youth ministry.  Second rule of the road, “don’t expect to do missions where you are going, but rather, where you are at.”

The next day we went to Saint Louis Christian College where we met some amazing students with a great heart for the Lord.  Katie and I got super energized seeing people get excited about the internships and the opportunity to go and serve the Lord in another country.  The next morning Katie and I sheet rocked the ceiling at “the Rock”, and then we headed out to Iowa City to talk at Campus Christian Fellowship.  It was such a refreshing night and a special thanks to Roger and Nancy Charley for their hospitality.  Third rule of the road, “we’re all in this together.”

Bright and early this morning we drove to Wheaton College and spent the entire day recruiting where we met some more passionate college students, with a great heart for the Lord.  The last rule that I learned dealt with the fact that God placed missions on these people’s hearts long before Katie and I ever showed up.  My biggest prayer now is that God would prepare hearts for His message.  Fourth rule of the road, “God goes before you.”

Right now I am sitting in down town Chicago (a place I never would have dreamed I would ever see) reflecting on the past few days.  I can hardly believe the grace Katie and I have been shown; the grace of the gift of Jesus and the impact that His life story has on our lives.  Life is one big story, full of lots of little stories.  These stories include emotions of joy, pain, laughter, sorrow, frustration, and celebration.  On this road of life, we are often faced with a crossroads where we have a decision.  The decision is our free will of how we will respond to these emotions.  But trust me; if we follow these four “rules of the road,” we tend to focus more on how our little story is a part of God’s big story.   

Thanks for all of your continued prayers and support!!

Shout out to our friend David Peterka, who was such a great encouragement at Saint Louis Christian College- check out his ministry at:  whenthesaints.com

Two by Two

 Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go.  He game them this charge:

What a huge harvest!! And how few the harvest hands.  So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.

Travel light.  Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage.

The seventy came back triumphant. “Master, even the demons danced to your tune.”

Jesus said, “I know.  I saw Satan fall, a bolt of lightning out of the sky.  See what I’ve given you?  Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy.  No one can put a hand on you.  All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you.  Not what you do for God but what God does for your- that’s the agenda for rejoicing.”

At that Jesus rejoiced, exuberant in the Holy Spirit.  “I thank you Father, Master of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the know-it-alls and showed them to these innocent newcomers.  Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.

Our journey starts today.  Katie Debusk flies in at 7:30 p.m. tonight and we start our journey to St. Louis.  I was up late last night, not able to sleep, tossing and turning.  Instead of continuing to fight it, I got up and read through the Message (above).

As I read through this passage, I have a better understanding of how Jesus’ disciples must have felt.  I feel just like them, uneducated, innocent humans who were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, going to every town and place the Lord intended them to go.  Honestly, lately I have been scared… scared of all of these unknowns.  But I look at the journey Katie and I are about to embark on and see how it lines up with scripture, and I am encouraged by the word of the Lord to preserver.   

First, Jesus sent his disciples out two by two, after he had walked with them for a little while AND he gave them this charge… GET ON YOUR KNEES (pray) and ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.  This is where Katie and I want to start, praying that the Lord would send people to the harvest fields and we can just be a vessel through which the Lord reaches them.  PLEASE PRAY THAT AS WE TRAVEL THAT THE LORD WOULD SEND HARVEST HANDS!!

Travel light… I can’t think of a lighter way to travel than my own car.  The Lord will provide all we need for the journey just like he provided the lamb for the sacrifice (Gen. 22.8)

 We are innocent newcomers!!  We do not have it all together; we are just following the path the Lord has paved out in front of us.  I pray that we all understand this to a new level- God uses those who trust him!!!  The more we empty ourselves, the more room there is for Jesus and his rule. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Finally, and most importantly “the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you.  Not what you do for God but what God does for you- that’s the agenda for rejoicing.” (Luke 10:18-20 Message)  We are not going out with our own authority; instead we walk in God’s authority and presence over us.  TO HIM BE THE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER… AMEN!

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?vpsrc=1&ctz=240&vps=2&jsv=375b&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=216344638282410086739.0004afb91ccc2895fb8c2

go... Go... GO!!!

In less than 4 days, the journey begins. A few weeks ago I was having a difficult internal battle of listening to God's word.  My heart said go... Go... GO!!! However, everything that I read in scripture kept telling me to wait:

Be still before the Lord and wit patiently for him- Psalm 37:7
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience- Romans 8:25

There were so many questions I had replaying in my mind.  How can I wait and go at the same time?  I took some time to be alone- just God and I.  In the quiet and stillness of the Lord, I began to see the promise of missions in God's mystery of waiting. Reaching out to a world that does not know Christ takes trust, it is unknown.  In this I can see how Jesus would say "blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:6)  I hunger to see the nations praising the Lord in Spirit and in truth.  If that means behind everything comfortable to pursue a hope that is unseen, then I choose to walk in faith.  I began to realize that God may not be telling me to choose one or the other: go or wait.  Rather, he wants me to GO and WAIT.  But wait not on the present, but rather on the promise that awaits me through his stewards at YouthHOPE.  God will guide and direct all of our steps, we just need to take the first step forward.  He is guiding us by a pillar of light as He did with the Israelites in the desert.  We may not see the end, but you and I can obediently step in the direction of the light that is illuminating my way.


I know that my heart can not follow God right now without moving forward.  He says, "I have good plans for you Britney Sue.  Trust my judgment.  It might be harder than you thought, but never will I leave you or forsake you.  My hand is on your shoulder!! Do not fear to speak as Moses did, for your words are not your own but from me.  Trust me!! Continue in diligence here in remembrance of what I have told you.  Let my comfort be your guide.  Truth rests in me and you will find me when you seek me with all of your heart."

Then God gave me reassurance again as I prayed about YouthHOPE in Jeremiah this afternoon:
 "I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding."- Jeremiah 3:15
As an apprentice at YouthHOPE I know that God has placed me in the hands of shepherds after his own heart.  Those I have met have a love for sharing the Lord and providing holistically for their needs.  I am so excited to be a part of God's bigger plan and thankful that He has chosen me :)  I am excited to go... Go... GO!!! while waiting for the HOPE that awaits me!!!

I want to say a special thank you to all of those who have been such a great support in this walk of faith.  I am thankful for God's rich blessing of provision for this journey over the next year.  The long awaited excursion begins in St. Louis this Monday working with inner city youth!!  Please keep Katie and I in your prayers over the next 3 and a half weeks as we start our magnificent journey across the United States heading east!!  Packing up the car tomorrow... I can hardly believe it!!

In Love,
Britney Sue