And the Migration continues...

It is with great readiness and immense thankfulness that we are moving forward in this migration of change. The time has come for us to move to Sylacauga, Alabama (Monday, January 26th) and join with Vapor.
Many of you are amazing encouragers & we love receiving mail from you:) You can send us any personal mail at the address below:

Vapor Sports Ministries
C/O Brett & Trishia Ralston
100 Technology Loop
Sylacauga AL 35151

We will write more once we get all settled in.

Love,
Brett & Trishia

Community Driven

In reading this book Simple Spirituality by Chris Heuertz, he quoted an Indian mystic Sadhu Sundar Singh on the discipline of community by stating "No one can live without the help of others, and in helping others, we receive help ourselves."
Brett & I have begun to diligently pray for the needs of our community. We have particular prayers for each of you that lie on the surface of new transitions, awaiting opportunities, financial freedom, relationship direction, etc. Even though these are all things that we value being able to pray for you about, we desire to go deeper into the battle of prayer on your behalf.
So, we would love for you to take the time & email us deeper prayers that you feel released to share with us, so that we may sit at the throne, in community, for you.
Brett & Trishia: brett@vaporsports.org

For us when you think of us to pray:
Brett & Trishia:
--prayers for a consistent, disciplined prayer life: filled with that of intercessory, thanksgiving/praise, wants/needs, struggles/challenges, forgiveness. May we be consistent with that of Scripture meditation.
--Through reading, we have been valuing growing deeper in different perspectives on spiritual matters, humanity, and service. Pray that we are able to distinguish opinions with that of the Word, that all resonates with us in Truth.
--Prayers for a fearless spirit in regards of speaking on behalf of the Lord: that the Lord may strengthen our ability to communicate the Word and the ministry of Vapor.
--Pray that we will gain the ability to connect with children on a spiritual level, learning the ways to encourage and to strengthen their faith
--Wisdom & discernment in battling a different culture that we will be facing in Kenya. The ability for us, as a married couple, to overcome the attacks of our flesh that will be faced: for protection over our union as husband and wife.
--prayers for community, across the miles, to support us while we are away. Community while in Kenya that will be part of sharpening our faith and our walks with the Lord.
--prayers for quick minds to absorb & to recall the language of Swahili.

We love you immensely, Brett & Trishia

Brett's journal entry..."We get too comfortable"

We Get Too Comfortable:
Its just too easy to get complacent and life becomes a routine real fast. I think we (Americans) forget the world around us and how our (American) actions and decisions affect the rest of the world.{ Ex.Sweatshops: children forced into making things "for our needs"} We act naive even after we've learned how our actions affect other nations. Ive heard so many sermons on loving people, but I've rarely seen it done. I don't get it! It all seems so clear, but people live like we've never heard it. God, convict us more when we deny or ignore injustice, because I don't want to be one of those who gets sucked in to the "perfect American life."
Matthew 25:40:"The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Jesus

Shane Claiborne:
"We can admire and worship Jesus without doing what he did. We can applaud what he preached without caring about the same things. We can adore his cross without taking up ours."
"All around you, people will be tiptoeing through life, just to arrive at death safely."

A Seasoned Year...

The approach or turn of a new year is filled with varying discussions of resolutions, reflections and the like. It continues to amaze us that 2008 pushed us into the embrace of another year, seasoned by humility and strength. 2008 was a year filled with sacrifice to pay off our debt (for all that 2009 entails) and transitions of leaving the temptation of complacency, to welcome the variables of constant change that lies before us. As far as reflections go, we are humbled and encouraged by the continuous provision that fueled us to land in this new season. We are grateful, beyond all measures, to welcome the challenges, the joys, the adventures, the growth, and the strength that this new year has for us. As far as resolutions, we feel called to spend our days immersed in the enrichment of our minds, bodies, and souls: reading has been our greatest consumption, as well as, sitting with wise counsel. We are thankful for the opportunity of both because this season of training prior to Kenya possesses a silence that ushers us before His presence, challenging us with discipline, humility, and growth. A quote that summates our present place is by the faithful Jim Eliott, "Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." There lies a vulnerability in the realms of faith. We are at that place of necessity to trust in all that God is calling us to, be it in body or in mind. A book that we are both reading, Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne, challenged us in the ways that we sit with others. He stated, "Perhaps there is no more dangerous place for a Christian to be than in the safety and comfort, detached from the suffering of others." So, for our greatest resolution: to be familiar with the suffering of others, infiltrated by the Spirit of the Lord. As Jim lived his life until his death of martydom, may we "live to the hilt every situation" in the utmost of obedience to God's purpose in our lives. We welcome 09' with excitement, with readiness, and with strength.