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.

Alabama...

We are here spending time with family in Excel, AL until Jan.22nd, then moving to Sylacauga, AL where we will begin training for what we will be doing in Kenya. Our tickets are booked for Kenya & we are leaving June 7th!! Its all falling in place...

G550 & Electrodes...

Who knew that when we prayed for God (blog from "set-backs")to help us find jobs during this waiting period, before training in March, it would involve flying to France, getting hooked up, and taking drugs. We just got back from making some great money in Toulouse, France. Best job ever: got paid to fly in a G550 jet plane (incredible experience!), get hooked up to electrodes, take jet lag medicine, nap, then fly home to receive a beautiful check! Plus, we were with a great group of people who we know some will come be with us in Kenya (you know who you are:). We are ones who definitely never miss an exciting adventure!

Blessings...

We wanted to share with you an amazing blessing and an account of God's provision. A local running store in Cincinnati, Bob's Running Spot, donated to the runners in Kenya 194, yes 194, pairs of running shoes (and if we can carry them, even more!)!!! God continues to pour His blessing of provision. In addition, our precious friends, Jenn & JP Gray, donated to the runners bags & bags of Under Armour gear (shorts, shirts, pants, and some shoes). We eagerly await the day that we are able to give them the abundance of God's provision thru supplying appropriate training gear for the runners.

reckless...

This week is filled with a bombardment of emotions as we take the first step of this journey and leave Cinci. A bittersweet echo rings throughout our hearts as we let go of those that we hold so close and release into the unknown. We are deeply grateful to have this opportunity to begin our steps toward Kenya, yet we find ourselves having to pray for God to give us the courage to walk away from the daily presence of family and friends. A very wise and supportive friend of ours strengthened us with her encouraging words, as she spoke into us that we are "anointed." As she continued to share this with us, it seeped deeply into our spirits. Living in a guilt-based and fear-based culture, we are almost taught to be fearful of the things that are part of the unknown. God, however, teaches us that IN HIM we have no fear and that the "unknown" is simply part of our obedience to Him. We trust with every facet of our being that this road to Kenya is our calling for this time in our lives. Our precious friend said that when you are anointed, God gives an amazing ability to walk through all seasons beyond our earthly comprehensions. She directed us to this book, "Reckless Faith," where a quote within its pages served as a forefront to how we MUST face this new season. "Reckless faith always has one foot in eternity. It measures people by their actions and not their belongings. A reckless faith believes when there is no evidence and hurls itself as what is unseen but promised. A reckless faith isn't "refined" in the least. It does not make sense to the world, and yet, the world often seems fascinated by it." We ask that your prayers be with us as we enter the "unknown." We will be leaving Cinci on Friday and heading down to AL. Thank you for being such an encouraging presence in our lives. Please pray that we face this new beginning in the "anointing" of the One who is sending us.
"In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is, destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal." John 12:25 msg

"set-backs"...

We have been filled with an immense sense of urgency to be completely infiltrated by our faith in God's provision. Due to the economic instability, we will now begin training Feb/March rather than Dec, which will change our plans of embarking to Kenya in June rather than in March. Initially, our hearts were bombarded with emotion as we have eagerly been anticipating this season to begin. However, the more we sit with the Lord, the greater His plan surfaces as we recognize this is all part of His purpose (to prepare us and to strengthen our faith). We know that our part in Vapor is not in our Hands to manipulate or to accomplish, but that it settles entirely in God's Sovereign plan. We must be faith driven, trusting in every part of this journey that may lead us down a path that we did not anticipate. We have to be fluid, willing to go with every "set-back" in deep contentment, trust, and perseverance. We know that within this journey there are no "set-backs" for we are walking this path in the utmost of provision by the One who will lead us in His timing. We take this opportunity of "waiting" as the time for our hearts to become even more aligned with this vision, as we have more days to prepare our hearts, our minds, and our bodies for what we will entail during the year overseas. We ask that you pray for us as we seek temporary jobs during the transition from Cinci to Sylacauga until we begin training. There are differing ways that we are experiencing God's hand over us during this waiting period, as our faith is being tested beyond what we have ever endured. Even though we live in a society of great planners, where every part of life seems to be mapped out in intricate detail, we are in a position to go with every part of the flow, leaving us without a "plan" and relying ENTIRELY on our faith in God to provide. We ask that you pray for our faith in God's provision to continue in consistency, in depth, and in belief.