MOVING BLOG

Hello, I've decided to close down this blog and go to a more modern/convenient blog. Please visit the new blog for updates and information.
http://sojournernarrative.wordpress.com

Seeing The Potential

     Jesus has been speaking to me the last few weeks about {LOVE}. He is softly whispering into my heart that He fully encompasses the word love. Without Jesus this word is void of meaning, but what is the meaning of love? Is it a fathers love, a family love, a romantic love, or an unconditional love. As I ponder this word I start to realize what Jesus sees when He loves. I pray and I believe that one day I will see this word as He meant it to be seen.

{One of my favorite parts of spring because when a dandelion is bare and crushed they are being most effective. In my humanness HE is made strong. When I have nothing but Him I am living on Faith and then He can move mountains!}

     A few days ago I read an amazing quote by Steve Backlund. (I don't even know who this man is, but this quote is worthy of regard despite who he is or what he believes.) The quote says this, "Once you stop believing in people, you stop being a leader". I was stopped in my tracks when I read this. How often do I judge, condemn, and lecture, when I really just need to take a breath and love like Jesus. 

     This revelation has taken me to an account in John 4. The scandalous love of Jesus is portrayed in a such a beautiful way in this passage. He calls the women out for her sin, but in that same moment as her heart is turned to Him, He says go and tell the others. From the moment she was highlighted by the Spirt, He knew her {POTENTIAL}. He never doubted what the Spirit said, He never lost sight of her destiny, calling or inheritance.  
      I want to love in this scandalous way. Oh that I would never lose sight of the potential each soul possesses. When Jesus sees the lost wondering around purposeless He does not see their death, He sees their worth, and their incredible potential.
   
     I'm so excited, because as this revelation is taking place, He is showing me again the beauty of the nations. He is sending {US} His sons and daughters, to go and call the purposeless into their full potential. The heart cry of the Father is that ALL would KNOW WHO THEY ARE, that they would KNOW THEIR POTENTIAL, that they would KNOW REAL LOVE THAT SEE WHAT COULD BE NOT WHAT IS!!!!  

{Because I'm learning WHO I AM. I am a warrior, strong and ready to fight, He has prepared my hands and fingers for battle. The gates of hell will NOT prevail. I will press on, I will keep going, I will climb mountains. I am HIS princess and He will protect and guide His beloved one}

     Jesus, open my eyes to see the world as it could be. Let me speak over souls their destiny to be yours. Revel to the world who they are and who they were meant to be. Allow me the privilege of loving scandalously as You! I will live out Matthew 22:37-40

{Because He is the journey and the destination. Without Him neither exists.}

The Goodness Of My God

     There are no words to adequately describe the last week. All I can say is my Jesus loves me, provides for me, and confirms His calling in the most wonderful ways! Exactly one week ago tonight I posted a letter stating Jesus is opening doors for my feet to walk where they are destined to go.  My biggest fear in saying "Yes" to the journey has been the finances. After this week I have no doubt in my mind but that He will be providing all the money I need. He has brought in almost $2000 in the last week, and I know He is going to provide the rest!!!

     Sunday afternoon, as I was reading down by the river, Jesus reminded me that birds don't worry about where they will rest, what they will eat, or what they will wear. So why do I, who is so much more precious to the Father, allow my heart to become entangled with a yoke of anxiety? I believe that when Jesus opens doors, He WILL provide all that is needed! My job is to rest in His presence and follow His gentle promptings! 

     I got a bit more information this week about my journey starting in September. It looks like I will be spending a large part of my time working in refugee camps. Jesus has already started speaking to my heart how He wants to use me in these camps. I'm thrilled and honored to be used by Jesus to be His hands and feet of love. 

     Please continue to pray for God's provision and direction as I head out on this journey. The next few months are sure to be filled with the business of fund raising so please pray that Jesus would strengthen me to keep going. 

Thanks for all the love, support and prayers!!! 

For more information this the new journey please see last weeks post. --> Last Weeks Post

A Synopsis

Dear Friends & Family

     I’ve often viewed my life as a story being written in a beautiful, vintage journal. Written in old flowing handwriting, by the one and only Author. He takes time with every detail; every word is placed where He wants. The seasons of pain and joy are written with emotion. Some places are marked with tears, while others are filled with the vibrancy of various colors. He knows the end from the beginning, but He enjoys writing it moment by moment so I can learn and grow.

     This part of my story started when I was ten years old and my family traveled to Mexico. {Actually it may have started much earlier, but this is when I first remember getting a piece of His beautiful heart}. We were visiting Mexico with a few of the men who worked for my dad. One day I saw a destitute family living in a cardboard box and my heart was broken for their situation.  Those three weeks were some of the most pivotal moments of my life. Jesus revealed to my heart His unconditional, unending {LOVE}, and His voice calling ALL to sonship. As clear as yesterday, I recall telling Jesus, “I will live my life to tell people about you. Someday I will live somewhere like this and love people for you Jesus.” 

     Around age twelve I learned about prostitution and human trafficking. Again, Jesus let me have a bit of His heart. He showed me the restoration and healing He longed to bring to the hurting and abused. It was also around this time I discovered Isaiah 6:8. My everyday prayer became “Here I am Lord, Send Me. I will go where your say, I want to be used by you.” Beyond a shadow of a doubt I knew God had marked my life for the hurting to find the Healer, the hopeless to find Hope, and the story-less to find the Author. 

     After I completed high school this Author wrote in chapters of travel, adventures, and journeys. Each trip my heart only grew to see more of the world as He sees it. Spare hours were spent researching and praying for unreached, and closed countries. In my heart a dream was being formed. A vision that is impossibly big, laughable, and yet….with Jesus totally doable. 

     During these journeys Jesus started putting sparks in my heart for the Muslim world. He spoke to me about the blessing He gave Ishmael: a blessing for prosperity and a call for radical, passionate revival. I read Isa 60:7, and a picture of the nations of Islam coming to know Jesus was implanted in my heart. His beautiful house becomes {MORE} beautiful with their acceptance. Abba Father is calling, all men to be His full adopted children. 

     So here I am, a character in this crazy story called life. I’m ready to be a harvester in these white fields that are ready for harvest. As this story continues the Author has opened the door to another journey. 

     Starting in September I will be doing a Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission. During this DTS I will learn how to effectively communicate the Gospel with the Muslim world. After our classes I will spend two months in a Middle Eastern country working in refugee camps, redlight districts, and sharing the love and compassion Jesus has for the hurting.  

     

     I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is calling me to take this next step in training and preparation. This brings me to the hardest part of the journey: fund raising. YWAM requires that all students and missionaries raise their own support. This encourages friends and family to be invested both in prayer and finances. Prayer is ultimately the biggest need in missions, so please be praying for me on this journey. If Jesus prompts you to be involved financially I would be humbled and blessed. This is all for His glory!

In Christ,

Brittany Lavy

12408 W. National Rd

New Carlisle, Ohio 45344

(937) 572-6394

{seasons}

In my twenty-one years of life, God has taken me though many seasons. {Spring} with the newness of His presence and Holy Spirit, {Summer} when everything was beautiful and growing, {Fall} when the colors of all He was doing took my breath away. Then {Winter} the time of wilderness and pressing into His heart when all emotions and feeling said He was not reachable.

I'm in a winter season. My life looks different then I want. Jesus keeps gently reminding me that He made the wilderness seasons too. This period of my life is all about leaning on Jesus. It’s about pursing His heart and pressing in.  Slowly, with great patience Abba is reveling the beauty of the winter…Not only the winter of the soul but the winter of Ohio ;). 

 

{"Daughter, 1000 hours worshiping me is more important the touching one life. I am more important then people...As you lift me high I will draw the hurting after MY heart. Just say {YES} to my calling. Don't lose sight of the anointing I've placed in your soul. Follow my leading and I will {MOVE}" 

So I will continue to say {YES} to Jesus. Even in the winter season.

~Brittany

Contentment

     It has been at little over two months since I arrived back to America, and already I'm struggling to feel content. Each day I ask God for a job, an opportunity, and for {HIS} will to be manifested in my life. What I'm slowly starting to realize is God it taking me on a journey of [CONTENTMENT]. As I'm striving endlessly to {DO} God is softly whispering, "just be with {Me} Brittany, lay back in {My} arms and rest, sit at {My} feet and learn all you can from this period of your life". Jesus wants me to soak in Him by spending time in His presence. 

     I'm reading a book by James Goll called "The Lost Art of Practicing His Presence". This quote stuck me deeply, [Bible study is very important to us as Christians, but in the end it accomplishes little if it does not lead us into a {personal encounter} with the Divine Author. It is about less of me and more of {HIM}. Again I'm reminded that it is all about Jesus and not about Bree. I'm so filled with selfishness that I can completely miss the most important part about my Jesus Time, {encountering Jesus Himself}. I too easily forget that my time with God is about a relationship with {HIM} and not just a daily routine. 

     My prayer this week is that I will act on the divine appointments that God sends my way, and the remaining time will be spend allowing Jesus to live {HIS} life through me. I hope that at the end of next week I can look back and truly say I was filled with peace and contentment, KNOWING that I spent the week just as Abba Father wanted me to {sitting at His feet abiding in Him, resting in His presence, and waiting in stillness on His call}. 

{I have calmed and quieted my soul} ~ Psalm 131:2a

{Pressing In}

{Those who wait upon the [LORD] shall renew their strength} ~ Isa 40:31a

     Leaving the {Bible school Bubble} has been very challenging for me and my walk with God. While I was there it was easy to wait on the movement of the Spirit, but now that I'm back into the life of comfortable AMERICA I find it difficult to press in. Fighting complacency has become a daily battle. My flesh does not want to press into Jesus...I don't want to rest...I want a job so I can be dependent on myself instead of {Waiting} on Jehovah Jireh to take care of my needs. God is continually reminding me that HE delights in providing for me. He does not want me to be dependent on myself, a job, or others...He longs for me to cling and rest in His strength. 

{But from there you will {SEEK} the [LORD] your (GOD) and you will {FIND} Him if you search after Him with your {WHOLE} heart and with your soul.} ~ Deut 4:29

     This week, I choose Jesus...allowing myself to be caught in the movement of the Spirit. Complacency does not have a hold over my life because I am a child of the one and only LIVING God! He has delivered me and set my feet free to {DANCE} without dignity. Pressing in is the new theme of my life

{For you are a people {HOLY} to the [LORD] your God and the [LORD] has {CHOSEN} you to be a people for His {TREASURED} possession, out of {ALL} the peoples who are on the face of the earth} ~ Deut 14:2 

I choose Him because He first chose me and loved me. 

Resting at the feet of Jesus, 

Brittany 

Pattaya {A City Not Forsaken}

Pattaya City Thailand

*An estimated 20,000 to 30,000 men, women, ladyboys, and children working the streets.
*Established as a coastal vacation destination during the Vietnam war, American soldiers would go for a brake and for the women...In fact, many American soldiers are sent to Pattaya today.
*Up to two million tourists visit Pattaya each year, most come because of the night life.
*Prostitution is illegal in Thailand. However, if a man pays a bar fee, he can hire a person out of the bar.
*It costs 300-400 Thai Baht to hire a person from the bar ($10-$15USD).
*A worker can make around 1000 Thai Baht for a hour ($30USD).
{The stats go on a on...and they brake my heart}

     In Pattaya is a YWAM base called Tamar Center. Their vision is to reach out to the women and ladyboys working in the bars, and provide them with hope. They do this by going out into the bars three days a week, providing English classes, and twice a year, they have a training program for those who really want to change their lives and leave the bars.

     Before going to Pattaya I knew most of the stats. I understood that Pattaya was a city build on the sex industry, and I would be confronting sin face to face everyday. For weeks before going I prayed God would prepare my heart for what I was walking into, and I asked for the covering of the blood of Jesus on my life. Our team met and prayed many times before going, and developed a vision statement.

{We are daughters of God: Image-bearers of His beauty and His holiness. Created by our Heavenly Father for His glory. We are delighted in, loved much, defended relentlessly, and empowered by Him. Because of who He is and the redemption He has brought to each one of us, we can be fearless, we can love the unlovely, and we can see the people of Pattaya through His eyes. We will fight for each other and bear one another's burdens. We will not shrink back from the darkness, Instead, we will turn our eyes upon Jesus and *RADIATE HIS LIGHT*}

~Written by Katelyn Dye





     Yet, all of this did not sink into my heart until the first day I walked down Soi Six, heading to the Tamar Center. This one little street in all of Pattaya, is said to have over 50 bars. There are dozens of streets just like this one all over the city. My heart cried out for the salvation, freedom, and hope of these women. 

     My heart would brake just a bit more every time I would walk the streets. Especially as I started to see familiar faces, and know the names of the women. These women became more then statistics. They became people with stories, family's, personality's and pain; they became friends. I will not soon forget the women on Soi Six, if I ever do. 

She is only 18

They are 21 & 20

She came for English class, and got prayed over. Tears streamed out of her eyes, and she said she hates her job. Not ten minutes later she waved to us from across the street, a plastered smile on her face...just another day providing for her family.

     All this seems so hopeless, and sometimes I would ask God why?? Where is the justice God? How can these men come and treat these women this way. Please God, show your mighty hand, bring salvation to these women. Be their protector and their provider. Save them from the hell they are living. God, do you hear my prayers? And in His gentle way He would remind me of His grace. He reminded me that if He were to come back today, these women would live eternally in hell. God is being their protector, He is giving them the chance to turn back to Him.

     Pattaya is not forsaken, and one day things will change. The prophecies over Pattaya are incredible, and the song "God of This City", was written in Pattaya for Pattaya. God will bring redemption to these people. Until then, I can pray for the ones I know personally, I can intercede for the salvation of their souls. And what a gift that is.



The More I Seek You...

{But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with your whole heart and with all your soul} ~ Deuteronomy 4:29

{You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart} ~ Jeremiah 29:13 

{The more I seek You, The More I find You, The More I find You, The more I love You} ~Kari Jobe

{Brittany Ann, my noble daughter, I'm here just waiting. I'm waiting for you to seek me, I can't wait for you to find me, and the depth of my love for you.} ~ Abba Father

     This week brings the first semester to a close. So much has happened the past four months, God has taught me so much, and my life will never be the same again. I'm beyond thankful for the opportunity to be here at IGo, and I know it was ordained by my heavenly Father. 

     Jesus has taught me so much about seeking Him. When I truly spend time in His presence every day, He is so faithful in allowing me to find Him. The more I find God, and the more I know about Him, the more I want of Him. I become dependent on His filling everyday. My understanding of the "Living Water" becomes deeper as I realize I can't make it through a day with out my special "Jesus Time". My heart cry has become "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is NOTHING on earth that I desire besides You" ~Psalm 73:25

     Isaiah has always been one of my favorite books of the Bible, and in coming to Thailand I decided I was going to read a chapter everyday. This lead me to reading through Deuteronomy, and these two have changed my view of God drastically. I'm starting to more fully understand what God's grace really means, I'm starting to see how Holy God really is! As I realize His holiness I understand how unworthy  I really am of Him. And yet His whispers to me, "Brittany, my daughter of royalty, I love you, I formed you, and I care about you and your heart. I will keep fighting for you. You Brittany will be a crown of beauty in my hand, and no one will be able to pluck you out. I delight in you,  and I will declare to the nations "My delight is in her"! I greatly rejoice over you, and my banner over you is love. I am your Ishi and you are my bride. Come away with me and be my Child". ~Isa 62:1-5, ~Song of Solomon 2:4 ~Jon 10:28.

     

Laughter

     My first ministry trip is over, and come Tuesday, it will be back to the books, desks, computers, paper, pencils, homework, and late nights. The last ten days have been very challenging and stretching. Father taught me so much about submission and following and what it really looks like to serve with others. He also showed me that He delights in the joy and laughter of His children. The country we visited was very dark and we faced much spiritual oppression.
     The journey started out with the loss of a contact, and a trip with no set destination. We got to see much of "real" Laos and pieces of my heart were left in each village we passed. A personal goal for the trip was that Father would give me a heart of Laos and that I would leave feeling like part of me would always be there with the people. He totally, completely fulfilled that desire! One day I will go back to Laos and spend more then a few days, and until that day comes, I will lift them before the throne.
     Memories, memories, memories, wow, I don't even have the words to describe everything that happened on this trip. In fact, I could probably write a whole book and still not tell it all. My main word for the trip would have to be laughter. We girls have long moments of healing laughter everyday and that was a huge blessing from Abba. Without the laughter, I'm not sure we would have made it. I praise Him for the time we had to grow together, and learn more of each other, and glorify the Father together. When we seek His face, He is so faithful to show Himself. When I cried out and asked Him why, He said He wanted to teach me, and to simply be faithful in learning.
     So, what did God teach me?? Well for starters, the gift of laughter. Secondly, He really taught me about me...where I'm at in life, and areas I need to work on. As we were driving though the beautiful mountains God gave me a vision of my life. That was simply amazing and one of the most powerful things I've ever experienced. Also I learned how much my attitude affects others. We had some problems on the trip with leadership, and as a team we talk about them today. During this chat it came out that a lot of the problem was the attitude we girls had towards the leader. I pray I will be very aware of my attitudes from here out. Communication and its importance was also hammered into my head!!! In fact, I think it would be VERY safe to say ever person on my team learned that!!! :) :)
        Another huge gift and blessing from Abba was the amount of time I was able to spend with Him. He has given me such a hunger for Him, and a desire to know more about Him and His depth! I'm ready for classes to start because I was given time to relax and prepare for the coming weeks. Coming home, really felt exciting. It was as exciting to me to come home to IGo, as I will be when I go back to the states, and that in its self was a blessing.

Laos Flag

We loved the signs 

I love Tuk-Tuks!

Our guide said this temple is considered the heart of Laos. I'm not for sure what that means but it was a dark place.

Such beauty even in the darkness

Another Temple

Sorry about the poor quality of the photo...this photo really shows me the difference in Christ...and Buddah

This lady, wow. She inspired me so much. I will call her the forget me not lady. One day we were walking the streets and she makes eye contact and holds up a sign that says "Don't forget me", Then one that says "I have everything you need". She owns a convenience store and really does sell everything. Her personality is amazing. She is very out going and it would be amazing to see her come to know my Father!

I wanted to bring him home in my pocket...Don't think that would be IGo approved... ;(

Please pray as we go into the next term! Its going to be busy and crazy!! 

Redeemed

     I don't even know where to start. This week has been amazing, crazy, stressful, and most of all, God filled. Several times though the week God moved and blessed me so much. He is amazing, and I'm so thankful to call Him Father!!!!!
     It is already time for ministry trips. Time simply must go faster on this side of the world, because it does not seem like first term should be over already. End of term of course means many tests, which
means Bree is very stressed, which means, lots and lots and lots of coffee, and restless nights. He is faithful, and they are all done! Now its time to catch up on sleep....only there is not a lot of time for that. :)
     When living with someone, you get to know them very well, and soon you become like a family. That is truly happening here. I'm so thankful for the friends I am making. They have all blessed me so much! Going though this journey would not be possible without others walking beside me, and holding me up. I pray I can be the same for them. We need each other, or we would not make it. Each of us makes up the body and we need every part!

So these are the 26 people who are becoming my family on the other side of the world. They have all touched my life in many ways. 

We matched very unintentionally and needed a photo. I love these ladies! 

This girl is amazing. Polly, I'm so thankful for you! P.S. I like you.... 

LaRonda is the women's dean. She is our mama away from the states and she has been such an inspiration to me! God has used her to speak so much truth and love into my life and to say I'm thankful for her would be a huge understatement. Ron-Ron, you bless me!!! 

So in a nut shell, we serve a Father who loves us unconditionally, and is there for us whenever we are willing to make the change and call out to Him. For a long time I have been saying my life word was surrender, I just have to say that word has changed to redeemed!! I'm so happy for the work Jesus is doing in my life. I did not know how much coming here would change me. However, if I went back to the states today, I have no doubt in my mind that I would be a different person. Praise be to the Father for His care, guidance, love, grace, and gentle calling of His children! 

Caught In The Rain

     While life is very full of classes and homework, we still find time to have crazy fun. Last Wednesday five of us girls headed to the pool. Our plan was to spend a few hours at the pool, and order supper by the poolside. Only, we lost track of time, and the weather conditions. Suddenly, out of no where a storm popped up. We all scramble out of the water and rushed to get changed...hoping to get ready and on the road home before it really started to poor. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately :) :) it was a soaker and we were left with a choice....start biking home...or try waiting it out. Many times rain will last maybe 20 minutes and then be done. This shower ended up lasting quite a bit longer. So, we started the mile ride home. It was freezing!!!!!!! And....SOO.....MUCH....FUN!!!!!!!!!!!

When we arrived home we decided we needed some photos. 

I just have to say that God is amazing. He has sent me some of the most amazing ladies to be friends with.

(Judith, Me, Janelle, Polly, Abby)

When we got back everyone was headed out for ice-cream. We decided we were too wet to go :). We stayed back and broken into the food from supper. It was an amazing night and gave me the energy to make it through the rest of the week.