Purpose

One thing that has been stressed over and over is that each student would know WHY they are at IGo. When we write down why, it helps keep us from distractions.  Dear friend, please pray God’s protection over distractions in my life. I’m here because of Him, and for Him. This week has already been crazy!! God is already doing an amazing work in my heart and in my life. Praise Him!!!

Purpose For Being At IGo

  

1.     Because God called me

2.     To grow in Jesus

3.     To be stretched

4.     To seek the face of the Father

5.     To build lasting friendships

6.     To learn more about the heart of God

7.     To remove self and give it all to Him…a change of heart

8.     To serve each person I’m around

9.     To love all people

10. To care about hearts

11. COMPLETE SURRENDER

  

Dear Father, protect me from distractions that will hold me back from these purposes. I’m here for You and because of  You. Praise you for being so faithful in providing this far! You are worthy of all my praise! Thank you Jesus for caring about my heart. I am your vessel, your slave. Use me in whatever way you want. I am YOURS. Allow me to grow and change in you. Reveal Your heart to me and teach me how to seek You in everything. I completely surrender to You…every area of my life…heart, mind, body, soul…Jesus, they are yours. 

End Of A Chapter, Or End Of A Book?

     Today was a milestone in preparation of my journey. This day marked the end of classes at Sinclair Community College. As I walked out from class I felt, scared, exhilarated, a bit sorrowful, and most of all, glad to be done with ALH 104.
     The reason for feeling a bit scared is, well, Sinclair has become a home of sorts. When I needed a haven to study, relax, meet up with friends, and get Starbucks, to the main campus library I would go. It's became a familiar friend. Moving into the unknown is a bit frightful. Many memories were made at SCC, and I believe I grew up a lot while attending classes.
     I felt exhilarated because I have the opportunity of a life time. Really, how many people are able to say at twenty years old they moved across the globe to learn more about Jesus? God has blessed me beyond what I ever though possible. While serving in a different land has always been a strong calling, I always wondered if it would really happen. Now I'm getting a chance to learn how to effectively serve, share, and bless others!!! :) My hearts desire is to glorify my risen Lord by serving, and sharing Him with others, no matter what the cost.
     Sorrowful, because I'm going to miss out on so much time with friends and family. Morgan, Tanner, and Vienna will grow up so much while I'm away. Friends will move on in life. Carson will be taller then I, when I get back. Over time things change, and if I'm not around to experience the changes, it will be different when I arrive home.  Nevertheless, this is what I want to do. This is what God blessing me with.
     Never have I had a class I was so ready to be done with. ALH 104 is the most boring class I  have ever taken. As much as I love to learn new things, this class was just not interesting. So, as I walked out of class, I felt super glad to put it behind me. I felt like my IQ would start to go up, simply because I was out of the dull, time-wasting class. Yes, it really was that bad.
     I have started to wonder, is this the end of a chapter, one that may be returned to in the future, or is this the end of a book never to be opened again? I don't know what God has in store next. Maybe I will get done at IGo and finish my education, or maybe I will go serve somewhere indefinitely, or perhaps, I will go back to IGo and do an internship. Right now I have no idea what is next, and I'm surprisingly okay with that. As much as I want to be a nurse, I want to follow my Father more. Probably, I say that over and over, but its what He is teaching me, COMPLETE SURRENDER!!!

The journey begins in...

34 days!!!

Sponsorship

     This weekend at the Haiti Benefit Auction, a lot was said about sponsoring children, and different projects. Some of the sponsorship organizations talked about are Compassion International, Save The Children, World Vision and this weekend schools, IFM, Heart of Compassion, and International Fellowship Haven. Every photo of these kiddos makes my heart long to hug them and let them know they are loved. How much more must our Father feel that way when He looks down at each of us needing the love and salvation of His son Jesus. I look at those kiddos and think about their human needs, but the Father, He looks at all of us and sees our ultimate need, a personal relationship with Jesus.

     I’ve never though I would be in a position to need sponsorship. After all, I come from a middle class American family. Why would I ever have that kind of need? Well, when faced with the opportunity to attend IGo I quickly realized I had no way of paying for it, and no time to raise the required money. Nevertheless, I was certain that was where God was calling me.

     One night I decided He and I needed to have a little chat. God wants to hear what we have to say, and He wants to have to chance to answer back. So, while I was driving I started to talk. I laid it all out there, asking “Why are you calling me here and not providing for me? Why am I so excited about this and have no way to go? Why God, Why?” That night I received no answer and I went to bed feeling discouraged and confused.

     God’s mercies are new every morning! I woke up the next day, and I was ready to put hard work into this calling. When God speaks, it’s time to follow no matter what the odds look like. My day was going to be spent researching fundraisers. I have never been okay with flat out asking people for money, and knew that was absolutely not an option for me. Mom and I talked about doing a spaghetti dinner, cleaning, babysitting, bake sale, etc. That all sounded like a grand place to start.

     However, God, He had other, more wonderful, something I never would have considered, ideas. He, the most amazing person in my life, provided beyond my wildest expectations. There was a family, who felt God calling them to help me on this journey. (Every time I tell this story tears fall, God is just so faithful!) This family is living out Romans 10:15 by sending me on this journey. In the end it ended up I did need sponsored. My Father in Heaven provided in a way that I never had to ask, I only had to pray.

     There are still daily needs, and things that I have to get before I go. God is showing Himself faithful and I know He is going to continue to provide. Please pray for me and my family as everything comes together.

     My departure date is April 24^th. I will be gone 7 months, and 24 days. This equals, 34 weeks or 238 days, or 5712 hours, or 342,720 minutes, or 20,563,200 seconds, give or take a few. My arrival date is Dec 17^th.

     8ish months is the longest I have ever been away from home. God has been preparing me and my family for this day for the last few years. Every trip I have taken has gotten progressively longer. First I was gone a month, then six weeks, then two point five months, then just under three months, and now 8ish. Just as every other journey He will be present in this one too.

     Nursing school is being put on hold right now. Many people keep asking me what I'm going to do after this...I don't know. God has not unfolded that part of His plan yet. I am comfortable waiting on Him to guide me. All my life I have wanted to be a nurse, but if God has something else in mind, well, I choose to follow Him. How exciting to be able to completely trust Him for whatever is next. I'm in for the journey of a life time!!! "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD". ~Isaiah 55:8

     Currently I'm finishing up one class at Sinclair. I will be done with it March 22, and what a happy day it will be!!! :) This has not been the most interesting class. Around our house people daily hear me say "I'm going to fail this class from pure, simple BOREDOM".  Never fear, I really do have an A. The days I don't have class are spent working for Dad in the shop. Not the most enjoyable job, and I have to work to have a happy attitude about it, but its helping pay for things! I'm so thankful Dad is providing me a place to work before I go. Its hard to find a job when you are gone so much! 

More IGo posts 

1^st http://philippians4-13-bree.blogspot.com/2011/11/institute-for-global-opportunities.html

2^{nd http://philippians4-13-bree.blogspot.com/2012/01/decisionmade.html}

3^rd http://philippians4-13-bree.blogspot.com/2012/01/prayer-partners.html

Serving an ever faithful Father, 

Bree 

Prayer Partners

Dear Friend,

     God has been taking me on an amazing journey the last few months. I am so excited to see what He is going to do in 2012!

     Most of my life I have felt a call to serve God on the foreign mission field. I was in nursing school for a year, because I saw it as an open door to the mission field. However, God seems to be calling me in a different direction.

     Starting in April, I am going to be attending IGO. This stands for Institute for Global Opportunities. This will be eight months of rigorous study, coupled with travel to nations in Asia and Europe. IGO is located in Chaing Mia Thailand, so I will be moving half way around the world.

     I can’t go through this program without the prayers of my brothers and sisters in Christ. One of the things the staff at IGO encourages students to do is find prayer partners. This means people who will take a day of the week to intercede before the Father for me.

     I’m writing this letter to see if you will consider being one of those people for me. This is a big commitment and I will in no way be hurt if you feel you simply do not have the time. Please email me if this is something you are interested in. My email is breelavy92@gmail.com

In Christ,

Bree

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. ~Luke 10:2

Decision...Made

     I have made the decision, decided to take the leap. What a journey it has been getting to this point of surrender to the will of my Father in heaven. This is not to say that there are not still parts of my life that are unsurrendered...because there are, nor does it mean I have it all together, and figured out. In fact...I really have nothing figured out at all. Except that I am ready and willing to follow after my Abba Father.
     Some people may call me crazy, and others say its an easy road out. However, this has been the hardest and most difficult time of my life. When God calls us to do things that are out of the norm, its hard. When I'm in the middle of my nursing education and its being put on hold, its hard. When God is blessing me with another niece or nephew and I know I'm leaving that behind, its hard. Friends who will move on with life and make wonderful memories with out me is hard. Though this is all difficult, God is providing and showing me His wonderful faithfulness each day.
     God does not call us to be simple American Christians who have it all figured out. He wants us to be needy of Him every day, in every way. Living a radical life for Christ is shown all through out the bible. Why do I think its going to be an easy, asphalt paved way. He tells us in His word that people are going to hate us, kill us, persecute us, if we follow Him. So many times we forget those verses and focus on how God will bless us. He does blesses us for our faithfulness. I'm so thankful that God has abundantly showered His blessings upon my life. However, I also know I can't used Jesus as a vending machine to just give me blessings. Being a Christ follower is about so much more.
     What I am choosing to do is not for everyone. I believe that the great commission "And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."is a command and for all of us. While I say that, I feel like God calls us all to different places to live that out. Some of us go to foreign lands, but some need to stay and live it out here on America soil. This chapter in Mark goes on to say that whoever does not believe will be condemned. Its my job to tell others the truth so they can have the free gift of Salvation God has given me.
     A few months ago I posted about a school in Thailand, called IGo. I was asking for your prayers as I prayerfully, considered attending. God has completely shown me that His will is for me to leave in April and be gone until December. This means that I will be attending classes at IGo for 8 months. Exactly what these eight months are going to look like is unknown. What I do know is that I will be taking classes on Theology, Cultural Anthropology, World Religions, Growth in Christ, History of Missions, Christian Family, Principles of Teaching, Local Church Evangelism, TESOL, and Bible classes.
     I am excited beyond what I am capable of putting into words. It looks big and challenging, but I am so ready! Please pray for me in the coming months as I prepare, and as I go that God will continue to show me His unending faithfulness, and grace. Also, pray for my family as I leave. I'm not sure if its going to be harder on them or on me! :) If you are interested in being a weekly prayer partner please send me an email at breelavy92@gmail.com. 
~Deciding to follow Jesus,
Bree

Institute for Global Opportunities

     This post is informational as well as a request for prayer. When we were getting ready to leave for Thailand I found out about a school called IGo. It is located here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Before I give too much information about it I should probably back up…

     Around eight years old I knew when I grew up I wanted to serve God. At this point I had not really realized my need for Jesus nor asked Him to dwell in my life. In fact, that did not happen until I was 11.5. What started me on this journey, I don’t know. Nevertheless, I do know is God has placed a call on my life. All of us have a calling. Our callings are all different, but we all have one. Maybe its to stay home and be a mom and wife, or maybe its campus ministry, or it may be providing for your family by working hard everyday, going to school, telling others about Jesus, or being an obedient son or daughter...really could be anything. First Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain”. ESV From this is can be concluded that what every you are doing as long as its for the Lord, and they are in the Lord, it is not in vain.

     I feel like my calling is to serve God by telling others about their need for God’s son Jesus. God has filled me with a passion for people who are hurting and down. This passion tends to lead me to the poorest of the poor; whether its monetarily, emotionally or spiritually. The prayer of my life has been Isaiah 6:8. “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ ‘Then I said Here am I! Send me’. When I read Isaiah 61:1-3 it seems like its talking directly to me. (The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion-to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they many be called oaks righteousness, the planting of the Lord that he may be glorified.) These verses are also found in the New Testament Luke 4:18. Also verse fifteen in Mark 16, And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Similarly, verse nineteen in Matthew 28 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

      As Christ Followers we are called to BOLDLY PROCLAIM His word!! All through Acts it talks about having boldness for Christ. Not backing down about the truth even to the point of prison, persecution, and ultimately death. Philippians 1:20-21 “as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that will full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” As a Christ Follower this is made personal to me and my walk with Jesus. I want to be willing to give up everything for Him!

     It seems like this passion has led me to the medical field. I so enjoy learning and especially anything medical. Because of this I have felt that nursing school would be a great opportunity to serve God. My thought has been that when I get done with school I would go and serve in a poor country somewhere. Every one needs medical care at some point in their life. It seems like an amazing opening onto the mission field. January of this year I started the journey through nursing school. In fact, I am almost done with all my classes except for the nursing program itself. 

     Now comes that part about IGo, and the request for prayer. IGo stands for Institute for Global Opportunities. It is a school that’s purpose is to provide young people with a environment outside of their comfort zone, to do mission work in parts of the world where the Gospel has not yet be preached, a place learn more about what the Bible says, and to have personal discipleship. Typically the students attend classes for three weeks and then go on a ministry trip for 10-14 days. This is the schedule for each four month term. In one semester the student is able to go on three ministry trips. The school is set up for students to attend 8 months out of the year. However, some students choose only to attend for one 4 month term. If a student would want to go back for a second year they attend classes for part of the year, and then they are set up in an internship program.

     It sounds like a wonderful place to learn more about Christ, grow deeper in my relationship with Jesus, and live out the calling on my life. This is where my prayer request comes in. It would be so easy for me to fill out the application and attend this coming April. Everything I love is included in this school except for the medical part. If I attend I would be putting nursing school on the back burning indefinitely. Not only would nursing school be on hold but I would miss out on a huge portion of my families lives. My niece, and nephew, and bebe would not know their Aunt Bree. Thinking about them not knowing me is enough to break my heart. I want to have a relationship with the kiddos in my life! Nevertheless, I am feeling like God is calling me in this direction. Please pray that God will make His will extremely clear to me and my family. That we would know clearly what He wants in my life. Nursing school has always been a desire, but to follow the will of Christ is WAY more important to me! For more information please check out the video and information on http://www.igo-asia.com/. If you feel like God is giving you a word to speak into my life please let me know. I really do want to live for Jesus and I want to do His will not mine. 

A New Adventure

     Let me start by saying, GOD IS AMAZING! Really, that is all I would need to put to make this post totally complete :). However, this is a testimony of God's greatness that needs to be told with attention to detail.
     This adventure began over a year and a half ago. It all started when I went to Washington last spring to help Shane and Cindy Turner. I spent a while getting to know this wonderful family by living with them and teaching, doing house work, and holding one of the cutest babies in the whole wide world!!! Around this time they told me of a dream they had to travel the United States in a bus and tell the world about Jesus and God's plan of salvation. Of course I was very excited for them and the journey God was going to take them on. They also shared with me their desire to visit Martin and Rachel in Thailand.
     As most of the people close to me know, I love mission work and I feel God has placed a call on my life . I have dedicated my life to the service of God. This means....I am willing and ready to go wherever He happens to call me. I have prayed the end of Isaiah 6:8 many times over. *Isaiah 6:8, 'And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am! Send ME."'* Praying a prayer such as this can be very frightening for me, as well as for my family.
     After Shane's told me of their desire to visit Thailand, I started to feel God move in my life. I knew that He was preparing my heart for Thailand. I was not sure how everything was going to work out, and I had NO clue why Iwas feeling this way. Of course I thought it would be amazing to travel with them but I also knew it was probably not an option. However, God kept prompting my heart. Almost every day I would hear someone talking about Thailand; friends, family, the news, and books. My time in Washington came to an end and it kept happening. In fact, it was almost stronger. Feeling like God was calling me to trust Him with my life I left it all in His hand and prayed "Father, Your will not mine be done".
     Around Christmas time last year I got a very exciting phone call. It was Cindy wanting to know if I would be interested in traveling with them to Thailand. I knew this was what God had been preparing me for. It was going to mean missing Christmas with my family again, and I was really struggling with that reality. But, I knew God's plan was so much greater then mine. Long story short, we did not end up going. The timing was not right for Shane's, or Martin's. The disappointment was strong, but getting to spend Christmas with my family was very exciting!
     In January I enrolled into Sinclair Community College for nursing. My job of many years was coming to an end, and I needed a path for life. I was very excited because nursing school has been a huge dream of mine since I was a very small child. God blessed me with good grades and many new friends. While this time of my life was very exciting, it was one of the hardest times I have every had in my relationship with God. Actually, I am still working though some really hard things. Nevertheless, God is faithful. He send some really amazing people into my life to help me work through these things.
     So a few months back I was eating lunch when I got a phone call from Cindy. She wanted to know if I would still be interested in going to Thailand with them. Of course I was!!! I feel like God has been directing me this way for a long time. Its so very exciting to see His plan become a reality before my eyes!
     All the details are coming a long amazingly. It looks like I am going to be headed out to Washington around the end of September and coming home sometime before Christmas! I am so extremely excited to see what God has in store for the coming months. As I set out on this new adventure please keep us in your prayers!!!

Update:

As far as school goes I am done with Economics and Government :) YAY!!!! I still have to get Brit Lit done BEFORE I leave!!!! Please pray that God will give me the strength to endure and get it done! For some reason Brit Lit has been very hard for me so I find it hard to stay focused. ;)

I was thinking that I really should start getting stuff ready to leave. I need to start packing so I can start worrying about how I am going to get everything packed in ONE 50lb suitcase!!! :) Ideas anyone? I am letting Heather have my second luggage spot because she has a lot more stuff to take down then me, but still it sounds like a imposable task. :) Can’t wait to see how it goes.

As the time gets closer and closer I am starting to feel worried! I know that this is what God is calling me to but it is looking very big! I know He is going to be with me ever hour of every day! THANK YOU JESUS!!!!

Looking back over the past months and seeing God work all of this out has been so AMAZING! I know that God is going to work everything out when I am in Haiti too! I just need to remind myself of that every day.

Please continue to pray for Heather and I as well as for our families!

Have a GREAT day,
Bree

WOW!

When I first found out that I was going down to Haiti I thought it was FOREVER away! Well I am quickly finding out that it is just around to corner. We leave in ONLY 19 days!! I can't believe that it is this close! Please pray for Heather and me. We are very excited but there are also things that sound scary. Also keep our families in your prayers. Just today mom was telling me that she was starting to get sad. I thought I was going to start crying. Please pray that we will have strength to face each day with a good attitude. Pray that we will be able to share Jesus with the people we meet. Please pray that I will be able to quickly learn the language and that Heather and I will both be healthy physically, spiritually and emotionally. Something else to keep in your prayers is that I will get done with school BEFORE we leave!!!!

Mom printed off our itinerary just a few minutes ago. We leave July 28, 2009 at 7:40 AM from Columbus International Airport. We will be arriving in Port Au Prince at 3:45 PM. We have one layover in Miami! Please pray for safe flights!



Heather and I

School Times

This past year I went to school at CTC. Here are some pictures of my class! I miss them all very much and I hope I get to see them again!