So Much To Be Thankful For

This year is quickly coming to an end, and, like many families like to do around this time of year, Briyana and I stop to take a moment to marvel at all the things we have to be thankful for.

This past year, Briyana and I took the step of faith to accept the position of U.S. Director of Ministry Teams and Follow-Up with One Mission Society and Men For Missions.  During this time, God has worked tremendously showing us his love and care for us as we live by faith.  He has provided for us in times that we had no idea how things were going to work out, and he has blessed us when we had the desire to bless others but did not have the means to.

God has shown us the amazing network of friends and supporters we have that care about the same things God has placed on our heart.  We have shared with so many of you our desires, and it always lifts our spirits to see how the Christian community comes together to help support each other when God has laid something on their hearts. 

We have learned so much of what it means to be thankful for family.  Brie and I have always enjoyed getting together with our families and playing with our nephews.  It always reminds us how thankful we are for families that raised us knowing the Lord, love us, and would do just about anything for us if we needed them to.  Soon, we will be adding a member to our family.  "June Bug", is 11 weeks along and is due June 14th.  We find out if June Bug is a boy or girl in January.  We are so excited and can't wait to join the ranks of parenthood.

On this special week, take some time and think about what you and your family is thankful for.  Once again, thank you so much for your prayers and support.

Brie and I wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Crazy Times

Briyana and I dressed as Super Mario and Princess Peach at our

 church's Trunk or Treat.

These past couple of days have been crazy for us.  Last Wednesday the Men For Missions International Cabinet Meetings were held in the DFW area.  People from all over the world came into town for the meetings.  We had people in from Wales, Scotland, Calgary, Ontario, Indiana, North Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, and Waco.  While they were here many of them wanted to see some of the town.  Briyana and I took them to the Stockyards, Cowboy Stadium, Montgomery Plaza, JFK Museum, and my favorite Yogurtland.

We did get a lot of work done though.  The Cabinet was very successful in taking care of old business and looking ahead and setting direction for Men for Missions for the next couple of years. 

Please continue to pray for Haiti and the Cholera epidemic.  From news reports One Mission Society gets, it seems to be spreading and getting closer to areas we minister in.  Tension is rising and violence is boiling over.   Below is a short prayer request we received yesterday from the field.

There are 2 major concerns here-- (Prayer Points)
#1  Working people live paycheck to paycheck and businesses are shut down as a result.  And
#2  People contracting cholera and other diseases can now get nowhere to get help as transportation has been largely blocked for 24 hours.

God Bless!

Brent & Briyana

Hurricane Tomas Update

Here is an update on the status of Haiti after Hurricane Tomas.

Religion Today Summaries - Nov. 8, 2010
Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff

Tomas Mostly Spares Haiti, May Worsen Cholera

Hurricane Tomas spared Haiti the worst of its wrath, although the storm still dumped large amounts of rain on the country's fragile tent cities. Relief coordinators say the subsequent flooding may have carried an outbreak of cholera  north from its origins in the Artibonite Valley according to

http://www.crosswalkmail.com/akmtksmptbtnmlpwnyzgvnrvmsnldzzlbhmvkkwmttlhpby_rcrkwtgjwvgg.html

ABC News, Ted Steinhauer, of Medical Teams International said 600 people have contracted the waterborne disease in the small town of Gros Morne, and thousands more are probably infected. Poor sanitation in the impoverished country has often forced residents to cook with the same water sources used for waste. Officials report that more than 500 people have died of the disease, which hadn't been seen in Haiti for a half century before it surfaced last month.

Hurricane Tomas

Haiti while already dealing with an epidemic of Cholera, is now having to deal with an approaching Hurricane Tomas which is gaining strength in the Caribbean.  It's expected to bring winds upwards of 80 mph and destroy much of the already ruined capital city Port-au-Prince.  The Cholera epidemic has already claimed over 300 peoples lives and sickened over 4,000.  With this storm it will only increase those numbers.  The tent cities will be destroyed.  Please pray for God to place his hand of protection of this country during this time of need.

You can follow the storm here by clicking on this link.

TWIST

 picture courtesy of http://mysinglemomlife.file

This Week In Short Term

India/South Asia
We have a prayer team of 5 in India and South Asia October 8-24

Ecuador
We have a medical team of 8 in San Juan, Ecuador October 9-17

Haiti
We have an evangelism team from Community Church of Columbus (IN) in Haiti October 13-20
We have a vision team of 7 going to Haiti October 18-23

TWIST

         picture courtesy of http://mysinglemomlife.files.w

This Week In Short Term


India/South Asia
We have a prayer team of 5 going to India and South Asia October 8-24

Ecuador
We have a medical team of 8 going to San Juan, Ecuador October 9-17

Haiti
We have an evangelism team from Community Church of Columbus (IN) going to Haiti October 13-20

Got to thinking...

    

Picture courtesy of www.pueblounitedway.org

Yesterday at church we talked about Luke 10:25-37in church.  It's a well known story, the parable of the good Samaritan.  We talked about loving our neighbor and what it looks like, and who are neighbor was.  In Sunday School class we looked over several passages, but Matthew 25:14-30 really stuck out to me.  It was the parable of the talents.  After listening to the teaching in the first service on Luke 10 and studying how to be a loving neighbor, Matthew 25:14-30 came alive to me in a new way.  

The good Samaritan took a risk to help the beat up Jew.  Our pastor taught us that his grief was arroused by the misfortune of another man.   He took his time with the hurting man, and spent money to help him.  It was a great sermon!  If you would like to listen to it click on this link.  It was called "Love takes a detour."  With that being said, how are we treating our neighbors?  Who do you feel God is putting a burden on your heart for? 
In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the talents.  These were not actual talents, but were a form of money.  The first slave he gives 5 talents, the second 2, and the third 1.  Both the first and the second understood the master's desire to make a profit and be responsible for what the master gave him.  The third however was scared, and he did not share the same desires the master did.  The master was pleased with the first two slaves, but dissappointed and angry with the third.


It got me to wondering, are we sharing the same desires God has for our neighbors?  He has given each of us responsibility over what he has blessed us with.  Are we being selfish in this consumer world and missing opportunities to love on our neighbors, instead desiring to spend what we have on clothes or the newest technology that's on the market?  


One day we will see the Lord in Heaven and have to tell him how we used his resources he has entrusted to us.  Will we be like the first two slaves in which he was proud of, or will we be like the third slave who angered and disappointed the master?

Life Update,

We have had a good week fund-raising.  We met with several couples and have enjoyed seeing them become excited about joining our team.  This coming weekend we will be in Austin, Texas again to fund-raise.  Please lift us up in prayer during this time.  We are still waiting to hear back from two local churches to see if they will join our support team.  We would also appreciate your prayers in this matter.


God Bless,


Brent and Briyana
  

TWIST

                          picture courtesy of http://mysinglemomlife.files.wordpress.com

This Week In Short Term


Burundi
We have a team of 3 in Burundi to do Literacy Training from Sep. 23 - Oct. 2

Hungary
We have a prayer team of 3 in Hungary from Sep. 26 - Oct. 4

India/South Asia
We have a prayer team of 5 going to India and South Asia October 8-24

Ecuador
We have a medical team of 7 going to San Juan, Ecuador October 9-17

ONE Weekend

Picture courtesy of One Mission Society

Have you wondered what it is to be a missionary?  Perhaps you wondered if you had what it takes to be a missionary?  I would recommend you checking out a new event to One Mission Society called One Weekend.  Click on the title "ONE Weekend" to link to more info.

Sharing with friends

I remember when Briyana and I got engaged.  We were down in Austin with her parents when we got engaged, and on the next day we had to drive back to Fort Worth.  We were so excited to share the news with our friends and family.  We would look at each other and immediately smile and giggle.  We t were on cloud 9.  I will never forget those feelings.

Yesterday we had the chance to share our ministry with several couples.  In the morning we shared with a ministry called LAUNCH, and the evening we shared with some close friends at their house.  Both times, couples were so excited to see what we were doing.  They were encouraging, and genuinely interested in the ministry.  It reminded me of how Briyana and I felt when we got engaged. 

We left our friends house late in the evening and praised God for his provision and encouragement.  It's fun to see others get excited about your ministry and want to participate in it with you. 

God Bless,


Brent & Briyana

Briyana and me at the URBANA '09 Missions Conference