9 Letters

God is good.

It’s something that gets said a lot.

I believe my life is a journey on which I continually learn and deepen my understanding of just how true the above statement is. It’s a continual process of realizing the depths of those 9 letters and what appears to be simple is simply so much more.

This last week I got to meet up with one of my dear friends from this country, Lidia.

 

We had met in Chico, two years ago, when I first did my DTS but didn’t interact much or come into contact much with one another. When I joined staff last March, I moved into the same dorm she lived in.

I can remember my first week of being on staff, Lidia was preparing a typical Brazilian meal of rice and beans when she stopped me and said, “Brittaney, I want to talk to you like an older sister.” She invited me to sit down with her for dinner and over the next 3-4 hours (which involved dessert as well- food plays a huge role in Brazilian culture) we talked; exchanging stories, visions for our lives, notes about our cultural and language differences, and whatever else came to mind.  

 

From that day forward, she really did become my older sister.

When my team and I arrived in Pitangui just over a week ago, it had been about a year and a half since I had last seen Lidia. As we talked (again, over food (: ) it really didn’t seem like that long, except for the fact that much had happened in both of our lives and we had a lot to share!

Over the following week, Lidia was one of the main translators for our team and once again we served alongside of one another, laughed, cried, and worshiped together. This time in her country.

 

One night a group of us climbed a hill that overlooked the small town. On one side, the few lights from the town could be seen, on the other side, it was the stars that took precedence. We built a bonfire, brought up a guitar and we worshipped and prayed. As we were praying, I was reminded of a night, last year, in Chico, when I stood next to Lidia and heard her literally cry out for my nation. That night in Pitangui, I got to cry out for hers.

Yesterday, as I was spending a last few minutes with Lidia before she left to be with her family for Christmas, we began to cry as we reflected on the goodness of God and all that he had done.

She had come to Chico to learn English so that she could use it for ministry. It wasn’t easy yet she pushed through and didn’t give up. She knew that God had asked her to do that and she obeyed.

Who knew that the very city she began learning English in would send a team to her city two years later for which she would translate for?

 

God did.

I’m beginning to realize, or realize even more, that what might seem to have a simple explanation and answer, to us at least, really goes far beyond our initial understanding.

God is good.

This statement is straight forward, but really holds so much more than what can be seen upfront.

As Lidia and I parted ways, the word “goodbye” never left my mouth.

Goodbye isn’t necessary when I know I will see her again. God has proven to me that there’s so much more to this than meets the eye, and I strongly believe that I haven’t even seen the half of it yet. Perhaps one day I will be the one translating for her back in my own country. Who knows?

God does.

And he is good.

A Cloudy Night

The other night, here in Pitangui (a small town in the state of Minas Gerais), I went outside to journal.

The night sky was covered with clouds and all that could be seen was the moon.

Penning my emotions and the thoughts in my head and heart out on the pages before me, God spoke,

“Look up at the stars.” He said.

I knew, before I even looked up, that I wouldn't see any.

“How do you know they’re there?” He asked me.

“Cause I’ve seen them before and it’s a fact that the stars come out at night.” I replied.

“It’s the same with my plans for you.” God said. “You may not see them just yet, but they are there. Do you trust me?”

“Well then, God, could you remove the clouds so I can see?” I said.

“I want you to learn to trust me first.” Was his reply.

You would think I had learned how to trust by now with the various things and experiences I have gone through and the lessons he’s taught me and while I have, what he said next showed me that I still have more to learn in this huge area.

“I can’t do all that I want to do in your life if you don’t trust me wholly.”

God told me to look up at the stars again. Honestly, I was scared to.

Why?

I was scared I would be disappointed. I knew the sky was covered with clouds, would I see any stars this time I looked?

“Do you trust me?” God asked again.

I opened my eyes and tilted my head back.

I saw clouds.

“What do you see?” God asked me.

“I see clouds.” I replied.

“Keep looking. What do you see?”

I looked around at the night sky. I still saw only clouds.

But then, I saw a small light.

It was either a star or an airplane.

The clouds began to shift…

Looking around, I saw one, then two, then 3.

STARS.

They were there. Hidden behind the clouds, and while I couldn’t see them, they were still there.

Trusting God, especially concerning future plans, can be hard.

But just as I know the stars are there, I know that his plans are there as well. God’s got great things ahead for me!

 

I just need to keep trusting and holding onto what is true.

God’s plans for my life are beautiful, they are good, and they are best.

In the cloudy night I will still trust.

Brittaney

São Paulo- A place for my toothbrush

“I was born for this.”

I thought as I carried myself through the day of traveling- one plane to the next and then landing in Brasil and breezing through immigration. I had never traveled alone before and was surprised by how easy it was.

Stepping off the plane, I was met by humidity. “Yup.” I thought to myself. I had arrived in the sub-tropics.

After getting through immigration and now holding a new stamp in my passport, I walked to the entrance of the airport. There were people milling about, some holding signs for the people they were waiting for. Quickly scanning my surroundings and the faces around me, looking for a familiar one, I saw no one.

I walked around for a little bit, my backpack weighing on my shoulders, and mumbled, “Well Brittaney, you’re only in the largest city of Brasil…” Still not seeing my people, I asked God what I should do. I moved over to a corner of the airport, set my backpack down and waited.

Looking around, thinking of how “out of place” I must look, yet trying to keep a confident smile on my face so that I wouldn’t show how confused I was, I wondered if I should move to a more obvious place or if I should keep walking around. I felt like I should stay right where I was. A few minutes later I saw a tall lady with red hair walking towards me, a smile on her face. It was Dayna, the woman I’m leading the team with. A shorter Brazilian man, Sergio, who is part of YWAM (or JOCUM as it is known in Portuguese) was with her.

Relieved, I walked over to her as fast as I could, exclaiming “Oi! I was wondering where you guys were.” They had just come from a church service and had gone to the wrong terminal at first. I was glad to see them.

It was lunch time so we grabbed a bite to eat at McDonalds. Yeah, that’s right, I’m in Brasil and what’s the first thing I eat? It was Sergio’s suggestion and I can now say I’ve eaten McDonalds in 4 different countries (not much of a bragging right).

Standing in line for Mickey D’s, one of the employees says something to me in Portuguese and ushers me along to the next available cashier. I am lost, having no idea what he said, feeling tired and having no idea of what to order (though it be McDonalds and shouldn’t be that difficult- the menu is pretty much the same), I felt overwhelmed.

One of the first thoughts I had, upon arriving in this country, came to me again:

“Am I experiencing culture-shock?”

You would think I would be used to this by now or at least expect it- I have traveled a couple different places, but in most cases I feel as if I’ve never truly experienced a sort of culture shock. For sure, there have been differences and things to get used to, but upon entering Brasil, something felt different.

I have never been in a country where:

1)      I don’t stand out like a sore thumb (Brasil is quite diverse) and

2)      Where English is not spoken. Or very rarely.

In the countries I have been in previously, while they have had their own national language, English is spoken by many and because I have stood out as the obvious foreigner, English has been the first language people speak to me in. To have automatically been spoken to in Portuguese and expected to understand, was a little mind-blowing for me. (Side note- made me think about how foreigners coming into America must feel).

Something one of our DTS speakers said, about learning a new language, came to mind,

“… It is hard, but if you set your heart on it, you will learn a language.”

I will learn Portuguese. I will speak it, breathe it, write it, understand it, and dream in it. I will.

Upon arriving at the JOCUM base, here in São Paulo, I greeted the team members I saw and brought my backpack to my room. Later in the day, the 3 year old on my team heard I was there and came up to see me, I gave him a big hug, apparently he refers to me as his “tiny Brittaney” to his parents- I love the kiddos. (:

I’m learning something about myself- I like to be “settled.” As much as I like to travel, I don’t want to live out of a backpack (unless maybe I’m backpacking). I want to have a “place” for my stuff, even if it’s just a little corner. Seeing my backpack sitting beside my bed, stuffed with my things and having no rhyme or reason seriously irks me. Not having a place to set my toothbrush makes me wonder if it’s all worth it.

 

Seriously.

However, after I’ve settled in and I have made a new “home”, I’m here. My feet are planted and I will imagine staying here for an undetermined amount of time. Even if, in all reality, it’s only a week.

It’s been a whole 24 hours in this new country, new city, and new place. Is it home yet? I can’t say that it is. I have no doubt however, that soon it will be.

I’m going to go make a place for my toothbrush now.

This is me,

Brittaney :)