so after weeks and months it is finally official – the beautiful val and myself received an invite letter from the simple way to join them by 15 june to start a 19 month job slash ministry…
for those of you who don’t know anything about the simple way i suggest you get hold of a book called ‘the irresistible revolution’ by a guy called shane claiborne – one of my top three books ever and definitely changed my life – the simple way is the community that shane, who wrote that book, lives in and is a part of ministering to – it is in a place called Kensington, Philadelphia [ironically i grew up in a place called Kensington, Johannesburg] and the idea is that we will go and live there and work and minister in the community. we see it largely as a huge learning, stretching experience as we want to live among some people who we think really seem to be doing a good job of seeking God and living it out in real, pratical and world-transforming ways – we also hope that we will be able to add to the community in the different ways we serve
tbV is going to be involved in a few things, the main one of which is managing daily crisis control stuff – so dealing with day to day crises that present themselves and also some community development stuff…
i am going to be largely responsible for the hospitality house which is where people who want to go and check out the life and work of the simple way get to stay for a weekend or week or night or whatever [so if you come and visit my official job will be to look after you, hm] so organising people visiting and staying in connection with those who have and maintaining the house and hopefully getting involved with the magazine they produce called Conspire so hopefully contributing to that.
i think it will only really sink in and feel really real when we are sitting in a plane flying americalandwards but it is nice to finally know [many skype calls and emails since end jan/beginning feb] what we are heading towards. at the end of last year i quit my job believing we had to wait on God for the next step and His hand is really all over this and in seeing us survive after 4 months of no salary [sometimes literally day to day] – val and i have been doing transcription this month so we will have money coming in again at the end of april and may but we are still going to need to trust big and probably extend an invitation for others to get involved when it comes to organising vias and airplane tickets and so on.
in part i think the idea of this, living and working alongside one of my heroes, is a dream come true – one i never actually had but which God has brought to the table and which has captured our attention and excited us – this is the next step in the hunger that started developing maybe 6 years ago for real, authentic, world-and-community-transforming church and it is exciting.
i don’t think the way ahead is going to all be easy, but at least know we know it will be simple.
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very stoked for you guys.
awesome indeed.
really happy God has opened that door for you.
well done.
stories like this remind you… that God is so potently real.
go with God.
Will you guys come back after getting a taste of the good life in America?
you know what morne (and zane and a couple of others making judging statements or questions that i haven’t bothered to publish yet), we are moving [for 19 months] to one of the inner city slum type areas in the states known for poverty and drug use [number one drug dealing corner in the states according to something my wife found on the net] and gangsterism and hurt and we are going to be living in that community and investing into the lives of the people there and trying to bring help and hope and above all just hear peoples stories and learn from them and from the people already living and working there – if you see that as “a taste of the good life” then i completely agree with you because the good life is loving God and loving people and making an impact in society… could we be doing that in south africa? absolutely [and we have in various ways and places] but part of going there is i have found some people i respect who seem to be really making an impact and a difference and i want to learn from them so that if i come back here and do something here [or wherever i go and do something] i will be able to be making a more effective impact…
before you judge me, walk a mile in my shoes, that way you’ll be a mile away…
brett you hope did read my comment in a negative light?
I know that God has placed you there.
You are part of the few are bringing the kingdom of God down here on earth.
Keep on keeping on.
in the words of Jimmy Eat World “Don’t worry what the bitter hearts are gonna say.” (The Middle)
it’s not you dude, don’t worry, appreciate the encouragement from you – have a different breed of people writing judging/unhelpful comments that i’m not going to bother soiling my blog with…
How are you going to get the money for the tickets as well as the Visas for such a long duration?
If a normal Christian wanted to go over to America, how would they go about it? Would people help any normal Christian out with cash? Or do you need to be quite high up in the Church in order to get the money?
hi vanessa
i would like to think i am a normal christian – i don’t work at the church any more – i was a pastor for the last 6 years but resigned end of last year and only this month have my wife and i been working again doing some transcription work to pay for rent and food and stuff – i’m actually not sure how we’ll get all the money we need to travel but we have experienced God working – largely through community, one of our friends felt God had told him he must pay our rent last month for example – and so we trust it will happen again – one thing we will do is sell both our cars – mine is more likely to get scrap metal money than car money i imagine but val’s car should bring in some…
let’s forget the christian part for a second – if someone wanted to go overseas to pursue a dream [or even just for a holiday maybe] or a work experience, is it so weird to suspect that some of their friends who have money might go “hey here’s some money towards that thing you’re doing because you’re my friend or because i believe in the project you’re undertaking” or whatever – then one of the biggest benefits of being a Christ follower is that there is this organic community called the church and in that community those who have look after those who have not [sometimes with time, sometimes with knowledge or spiritual gifts, other times with money or food and so on] so i don’t think it’s the strangest thing to suspect that some people might be absolutely thrilled to help out in that way, while others will volunteer their time and energy when we need to pack up house and move, others might volunteer to drive us to the airport and so on…
it’s one of the things i love most about the church – reaching out to those who don’t have [and while val and i can definitely not be classified as those who don’t have compared to a lot of others and the majority of people in south africa even, there are going to be some areas coming up where we don’t have and perhaps some of our friends and extended family will see it as an opportunity to get involved in a different way in our lives – i think we’ve had opportunity to do that for and to others and certainly love the role of giver far more than the role of receiver cos it takes a different kind of humility to receive i think…
I like the bit where everyone got stoked for you and Val, and stopped trying to find something to complain about. That was my favourite part.
People only have a certain amount of money. A certain amount that they can give. If they give to you, doesn’t it detract from giving to others more in need who are starving?
hey warren
you do pose a valid question and if it came to a specific example of i have a starving person in front of me and there is brett needing money for his overseas trip then i think i’d go with feed the starving person every time… however we can take that to a ridiculous extreme cos there are enough starving people for us to never do or have anything – you are typing a response to me on a computer or phone so i take it you have not chosen to go to the extent of donating that money [computers and phones are expensive] to the poor as are a bunch of the other people complaining to me about this trip – so a line has to be drawn somewhere – is it okay to have a place to stay or should i stay on the street cos surely the rent could go to feeding people, what about clothes, should i walk around naked… etc etc – you may be reading my tone as heavy sarcastic cos tone doesn’t translate well through the written word but let me assure you i am completely not writing it in that wy – these are genuine questions and each one of us draws a line and has to live with it…
for example i could not justify [for me] flying to americaland in business class but some people manage to justify that decision for themselves – i can’t justify having a big flashy car so i have a jumbo golf that has done over 300 000 km and is probly only going to get me scrap metal money when i sell it to go overseas – we hardly ever eat out and try to live fairly simply – you have a line, the people writing judgement upon me have a line – what makes mine better than yours or vice versa? who knows – only God can truly be the judge of that and one day we will stand before Him and make account for our actions – who we helped, who we refused to, who we crossed over to the other side of the street (or flew to a different country) or whatever to avoid
the truth is that val and i are doing this trip so that we can learn to help people better than we presently do – could we learn that here? possibly, but i trust the people we are heading towards – i have seen evidence that what they do is working or has the look of working and i want to learn – hopefully so that we can bring it back here [i have NO personal desire to live my days out in americaland, anyone who knows me knows that] – we are going to be living in a poor community and hopefully helping to bring love and light and the good news of life in Jesus Christ.
i’m quite happy to stand in front of God one day with this decisiont that we’re making cos in the bigger picture i think it is going to help us to fulfil His desire or command of ‘Your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven’ a whole lot better. cheers
You must try give as you always have enough. When sat did you starve. Maybe stop beer or movies fir a month or take out.
Won’t you miss your friends and family here in SA? What about all the township children? But sounds like a fun opportunity to leave like the rest of the people. If others like doctors and whoever leave, then why not christians also.
you should try reading the post and the responses sometime…
Warren, that is a good question.
I wanted to add my 2 cents. if that’s okay?
In Psalm 37… it speaks of God giving the desires of our heart. brett and val are enligned with God. it’s good to see that and hear that.
This is a dream and a longing of Brett. is God good and wants to bless His child with this adventure and at the same time God is stoked that his son and daughter are going to serve Him in another land.
south africa needs pastors
americaland needs pastors
UK needs pastors.
heck the whole world needs pastors. But more IMPORTANTLY… GOD needs ALL of us… to be HIS hands and feet in the world.
so it is sad, that we’re have a good couple leaving the SA shores.
BUT God will still move and have His way and Kingdom advancing in SA.
The call is for everyone: teachers, students, accountants, mechanics, homemakers, any career you can think of… those people to be advancing the kingdom.
YES, there are always people more well off than us, and always people that are less fortunate than us.
Jesus said “the poor will always be among us.” (not using this as a cop out.)
But just saying… the mission field is always there.
and yet also God can bless along the way.
I got to snowboard 2009/2010 Winter. I have never stopped thanking God for that.
He knows I’m so grateful.
an author quoted once “the glory of God is a heart fully alive.”
Brett and Val are doing this… its their next chapter.
Their hearts are fully alive. God is stoked for them!
Just some of my 2 cents thoughts…
On your way to the airport, you’ll pass thousands of poor people in shacks…. just saying..
yes. we will. what is your point?
what are you saying Joanne? Cos actually i’m not sure. Clearly you are saying i should not be flying anywhere. What exactly are you wanting me to do?
what i am suggesting is you get to know me first before you ask questions which are veiled accusations – am i someone that helps the poor? at all? sometimes? never? do i live a rich luxurious lifestyle? is this trip a holiday or is it somehow aimed at a longer term solution of being more effective in helping the poor?
and let me know you – at the moment you’re just a name and a line on my blog. who are you? what do you do? where do you live? what do you do for entertainment? what ways are you involved in making life better for the poor? how do you treat yourself? how many pairs of shoes do you own? whose computer are you typing your response on? stuff like that – let’s be friends.
Why not get a job delivering pizza? Or a both of you work as waiters/ waitresses? This way you will interact with people instead of transcribing things all day which is quite boring I can imagine. You could save up quite quickly and get to go on your trip.
I have a quick response to these complaining people.
Your argument is really silly. You should stop. Saying that Brett shouldn’t go to America because it will cost money is probably the most narrow-minded Christianity I have ever encountered. It reminds of a guy called Judas Iscariot who when Mary poured perfume on Jesus’ feet said “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” Jesus gets lank bleak about this and says that we will always have the poor with us but not Him (John 12).
Yes her perfume could have been sold (and Brett’s air ticket been sold), but what most glorifies God, what is best for His Kingdom? Everyone that is involved in the process with Brett & Val and the Simple Way have prayed about them going, and feel this is what God is saying would best glorify Him.
If you feel so convicted about giving all your money away, go and do it. Go and sell your cars (similar to Brett and Val) and give up your jobs (like Brett and Val) and follow God wherever He sends you (again quite like Brett and Val). I’d suggest doing something like that if I was a Christian, not going onto a blog and posting crap messages.
like
Why did she have perfume in the first place? Maybe then I should go out and buy perfume and not use my money for the poor?
I work as a secretary in Paarden Island. I am using the work PC as I don’t have one myself. For entertainment I go out with friends. I give to the poor kids in my neighbourhood. I have a pair of sneakers, 2 work shoes and hiking boots. I am 22, single.
I read quite a few of your blog posts. Sometimes people ask you to help them with something, like cycle races, world of birds. You then say, NO (for the latter), because helping them would detract from helping ‘people’ and the poor. So my question is how is ‘helping YOU’ now any different from your previous comment? Wouldn’t the money be better spent on the poor than sending you right around the world to another poor neighbourhood?
If it was just for a change of scenery, then why not admit it. Why make out as if its about the poor in Philie? Are they then going to send people from Philie here and we shift people all over the world, costing millions when this money could just go directly to the poor. Or is it all about your experience, learning, your this, your that? Something like that.
I’d also love to travel, but dont think anyone’s going to give me a handout to go travelling and my work doesnt pay near enough. Maybe I should become a christian and try go on a mission to say……. Hawaii…
well like you said jo, i’m sure if you get a job delivering pizza or being a waitress you will make enough money. That’s what you suggested we do so why not give it a try.
as fun as this banter is i really do have to get more focused on my transcription but thankx for the comments – yes sometimes i help people with things and advertise them and other times i don’t – the cycling thing felt more real to me because i knew the people involved and when i decided not to help the world of birds i was attacked by a whole lot of people which i still don’t really udnerstand because surely i can choose who i help and who i don’t – you say you help poor people in your neighbouhood and i go ‘that’s amazing’ – i could go ‘why don’t you help the poor people by the airport?’ but instead i recognise that maybe it’s for you to help those nearby who you hopefully are building relationship with and doing a lot more than just a handout – that’s great – maybe it is someone else’s job or need to help out those at the airport – we can’t all help everyone but where it becomes bad is when we refuse to help anyone – my wife val is very involved in the running of a house of safety for young kids who have been pulled out of horrible situations and get looked after and fed and taught until such time as they can be placed in a better environment – she was a student when she got involved in helping set it up – God got involved big time and it is a miracle story because millions of rand came in to fund something where a bunch of people were obedient to the call of God and now a whole bunch of children have been and continue to be helped
at the end of last year i quit my job cos i believed that God wanted to lead us into the next step for our lives and in this time of waiting on Him and trusting Him for provisions [and it got really tight at times and He came thru every time, usually thru community] and we feel now that this thing in Philly is what He is calling us to and so i cannot do anything but be obedient to that – could i be wrong? i could be. i might have misheard and there may be a time when we realise i got it wrong and have to come back and make a different plan – but i don’t think i did – the way things have fallen together in the last 4 months i am completely convinced that this is where God is calling me to – it is totally not about a change of scenery [i’d much rather go to south america or canada or europe maybe than americaland] and it is linked to helping the poor which is great cos God commands us to do that…
i have entertained the accusations and judgements and questions and confusions, but i don’t answer to you or anyone else who writes on my blog – i answer first and foremost to God and then to my wife and then to my family and friends and those in authority over me… enjoy the rest of your day
one more thing Joanne, I don’t know if you believe in God or not cos you haven’t said anything on that either way but i encourage you to seek Him either way – let Him know the desires of your heart – you want to go to Hawaii? there is a Youth With a Mission base there where you can do a three month training course and then an outreach somewhere – perhaps that is where you would end up – or maybe it’s still here – but if you seek God you will find Him and He will give you a mission that will transform your life and the lives of those around you forever – don’t get stuck behind a desk for your whole life just because you felt you couldn’t do better – follow Jesus with your whole heart and He will lead you into life to the full [which could be spending time behind a desk cos some people are called to that i imagine but then doing it in a way that gives you life and isn’t just a job you have to have]
cheers
You must leave that job of yours. Get a job as a bar lady! They pay well and you will be happy as you can suip and get paid and listen to music.
Africa is a lost cause. Go to USA there are more opportunities.
i completely disagree with you – i love africa. i am african and will always be [regardless of what people may say cos my skin is white – i was born here and have lived here pretty much my whole life, i am african] and this trip has nothing to do with not being in africa opportunities – there is so much potential in africa in the people resources as well as everything else it has going for it.
Seriosuly Christians should have more fun,
they should laugh some more.
instead of just arguing (or discussing) on a blog.. I am guilty too.
lets go have fun.
Hang out with others.
share this contagious love of Jesus to others.
and go brett, have an adventure.
Can we not let him be.
Christians are probably the most critical people.. so hurtful at times.
Have a super cool time Brett and Val.
and you’re serving God there. BIG UP.
Thanks for your hard work for the Kingdom in SA.
Jesus is so proud of you “well done, good and faithful servants.”
As someone who knows Brett well and has been his friend for more years than I can remember I for one know his heart in this and many other issues facing Christians today. He has always walked with integrity and honour when it comes to the poor, the broken and the lost in his own backyard. Giving up everything to serve Jesus faithfully. Money, possessions, comfort or safety have never been his first priority. I’ve also seen God faithfully look after him more times than I can count because of his obedience to giving and serving selflessly in his community for the last 20 years.
He gives, not because he is looking for anything in return, but because it is often just the right thing to do. And God honours him.
This is just another example of that faithfulness and obedience to do what God has called him to do.
I know no-one else who would move into a township for almost 2 years to serve others.
No-one else I know has invited a hungry stranger to sit at his table in a restuarant and share his pizza.
Brett, this is an awesome opportunity for you and Val and one that God has opened and he will make it possible as he has many times before for you to do what he has called you to do. I am so stoked for you both.
ah thankx my friend. kind words. you rock and we are so super amped and especially amped that you [and others who know us] are amped for us – really going to be an amazing time of growth and adventure.
I think what people are really saying is that we have poor here. We have poor there. Why there and not here? I understand that you’ve done much needed work here, but why quit us now? Surely we need more Americans coming to help Africa than the other way round?
Either spammers have gotten seriously good, or I am just utterly confused as to what people think in their heads …
Brett I flipping love this, I respect you so much. Knowing some of your character and heart does help me to be more trusting of your motives etc. Also you’ve got a ‘former Duffield girl’ Val to keep you accountable. If i ever knew of a family who tests motives and challenges people of things its them. Really hope you are blessed and learn a lot.
Joanne – I hope you’re geniunely asking these questions and not just annoyed with the world and trying to take it out on Brett or even just trying to be obnoxious. If you’re genuinely asking them I promise that if you got to know Brett and Val and read a bit about the simple way you’d see the value in this move.
Brettmaaaan… I’m really happy for you and I hope this works out! Even though it means that World Championship of UnoRage will involve a much longer flight for me.
hey maaaaaannnnn
all the more reason to set up the international world championship of unrage and more reason for you to come visit that side of the world if you had any other reasons before this one
thankx also for the words of encouragement – so super stoked
love b
Hey
I just want to say that having known Brett and Val even just for a short period at youth Camp, it was enough time for me to see that they are hugely in love with God and so when he says they have been called by God to drop everything and head over to a place they have never been to live, with people they don’t know and serve, and they are actually going for it, I go “Wow! That is amazing!!”
It takes huge faith to do what they are doing. It is not up to us to decide what God wants us to do for His kingdom, even if to you as an outsider it seems illogical. For all we know they may learn things over there or get ideas that could allow for them to come back here and help many many more people than they could have otherwise, but again, that is between them and God. I find it extremely ironic that people are attacking some of the most giving people I know for moving somewhere to continue giving. Boundaries of a country are arbitrary things drawn on paper by humans.These are not things seen by God, everyone is equally a child of God and so all His children in need are people we should help.
Guys, good luck over there, hope it goes really well and that the experience causes you to grow even more in God! I will prey for you guys. Keep in mind that the increased resistance against you could be a sign that God is planning to do some rather big things with you : ) As you said Brett you only need to answer to God. Personally, I hope you guys come back because you will be hugely missed at the camp this year, with your huge hearts and humour and of course ‘NoBob’, but that is nothing to base any decisions on, and I ofc expect you to keep on blogging while you are there ;P
thankx a lot warren, muchly appreciate – it’s been a long day on this blog, the encouragement is huge!
Hi Brett I check your blog now and again. But lately not too much because I don’t know much about dating and that bell oke. Maybe some new age minister. I also slipped off the wagon again and took up my sport of drinking beer now I have gained kilos and moved to Aghulus for a holiday. I am starting exercise and am inspirated by your pushups. I am aiming for 20. Or maybe running is better, probably walking at first. must make a start of something.
It is funny to hear that whenever you argue with Christians, they reckons you’re the devil haha. I’m accused of this when I am too drunk and the bar lady says I am a wild devil for not paying the tab for 20 beers. I always come pay the next day or after. Besides she even drank 2 herself haha women are very bad with math. They very good at making shopping lists and spend cash.
I think it’s good that you go there as travel is an experience. I must not to a blog as Christians will moan at my beer drinking and say I must give to the bergies but I often give them beers they don’t understand. When I am more drunk I get generosity and buy takeout then buy for the guy outside also. So beer helps with that. Beer or sobeer haha you must not worry and soon you will be in Amerika.
Christians must not be boring. Traveling is fun and a good experience. The budweiser in Amerika not so good but whiskey is more cheaper than here. Are you going to Bronx. You must please be careful as there us gangsters there and pimps on the alert. Bruce Springsteen sings about the Bronx snd Philadelphia. Listen to that to get in the mode.
On the plane you must drink the wine and the beer. If you see an old lady or someone not drinking you must ask for their wine. They limit you to 2 or 3 drinks.
In Amerika you must tell on a map as they not very educated with geography. Do buy a good map to show them where you from.
But we must drink when I’m back from Aghulus. I will pay as you saving up now. I will try calm down before then. What day you flying?
To get donations you must put your account number up. Or maybe use paypal. You must open FNB account to do that here. Not sure exactly but I know it’s FNB. What amount do you need? I can help as well and leave out beer for a month.
To be Christian is not just misery, you must have fun aswell. I think Keanu reeves in little budda even said we must not just live on bird poo. We must have a balancing act of fun and hardness. The Bible also us sometimes too serious and they must have left out many fun times and jokes Jesus had. Christians must be more fun. We not living in old castles with dungeons and crazy priests.
Nobody wants to be a Christian who is miserable. It must be a fun thing or else people will not join up. Just out up photos on your site so we can check out where you are. Keep up the jokes. Your wife must blog more as she is slacking. But she must keep it easy to understand.
I am back next weekend and we can suip a bit or drink coffee. But ya put up an account or whatever. Check it out. Wish you guys good blessings.
dude, so keen to finally have that drink when you get back – you bring laughter to me and my beautiful “slacking” “hard-to-understand” wife – we meant to be there mid June – when you back this side?
This made me laugh. and Smile. And don’t worry brits, I haven’t thrown any plates at brett for a long long time (never!) And I will try and blog more…but with smaller words and make it easier to understand. Thanks for coming on here and supporting us! You are a legend.
Wow, what’s going on down here?
(P.S. How was the film?)
Val and Brett,
It saddened me A LOT reading some of these messages. I’m not going to respond to any of those (because I’m a little cross), but what I will say is that we LOOOOOOOOVE you guys and are so so so stoked for you! God really does give us the desires of our heart, both by planting them there and by fulfilling them. How rad that you guys get to go on a kiff adventure, doing what you love doing, with rad people, and most of all you’re serving Him! What a blessing!
May you be so honoured in being faithful to Him, not pushing for your own ways but waiting it out and letting Him open the doors! May you be so honoured for transcribing when it’s crap, and giving up the material things in your lives to be obedient to Him.
May THAT be the message that gets to your guys’ hearts, not these other shinanigans. Because they really are just shinanigans. Your friends and family love and support you all the way!
Your most lovely sister(-in-law) person (because apparently we add “person” at the end of a title to make it sound cooler) 🙂
Exactly what Shana person said, except minus the word “crap” coz I don’t talk like that 🙂 We love you both stacks and are so happy that this is happening for you and for those you are going to work with and work for.
Just a thought, for those who do support you and who do want to help, maybe you could compose a list of the things that need to get done before you go so those who can help out with anything (even the mundane small things) know where they can be used.
Lots of Love!
very thoughtful of you Bronwyn… about the compiling a list.
the comments, a lot of them, have been so negative.
great to read some positive ones.
have a good day.
Darrel
Brett & Val (ignoring the bad comments) – too TOO stoked for you guys! Well done on being patient and waiting for the Lord to say, Hey guys! I want YOU TWO to go to Philly and minister my love and compassion to THOSE people there, because it’s part of my big plan 🙂
I think it’s awesome. You are both such servant-hearted people, and no one should ever doubt that you’d be doing anything of this for your own reasons. Plus it’s awesome that you get to travel and see a bit of the world too…
We’ll be praying for you guys – for finances and safe travel and relationship building and community building and growth and strength in your marriage and in your collective & personal relationship with God.
Go! 🙂
Was reading all these comments(?!) and was reminded of this verse: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” Matt5:11-12.
Golly, I don’t think living in the middle of a drug riddled neighbourhood sounds like you are going to the USA for a holiday! God has the masterplan we need to just be making sure that we are doing the part he is asking us to do – even if that means doing something that might not make sense to others. God is big enough to send people to South Africa as well, and I’m sure what you learn over there will impact the SA poor in time to come.
Brett, I hope that you guys have an amazing adventure in God, learn lots, strengthen your marriage, build good friendships/relationships, get to know God better and get to see God’s awesome provision for yourselves and those you are helping. I look forward to reading all about it!
GB,
C
Wow…I cannot actually believe how flippen ridiculous some people actually are!!!
Hey B – TOTALLY AWESOME NEWS – I wish you guys God speed and pray that the Lord goes before you to make your path straight and gives you wisdom and strength to climb the mountains and rest in the valleys. You are such an encouragement and inspiration to MANY people – may you continue to live the life the Lord has blessed you with, with the passion that undoubtedly comes from true hunger and thirst for God!!!
Hi Brett
I don’t know you at all, but I do know Val from my days at MBC. All I can say is all the best for the next few months as you plan for your trip overseas! Wow what an awesome opportunity for growth + learning! May God bless you both HUGELY during this entire process!
As for all these people judging and condemning you, why not focus on your own lives and leave Brett + Val to live their lives the way they see fit! Isn’t there a verse in the Bible that says something along the lines of take the plank out of your own eye before you take the spec out of someone elses?
All the best Brett + Val!
yay thankx megan, so much appreciate. very super amped and made so much easier and better when others are for us and with us as well… all the best
love b
If God says “Go” do not look back. He will place you where He needs you to be. Also, don’t worry about how you will get there, it will all work out in Gods perfect timing. If He needs to, He can miraculously transport you there, with or without money, with or without people agreeing – he can provide in ways we can’t even begin to imagine. Same God yesterday, today and forever.
To all those against Brett & Val leaving, are you crazy? If the Holy Spirit has instructed them to go, are you fighting Brett & Val’s decision or God’s? Do you really want to take that risk to question God? Or maybe you should. Instead of questioning B & V have you gone before God and prayed about this and asked if this is what He wants for B & V? Or are you simply speaking from the flesh?
Matthew 13:57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”
We are a many membered body and we each have our very own individual ministry that plays a part in the bigger scheme of things, if this is their part and this is their ministry then let them do what they feel God is leading them to do. And so what if it’s in a foreign country? God gives us the desires of our heart. God wants to give us the best. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?
And if God chooses that in 19 months they’re serving God in Beverly Hills, so what? Can anyone really claim to know Gods ways? They are so high above us and so great and so completely above and beyond what we usually expect.
thankx muchly M!
Hi have enjoyed reading your emails Brett and through theme I was introduced to Shane Clairborne’s book Irresistable Revolution. After i read it, I bought another 4 copies and gave them to friends. I often gleaned bits and pieces from your writings for our Church newsletters Always very challenging stuff! I am so happy to read you are going to the Simple Way – A dream come true for you. I know you will be a blessing to them and look forward to hearing of your experiences. God Bless you both and may He meet your every need, Cathy Keegan
thankx so much Cathy – that is very encouraging and we are super amped and it’s amazing when others get excited for us too… all the best! try get hold of Generous Justice by Tim Keller which i am reading at the moment – really good book!
Huge hugs to you both at this very special time in your lives. Such encouragement for you and me – I will keep reading to share more
Hi Brett and Val. I am superstoked for u and I think what u are doing is awesome. I totally agree that we need to learn from others who are finding ways to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. And if you bring some of this experience back to SA I would love to join u (and I’m sure others would too). Keep on keeping on for Him. Love Lisa (McGowan)
[…] i happened to stumble upon this blog post titled, ‘Simple is the way’ announcing that we had been invited to move to Americaland to work with The Simple Way non-profit […]