For more than a week now I've felt desperate to post. "I wanna share something…" but in all that the Lord has been saying and showing in recent weeks I still can't manage to get past the first paragraph (of a blog) or two. In my thoughts things begin to flow and are well worded but as soon as I allow myself the distraction of writing it down on paper, it ceases to flow and becomes terribly worded. So this is what I've decided, I've been asked several times (sounds cliché) "Why Nicaragua?" And have yet to give any response. Here's my best with first saying I would never want to be anywhere but where the Lord wants me to be though truth be told, if I weren't seeking His will for EVERY step of The Way, it's highly likely I would be operating in the flesh trying to get to Africa. Here's why I'm (GRATEFULLY AND JOYFULLY) going to Nicaragua (best described in THE WORD and by Chip Brogden - theschoolofchrist.org )
"'Do you want to know the truth? The truth is that when you were young, you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are older, you will stretch out your arms and Someone Else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go'. By this, Jesus was indicating how Peter's death would glorify God. 'Now follow Me.'" (John 21:18,19).
"The truth is that when we are young, we may dress ourselves and go about as we wish. But true spiritual growth is less of me, and more of Him (John 3:30). The true evidence of growth is not how we feel about ourselves, or what other people judge us to be. Our spiritual walk is not the sum total of all our wonderful experiences and feelings. True growth is the decreasing of Self and the increasing of Christ. True "spiritual power" is based in weakness, not strength. True "spiritual life" is based in death: "It is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me" (cf. Galatians 2:20). So when we are older in the Lord, we may no longer lead ourselves, but we must stretch forth our hands and allow Another to dress us and lead us where WE would not choose to go; yet it is as necessary as it is inevitable.
Those who are young may have complete liberty to dress themselves and go wherever they please. But after some time the Lord begins to touch those things, and we find it increasingly difficult to live, move, or do anything of our own accord. Self begins to be replaced with Christ, and Someone Else begins to dress us and take us to places where we would not wish to go."
"I, Paul, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you..." (Ephesians 4:1a).
"T. Austin-Sparks addressed an assembly of believers in Manila back in the 1960's. The saints there had repeatedly pressed him to come sooner, but no amount of persuasion could get him to come until he had the Lord's direction. When he finally did arrive, he explained why he had been so long in coming: "You know, dear friends, we are the prisoners of the Lord Jesus. We cannot go where we would like to go. And we cannot move when we would like to move."
In this simple illustration we see the difference between the young and the old. The young are independent and free. If the way is blocked, they work at once to break through the blockage. They never consider that perhaps the way is blocked because they are still dressing and leading themselves. But the ones who know the Lord are not independent and free. They are restricted like a prisoner. How so? Because Someone Else decides if they will or will not go, what they will or will not say, and what they will or will not do.
There is a liberty that is really not liberty at all, it is a kind of disguised bondage. Many will proclaim themselves to be "free" when it should be clear that true freedom is not the ability to do as I please, but to be free from doing as I please; for when I do as I please, when I follow my own will and my own way, it just leads to more bondage.
On the other hand, there is a bondage that is really not bondage at all, it is a kind of disguised liberty. The prisoners of the Lord know something of this "disguised liberty". By stretching forth their arms to be dressed and led about by Another, they seem to be throwing away all their "rights". How strange, we think, that the Lord often puts His greatest ambassadors in chains - literally and figuratively. But the prisoners of the Lord have more liberty in their "bondage" than most people have in their "liberty".
What does it mean to be the prisoner of the Lord? It means that we are not our own anymore. We do not belong to the world. We do not belong to the earth. We do not even belong to the Church. We are the Lord's peculiar possession. As the prisoner of the Lord we give up all our rights. We give up our independent ways and submit ourselves to His Will and His Kingdom in all things.
As the prisoners of the Lord we have no control over our environment, our going out, or our coming in. The truth is that control is an illusion. The Wind blows where He wishes (not where we wish), and you cannot tell where He is coming from or where He is going (cf. John 3:8)."
While my account is still in existence I would like to share with everyone how it has now been revealed to me the Lord is sending me to Nicaragua at this time and not on the World Race. I am only sad that I'll miss out on what He does to and through the July team, but most happy and rather ecstatic to be going where I know the Lord is leading me to go. While being in north Georgia a few weeks ago He, prayerfully and then thankfully, spoke loudly about this.
How "convenient" it was for me to be near the AIM office, able to drive over, sit face to face with Jimmy and Laura, share what had be spoken and have the Lord begin to confirm things.
(Jimmy "may have" mentioned "JUST" getting an email from the Kaye family about needing someone there with them in Nicaragua ;).
(Heather is there in Nicaragua now and I look forward to meeting her.) Please be looking for me and I will certainly be emailing any new links to all friends, family and supporters I have contact information on.
As for details about this trip, I will be leaving any day now and will be living in Granada. I've been communicating with an amazing American family (and contacts of AIM) who will be taking me under their wing. They have their hands in so many cool things; I'll have opportunity to serve in the dump, different rehab facilities, and orphanages! I am so blessed! Also I have learned AIM will be sending a team of 1st year missionaries through Nicaragua in the fall for a three month training program and it sounds like I'll be blessed in serving them, too!
I am overwhelmed by HOPE! Yayyyyy!
Please pray for me and continue to go with me!
THANKS to you all so much and God Bless!
06/27/08-
"Now may the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." -Romans 15:13
Not seeming to get enough sleep, certainly needing to nap everyday, constantly hungry and feeling compelled to eat when not, cravings for any and everything UNhealthy, no desire for health foods whatsoever, no energy or even a desire to exercise, and what concerned me the most, cravings for nicotine for the first time in two years since the Lord instantaneously took all cravings away.
For the first time, and for AT LEAST a week, I have experienced a PHYSICAL, DEMONIC attack and though it isn't my first encounter with a demon, it is a first to being physically AWARE of "my" battle with them. Thankfully, today is better.
The characteristics I first listed are NOT at all like me so after several days of suffering such and realizing it was much more serious than "that time of the month" I said, "LORD?? WHAT is going on?" And please trust, working nightshift at a hospital has not helped matters, only worsened them. So I did all I knew to do and I continued seeking the Lord… Later, not knowing how I felt about prayer (from others and/or myself that may be carnal and fleshly)… I sought the Lord some more.
Within several days of that I came in contact with a woman who has often been like a mentor. During our conversation I decided to ask her to pray. She prayed, and afterwards, in similar words to these, said... "they can only attack you when God has allowed them." Hmm. That was a thought. So I guess we're all familiar with the book of Job and how "He who lives in me is greater than…"
So after following the Lord's lead, I was convinced it to be true, for at least this particular occurence...
Later into that night the Spirit of the Lord said…
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways My ways.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways
Higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
So I SAY, please have Your way and do Your will O Lord, and teach me.
"but we REJOICE in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."
Where I think many might have said "Why me? And please take this. Or let us start a chain of prayer…" the Lord allows me to see, to REJOICE and to say, I NEEDED THIS. Though I've been in distress, sad, miserably FAT feeling and in all ways, weighed down while often short of tears… I get to say, I NEEDED THIS. And for this season, it is critical.
This week was my week to pick a scripture for team Kiatera to seek the Lord and meditate on… here's part of an email I was able to them…
"Romans 5:3~ PERSEVERANCE
MANY times over this year we will be demonically ATTACKED and IT WILL BE BRUTAL. But in Him we are a STRONG team and WE WILL PERSEVERE."
And to us all…
"…suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. AND HOPE DOES NOT DISSAPOINT us…"
"BELOVED, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing has happened unto you; But REJOICE… inasmuch ye are PARTAKERS of Christ's sufferings..."
A demonic attack… preparing and equipping? to run the race??… who would have thought? :)
"And we know that ALL things work together FOR GOOD to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
THANK YOU, JESUS! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel most blessed and thankful to announce Ms. Katie, Krystal, Lindsay and Lisa as my wonderful teammates within the WR July 2008 squad (and as sister's for life eternal.)
Kiatera is our team name, which we chose after going through a list of words (such as truth, love and PARTY:) in languages other than English. Kiatera means "daughter" and is from a language I have now forgotten the name of! Eee!
But to continue on in blessings and thankfulness... :)
The Friday after returning home from training camp, I was well pleased to find I had the day off from work and would be able to see my younger brother and friends off to their senior prom. Every moment was a blessing in the Lord's Peace, Love and Joy... (very much looking forward to and extremely thankful I will see Adam graduate on May 30th.)
AND THEN the Saturday following... I spent the day watching little girl's softball with my BF since like the 5th grade:), Tia, and her family. Still basking in His Peace, His Love, and His Joy...
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, BLESS HIS HOLY NAME.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's...
(on enjoying these last two months with family and friends, before putting a hand to the plough.)
Been ostracized for 12 years I'm used to being alone Spent everything I had And now it's gone I'm used to being put down My issues tell it all My only hope is anchored In this fall
If I could just touch the hem of His garment I know I'd be made whole If I could just press my way through this madness His love would heal my soul If only one touch
So many people calling How could He ever know That just a brush of Him Would stop the flow If he knew would He rebuke me Or shame me to the crowd Well I'm desperate 'cause it's never or it's now
Suddenly He turned around He said somebody has unleashed my power Well, Frightened and embarrassed I bowed You see I told Him of my troubles And how...
I had to touch the Hem of His garment And I know I've been made whole And how I had pressed my way through the madness And His love has healed my soul
Then with one word He touched the hem of my garment And you know I've been made whole And somehow He pressed His way through my madness And His love has healed my soul
I tell you He touched me He reached way down and touched me When no one else would touch me Jesus, shol' 'nough He touched me... And I know I've been made whole
"We use to give motivational speeches, get people pumped up and send them out but nothing would happen." ~ Ben Messner (training camp leader) now dependent upon the empowerment of God through the Holy Spirit
"He must increase, but I must decrease." ~ John the Baptist
"Apart from Me, says the LORD, you can do nothing."
"Inner healing and surrendering our "junk" to the Lord is to get rid of emotional baggage... we can't send you guys over to minister, to in turn, be those who need the shoulders, and ministry." ~ paraphrased but again, Ben Messner
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." ~1 Pe 5:7
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls... For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
~ OUR GRACIOUS LORD
I quote these things to summarize training camp. I'm choosing to do so because we've been asked to write one more blog about something we experienced while being there...
I'll go ahead and admit that this is my attempt to avoid that ;).
What the Lord chose to do at camp during those 10days was more than AMAZING and I am now finding that words are far too simple to describe our experience and inadequately represent Him... or maybe I just need a larger vocabulary?! :) Either way, to wrap it up, it was good. HE... IS GOOD!
"Sorting through the junk" came from a moment of clarity I felt was given to me from the Lord while others, still considered strangers at the time, were digging deeply inwardly to cast known and unknown cares upon Him. It was during this time of worship the Lord gave me the sight to see a glimpse of how He might use me… by grace, I, His living sacrifice. Thank You, Lord Jesus.
Training camp at AIM began as a "testing of the spirits" (1 John 4,) but shortly after became communion with family through the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In that moment of clarity, the Peace that surpasses all understanding began filling my heart, mind and soul Sunday night when the Spirit of the Lord said "Brandi, look around you."
With spiritual eyes I began seeing things I am very familiar with. And all I did see, I knew through experience could only come from one place, the Love of our Heavenly Father. The work of the Lord through those led by the Holy Spirit was at hand before me. There was preaching of the gospel, healing for the brokenhearted, deliverance for the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and setting at liberty those who were bruised… WOW!
MY LIFE REDEEMED FROM THE PIT, BY THE LORD, was miracle number one! Seeing it take place in front of me, within, through and for others, is CERTAINLY miracle number two! Thank You, Lord Jesus!
Well later that week we drove up to Helen, GA where we set up camp and around the fire one night I heard the Lord again, "Brandi, look around you."
You see, within me the Lord has placed a very desperate heart, desperate to see a nation on its face before Him, desperate to see people by the masses hunger and thirst for Righteousness, and desperate to see a body, HIS body, bare fruit.
So there again, always faithful, was the small, still voice of the Lord speaking to me saying, "Look around you Brandi, for right here, ALL that you're desperate for, begins. And as a family, HUNGRY AND THIRSTY FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, was a small portion of His body camped about the fire while one AMAZING young lady, whose name is Yvette, had her face (in the dirt,) before Him. WOW! Thank You, Lord Jesus!
And now, after a miraculous 10 days of camp and my return home, in the midst of high hopes, many prayers, and much anxiety, I hear the Lord once again, "look around you."
It was twenty minutes ago as I stopped in traffic (rd construction,) after visiting the Suwannee River, that His Peace (again, faithfully) fell upon me. As I began indulging in the beauty I was surrounded by (that just weeks ago I prayed for,) His Spirit whispered, "Take it all in. Absorb it well. Be thankful, worrying for nothing, relaxing and enjoying the two months to come, because when they're over, life as you know it will never be the same as you've known it thus far." And so again I say, thank You, Lord Jesus!
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God called me heavenward in Christ Jesus!" ~ Philippians 3:12-14
I am so extremely excited to be writing this letter to share all the Lord has been doing and moving me to do this coming year. I believe God is calling me into missions and I find I am inexpressibly happy to go. For the past two years He has been purifying, refining, molding and breaking my heart in preparations for ministrying His love in foreign lands.
I have been accepted to travel with Adventures in Missions for one year. This particular trip is known as "The World Race." Leaving from Atlanta , Georgia in July of 2008, I will join together with 5-7 team members and set off to visit 11 countries during that time.
For the past 4 to 5 months I have kept up with teams who have already gone and are overseas now (theworldrace.org.) By that, I have seen the Lord move through people, things and circumstances, in miraculous ways. God is revealing His glory and the gospel of His Kingdom is going forth. He is leading young girls and women in Thailand out of the sex trade and into homes where they are safe, educated and provided for. He is continuing to heal the broken hearted and bring peace and restoration using both those He is sending and His own people in those communities. In Mozambique food is being planted, grown, brought in and given out, while God's love and grace is sowing and reaping His Bread of Life into their hearts. He is comforting and bringing the hope of Salvation and eternal Life to orphanages in parts of Swaziland , Kenya and Cambodia , as well as spiritually and physically healing the sick in Africa . May I say the list of His wonderful works goes on…
Jesus is sending His love and it's such a blessing be part of His plan.Won't you Please join In?
To be part of this amazing experience , I must raise $13,900 dollars. It will cover basic needs housing, food and travel between locations. We will practice good stewardship with our finances as a team, for we have been pre-warned (SMILES,) otherwise it will not be enough. Tents and truck beds will become our friends. (This is not exactly a luxury vacation).Will you please help?
By April, I am required to have $2,500 in my WR account. By May I'll need at least $4,500 in that same account, and by June I'll need $6,500. I am required to raise at least half of the money before getting on the plane. At this time I am working and saving to obtain the passport, supplies, required texts, health insurance and training requirements needed for that year.
After doing a bit of math (Eee! Scary!) I found that I need to find 50 hearts willing to donate $100.00, and 50 hearts with $50.00 to contribute. This will cover the 1st half of the journey. I will also need to have on going support for the second half of the journey.
Also, prayerfully, I have an equivalent need! I am desperately seeking those who will spend time praying for me and the team as a whole. I'm praying I will find those God leads to start now to pray until I return in 2009. Will you pray? I certainly need your prayers.
And lastly, I ask for and will need to receive encouragement. Lots of it! Will you please visit and subscribe to http://brandistrickland.theworldrace.org/index.asp?filename=bio The web address belongs to my World Race webpage where I will post journals, pictures, and hopefully videos! :) Most importantly it enables every supporter to go with me in a sense! It also allows for each person to message me in a way many may read, and it gives a way to contact me personally as well as support financially. You will be able to see those you are helping with your financial support.
Please be a part of this work in touching the lives of some of "the least of these". Just In case I wasn't upfront and honest saying it 3-10 times already J, I will now. Your help is needed! And please know it is very much appreciated!!
In Love,
Brandi Nicole
Adventures in Missions Attn: World Race PO Box 534470 Atlanta, GA 30353-4470. Fax: (770)983-1061
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
~ 2 Corinthians 3-5
Tell them. Share with them. Love them. Watch as I free them. See, learn and grow through how I deal with others differently. The order in which I've done things are with reason. Cast your cares upon Me and allow Me to be. You don't need to know everything, it's for your good. I work ALL THINGS for the good of those who love Me.
and I most certainly love you! I see you, for I am with you."
