Brie's Colombia Ministry Trip

Dear Friends and Family:

I hope all is well with each of you, and that the Lord is doing as many wonderful things in your life as He is in mine. I have enjoyed my past two years at Elgin Community College, and plan to graduate in May of 2018 from ECC’s Nursing Program to pursue my dreams of becoming a RN. I chose the path of nursing as my career because I want to do everything in my power to heal and see people well. My heart has always been to travel to the nations and bring real health care to those who have little or none. That journey begins now.

I want to share with you an incredible opportunity that God has presented to me this semester. From March 30th through April 6th, I will be headed to Medellín (pronounced Meh-deh-jEEN), Colombia with a group of amazing people from The Vineyard Church of Elgin. We are partnering with a missions family, the Manderfields, who run the Christ for the Nation’s School which teaches, equips, and sends missionaries to go worldwide.
During our time in Medellín, we will be working closely with a ministry called Vieñto Fresco (Fresh Wind) which serves local children who wander the streets or unsafe environments while single mothers prostitute themselves and/or work other dangerous jobs to make an income. Vieñto Fresco is a day program that provides meals, clothing, safety, and most importantly the gospel. Hearing the truth of the gospel is so important for these kids, especially because most are coming from horrifically broken stories. We will also have opportunities to minister in Medellín’s red light district to bring restoration and dignity through the Holy Spirit to those who work the prostitution ring.
As a team, we feel the ‘theme’ or focus for our trip  is “The Father’s Heart”. This has nothing to do with gender but has to do with experiencing the Father’s love as a son or a daughter and then reflecting that image out to a world that is desperate to know that intimacy.

  I write you to ask for your support. God has opened up such an amazing door for me to begin my journey of international travel to take part in seeing people healed in mind, body and spirit. The most exciting part is, that you will be able to share in this journey with me as well!

I would love it if you could join me in praying for our trip.
* Pray for our team--  That we would unify as a group to listen and move as Holy Spirit leads. We are going to encounter a lot of new experiences and circumstances while ministering, please pray for each of us as we individually prepare ourselves in the coming weeks and while we are down there.
* Pray for the people of Medellín -- That there would be and openness and willingness to both receiving us, and to receiving the gospel. We are on their turf, we want to honor and love them well.
* Pray especially for the women and children who we’ll get to do ministry with--  that they would experience all that the Father has for them, and be transformed by the power of Holy Spirit.
If you commit to praying for us, please let me know. I would love to share that news with my team and keep you updated on other ways to pray.

Another way you can support us is through a financial donation. Our trip is estimated to cost around $1000 per person which includes our flight, room and board, food, and transportation. Any gift, large or small will help impact the lives of people in Medellin that we will encounter. Unfortunately gifts are not tax deductible this time.

Thank you for considering supporting me and my team through prayer and/or financial giving. This experience would be impossible without the generosity of so many.
I am excited for my journey to begin, and I look forward to sharing about it with you when I return! If you have any additional questions feel free to contact me anytime.

Grace and peace,
Brie Russell