Hola mi amigos y amigas :) 

(The Smurf Village in Spain)

The last few weeks have gone be incredibly fast but have been filled with good nuggets for us to learn and grow from. 

Within the last 3 weeks we have had teachers coming in from different parts of the world and using their passions and life to teach us. It's been a blessing. 

 Brief summary of past few weeks:

Steve Holmes, founder of Genesis Academy in UK taught about being a social entrepreneur. He is owner of 23 businesses and has over 3,000 people coming through his community center daily. He loves reaching the people of England for Christ through his community center.  He gave us a practical project to work on and we had to create a business then present the proposal to a panel of people. 

Ideas/Thoughts he shared: 

- God is about the process; process is more important than outcome, its about my heart 

- When pursuing something for God, expect obstacles, hardships and people that you thought would be for you, against you...no matter what, keep the seed of faith and run into God's presence 

- You can pray too long for a vision; why not pray through the journey while taking steps of faith

- 1st step is always the hardest to take toward your vision; you don't have to know or have everything to start

Ted Hanson, church planter, pastor, and founder of The School of Eagles in Seattle, WA. He is a brilliant man who taught on New Covenant Realities. 

Ideas/Thoughts he shared: 

- Key to New Covenant realities is Colossians 1:27, Christ is in me, the hope of glory

- Life is about being loved, not "right/wrong"

- God speaks, Life happens

- If I'm doing things possible, I'm not doing what God calls to do. He calls to do the impossible! 

- Kingdom of God is righteousness(being picked by God), peace(no gap with God), & joy in the Holy Spirit. It's not 'things' or 'activities' 

George Ridley, started as a young inexperienced pastor in UK, then heard of a need in Uganda and started helping feed the poor, continued to go where the needs were founding Lightforce International, providing practical help for the poor and taking the Good News of Christ. He works in Alabania, youth summer camps, India, church planting and feeding programs, Kenya, education, and Uganda, process of completing a self sustaining village. During his teachings we helped him write a grant that is for 30,000 for his village in Uganda. 

Ideas/Thoughts he shared: 

- The 2 things that snare Christians from missions: Comfort & Convenience

- God has already spoken, GO into all the nations. Just pick and place and go! 

- Every significant advance for God will be met with significant opposition from satan. 

- Jesus isn't waiting for me to become, I already am what I need to be!

(Weekend roadtrip with friends in Seville, Spain- 3,000 yr old city)

Life in Spain: 

Personally, Shaun and I are learning how more and more to be a couple. It's challenging, hard, full of disagreement and full of laughter and the need for God's grace. We are learning to be best friends and communicate, sounds simple but definitely isn't:)  Last week we went to a park and just wrote out every possibility of what we could do next after G42. We have some options but no plan yet. We are praying, figuring out what we want to do and will trust God to help us make a plan. 

We know we love God, love each other, and love people. Now its up to us to choose from the options God is laying out:) 

(Ronda, Spain)

Finances: This month we only need $404.00 for tuition plus help with living expenses($500). Give here. 

You all have blown me away with your generosity, THANK YOU! 

(View on mountain of Mijas, Spain)

"But God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if he doesn't come through." -  Francis Chan

SO....God DOESN'T call us to comfort. 

Calls us to TRUST.

and NOT fear struggles.  

Questions to ponder: 

Do you believe this is true? 

If so.....do you live this way? 

Do I, Bethany, live this way?.... I teach quotes like this, but am I reflecting this?

To be honest, I have no idea how to live this way, but I believe I am doing it more now than ever before, at least trying. I mean come on, the last year and a half of my life hasn't been anything traditional or "comfortable" per say. 

(quick year & a half recap- graduated college, fundraised for the World Race, left for a year, fell in love, returned home, road tripped the states ministering to World Racers & filming a documentary with no finances, then by God's provision got married 3 weeks after the road trip, went on a honeymoon came home for Christmas, 2 weeks later moved to Spain needing $12,000, and only having $4,000) 

Yes, I do live in Spain, in the Costa Del Sol. One of the most beautiful places God created, yet I have experienced a discomfort and brokenness in this midst of this beauty. 

Lacking faith, stressed, worried, letting unknowns control my mind, being afraid of troubles in my situation, basically sizing God up on a box, chaining him to do only "so" much by my words. 

Ya sure, I look like I have a lot of faith, and sometimes I do. But these past few weeks have been dry for me, feeling so weak and unable. I worry that I will miss HIS voice when he speaks and not know his voice against mine. 

Why is it that we let the voice of the enemy speak so much louder than the voice of God? Why is it that we listen the Satan's lies, entangling our minds and not receive the voice of peace and truth from the Holy Spirit? 

These are questions I am working through. Fears I am learning to overcome. 

But behold, He makes ALL things new. Each morning is a new day, a new change. Will I choose to have faith? To believe in His promised financial provision? Will I walk declaring complaints or promises? Will I trust him completely to be unafraid of troubles? 

Morning view from school

 For me, it took the race, meeting Shaun and Spain to be in a place where I'm in major trouble if Jesus doesn't show up. But my story isn't yours. 

In your life story, what do you need to do to step out in faith, being uncomfortable?  

If it means giving more and buying less, do it. 

Quitting a job you hate for a job you have a passion for, do it. 

If you haven't forgiven, forgive.

Praying for the someone at Walmart, Pray. 

Adopting a child. Adopt. 

Then who knows, maybe one day we will walk in utter faith with comfort :)

My street at night. Beautiful huh

[ Shaun and I are still in need of finances, specifically this month need $500 more, if you can, please help us out! ]

  I would like to introduce myself as the NEW Mrs. Shaun Frederickson!!! 

Our 1st kiss

    Lots of changes have happened & wanted to give you an update on "our" lives.....

    After our time on World Race, the organization asked us to travel the States interviewing Race alumni for a documentary about what the impact of experiencing so many cultures influenced their world view and how that carried over into their lives in America. This documentary will be used by the World Race for promotional purposes.

    Once we had finished traveling the states, Shaun asked Bethany to marry him!!  Of course she said yes and five weeks later we got married in her barn in Indiana.  God used so many people in many different ways to give us an amazing day, a beautiful ring and so many other things.  HE truly loves us.  Thank you God and thank you to all of you who were HIS hands and feet.---And so a new adventure began.

    We knew our journey was not nearly finished and we knew that God was directing us to G42 Leadership Academy.  This is one of those times when even though you aren't completely sure why, you just know you need too.  ( I have attached a blog by a former G42 intern that better explains what G42 is).  We are now in Spain, living with 8 other people and attending classes and diving into our courses, to get as much out of these six months as we can.  One of the phrases used a lot at G42 is "say amen and make a plan"  -just like Nehemiah.  So here, we will be taught spiritual truths, practical skills, entrepreneurship, and many other things in order for us to say amen and implement it. This academy is not just another 'thing' or 'experience', it is teaching us foundations we will build our lives, ministry, businesses, jobs, and future on.  After being in class now for two weeks, we can tell you that we have already learned the power of choice, our attitude and self awareness, true meaning of maximum living, and how to discover and fulfill our purpose. 

    We want you to know that we are investing all our own personal money, and we are also starting to investigate how we could set up a sandwich stand and sell packed lunches to the kids on their way to school in order to help pay our expenses, but we do truly still need help.  It is so difficult to ask for money, but we do know that this is not simply a school or a community, it is the beginning of our ministry, and we have to do it.

    A safe and easy life is not an option for us, we will do whatever it takes to bring life to people and places that are dying, whether that be in Uganda where they are dying from AIDS and sickness or California where they are slowly dying spiritually from lack of fathering and not knowing how to live fully alive with Christ.  We will be who God has called us to be and pursue the passions HE has given us.  We will bring life to dead places!

    In our next newsletter we will begin writing about what desires are burning and how it looks for us to begin joining two very different people, but focusing on one amazing goal.  

   If you are able to give financially we would be more than grateful!  We currently have $4,000 in personal funds, in need of $8,000 ($2,000 a month through June). All donations are tax-deductible. 

  Video of our new home: http://youtu.be/h-hmjGmFk1M

Please Donate either: 

Online: http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate

<Interns: Shaun and Bethany Frederickson>

OR 

Mail: checks payable to G42 with our names in the memo

G42 

P.O. Box 130611

Houston, TX 77219-0611  

  Much love,

          The "NEW" Shaun and Bethany Frederickson 

Blog about G42: http://thestevejoadventure.blogspot.com/2011/06/g42.html

Ever heard of George Mueller?

He was a missionary/preacher during the 1800s in England, known for his orphan ministry, which provided for over 10,000 orphans through his 5 large orphan houses. His life was centered on God's provision and faithfulness.

Mueller's  first and primary object of the work was, (and still is) "that God might be magnified by the fact, that the orphans under my care are provided, with all they need, only by prayer and faith, without any one being asked by me or my fellow-laborers, whereby it may be seen, that God is FAITHFUL STILL, and HEARS PRAYER STILL."

His strategy: Prayer and faith

...amazing huh??

The more I listen to sermons or read about the life of Mueller the more I am encouraged by this brother in Christ. Knowing that a poor man like him can make such an impact in the world, causes me to keep seeing that my life is not about my own abilities to be productive or efficient, but it is about God's kingdom, power, and love.

It challenges me ask, what strategy I want.

Throughout the race I have prayed, sought God, and opened myself up to his plans and purposes for me. I know He has done a great work in my life, but there is more to come. There is more sharpening and sculpting that He needs to do in my heart. He isn't done and never will be, but I know that this season of life is crucial to me dedicating time and energy into seeking His desires for my life and ministry. This is the time I must shape and create my strategy with Abba.

So what's next for me?

In Jan 2012, I am moving to Mijas, Spain where God has called me to attend a leadership training and discipleship academy called Generation 42.

Its mission's statement: The 42nd generation is a network of Christ-followers with the mission to plant churches, businesses, & ministries to spread the Kingdom of God around the world-to inspire and develop leaders who are passionate about giving their lives to the Message of Christ.

Its goal is to rise up deeply rooted disciples of Christ in this generation, empower them with truth and knowledge, then send them to the world to bring God's Kingdom to earth.  

It is a 6 month leadership academy that focuses on discipleship and calling out the greatness in its students and molding the passions God has given them to develop a ministry and vision.  

As I make this next step of faith please continue to follow what God is doing in and through me and please keep partnering with me!

Only downside, it is fundraised based, but I trust God will provide. He has done too much this year to doubt his abilities. For months I have prayed specifically for $9,000. (Tuition itself is $6,000, plus airfare getting to Spain and back, and personal living expenses) God has already provided $1,500! So I only need $7,500 more.

Please partner with me in prayer and ask God if He desires you to continue to financially support me on this step of faith. I love watching when God's people come together and give! Amazing things happen!

You have seen/heard me grow and change into more of God's daughter, but there is more to come!! I love you all and wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your prayer and love!

Here is the website if you want to check out more details about Generation 42. http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/

Currently, I am at home in Avon, IN and would love to share the stories from this year with you, email or call if you want to hang out! 

Have you personally seen a change in yourself this year?

Do you know that your life has personally changed another life for the sake of Christ?

Another year goes by and I look back on my life. Asking myself if I have changed?  Wondering if I have blessed others lives, if Christ would see my past year and say "Well done good and faithful servant."

 

These are questions that I wonder and what I was asking myself on my 24^th birthday 4 days ago. Another amazing year has flown by, and it's crazy to think of what my year as 23 years old held. It was a year that I was blessed to visit not just 11 countries but 16. I ministered in countless and sometimes hilarious ways to people of all languages, colors, and religions. But more than those things, it was a year of personal transformation and change.

1 Timothy 4:7-8 says,

"Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of the same value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come... we put our hope in the Living God, who is the Savior of all men and especially of those who believe."

My year as 23 was a year of training myself in godliness and a journey that took my heart captive by God. It was a year of surrendering my right, expectations, relationships, dreams, and future. A year where I felt God's love and presence so thick that all I could do was bow in worship and thanksgiving. It was a year I saw God provide for my finances, bringing over $15,000 in my account! I learned what it meant to trust God in a deeper level and to experience his perfect faithfulness. I saw God answer prayers in some of the most personal and beautiful ways, speaking to the secret places of my heart.

 

 

 

There are people that I will always cherish: the Cambodian families that brought me in their homes, offering me their best when they had nothing. People like my Kenyan brothers dancing with all their hearts at the small African church or my Nepalese family wading through rivers with me as we hiked and laughed for hours on our way to share the Gospel with Buddhist. I'll never forget being in the home of a Rwandan believer as she shared the story of her and her children surviving the horrible genocide 17 years ago by hiding in the bushes with a new born baby having no clothes or food, but seeing her praise God for his goodness and their survival, even though they lost her husband and older sons.   There are countless men and woman whose testimonies deepened my love for Christ and challenged my faith and trust in God.

 

My life has changed. My heart has exploded with crazy love for Jesus more than I thought possible. I know that in all things God is good and that my ministry and life won't stop when I reach America. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so with each day that passes I will cling to His faithfulness and hope.

Thank you to all who have followed this crazy, up and down journey of faith in my life! I couldn't have done it without your prayers, encouragement, and support. Who knows the things that your prayers accomplished for God's kingdom and the freedom that your prayer brought!

But there is more to come! I am no longer 23. The year of 24 has begun and with that comes the next step of faith in God's plans. God has prepared me for something wild and great, a life as a disciple.

Will I be in American or overseas??

I'll let you know on my next blog!

Much love!

Sometimes its easy to wonder,

 "Am I making an impact in other people's lives? "

"Are non believers feeling Jesus' love through me? " 

Then God answers, not always through his voice but through others, like Lina. She is one of the girls that I prayed God would open up a friendship with here in Ukraine and well.... you can read the type of impact we have had in her life this month.

 It's amazing what God's love can do in such a short time!

(Lina is the beauty on the left)

Lina's wrote this on her personal blog: 

Every person on the Earth has his(her) own guardian angel. It might be one angel or even a group of cool awesome angels like mine. Some of us just don't see them 'cause of stereotypical way of thinking. World gives it's own standarts, you know. They don't believe in such amazing things. Materialists would ask " The real angels with wings? Oh, come on!", and I agree. Sounds really weird. Most of modern people believe only in real things. But angels are real. You can feel their warmth and energy through their hug. Their smiles make you smile and bring the real calm in your soul. You start feeling needed. Without any doubts. My angels inspire and fill me with a fresh air of hope and love.

Till the day we've met I used to think the only guardian for me is my family. Even not every member of it. There were just two people I could honestly call "my guardians". My mom and grandma. They always care and give me wise advice, but still sometimes I've had a feeling of an empty soul. I've never had a truly understanding person. The one who'll understand every single part of me. Most of people I know say I have lots of problems and minds in my little orange head so I can hardly open to someone new now. To show my real face, every mind-insect of my head.

But let's return to angels. Now I have way more guardians. There're six of them in my life now and each of them is real. Few weeks ago I've met some superpeople with super-mega-huge hearts and extremely warm souls. Bethany, Carly, Chelsea and Chris. I'm extremely grateful for you.

Since I've met them I start feeling full of happiness. There are some special people who'll live forever in my head whatever happens. Even though, we are from different parts of the world, I always keep you in my heart.

Angels are real.

P.S. Though, I'm not a believer yet, I'm gonna thank all the possible gods and powers for meeting you.

Lina- 

If you are reading this, please know that you are loved and we are praying for you! Never forget that God's plans for you are beyond your imagination and that meeting you and showing you a glimpse of hope and true joy in Jesus Christ! He sent me to Ukraine for you girl! No doubt in my mind!! Miss you already! You are amazing!! :)