I kept in touch with one, Will Neilsen, over the next year. Will would often mention Jesus in his letters, speak words of encouragement, and also share life, struggles, and joys that he was experiencing. Even though I was raised Catholic and had a great foundation of God's sovereignty and provision in my life, I did not have a personal relationship with Jesus, much less talk about Him or incorporate Him into my day.
In May of 1994 I left Ohio. More than that, I left a life of drunkenness, promiscuity, deception and emptiness. I was done. I didn't like the life I was living anymore and I knew if I stayed in my environment things would not change. I packed up my car and headed to Colorado. I knew I was making the right decision because the first hotel I stayed at was showing the movie "The Jerk" on TV. That was and still is one of my favorite movies. I was free!!!
I lived in Colorado for three months at a camp. I had a second job lined up at a dude ranch but had nowhere to live for 2 weeks in between. So I called up Will and asked him if I could come visit since I had never spent time in Texas before. While visiting, I went to church with Will, gave my life to Christ, and started a relationship that changed my life forever.
In January of 1995, I came back to Lubbock for the wedding of some dear friends I had made during my last visit, Creighton and Nikki Alexander. Like Will, Creighton was also involved at the Wesley Foundation. While celebrating their nuptials, I heard as clear as day, the Lord say, "This is your home now." My visit turned into a move and I spent the next two years living in Lubbock, Texas.
Some major events during that time:
· I got involved in a small group with Evie Telfer called Passion and Purity.
· I made some good friends, like Misty Taylor, Glenn Mullins, Evie Telfer, and Cindy (Vowell) Baker.
· I went on my first mission trip led by John and Heather Simms to Jonesville VA. It was an incredible first experience in spreading the love of Christ and helping the Appellation community fix up their houses.
· Misty and I went on a road trip to visit some of the friends we made at the Appellation Service Mission we were part of in the spring. This trip led us to Ben Smith, who also ended up moving to Lubbock and interning at the Wesley.
· I got involved in a sex addiction small group with Carlton Jordan and some others.
· I attended some great Wesley block parties and dances.
In the fall of 1995, through hearing Creighton's experience in Africa and Evie's love for Africa, a desire developed in me to go to Africa and get to know the African people. After expressing this desire with Evie and praying into that desire, Evie and I decided to co-lead a mission trip to Kenya. We started preparations right then and there. In May of 1996 we took a team of 12; Evie, myself, Travis Brints, Ken Gassiot, Fred Gilbreth, Jennifer (Williams) Davidson, Vanessa (Wilson) Baker, Kyla Kendall, Tamara Strelhi, Amy (Tefertiller) Allaire, Melanie Harbert, for a six-week adventure. During that time we met Charles Abuyeka, who was working at a YWAM bass in Mombassa.
When we returned home from the trip we had some support money left over, so we all prayed and were in full agreement that we should pay the way for Charles to come to the states. So in the fall of '96 Charles came to the U.S. and later became an intern at the Wesley.
Fast forward to Spring 2011. I am sitting in my backyard, sharing with a close friend how I got to Lubbock and what I felt my passion and calling was. I was sharing how the Wesley played a huge part in my story; how because I was a college student when I was saved, I had a heart to minister to college students; how I lived in a community house with other college-age girls, and this caused my desire for women's ministry to grow tremendously.
Two hours after sharing this story with her my phone rings. It was a dear friend Ben Donley who was the current associate director of the Wesley. He was inquiring where I was in my life and if I had any interest in getting a job. Since I was currently at home raising three boys between the ages of five and seven, I was not very responsive to his inquiry. He proceeded to tell me that God had laid me on his heart to pursue the women's ministry position at the Wesley. My heart skipped a beat. Here I had just shared my heart about ministry and desire to my girlfriend, sharing details of my journey, and now God is calling me out!
My husband, Travis Brints, whom also went on the Wesley Kenya trip, prayed with me about this possible direction, and we both received peace that it was where God was leading us. Which leads us to today. Brenda Brints: Director of Women's Ministry at the Lubbock Wesley Foundation. Wow! What a ride. What a journey.
I tell you this story to be a reminder, to encourage you, and to charge you to action. I mention specific names to remind you that these are real people, real experiences, and real ministry that takes place here at the Wesley. I want to encourage you to share your story. And I want to charge you to be involved, not only by being who God created you to be and doing what He has called you to do, but to support an organization that helped you be who you are and do what you are doing. I am so thankful that by working at the Wesley Foundation I can give back to an organization that truly is about "Raising up a generation of Christians who lead!" This really is an amazing place, ministry, and community!!!
Blessings to each and every one of you on your journey!
