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“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile,

leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same.” –Unknown


Over the course of the last 9 months, I have met a variety of people from countries all over the world.  I have formed relationships with them, shared life with them and struggled to say “See you later” again and again.  Each person has their own story of how the Lord is working in their life and each one is beautiful in it’s own unique way.  Lat month, in Germany was no exception to any of this.  During our time in Cologne, I met a number of amazing men and women seeking after the Lord.  One woman, however, found a special place in my heart and I would like to share a little bit about her and her story with you.

 
This is Brita (pictured in the middle):
 
 
 
Brita is a member of the church we worked with in Cologne that reaches out and ministers to the students at the University of Cologne.  I first met Brita on a weekend retreat with the church in Holland.  The second day of the retreat, I had the privilege of sitting next to Brita as group of us took an afternoon trip to Amsterdam.  As we rode along in the van, Brita began telling me how the Lord had transformed her life and her relationship with Him in the last year.  It is with her permission that I share this amazing story with you.

Brita grew up around horses.  At an early age, she learned to ride and as she grew older, she began to compete.  For many years, the equestrian lifestyle had a great influence on Brita’s life.  Her horses and her riding played a big part in the decisions she made and the goals and aspirations she set for her life.   Brita attended church and knew of the Lord as a young girl, but it wasn’t until about a year ago that she gave Christ full reign over her life.  About one year ago, Brita had an accident while riding and was thrown from her horse.  The impact of her fall caused a break in a couple of the vertebrae in Brita’s lower back, leaving surgery as the only solution in repairing the injury.  After surgery, Brita had to go through several months of intense physical therapy before she could, walk, run, and lift any amount of weight, much less get back on a horse again.  Fortunately for Brita, the Lord had brought her into community with a wonderful group of Christian men and women in The Bridge Church in Cologne.  This community was very helpful and supportive of Brita as she went through recovery.  Brita herself would tell you that although the community was great, it is the Lord Himself who got her through this hard time.  During the weeks she spent in the hospital and physical therapy, Brita claims the Lord revealed that she had been putting Him second on her list of priorities after riding-so much so that He had to put her flat on her back in order for her to realize it.  As the Lord walked her through the physical and emotional pains of her fall, she found hope, joy and dependence on Him.  She began to see that He had a slightly different plan for her, and she began seeking Him and listening to Him.  In one year’s time, she went from only acknowledging Him to having an intimate relationship with Him.  The Lord used this unfortunate accident to draw Brita to Him and to begin molding her into a woman with a heart ablaze for Him.

 
One of my favorite memories of Brita is the conversation I had with her one of the last days we were in Cologne.  We were riding in her car and she began telling me the different ways she felt the Lord was calling her to reach out to the people around her and share the love of Christ with them.  She shared her passion for the word and for studying the word with me, and my heart nearly jumped out of my chest with excitement.  I’m amazed at what Brita confesses the Lord has done in her and even more amazed to hear her heart for sharing the God she has come to know and love so deeply with the rest of the world.  Her passion and her boldness really touched my heart, which is one of the many reasons I want to share her story with you.  Her life is a testimony to the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord.  I pray that the passion in her heart speaks to you as well.  Thank you Brita for following the Lord’s call to be a light for Him in Germany.  You have been and will continue to be a light to me as well.  I look forward to hearing more about how the Lord is using you in the lives of others and how He is working in your life as you continue your walk with Him.  God Bless!