Love and Compassion

As I review the agenda for the Women Of Purpose trip to Bolivia, I think of all the opportunities that God has placed in their paths to show love and compassion to those who are in pain. Having been married for almost 23 years, I know Karen has both love and compassion. I thank God for giving her the courage to step out and use her gifts to help those in need. May God bless these women and those He will put in their path during this trip.

So, why only Brothers?

I want to share some more of my thoughts about the idea behind the Brothers of Barnabas. Why the Brothers? Why only men?

I am a guy. Guys have certain characteristics. One of those common traits is that we like to fix things. Most of us do some sort of "fixing things" in our work, and come home ready to fix things there, too.

Several months ago, my wife told me that she was committing to follow a call to travel to Bolivia to meet women and children at risk. At first, I was surprised; for those who know her, you know she's a "five-star hotel" kind of woman! She is very concerned about schedule and organization. This clearly is going to be an adventure for her. But, she heeded the call -

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”
I said, “Here I am. Send me.

Isaiah 6:8

New Living Translation

And, I knew, I couldn't fix it all for her.

I couldn't be there to be sure she didn't miss her connecting flights, or get lost in the airport! I couldn't be there to see that she was safe and warm. I couldn't be there to order her food, even in my limited Spanish. I couldn't be there to encourage her.

As a guy, we get used to fixing it. She was going to have to grow in her reliance on the Lord to take care of the schedule. And I, the fix-it guy, was going to have to trust Him to take care of her.

Of course, we all know that the Lord is in control. We can all say that, and know that. But, I'm still a guy, and I still have an instinct to want to protect and fix it all.

So, the idea behind the Brothers of Barnabas was born. There are other guys staying behind as their "Women of Purpose" are traveling to a foreign land. And we can support each other, and encourage each other, and these women. Praise the Lord for the opportunity to share in the fellowship of these Brothers, and for the opportunity to grow in our reliance upon Him.

Who are the Brothers of Barnabas?

In Acts 4:36, we are introduced to a man named Joseph, but called by another name, a nickname earned by his gift, shared freely with those around him...


"...there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”).

- New Living Translation

This blog is created by and for those "men behind the women" of the West Puget Sound Chapter of Women of Purpose. - husbands, brothers, fathers, sons, friends. Women of Purpose is a ministry of World Concern, www.worldconcern.org, whose mission is to support women and children at risk.

Shortly, the women of West Puget Sound Chapter will be joining other Women of Purpose on a mission trip to Santa Cruz, Bolivia. This blog is intended to serve as a place of resource for the Brothers, those men who are staying behind, but support our Women of Purpose with prayer and encouragement. Just as Barnabas became known for his encouragement, it is my prayer that these Women of Purpose might know encouragement through our faithfulness. As we approach the time of the trip, I will be posting verses and thoughts that I hope will support you in your prayer and meditation.

If you would like to post a short article to the blog, you may request this by emailing me at DougFelts@hotmail.com.