Why Australia?

So, I get a question all the time. "Why did you decide on Australia?" Some people are asking out of general curiosity, some ask because they genuinely want to know, and some just plain don't understand the point of mission work. So, to the best of my ability, I'm going to try and break it down.

Australia is not a third world country. In fact, it's very much a first world country! They have skyscrapers, a solid government and political system, and a stable economy. They don't need people to come dig wells or bring medicine and food to the dying. They aren't suffering from a horrible outbreak of a deadly virus or having problems with earthquakes. They are actually very much like America. The hardest thing most Australian people deal with on a daily basis is getting to work on time, just like most Americans. So why are we going?

Mission work is not about taking care of the physical needs of people. While that can be a crucial part of the work in some mission fields, it should not be the main goal. I am a Christian before I am a missionary. As a Christian, it is my responsibility to share the love of Christ with others and to preach and teach the gospel. A missionary is just someone who decides to do those things in a place other than his home country. Unless you've felt the call of God yourself, you cannot explain to someone what that's like, but as a senior in high school I felt the impression of God on my heart to go to Australia and to reach it's people with the gospel. I'm not a well digger, a medical doctor, or a humanitarian aid worker. I'm just a Christian with a call from God to do His work in Australia.

So, how did I receive my call? If you're expecting to hear that I was riding a horse on my way to Damascus when a bright light blinded me and told me to go, I'm going to have to disappoint you. I'm just an ordinary guy who felt the impression of a great God on his heart. I don't know what God is going to do through me and my wife. I don't know what undertakings we'll take on in the future. All I know is I'm a Christian. That means no matter where God puts me, I have one goal and one objective. I need to reach as many people as I can with the gospel and the love of Christ. That's the end of the story. Why Australia? Because Australians need to hear that God loves them, died for them, rose again for them, and wants to spend eternity with them in Heaven. Pure and Simple!

Missions & Family Update

Many exciting things have been happening around the Brazzell house recently! We are around 2 months away from our trip to Australia, so much preparation is being made. Also, we just found out that our baby is a little girl!! God is so good to us, and He is proving His faithfulness every step of our journey!

We received our travel visas last week which was a huge answer to prayer. Everything is continuing to progress well as we stay in contact with the pastor and missionary family we will be staying with during our trip. We are excited to be participating in different church ministries while in Sydney. We will also get the opportunity to be a part of the first missions conference at the church we will be with in Brisbane. Please be in prayer for all the final details as we draw closer to our departure date!

My pregnancy has been a very easy one, and for that we are grateful. Our baby, Eden, is healthy and strong. We greatly appreciate continued prayers for a safe, healthy pregnancy and baby!

We know that our family and friends are our greatest prayer warriors, and we could never thank you enough for that! We will continue to keep everyone updated as new things develop.


All for His Glory,
Brettnay Brazzell

An Open Letter to My Missionary Wife

To my long time crush and loving wife, Brettnay,


I know I am not normally a fan of being overly romantic in a public manner such as this, but today I feel like making the world see you how I do. I'm not very good at daily expressing my gratitude toward you, though you'd never tell me so. I do feel so very blessed, and as such needed to express that today.

Normally this blog is used as a forum to inform our friends, family, and supporters where we are on our journey as missionaries and to let them know about our plans. I want to do a little of that as well. We're still in the planning stages of our survey trip together, and there's still a lot to do! I'm looking forward to taking that trip with you and finding out everything God has for us on the field to share. You're an amazing woman, and I'm lucky to be able to take you with me. You're willingness to go on this trip as a 7 month pregnant woman is enough to convince me that you're 100% dedicated to me and to Christ! You're desire to raise a family, even under unusual circumstances, is commendable and beautiful to see.

I know you'd love nothing more that to settle down, buy a nice house with a big white wrap-around porch, and watch our babies play in the yard. I'm not saying any of those dreams are bad, or even that we'll have to give up any of them. I'm just glad that you're willing to follow the Lord no matter where that takes us. I don't know where we may end up some day. I don't really know what I'm doing. I just know that what we're doing today is what the Lord wants for us, and that's enough for me. The beautiful thing is that that has been good enough for you too!

We've got a lot of interesting things ahead of us: a baby on the way (that's enough for anyone by itself), a survey trip in September, and my brother's wedding this week. We've had a busy marriage so far and a busier one ahead of us. I'm looking forward to every second of it, because I know I'll have you to help me when it's hard, laugh with me when it's fun, and cry with me when it's sad. Thank you for being everything a man could need and ask for in a wife.

Your adoring husband,

Sim