Our town is unique, our people are special.  Each week one of our own introduces us to someone special to Brinson Falls.  This week, Pastor Roy introduces us to someone who tugs at all our hearts. 

Many of you know Brittany Ann Nichols as Britt, or as we call her, Angel.  Britt is one of the fourteen at risk children presently staying at the church.  Her next home, The Jensen House is under construction.  It’s her last home, and the people who lived there, that demands explanation.

            Imagine the worst headlines about child abuse in the news today.  Try to picture a world of darkness and cruelty.  Close your eyes for a second and try to see the person you look up to the most, the so-called head of household, continually verbally and physically abusing your mother.  After your rock is done with your mother, he comes after you.  This cycle of abuse happens so frequently that you think it’s your destiny.  Then one day, in front of you, he kills your mother in complete drunken rage.  Miraculously, he doesn’t come at you this time and leaves never to be seen again.  Orphaned, who do you tell?  Your foundation shattered, you have no one left and nowhere to go.   Nothing to eat and only the torn, tattered clothes you have on to wear until you’re discovered days later crying beside the body of your mother, waiting to join her in death.

Who do you trust?  You ask yourself is this love?  Is this God?     Can you see the picture? Can you even begin to feel the emotion of that life?  The authorities note when they find you that it was a miracle that you’re even alive. Now open your eyes, look in a mirror, and see that you’re seven years old. Tears form even as I’m writing this piece just thinking of the torment this little, precious girl named Britt experienced.  And the effects of all her past that she still suffers from.

            This article is entitled Britt’s Hope.  Most of us would think her hope would be to just live a normal life.  Have friends, go to school, sleepovers, favorite stuffed bears, and video games.  All the things that make a “normal” American, seven-year old’s existence.  We who would think that would be so wrong.

            All in Brinson Falls know for every valley there’s a mountain top.  What’s Lazarus without the grave?  After the darkness comes light.  Just to have the privilege of experiencing Britt’s spark, her passion for life and ability to lovereminds me of God each time I see her. 

Evil forces tried to kill her, and hell tried to rob us of seeing our answer to prayer personified every day. 

            Every person who meets this contagious ball of excitement leaves the encounter asking how this little girl can be so innocent and loving after her past experiences.  Where’s her hate that she’s so painfully earned?  Britt’s answers these questions simply by reminding us to love life and witness answered prayer.  That remembrance becomes her hope to our town and world.

            All of us who have had the pleasure of meeting Britt know she chooses not to speak.  Through the tireless efforts of Dr. Ekon Kuponya and the wonderful people at Johns Hopkins Hospitals, we’re hoping and praying that will change sooner than later.

            For now, we’re just thankful this Angel girl, Britt, is in our lives and engraved in our memories forever.

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