Remembering God’s Faithful and Guiding Hand

Happy New Year, everyone!

Stayed up late for NYE fireworks!

As Nich and I reflect on this past year of study and engagement, especially as we neared its end, we can clearly see God’s tender and guiding hand at work. He faithfully sustained us, even in moments when we stubbornly tried to press on in our own strength. And yet, by God’s grace alone, we can now truly say and sing:

Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Hither by Thy help I’m come;

And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

(HYMN: Come Thou Fount)

It is with great joy that I write now in testimony to the many ways God has sustained us, transformed us, and blessed us over the past two months. Looking back, we are deeply aware that every step has been shaped by prayer and met with God’s faithful response. Looking ahead, we long to continue walking in prayerful dependence on him, trusting him to direct our paths for his glory and name’s sake.

Answered Prayer: Endurance, Focus, and Exams

When I last wrote, I asked for prayer in the lead-up to exams, the end of Year 2, and our early December wedding. Thank you so much for praying that Nich and I would have endurance, clarity, and focus to finish the term well. God answered those prayers clearly. We both passed our exams and are now preparing to begin Year 3.

Thank you also for praying for good health and rest during a very full and demanding season. God graciously kept us well throughout a hectic December, for which we are deeply thankful. His sustaining hand was evident even in the small, daily mercies.

Answered Prayer: Family Arrives

At the end of exam week, friends and family began arriving in Australia for the wedding. It was a particular kindness from God to have my best and longest-known friend and bridesmaid, Antonia, fly in early. She was a steady encouragement through dress fittings, hair and makeup trials, and final preparations, reminding me again that God so often answers prayer through the loving presence of his people.

A week later, Mum, Dad, Jonah, Katrina, and Alistair arrived, and together we worked through flower markets, venue setup, and final logistics. My aunt and uncle and two cousins also made it down under, which felt like another clear expression of God’s generous care.

My sister and bridesmaids planned a beautiful bridal shower in the mountains, where my Bermy family and Aussie family finally met. What a gift to see how God has woven together relationships across countries and seasons.

My brother Nicholas also made it over. While it was sad not to have his wife, Jemimah, with him, I was so thankful to have Nick and my cousin in our wedding band, and especially to have Nick serenade us down the aisle with a song he wrote for me years ago. It was a quiet testimony to God’s long-term faithfulness.

Flower Markets with Phoebe to collect our wedding flowers which she assembled

Answered Prayer: A Joyful and Gospel-Centred Wedding

Finally, the long-awaited wedding day arrived. Thank you for praying that we would maintain a joyful, gospel-centred perspective in the lead-up to and throughout the day. God answered that prayer abundantly.

The day itself was filled with joy. I had worried I might feel overwhelmed, but instead I felt calm, joyful, and settled. That calm was a gracious answer to prayer, a deep assurance that I was walking toward the man God had so kindly given me, to knit my life to his in marriage.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/d59a99_88e653e89ac945a9bd588fd4e3b800b3/480p/mp4/file.mp4

We are so grateful for the many people God used to make the day possible: our organisers, band, bridesmaids and groomsmen, Phoebe for flowers, Brendan for photos, José for video, the many bakers who contributed to the nearly entirely gluten-free afternoon tea (very much to Nich’s delight), Sarah for the afternoon tea wedding cake, John and Sheridan for the reception cake, our drivers, décor teams, and all who helped with setup and pack down. The day was a tangible picture of God’s care expressed through the generosity of his people.

At the same time, I deeply missed having my Bermuda church family and UK friends present. The weight of that absence brought many tears. Yet even in that grief, God gently reminded me that those physically present represented only a fraction of those who have prayed for, shaped, and supported Nich and me over many years. Standing in my dress, I felt both the ache of absence and deep gratitude for God’s faithfulness through so many lives.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/d59a99_64346e19f88641d2ae60cc7deb63e19b/480p/mp4/file.mp4

Thank you also for the many messages and cards we received. They were read with great joy and gratitude.

You can watch our wedding ceremony here: Nich and Britt Powell!

Answered Prayer: Rest and Grace in Marriage

People often ask, “How was the honeymoon?” The honest answer is: exhausting and exciting all at once. After weeks of constant activity, it felt strange to suddenly be completely alone together with no real plans. Our exhaustion didn’t always bring out the best in us, and we quickly began learning what it looks like to love one another sacrificially in the everyday realities of marriage. God was with us, and showed me that I was more selfish than I realised and that my husband is kinder than I ever knew. His patience runs deep, and he loves so sacrificially. I truly am blessed to have Nich for a husband!

Despite minor hiccups, the honeymoon was a much-needed gift of rest for us both. We spent time in the mountains before heading up the coast to the beach. The rain slowed us down, giving us space for at-home fun: popcorn, Christmas movies from both family traditions, and an impressive number of nature documentaries. On the sunny days we explored, walked, shopped, swam, saw kangaroos and dolphins, ate well, and made memories we will treasure.

Our International Family together (virtually) on Christmas Day

Answered Prayer: A Growing Vision of “Home”

For Christmas, Nich and I travelled to Dubbo to spend the week with the Powells. It was my first Christmas away from my own family, but it was a warm, unhurried time of rest and getting to know my new family.

Soon after, we headed to the Blue Mountains for CMS Summer School. Through Dan Wu’s teaching on Proverbs and the testimonies of missionaries, God continued to shape our thinking about ministry, particularly the importance of humility, compassion, hospitality, and presence.

Admiring our Christmas tree on a scorching 35° day, AC blasting and the fireplace crackling on TV. Star garland from our UK nieces. #ChristmasDownUnder

I was especially challenged to rethink what “home” means, not only as the place I have come from, but also as the place where God has placed me now. This shift has helped me be more present, more dependent on others, and more attentive to the ministry opportunities directly in front of me. This lesson was a grace gift from God, especially as we settle into our new home in Sydney...

Prayer Request: Community and Friendship in a New Place

After returning to Sydney, we moved into MooreWest, college housing in Parramatta (aptly named for how very far west it is from the college). This has brought significant change, including an hour-long commute instead of a two-minute walk. While this has been helpful for Nich in separating work and home life, it has been more challenging for me, as many close friends remain near college.

That said, we are thankful for the community God has already placed around us. Our neighbours are classmates, and we look forward to getting to know their families in the years ahead. I’m especially grateful as I look back on a prayer I prayed in 2024, asking God to quickly provide deep, supportive friendships. He answered that prayer profoundly through the girls in my cohort, two of whom stood beside me as bridesmaids.

I would love prayer now that God would again be gracious in providing new, deep friendships with women in our MooreWest community.

Prayer Requests: Looking Ahead to Year Three

We are now preparing for the start of college in February. Nich has begun his new student ministry at St Jude’s Randwick, and my work with Emu Music is picking up as we prepare for upcoming conferences and events. Please pray that we would be disciplined in building good study habits, that we would trust God rather than give in to anxiety, that we would recover well from feeling a little under the weather, and that there would be clarity and resolution around some medical needs.

I’ll be honest, I feel daunted by the year ahead and keenly aware of my own limitations. Looking back over these posts and the many answered prayers of the past two years has been a powerful reminder that God has faithfully supplied every need, often in unexpected ways. Please pray that I would continue to trust him with all that lies ahead.

Ongoing Prayer: Building on God’s Faithfulness

At our wedding, my aunt and uncle prayed a beautiful prayer for us titled God’s Nurturing Hand. It has become a fitting summary of this season. As I reflect on the past two months and even the past two years, I am deeply moved by the evidence of God’s gracious and guiding hand. In that time, I’ve moved to Australia, completed my first year of college single, my second year engaged, and am now beginning my third year married. There has been much change, but through it all, God has been faithful.

Through our study of Proverbs, I’ve been reminded that true wisdom is not found in my own strength or careful planning, but in building life on God’s love and faithfulness alone. Proverbs 3:3–4 exhorts us:

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

My prayer for this year, for myself and for Nich and me together, is that we would build our lives on the love and faithfulness of our God. That his love and faithfulness would not only sustain us, but actively shape how we live, serve, and decide. I pray that God’s word would guide us in all matters of life and faith, and that as the days, months, and years unfold, we would have eyes to see his ever-present, guiding, and nurturing hand.

In Christ alone,

Britt & Nich PS: Blog Update

Going forward, I’ll continue using this blog to share ministry updates from my perspective. Nich also shares updates on his social media if you’d like to follow along on his FB page here: Nich Powell Ministry Supporters Page or on Instagram here: nichpowell_ministry

Over the coming year, we’re planning to merge our ministry updates and platforms. If you’re already subscribed to my email updates, you’ll be included in that merge. If you haven’t subscribed yet and would like to receive future updates, please sign up for emails.

We don't have official wedding photos yet, so I am leaving some official pre-wedding engagement photos for you...