It's a Jungle Out There!

What a full week we've had! And it's only Wednesday!

On Monday, our good friend Allison helped Jeff cut down a tree and trim another. When Allison called the city to find out how we could dispose of the branches, he was told that we had needed a permit and could possibly receive a fine. The man encouraged us to find a local horse and cart and have someone dispose of the branches quickly!

The two of them found a local man with a truck and two helpers and in 2 hours, the branches were gone! The good thing is that the tree that was cut down was on our property. The tree that was trimmed, is outside of our wall. We think we're okay...

I just sent an e-mail to my sisters saying how great it was to have only found 2 cockroaches in the house since we've returned...what I didn't mention was the million ants I found!

There was a curvey line of tiny, tiny ants that went from one wall, across the stairs and up the banister to the second floor and into a bathroom! At two different points, there was a "pool" of ants, I don't know....maybe they were meeting for small group?

Anyways, I've been researching ants as they didn't seem to be attracted to the ant poisoning I brought from the States. It seems that even though we are living in a city of 14 million people, a concrete jungle, there is still room for "unwelcome guests".

Last night we attempted to thank and bless a fellow missionary that stayed in our home here for a bit while we were working on new visas back in the States---it didn't work. I made Jeff's favorite, Turkey Tettrazini and Dorothy's 7 Layer Bars. But alas, she again, blessed us! She told a story that touched my heart and blessed me! I will attempt to tell it in my words. Forgive me, Kathy, if I tell it wrong!

She was on a mission trip in Afica and was chosen to be the main speaker one night. While enroute to the place of worship, she looked down and realized that she had put on her African dress....INSIDE OUT! She wondered if she would be able to concentrate on speaking, knowing that she was standing in front of a large congregation with her dress inside out! God provided a place for her beforehand, to turn her dress right-side out and she was able to bring the Word of God!

The next day, she was asked again to speak! This time on the radio! It would be aired over the WHOLE country! God gently reminded her that the words were His...."remember, he told her, I will tell you what to say. You are my weak vessel that cannot even put your dress on correctly!"

This story blessed and inspired me immensely! Since we have returned to Brazil it has been hard to focus on house maintenance. It's hard to clean up ants, cut down trees, paint and deal with water leaks when what we long to be doing is sharing the gospel of Christ!

In our prayer time with fellow missionary Craig yesterday, we prayed that as we transition back we can use all opportunities to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ with everyone we meet----water line repairmen, concrete repairmen, tree debris removers, and anyone that God puts into our paths and lives here.

And so, as we cut back this jungle that has grown in our absence, I am encouraged from John 15:5 where Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing".

Apart from Him, we truly can do nothing. At times, we cannot even put on our clothing correctly!
And may He continue to gently remove those branches that bear no fruit so that we may become more fruitful as we endeavor to further His kingdom in this concrete jungle!