We recently had the priviledge of serving alongside a mother and daughter short-term team from Valley Church in Des Moines, IA here in Brazil.

God made some awesome connections because of this team, and we were blessed to go into many schools to share about our lives as Christ followers as well as life in the United States. Maria and Leah brought awesome pictures and shared about their lives as followers of Jesus Christ.

They were able to join us in Cesar Meier where we have begun a pilot program alongside one of our partners, Atuacao Voluntario, where we connect Christian North American children from Valley with penpals in the public schools here in Brazil. The hope is that the children are encouraged that a committed life to Christ makes a difference.

We were also able to visit for the first time, a public school in Cidade de Deus, where we had made a connection with a teacher shortly before our Visas were denied last year and we returned to the States. At the school, our team was able to perform an evangelistic skit. The Brazilian children asked many questions about the differences in schools in the USA and about the culture. We pray we are invited back in the future!

Later in the week, we visited the island of Paqueta with Brazilian Pastor Andre and his wife Selma. It was a wonderful day to leave the craziness of the city and travel by boat to this quiet little island with no cars and fellowship together! On the boat ride to the island Diane asked Selma what spiritual gifts God had given her. She told of several, and ended saying that she especially enjoyed counseling and had the gift of compassion.

At the end of the day, on the boat ride back, a conversation was struck up with students from a school in Campo Grande because they had heard English being spoken! We had brought an "Evange Cube", which tells the gospel message in pictures. Diane asked if they had heard the gospel message and we were able to use it to share.

One girl in particular was interested in seeing the cube and hearing the message (her name was Diane, too!). Afterwards, in conversation with Diane D., she shared deeply how her grandmother had been a spiritist and had been hung in a hospital. She shared that her mother is a christian, but has not been going to church. Her father is not a believer. She shared how she has seen several demonic manifestations in her house recently. Diane D. remembered that Selma loved counseling and called her over to counsel this young woman. She was greatly encouraged by Selma and Selma and Diane D. prayed for her. She was given the Evange Cube to share the gospel message with her father.

Please pray that Diane's father receives salvation through Jesus Christ!

The teacher from this group of students from Campo Grande has invited us to come and visit her school!

Pray that those doors open for us to go to Campo Grande to this school to share!

Pray also for all the connections that were made through this team. Pray that God uses those connections for us as we strive to multiply and grow His kingdom!