1 Thessalonians 5:24, "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."

Last weekend we were warmly received and welcomed by a wonderful church body in Illinois!

Our Rio team received two brothers from this body in Rio last year when they came to Brazil to capture what Christ is doing in Brazil on film, and a wonderful friendship was begun!

God is clearly at work in this body of believers in Illinois, and as we shared with them the testimony of how God called us to Brazil---the effects on our family, details of our serious car accident 7 years ago, and God’s work that we are currently involved in in Brazil---we were strengthened and energized!  God is so AMAZING!

As we begin our 8^th year in Rio this February, it was encouraging to look back at the very beginning and see how God has directed and changed our lives!  It was SO awesome for us to remember that the One who calls is faithful----and He ALONE will do it!

We will return to Brazil in less than a week and God used this time of sharing for our batteries to be recharged and we are so excited to return!

A few days after our return we will be participating in Caju church’s Carnival outreach for 4 days and nights.

We then will have the privilege to receive and host the founder of “Finishers Project”, Nelson Malwitz and his wife to serve with us for 5 weeks.

Please join us in praying for divine appointments as we are on the streets during carnival!  Pray for fruit that remains!

We are counting down the days until departure and thanking Him in advance for what He will do!

Blessed beyond our imaginations as we serve our Mighty God,

Diane and Jeff

Celebrating with the Body of Christ!

On our way to visit a church recently in Illinois, we were able to spend the evening with our godchild, Elizabeth and her parents!

17 years ago, Jeff began working with her father in Iowa and 4 years later we were honored to become Elizabeth’s godparents!

God orchestrated our trip so that we arrived on the night of her 13^th birthday and were ecstatic that we could celebrate this special birthday with Elizabeth!

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!  Keep “Squatchin”! 

Love,

Jeff and Diane

Praising The Great Physician!

Recently, we spent 3 nights in northern Minnesota at the “hideaway” of a dear brother- and sister-in-Christ.  What a wonderful time we had spending time together studying God’s word, praying and praising the Lord!  We also reminisced, laughed and celebrated a birthday together!  This trip also had a much more meaningful celebration…

…a little over a year ago Allan and Carolyn’s world was shook when Allan was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.  Allan had surgery and God has healed him!  We were able to celebrate the one year mark of Allan being cancer-free!

God is good---ALL THE TIME!

Jeff and Diane

 p.s  As well, God provided us a dog (Watson) for us to enjoy as we are missing our four-legged family member, Moses!

Rejoicing in Answered Prayer!!!!

The end of 2012 brought us a new focus in our work in Rio.  We will be Stateside 2-3 months each year to recruit and raise up workers for the harvest field.  We arrived here in the States in early December and will be returning to Rio in 4 short weeks!

Already we have seen God answering our prayers!  So far, four people are feeling God's calling to come for a 2-6 month internship to serve alongside of us in Rio in 2013!  And God is preparing a short-term team to serve at CENA in Sao Paulo.

Please join us in prayer for these fellow servants of the Lord!

Pray that the enemy does not distract or dissuade them as they prepare to come.

Pray for hearts to be prepared to hear and respond to the gospel through their efforts, words and actions.  Pray for fruit that remains.

Upon our arrival in Rio we will be joining the Caju church to reach out to the lost in the streets during Carnival!

Rejoicing in answered prayers,

Jeff and Diane