God is Restraining Himself on Account of You!

Last evening we returned to the streets near our home with Kate, a 2-month intern that is here with us, to talk with our new friends, a group of transvestite prostitutes, that we made during the World Cup with the TREK7 team.  These men love to meet Americans and practice their basic English!

We brought a birthday present (Sweet Baby Ray's barbeque sauce!) to Bianca (not his real name) and he was touched that we remembered his birthday!

As well, we asked for prayer requests and many were glad to have us praying for them!  One of the transvestites was talking to Cris, the boss, on the telephone and Cris wanted to talk to me...   

Cris asked if we would PLEASE pray for him.  He was having a very difficult week and would not be working on the streets that night.  

He wanted to make sure we would return next Thursday, however, as he wants to share something with me!  A few weeks before Cris asked for my phone number and has called me.  Now, he is passing through difficulties that are hindering him from working the streets!  We believe that the Holy Spirit is at work!

Our hope as we further these relationships is that when the tough times come, they remember us and turn to us for help and answers.  We know that the only answer is Jesus and that we are ALL sinners.  The only difference being that we have chosen to follow Christ and are saved by His grace.  Our prayer is that these men do the same, choose to follow Christ and his teachings and spend eternity in His presence.

The Word tells us that God desires that no one should perish.  And so, we continue to go into a very dark place, trusting in the leading of the Holy Spirit and staying patient knowing that it is His work alone.  We are faithful and available and so we continue...

PLEASE continue to pray for us as we reach out to the lost here in Rio!

Privileged to walk into the darkness with the light of Christ,

Diane and Jeff

2 Peter 3:8 & 9 says, "Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change."