Are We "All In" with Christ?

Our church met last evening to brainstorm of ways that we can minister to the body of Christ during this pandemic and to open our meeting, Pastor Denny read these incredibly PASSIONATE and powerful verses in Hebrews 11:32-40:

"And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.  Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.  They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute and persecuted and mistreated---the world was not worthy of them.  They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.  God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

These verses moved me to tears!  They were men of faith, "all in" with Christ!  What great examples they are to us!

In this world, we have troubles. This side of eternity, we may not ever see the purpose of these troubles or suffering.  But, we know that God will keep his promises to us!  What encouraging verses!

The Word is GOLD---written by God and all other books written by human authors pale in comparison!

These verses make me want to strive daily to be "all in" with Christ!

As it says in Matthew 16:25, "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

What a great reminder as we see the current chaos in the world these days!

Learning to walk as Jesus walked,

Diane

The Best IS yet to Come!!!

This has been a difficult and yet exciting year!  The virus, the lack of food in Africa, the chaos (that began in Minneapolis), the locusts---are all things predicted in God's Word and are birthing pains written about in Matthew 28.

It reminds us to keep our focus on eternal purposes and keep sharing the gospel---to not "fall asleep" and not be like the church in Laodicia.  Revelations 3:16 & 17 says, "So, because you are lukewarm---neither hot not cold---I am about to spit you out of my mouth".  We have much work yet to do!

We can use these things to begin spiritual conversations with those around us that have not yet received the free gift of eternal life that is offered to ALL of us sinners!  John 3:17 says, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

This morning, Jeff and I were reading the Word together in Luke 21.  Verse 11 says, "There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven".  We don't need to fear these things, we know the outcome!  We are privileged to be seeing these things come to pass! Now, more than ever, we need to be doers of the Word!

As well, verse 36 goes on, "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

Let's be praying without ceasing, in faith, for opportunities to further His Kingdom!!!

Humble servant of the King of Kings,

Diane

João 3:16, “Porque Deus tanto amou o mundo que deu o seu Filho Unigênito, para que todo o que nele crer não pereça, mas tenha a vida eterna.

April 1st marked our one-year anniversary serving the Lord in Annandale, Minnesota at Annandale Evangelical Free Church. Time has flown by so quickly!

We have so much to praise God for.  He has provided ALL that we needed in our transition back from Brazil.  In AWESOME, SUPERNATURAL ways!  We are feeling His blessings each and every day and feel extremely content.

Better than this, though, is that God and the Holy Spirit are at move in miraculous ways here!  We feel the opposition from the enemy and therefore we know that we are coming against the enemy in this spiritual battle.

We are celebrating with the angels, in TWO recent new lives in Christ! We feel such overflowing joy in this that we want to sing it from the mountain top!!!  Luke 15:10 says, "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

In my quiet time this morning I found encouragement in Romans 12:11, "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Humble servants of the mighty King Jesus,

Diane and Jeff

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

The calling of God back to your home country as a missionary from overseas is sometimes misunderstood, and understandably so.  After all, who wouldn't want to return home just to be back near children, parents and friends?  

God has clearly called us back here to minister, back to our home state, not only as missionaries and evangelists, but for Jeff to pastor.

We dearly miss Brazil and the beautiful people there! We miss the relationships, opportunities to share the gospel, our ministries and even the challenges of living overseas!  We miss our youngest daughter and son-in-law, Hannah and Jake, who live and teach in Rio at an International Christian school.  

If God ever called us back, we would go without any hesitation! WHEREVER He calls us---we are ready and willing to go!

We are continuously reminded by God that He has called us at such a time as this, to spread the gospel, further His kingdom and work alongside His Beloved right here in Annandale, Minnesota in the United States of America!

He taught us so much and changed us immensely in Brazil!  He put a passion deep within our hearts for outreach and evangelism.  He has given us a great love for his children, desiring that no one should perish!  We will never be the same again!  And we have so much more to learn...

As we continue walking forward in this calling to the United States, we are truly amazed by how beautifully the spiritual gifting of the body of Christ at AEFC, and our spiritual giftings balance each other!  There are no coincidences with God!  He knows exactly what He is doing!

We are witnessing the hand of God at work greatly here in Annandale!  It's so exciting!!! 

As well, we have been encouraged and affirmed by this body so beautifully!

Incredibly blessed to be serving here,

Diane and Jeff

Let's Wake Up and Walk Like Jesus Walked!

I am stunned by the number of people that I meet on a daily basis here in Annandale, Minnesota and the surrounding communities that are lost and have no idea that they have a creator that wants to have a relationship with them.

Our culture here in North America is such that we adore knowledge itself, instead of the one we were created to adore, Jesus Christ!

We spend most of our time planning our programs and classes all while the world around is dying and so badly in need of a Savior.

God's word tells us to be immitators of Christ and we see that during Christ's ministry on earth he was out reaching the sinners in the streets, teaching through simple parables. He desires that no one should perish!

We also see that the Pharisees were religious, legalistic and loved to make themselves look important.

Why do we tend to complicate what wasn't meant to be complicated?! God's word says, "Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations" ...not, "go therefore and huddle in your buildings and discuss theology."

Wake up, followers of Jesus Christ!  Let's be hearers AND doers of God's word in this world that is so badly in need of a Savior!

Humble servant of King Jesus,

Diane

Shalom!

Senior Pastor Denny and Sue

Associate Pastor Jeff and Diane

Jeff and I stand in AWE at the work of God's hand over this last year!

God has been directing, encouraging and guiding us clearly!

As we reflect and look back at what God has done, we remember how heartbreaking it was to leave Brazil last April!  Brazil, a country and people that will forever remain in our hearts!

It would have been so easy to stay there. But when God calls us to "go", He does not promise us that it will be easy.  And in our 10th year, it was getting easy and comfortable.

As missionaries there, God had blessed us again with full support for that year, our 10th year.  Ministry was effective, we had finally obtained permanent visas and our daughter and son-in-law were planning to move to Rio to teach at the International Christian School.  We had so many reasons to stay!  And we had one better reason to return to the United States....Jesus Christ!  We could see how our own country was/is turning away from the Lord!

So return, we did---to the country of our origin, because God was clearly calling us to do so! 

God gave us a short stop in Grimes, Iowa, where we stopped to encourage and minister together with some incredible brothers- and sisters-in-Christ.  Now, God has clearly has called us to Annandale, Minnesota. 

Jeff will serve as Associate Pastor at Annandale Evangelical Free Church beginning April 1st.  To quote a sister-in-Christ from AEFC, "His (God's) hand is all over this one!"  Thanks, Nancy, for these encouraging words!

Through Jeff's interviewing process and "courtship" with Annandale Evangelical Free Church, the Holy Spirit has worked incredibly, guiding and affirming!  Allow me to share just one of the many...

One morning during the 5-day candidating visit, I was prayer-running around Pleasant Lake in Annandale, praying for peace as we sought God's clear direction. 

I looked up and saw a sign saying, "Shalom".  I praised God for that word of encouragement!  Upon second glance, I realized that the sign actually said, "Shallow Water"!  

Both encouraged me!  "Shalom", because it means peace, and "Shallow Water," because to me it means that there are times of magnificent ministry opportunities ahead in Annandale after what seemed to be unending and deep waters of being in limbo!

We are so excited and looking forward to what God has in store for us in Annandale!  Praising Him for revealing our "NEXT"!

Shalom,

Diane and Jeff

John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope".


Thank you for praying for us!

We are astounded at the work of the Holy Spirit and will share more soon!  

He is guiding and directing our next steps in such a beautiful way, doing things that only He is capable of.

We have great hope for the future!

God ALONE is worthy of all glory, honor and praise!

Humble servants of the Lord Most High,

Jeff and Diane

God is always preparing each of us for our "NEXT".

What's our...."NEXT"?

When Jeff and I returned to the United States in April, we never would have imagined what God was orchestrating.  

We have had the privilege to work alongside some AMAZING Christ followers, dedicated to knowing God's Word and applying it in their lives and ministry.

We celebrate these brothers-in-Christ that matured in their walks with Christ incredibly during these past six months.  

As well, we celebrate our brother-in-Christ who has decided to use his energy and efforts to go to seminary and become a pastor!

Last Sunday was a bittersweet day as we closed the church plant and celebrated what God has done through all of this journey.

Now we stand at a crossroads, Jeff and I.  We are excited for our next chapter and are listening intently to Him as we reflect, pray, dream, consider and seek God's will for our next ministry.  

We are in awe of our amazing sending church, Westwind, that is so beautifully caring for us!

Thanks to those of you who have reached out to us via e-mails, texts and phone calls with words of love and encouragement!

Please pray with us as we follow God's plan for our lives and for our "NEXT"!

Humble servants of the Lord Most High,

Jeff and Diane

1 Peter 1:3-9, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade---kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that your faith---of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire---may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls".

Focusing on Christ...THE Transformer of Lives!

Jesus' power to transform hearts and lives continuously AMAZES me!

Let me share with you a current praise:

We are delighting in the transformation that we see Christ making in the life and heart of one of our friends!  

We're slowly seeing her getting excited again about her walk with the Lord, as if being in a desert walking aimlessly for years and finally walking into water---living water!

God connected us as friends in an amazing way the day that we moved to Grimes!  It was truly only by the leading of the Holy Spirit!  

As well, we've been praying, without ceasing for this dear friend, studying God's Word together and ministering in love and unity, never judging and always encouraging.

Join us in praise and continued prayer for our friend, who is now greatly enjoying encouraging us in our journey with the Lord!  

I remarked to her the other evening, "if it brings you joy to encourage us, imagine the difference you can make in the lives of so many others, as well!"

Humble servants of the Mighty King Jesus,

Diane and Jeff

COME, HOLY SPIRIT!

Our Connection Group...minus Drew and Jeff!

We've been leading a Connection Group in our home for several months and Wednesday night was an amazing night!

We spent some time sharing about situations in our past when we felt God's very real and clear presence in our lives and one thing was very obvious to me---we all desire MORE of God.  We desire MORE Holy Spirit experiences.

As followers of Jesus Christ, nothing delights us more than those times in our lives when we feel our Father's presence and/or witness the Holy Spirit doing amazing things!  So....can we have MORE of these "Holy Spirit moments"?  I believe the answer is, "YES"!

I have recently been reading in the book of John and John 14 reminds and encourages me in verses 12-14 that say, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it."  

Wow, these are powerful words and they are hard to believe!  And yet, there they are---God's truth.

As we go on and read in chapter 15, we see however that God is the gardener and will cut off branches that bear no fruit.  He prunes us, or disciplines us, so that we can be more fruitful.

What does he ask of us?  That we remain in him.  If we remain in Him, He will remain in us and apart from Him we can do NOTHING.

As we read further, He explains that if we obey His commands we will remain in His love.  He tells us this so that His joy may be in us.  His complete joy.  He chose us and appointed us to GO and bear fruit.  Fruit that will last.  Then He will give whatever we ask in his name!  

James 5:16 tells us that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  I believe God responds to our prayers.

Our interaction with God affects His actions.  In His Word, He has told us how He will react to certain actions and attitudes of ours and our prayers reveal what our attitudes are.

When we go to Him prayerfully, we are showing our reliance on Him.  We are showing our dependency and trust in Him.  He relates to His children who pray dependently upon Him, just as an earthly father wants the best for his children who come to him in dependence.

To me, this means simply that if I remain in relationship with Him, remain in His Word each day, remain in prayer, always remembering to ask His forgiveness for my sins and be "right" with God, that my "Holy Spirit moments" will be many instead of few.  

God WANTS to use us.  We are His ambassadors.  

Are we prepared every day, making ourselves available and "interruptable" to be used by God and see the Holy Spirit at work?

Jeff and I love these moments when the Holy Spirit shows up and we crave more!  So we remain....

...ready and willing,

Diane and Jeff

How Lost is Lost?

God continues to reaffirm our calling back to the States as missionaries and pastor, and especially to the neighborhood He has placed us in!  We celebrate our new friends down the street who come to our weekly Connection Group and study God's Word with us!

I recently met another of our new neighbors, Meg (not her real name), as we were out prayer-walking with our Connection Group this past Wednesday evening.

Meg shared openly about her difficult life, which includes several attempted suicides and problems with her marriage and mental illness.  Because of the medications she takes for bipolar disorder, she wasn't able to focus on our conversation, but we were able to pray for her, give her a gentle hug and speak truth into her life regarding her value as a person created in the image of God.  As well, I told her where I lived and offered a listening ear anytime she needed.

I spent a couple of days feeling overwhelmed by Meg's needs and problems.  I was overwhelmed because I was trying to be her savior!  Her problems are not too big for God!  He calls me to love my neighbor as myself.  Sometimes this requires getting involved in the messiness!

God gently reminded me this morning as I was reading in 1 Timothy 2 that God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.

It doesn't matter how messed up our lives are.  It is the work of the Holy Spirit alone.  Our job is to speak the truth in love and respect and present the clear gospel message.

I, too, was once lost and without hope in my life.  People were praying for me and shared the truth!  I praise God for my sister, Debra, who asked me that difficult question, "have you ever prayed and asked God to be the Lord and Savior of your life?"  She then prayed with me and I entered into a life following Christ.

Could it be that no one has ever prayed for Meg?  Could it be that she has never heard the true gospel message?  Clearly, the enemy is at work in a myriad of ways, destroying her life.

God has replaced my overwhelmed feeling with His hope!  Hope that Meg's life can be transformed and that He alone is able to transform it!  Hope that this may be an opportunity to be used by Him!

I am humbled by His amazing grace, for I, too, was once lost...

Please join me in praying for Meg!  Pray for clear direction from God on how to minister to her.  Pray that the enemy is bound in her life and she chooses to follow Jesus!

Servant of the King of Kings,

Diane

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” Psalm 33:12

Jeff and I have been struggling to readjust to our American culture. There are many things we miss about Brazil!  

It was extremely difficult to leave ministries that we believe in and love!  It was hard to leave leaders that we fought with in the spiritual battle, saw God do amazing things through, and walked in the trenches with!

However, when God clearly says, "Go"----you do just that, you go....especially because, from our perspective of 8,788 kilometers away, we could blatantly see our nation turning away from the Lord!  

After being involved in very intense ministries in Brazil---reaching out to transvestite prostitutes and drug lords---the work here seems a bit tame and we miss the distinctness between good and evil, light and darkness, that we experienced in Brazil.  

However, we believe the enemy would have us believe it is tame so that we would not engage ourselves in the battle here!  In reality, there is a HUGE spiritual battle all around us here in the United States and we're seeing that it IS very intense!

On April 29, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn brought a message to the US Capital, warning America.

To watch this video, Click HERE

Let us not exchange our light for darkness!  Let us keep watch and not sleep!

Humble servants of the Lord Most High,

Diane and Jeff

Tell of All His Wonderful Acts!

Ian and Pastor Jeff

Psalm 105: 1-4

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;

make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him;

tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Look to the Lord and his strength;

seek his face always.

We are in AWE of what God is doing as we work together to plant His new church!

We thank Him daily for His answers to prayers, guidance and provision, and rejoice in the miracles, small and large!

God has provided a lovely and comfortable home for us in Grimes, Iowa!  We are feeling extremely blessed!

We moved in on May 1st, which is a special day for us, as it is the day our first daughter, Jessica, was born! 

God has clearly planted us in this new neighborhood for his eternal purposes!  We went out and delivered May Day baskets for 2 hours and were so encouraged to meet many of our neighbors and they are hungry for relationships!

We've been so encouraged by the friends that have unexpectedly stopped in to welcome us back to the USA!  THANKS, FRIENDS!

If you'd like to stop by, please do ANYTIME---no appointment is necessary!  

We'd love to chat with you, pray with you and, of course, give you a holy hug!  We do miss the spontaneity, relationships and warm hugs of the Brazilian culture!  

Our new address is 2150 NE 18th Street, Unit 9, Grimes, IA  50111.  If you desire to call ahead to confirm that we are at home, you may.  Diane's phone number is 612-412-6917.  Jeff's phone number is 515-414-4342.   

We'd love to catch up with you and hear how God is at work in your lives!  Diane is ALWAYS willing make you a cup of tea or a latte---with Brazilian coffee, of course!

Humble servants of the mighty king, Jesus,

Diane and Jeff

The Process and Promise of Sanctification

Sometimes, I must admit, I put God in a box.  I assume He will work a certain way.  I assume He will use me in a certain way in my gifting.  I become too comfortable in who I am, thinking that I will always be this way or serve Him this way.  

But His still, small voice speaks.  And He nudges, oh so gently, and shows me a different perspective, a new focus, a new possibility!  I stand in awe of how God is always working way ahead of us, preparing us for the next chapter as we are being sanctified.

Such was the case recently, when in the beginning of our 10th year on the mission field in Rio de Janeiro, He called us to return to the United States---as missionaries---to plant a new church with a focus on disciple-making and evangelism.  

It came at a time when it humanly made no sense.  We were 100% supported for our ministry on the field for the 10th year in a row.   The dollar was strong at 3 to 1.  And we saw God working in Rio in amazing ways---with many people coming to Christ daily!  It is our hope to introduce you to many Brazilians in eternity because of our combined efforts!

And yet....we were getting comfortable.  Too comfortable, if that possible in Rio de Janeiro, a city known for it's violence.

God showed us that it was time to take another risk for Him.  It was time to "GO", as missionaries sent from Brazil.   Each time we returned to the USA within the last 3 years or so, our hearts were heavy when we would see what was happening in the US as we worked together with passionate Christ followers in Brazil who were on fire for the Lord!

So now we simply obey Him, "GO", and let go again.  Let go of all that is familiar.  Let go of our comforts in Rio...our friends, our Brazilian "families", our ministries and let go and leave behind of all of our earthly belongings.  

We start all over again.  With GREAT anticipation, remembering the promises in His word that He will sanctify us.  Again, we cling to the promise in 1 Thessalonians 5:24, "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."

We claim this verse for our youngest daughter, Hannah and her fiance, Jake, as well.  They, too, are "going", as God has called them after their wedding and honeymoon back to Rio, where Jake will teach at the International Christian school that our children attended when they lived there.  They, too, will leave all their comforts and begin a new chapter as a married couple in the process of sanctification.

We covet your prayers, partnership, continued friendship and support as we continue to work together make His name known.

Humble servants of the mighty king, Jesus,

Diane and Jeff

Chegamos!

Mateus 28:19, "Portanto, vão e façam discípulos de todas as nações, batizando-os em nome do Pai e do Filho e do Espírito Santo,"

Eu e o Jeff chegamos bem!  Os pais do jeff, a nossa filha Jessica e nossa netinha Marissa, nos buscaram no aeroporto em Minneapolis e fomos pra um restaurante para comemorar nossa volta pra casa!

Estamos vendo a montanha de coisas na nossa frente e estamos cansados, mas no mesmo tempo, olhamos pra frente com muito anticipaçao e alegria! Estamos no centro da vontade de Deus!

Agora vamos começar a escrever em português no nosso blog, para todos nossos irmãos brasileiros lerem, (se eles quiserem) para que saibam o que Deus está fazendo e como ele esta trabalhando enquanto nós plantamos essa nova igreja!

Amanhã vamos pra igreja com a família da nossa filha Jessica para celebrar a Pascoa. Durante os ultimos 9 anos, celebramos Pascoa só uma vez aqui nos EUA!

Orem pela nossa nova igreja!  Vamos conhecer a igreja mãe, que esta nos enviando para implantar essa igreja domingo que vem!

Trabalhando juntos para o reino de Deus,

Diane e Jeff

English:

Jeff and I arrived well!  Jeff's parents, our daughter, Jessica and our granddaughter, Marissa, picked us up at the airport in Minneapolis and we went to a restaurant to commemorate our return home!

We are looking at a mountain of things in front of us and we are tired, but, at the same time, we look ahead with great anticipation and joy!  We feel we are in the center of God's will!

We will begin to write our blog in portuguese so that all of our Brazilian brothers can read (if they want) and know what God is doing and how he is working while we plant this new church!

Tomorrow, we will go to church with Jessica's family to celebrate Easter!  During the past 9 years, we celebrated Easter only one time here in the United States!

Pray for our new church!  We will meet the mother church that is sending us to plant this church next Sunday!

Working together for the kingdom of God,


Diane and Jeff

We Stand in AWE of Him!

Pastor Jon and Pastor Jeff

It's been a busy few days, after being commissioned by two churches here in Brazil to go as Pastor, missionaries and church planters to the United States.  

We're doing our best to say goodbye to so many brothers-in-Christ and friends, and I'm not even going to try to remember the dates that God began to orchestrate all the details...I will, however, share how I remember Him working!  He is always at work ahead of us!  

Some years ago, while Jeff and I were stateside and visiting a family in Quincy, Illinois, regarding their desire to come to Rio on a vision trip, we stopped at a McDonalds on our way back to Minneapolis to pick up our e-mails.

I remember that we received an e-mail from a pastor in Des Moines asking us if we were receptive to receiving a short-term team from his church.  We jumped on it, as we felt the Holy Spirit directing us and immediately responded in the affirmative.

We consequently ended up meeting with him, meeting his team, training his short-term team stateside and receiving them here in Rio.

God connected us to Pastor Jon and He has called us as pastor/missionaries/church planters to Grimes, Iowa, to join together with Jon to plant a new church!  

Daily, God has confirmed this calling---and for this we give Him praise!  There is no better place to be than in the center of His will!

After almost a decade here in Rio, we will leave later this week to work together with this young pastor to plant a church in Grimes, Iowa! We stand in awe of how God works!

We've learned a great dependence on God here on the mission field in Rio!  For 10 years, He has provided everything, including financial resources for us on the field.

Once again, we will leave our comfort, (if Rio can even be called that!), our home, our "family", our ministry and our lives and start all over again from zero, trusting Him to direct and provide all that we need.

We're completely different people than we were 10 years ago when we left Johnston, Iowa!  We've adapted to Brazilian culture, we're relational and we're use to going into some intense places with intense ministry.

Pray that we can reach the lost and bring a contagious passion for Christ like non-other!  Pray that we can ignite and inspire people to boldly and gently go out and walk where Jesus would walk and raise up fully-committed Christ followers as we strive together to further His kingdom and plant His church.

Whether here or there, sharing the hope we have in Christ with all,

Diane and Jeff

Responding to God's Call

We’re in the beginning of our tenth year as missionaries here in Rio de Janeiro and we could write a book telling of all the wondrous ways that God has worked!  We love to tell these “God stories”!  

Recently, God has been working in an amazing way in our lives and we want to share with you this new story.

Four weeks ago Diane and I were finishing up our time in the USA with a visit to California, where we were meeting with a partner church and also spending time with some dear friends of ours.  

After our time there, we were at the airport (Los Angeles) sitting at the gate, ready to return to Minneapolis and prepare to return to Rio in 3 days.  At the gate, we sat and prayed intensely, seeking His direction for the coming year.

We arrived into Minneapolis after midnight and Jeff glanced at his emails.  He saw one from a dear pastor friend and the subject line said, “before you say no”.  He waited until morning, as it seemed serious and he needed to sleep.  

In the morning we read the email and the pastor shared with us that he is planting a church and has been seeking another pastor to come alongside him.  He then shared how he also had a "shalom" time of prayer the day before and during this time God spoke to him clearly saying, "ASK JEFF".  

We were stunned!  This led us on a 2-week journey of seeking the Lord’s confirmation whether or not this was His will for our lives.  God spoke in extremely clear and amazing ways to confirm that yes it was!!  So we said, “Yes, God, we will go” and accepted this offer to help plant a church in Grimes, Iowa. 

From a human point of view this opportunity made no sense.  Our work in Rio was effective and bearing fruit, our financial support was at 100%, God had removed our obstacles (visa, big fine mess, etc.) and the dollar has never been stronger.  

Then we looked at the opportunity to help plant a church.  The finances will need to be raised, we have never planted a church in the USA, and it will take a huge amount of energy and on and on.  

However, we know that God calls us to do hard things for Him and to completely depend on Him so He may show His power!

We have many details to attend to as we transition back to the USA.  Leaving will be very difficult, as we will always love and cherish the Brazilian people and this country!  We need to say our goodbyes to both friends and places and celebrate what God has done these past almost 10 years!

Please pray for us as we transition back to the USA!

Responding to His call,

Jeff and Diane

There are no Coincidences with God!!!!

Recently, Jeff and I called for a taxi here in Rio.

When the driver arrived, Antonio, he was nervous and talkative.  He explained that we were his first clients since his car had been carjacked four days earlier.  He said, "Do you KNOW how dangerous this place is?"  We told him, yes, Rio is extremely dangerous.  He replied, "NO! I mean RIGHT HERE!  THIS STREET!"  

He went on to explain that four days earlier at the apartment building 50 feet from our home here in Rio, a group of three young men put a gun to his head, carjacked his taxi and drove him over to Caju, driving over 120 mph!  They were obviously on drugs and told him that they had killed a police officer by shooting him in the face 5 times.  They talked about killing the taxi driver, but one of them said no, to not do it!

We spent our hour-long ride in the taxi comforting this man, knowing that it was not a coincidence that God orchestrated us being his first clients since this traumatic experience and that our house was only 50 feet from where the whole thing took place!

While we were praying for him, his phone rang and it was his wife calling to see how his first day back on the job was.  He told her that his first clients lived next door to the place where his car was hijacked, but that it was okay, because we were pastors and were praying for him!

When we asked him if he believed in God and in Jesus, he went on to share that his neighbor was a pastor from a church that believed in Jesus Christ and had been sharing a lot with him about Jesus. 

We all agreed that God had spared his life and given him a second chance.  He shared he would speak more to this neighbor who is a pastor about trusting in Christ as his Lord and Savior!

When we arrived at our destination, Antonio hugged us, thanked us and said it was not a coincidence that we were his first clients since he had returned to drive his taxi!

Humble servants of the Lord Most High,

Diane and Jeff

Keeping it "Real" Because Jesus is REAL!

We've recently been reflecting on those times in our lives and in ministry when God seems to be using us the most and these things are so clear to us:

• His power and might are not evident unless we are completely depending on Him. 
• We get to see more of His power and might when we are taking risks for Him.
• We need to put ourselves in uncomfortable situations, trusting 100% that He can and will move.
• God presents us opportunities to impact lives when we are intentionally looking for them and ready to act.

When we have become too comfortable and do not take risks for the gospel, then we are not allowing the Holy Spirit to have His way in and through us.

How good it is to serve a god that wants to use each one of us...a god that gives us the ultimate blessing of being fruitful for His kingdom!

These thoughts encourage us to be more real, risky and radical for Him and to be willing go wherever He may call us so that He may show His awesome power and might!

100% In with Jesus,

Diane and Jeff

We're Back!

We want to thank everyone of you for your generosity and encouragement while we were in the United States!  You all blessed us with kind words, hugs, housing, stories of God's hand at work while you've served with us here in Brazil, and so many other ways!  

So much of what we do here in the field is encouraging Brazilians and affirming the ministries they are called to.  Quite often we, too, need to be encouraged and God used many of you to fill up our cups during our time in the States!  Thank you!

We were able to visit our friends Al and Carolyn in California and celebrate 3 years of Al being cancer-free with them!!!  PTL!  

While in California, we were also able to visit Pastor Mike and Karyn and see the incredible ministry where they pastor at the Green Oak Ranch.

However, while we were in California, we saw the enemy at work in so many ways and sensed a decline in the American church and have spent a lot of time praying for our country, the USA.  People all over the world need Jesus!

While speaking at one of our supporting churches, one of you passed us this encouraging note after we spoke and we've shed many tears together because of it!  We humbly thank you!

We arrived home here in Rio yesterday.  The day before we were scheduled to travel back, Jeff had difficulties getting out of bed.  He was having great pains in his back and we thought we wouldn't be able to return to Rio!

After he went to the doctor, it was decided that he possibly had twisted his back and caused some swelling.  The doctor gave him a cortisone injection, anti-inflammatory medication and a pain killer so that we were able to take our three flights home, praise the Lord!

Upon arriving at our home here, it was discovered that our cistern was almost empty and water had not been coming in.  This morning we turned on the pump and as I type this, it continues to pour in for almost 7 hours now....again---Praise the Lord!  As well, we are having a torrential rain!

We have arrived back at the end of Carnaval and we can feel the heavy spiritual oppression that is upon the city. 

Please pray for us as we readjust to being back and begin to re-engage in ministry after 2 months stateside.  Pray for continued direction from the Lord as we serve to make His name known among the beautiful people of Brazil.

Blessed to be sent,

Diane and Jeff